Applegate Park

I wish I was able to rate this place 5 stars, it has all the necessary attractions needed to become an excellent locale, but sadly as the years pass on; its appeal to the public fades out just as quick. if the city put more of an effort into taking care of this park, the public could actually have something worth holding onto. As of now, I would say this place is slowing moving toward demolishment, on one side of the park you have a zoo that is slowly deteriorating, next to that you have an unsightly Chernobyl-​esque amusement park, and at the far end you get to «enjoy» an overcrowded, sewer pipe lined skate park where teenagers and grown men hang out to smoke weed, drink cheap beer, and listen to awful «Juggalo» music. I almost forgot to mention the actual park itself, how could I possibly forget to mention the biggest eyesore of them all? First off, the grass is pale as a ghost, and yet still magically smells like S***, Secondly, the tables and gazebos are riddled with graffiti and littered with trash and cigarette butts, and finally, the play structure is a mine field and not somewhere to allow your children to run freely, on every visit I find at least one used syringe; blended in among the wood chips. Thanks Merced, way to look out for your community :(

Things need to be fix, what i dont get is why the basketball courts haven’t gotten any attention. It’s the highlight of the park besides the kiddie land. Step yo spending game up Merced!!!

The skate park is more street than vert.
While there are rules, I didn’t see them for a while, and in reality, they feel more like suggestions. I’m not even sure I saw anyone wearing any safety equipment. Unless you’re very new to skate parks or you’re advanced and doing something that’s unlikely with this skate park, you probably won’t need the equipment so much.
The skate park is close to some parking. There is a shallow bowl at the far end with ledges to grind and ramps and a pyramid to jump on the way.
Everyone seemed to enjoy it, although I heard a few people grumbling, but that is always the case.
Behind the skate park, there was a fence, and behind that, some small train tracks and a picnic table.

Best place we found to stop for a picnic on our way through Merced. A little play structure with other kids, a couple of picnic benches and not too many homeless people. You have to go around the park all the way to the far end from the main street to find the play structure, the tables and the not too bad restroom.

We love packing a lunch and making a day of it at the Applegate Park. The beautiful park starts on R st. and runs along a creek with an adjacent bike path. On the North side of the Park is the Zoo, there is also a children’s play area with a huge slide, ladder and shoots play structure. There is also a separate swing area with 6 baby swings and 6 regular swings. A skate park, basket ball courts, and the Kiwanis Kiddy Part is the best deal in town. 50 cent tickets for your little tike to ride a little roller coaster or drive their own car. And don’t miss their train ride! Their hours are April — Oct. Weekends only 1pm to 4pm. On the other side of the park is a pavilion and several large picnic areas. This is Merced’s oldest city park.