Peter Bertelsen Memorial Park in El Dorado Hills makes a wonderful outing for families, especially in the summertime, due to its brand-new splash pad.

The playground at this El Dorado Hills park also has a rare, accessible slide feature that families need to know about. On the topic of the playground, it’s best for older children, as there is not much play equipment for younger toddlers. That said, kids of all ages will enjoy the wonderful splash pad.

Peter Bertelsen Memorial Park was named to honor Lieutenant Peter L. Bertelsen of the El Dorado Hills Fire Department. Tragically, he lost his life in the line of duty, and his memory lives on by way of this park.

While this park is more of a neighborhood park, it packs in some surprisingly fun features, from the splash pad to shaded swings that make it worth a visit for Sacramento area families. Plus, its nearby proximity to Folsom makes it easy to combine with fun things to do in Folsom with kids, such as the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary and Livermore Community Park.

Splash Pad at Peter Bertelsen Memorial Park

There are tons of great splash pads in Sacramento, and the splash pad at Peter Bertelsen Memorial Park now joins that list. While older children will enjoy the playground at the park, toddlers and younger children will love the splash pad.

Various delightful water features make up this firetruck-themed splash pad. There is an adorable firetruck in the middle of the splash pad, surrounded by a spraying fire hat, a fire hydrant sprayer, and lots of other water spouts. It’s very fun theming. However, older kids might get bored at this splash pad since there are no dump buckets or water cannons.

There are two things I especially love about this splash pad. The first is that there are two real bathrooms (including one with a changing table) directly next to the splash pad. The adjacent bathrooms make it easy to change kids in and out of their swimsuits.

The second thing I love about it is the large shaded pavilion next to the splash pad. Parents can sit and relax in the shade while the kids splash around, all while staying close to keep an eye on the children.

The Playground Is Better for Older or Adventurous Kids

The playground at Peter Bertelsen Memorial Park is for older kids. There’s even a sign at the playground stating that it’s for ages 5-12. My 4-year-old is a very adventurous climber, so he loved the challenging play equipment at this park. It’s a very advanced climbing structure.

My 2-year-old, however, couldn’t do much at this playground. There is a large spinning boat that younger kids can sit in, as well as bucket swings. Other than that, this is a playground for older children. Toddlers will love the splash pad, but unfortunately, they will be too small for the elevated climbing structures.

Unique 360 Loop Slide at The Playground

I had been wondering if any Sacramento area playgrounds have a 360 Loop Slide, so it was a nice surprise when I randomly came across one at the Peter Bertelsen Memorial Park playground. This El Dorado Hills playground is the only one I know of in the Sacramento area that has a 360 Loop Slide.

If you’ve never heard of a 360 Loop Slide, it’s an inclusive play piece that combines a slide, transfer station, and climber into one piece of equipment. It’s especially good for children transferring from mobility devices, as it can help them play independently.

Like the free sensory bags at the Golden 1 Center and Sacramento Zoo, I am also on the lookout for sensory-friendly and accessible play equipment that may better support children with disabilities. The 360 Loop Slide at this park makes it a standout feature. Kudos to the El Dorado Hills Parks & Facilities Team for incorporating one of these slides into their playgrounds.

Shaded Swings

Another great playground feature at Peter Bertelsen Memorial Park is the shaded swings. Swings include an accessible, regular, and bucket.

Additional Park Amenities

• Restrooms (1 has a changing table)
• Spacious parking lot
• Shaded picnic tables next to splash pad
• Little Free Library

Nearby Food Stop

Since El Dorado Hills is so close to Folsom, there’s a wide selection of dining options nearby. One of our favorites? Slice House by Tony Gemignani. The Folsom location is a 7-minute drive from Peter Bertelsen Memorial Park.

We love Slice House because it’s a quick, casual meal to get a few slices of pizza. The Folsom location has a nice outdoor patio, high chairs, and a bathroom. The pizza slices are also huge! While it’s a pizza slice shop, it’s expensive. Even with the enormous pizza slices, it’s around $30 for 4 slices. With that price, it’s actually cheaper to buy a whole pizza. So if you’re on a budget, you might want to skip this one.

On a budget? The Folsom Costco is even closer to the park, a 6-minute drive. So if you’re tight on funds and a Costco member, grab those $2 pizza slices for the kids, instead (or a whole pizza for $10).

Is Peter Bertelsen Memorial Park Good for Toddlers?

• Splash pad = YES
• Playground = Challenging for younger toddlers, but they will be able to use the shaded bucket swings

Tips Before You Visit

• Splash pad is open daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
• Kids of all ages will enjoy this park, but toddlers will appreciate the splash pad, and older kids will like the playground.
• The splash pad and shaded picnic area might get busy on weekends.
• Bring buckets for the splash pad.
• Bring sunscreen, towels, and water shoes.
• Take a change of clothes for kids to change into if you plan to combine this park outing with other kid-friendly activities on the same day.

Frequently Asked Questions about Peter Bertelsen Memorial Park

Does Peter Bertelsen Memorial Park have a splash pad?

Yes! There is a firetruck-themed splash pad, and it’s one of the best splash pads in Sacramento. It’s the second splash pad in El Dorado Hills.

Is the splash pad free?

Yes, this splash pad is free for anyone to use.

Is the splash pad good for toddlers?

The splash pad at Peter Bertelsen Memorial Park is ideal for toddlers, as it has many fun water features, but is more laid back since it does not include thrilling water features like dump buckets or water cannons.

Does the park have bathrooms?

There are two restrooms next to the splash pad. One restroom has a changing table.

Is the playground toddler-friendly?

No, the playground is better for older children. Toddlers will be able to use the bucket swings and sit in a large spinning boat. They may also be able to use the 360 Loop Slide.

What is a 360 Loop Slide?

A 360 Loop slide is an inclusive playground feature designed to help more children play independently by combining climbing, transferring, and sliding into one continuous play experience.

Are there shaded areas at the park?

Yes, there is a shaded picnic pavilion next to the splash pad.

Peter Bertelsen Memorial Park Address: 831 Redwood Ln, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762