Berkeley Hills in Alameda County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
John Hinkel Park
Clubhouse: John Gregg, Designer, 1918
| | Amphitheater: Vernon Dean, Designer, 1934 | |
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 21, 2012
1. John Hinkel Park Marker
designated in 2001
In 1919 John and Ada Hinkel donated seven hillside areas to the City of Berkeley in appreciation of the Boy Scouts service to the nation during the First World War. Before making their gift, the Hinkels added a playground, trails, a massive stone fireplace, and clubhouse. John Gregg, University of California landscape professor and president of the citys park commission, contributed to the park design and designed the rustic redwood clubhouse.
City landscape designer Vernon Dean planned both Berkeleys Rose Garden and this parks stone-terraced amphitheater. Built by the Civil Works Administration during the Depression, it was home to the California (originally Berkeley) Shakespeare Festival from its founding in 1954 to 1991.
Erected 2003 by Berkeley Historical Plaque Project.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 2001.
Location. 37° 53.707′ N, 122° 16.381′ W. Marker is in Berkeley, California, in Alameda County. It is in Berkeley Hills. It can be reached from Somerset Place. This markers is near the barbeque and amphitheater
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area and on the Coast Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mortar Rock (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Indian Rock (approx. 0.2 miles away); Thousand Oaks Neighborhood and Urns (approx. 0.3 miles away); Northbrae Public Improvements (approx. 0.4 miles away); Site of Thousand Oaks School (approx. 0.4 miles away); North Branch Berkeley Public Library (approx. 0.7 miles away); Site of Napoleon Bonaparte Byrne House (approx. 0.8 miles away); Berkeley Municipal Rose Garden (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Berkeley.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Live Oak Park (was approx. 0.8 miles away but has been permanently removed).
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 21, 2012
2. John Hinkel Park Marker
The amphitheater designed by Vernon Dean.
Photographed by Diane Phillips
3. John Hinkel Park
An additional view of the amphitheater.
Photographed by Diane Phillips
4. The John Hinkel Park Clubhouse
Photographed by Diane Phillips
5. The John Hinkel Park Clubhouse
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 24, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,340 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 24, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 28, 2020, by Diane Phillips of Pittsburg, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
