The grass fields in Shepherd Canyon Park have been used by Montclair Soccer for the Under-8 age group for practices and games for a very long time. The grass is divided into two fields. The one closest to the restrooms is the smaller field and is only used for U-8. The field closest to the fire station is larger and is often used for the U10 age group during the spring. Both fields are used primarily for U8 soccer in the fall seasons. Beginning Spring 2009, U6 games will be held at Shepherd Canyon on Sundays. Our Equipment Shed is located near the firehouse.

Announcements

March 25, 2009 - For Spring 2009, if the Shepherd Canyon parking lot is full, soccer families should park at the Escher Drive entrance to the park. See below for map & directions to Escher Drive.  The City of Oakland expanded Shepherd Canyon in Fall 2008. A portion of the construction funding for this project was being provided by the Montclair Soccer Club. Families should NOT park in the gulley or on Shepherd Canyon Road below the parking lot.

1. Pack out all your team's trash. Do not put it in trash cans at the park. There’s no way the City can keep up with our 500+ U6-U8-U10 families who use Shepherd Canyon.
2. We love Fido, but no dogs are allowed at soccer practices or games. If you or someone on your team brings a dog, your entire team will be dropped immediately from the schedule. (Sounds harsh, but we'd rather lose a team than lose the entire field for our 500+ families who play here each week.)
3. Got an outgrown jersey/shorts? Drop off outgrown jerseys/shorts at the return box near the Shed (beige container near the firehouse at Shepherd Canyon).

For Spring 2009, Shepherd Canyon will be used as follows by Montclair Soccer:

• Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 4pm to 7pm, U8 & U10 practices - you must coordinate with our Practice Coordinator (practices@montclairsoccer.org) to practice at Shepherd 
• Saturdays, 8am to 6pm
  • U8 games - field closest to the bathrooms & parking lot  
  • U10 games - field closest to the firehouse
• Sundays, 1pm to 6pm - U6 games 

View of fields from hillside trail.

Map

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Parking

Shepherd Canyon has a newly expanded parking lot. If the Shepherd Canyon parking lot is full, families should park at the Escher Drive entrance to Shepherd Canyon park. Families should NOT park in the gulley or on the road below the parking lot. See below for directions to the Escher Drive parking lot and trail to Shepherd Canyon.

Escher Drive Parking

Many of you might not know about the Escher Drive entrance to Shepherd Canyon Park. This entrance, marked by a yellow gate, is near where Escher Drive ends at Bagshotte Drive. The road is fairly wide at this point, with plenty of room for cars to park. There's a path which leads from this entrance to the grass fields. The main path leads to a picnic area equipped with two picnic tables.  To get to Shepherd Canyon fields, take the left branch just beyond the yellow gate on Escher. The path is fairly level, ending at the midpoint of the grass fields. It took me about five minutes to walk its length. About half-way the path crosses a stream. The stream was dry in August when I checked it out. I'd recommend against taking a stroller along this path. Don't confuse this easy path with the one that switch-backs up the hillside near the restrooms!

Escher Drive is on the right about half a mile up Shepherd Canyon Road past the fields. Don't be confused if you see this road labeled "Shepherd Canyon Park" in Google Maps. The street signs mark the road as Escher Drive.

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