Kern River Parkway
Encyclopedia
The Kern River Parkway is primarily a natural preserve in Bakersfield
, California
. It runs the length of the Kern River
from the mouth of the Kern Canyon to Interstate 5
. At 6,000 acres, it is the largest municipal park in the county. The parkway was created in 1976 when the city purchased all assets related to the Kern River from Tenneco West.
Several lakes exist in the parkway. Also, some areas either next to, on inside the parkway have been developed into more formal parks. They are: Beach Park
, Hart Park, The Park at River Walk
, River Oaks Park, and Yokuts Park.
Bakersfield, California
Bakersfield is a city near the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley in Kern County, California. It is roughly equidistant between Fresno and Los Angeles, to the north and south respectively....
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. It runs the length of the Kern River
Kern River
The Kern River is a river in the U.S. state of California, approximately long. It drains an area of the southern Sierra Nevada mountains northeast of Bakersfield. Fed by snowmelt near Mount Whitney, the river passes through scenic canyons in the mountains and is a popular destination for...
from the mouth of the Kern Canyon to Interstate 5
Interstate 5 in California
Interstate 5 is a major north–south route of the Interstate Highway System in the U.S. state of California. It begins at the Mexico – United States border at the San Ysidro crossing, goes north across the length of California and crosses into Oregon south of the Medford-Ashland metropolitan...
. At 6,000 acres, it is the largest municipal park in the county. The parkway was created in 1976 when the city purchased all assets related to the Kern River from Tenneco West.
Park description
There are two trails through the park. On the north is an equestrian trail. The trail on the south is known as a jogging trail, but can also be used with non-motorized forms of transportation. In addition, there is a bike path (Kern River Parkway Trail) that runs from Alfred Harrell Highway in the Northeast to Enos Lane in the Southwest. There are several staging areas located throughout the park. A series of call boxes are placed along the length of the bike path.Several lakes exist in the parkway. Also, some areas either next to, on inside the parkway have been developed into more formal parks. They are: Beach Park
Beach Park (Bakersfield)
Beach Park is a public park in Bakersfield, California. It is located at the major intersection of 24th street and Oak street, which makes it one of the more visible parks in the city. It is directly adjacent to the Kern River Parkway, and is used as a staging area for the various trails in the...
, Hart Park, The Park at River Walk
The Park at River Walk
The Park at River Walk is a public park located in Bakersfield, California. The park is , and contains two lakes connected by a stream. It is also the location of the Bright House Amphitheater, one of two large outdoor theaters in Bakersfield . The park is located next to the Kern River Bike Trail...
, River Oaks Park, and Yokuts Park.