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Recreation:
City of Los Angeles &
Recreation Guides: Los Angeles County Orange County Riverside County San Bernardino County
Los Angeles Parks and Recreation Department New Headquarters in the Garland Building, 1200 W 7th St., Suite 700, Los Angeles CA 90017, 1-800-LAPARKS
The Los
Angeles Parks and Recreation Department operates 150+ recreation centers
and 350+ parks (including 5 Regional Parks) throughout the Los Angeles area.
Its facilities throughout the city include nearly 16,000 acres of park land, 15
swimming pools, 13 golf courses,
92 miles of hiking trails,
and hundreds of basketball, tennis, and volleyball
courts, playgrounds, soccer fields, baseball diamonds, indoor
and outdoor gyms, and picnic areas. School-aged childcare is offered at park district
facilities throughout the area, along with preschool programs for children ages 3-5.
Regional Parks:
Elysian Park. Near the Civic Center. Contains picnic areas, hiking
trails, Angels Point and the Memorial Grove Arboretum.
Ernest E. Debs Regional Park. 4235 Monterey Rd., 213-847-3989. Features a landscaped
picnic areas, natural wilderness including hiking trails, bird sanctuary,
reservoir, and scenic views of the L.A. Basin and parks of Glendale.
Hansen Dam Recreation Area. 11770 Foothill Blvd., 818-756-8190. Features an
18-hole, par 72 golf course with food service, golf professional clubhouse and
free parking (off Glenoaks Boulevard in the recreational area), as well as
picnic areas and a lake, children's play area, a softball field, barbecue
facilities, and outdoor amphitheater. Parking is available.
Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park. 25820 Vermont Ave., 310-548-7515. Features a
reflecting lake and offers overnight camping (for groups only), fishing and
nature hikes, picnic area with BBQ pits, 9-acre golf course, and children's
play area.
Sepulveda Dam Recreational Area. 17017 Burbank Blvd. in Encino. Features three
18-hole golf courses, and 8-acre major sports field with baseball diamonds,
lighted tennis courts, an outdoor gym with basketball, volleyball, and handball
courts, children's play areas, parking facilities, a 20-acre picnic area,
cricket field, archery range, garden center, and bicycle and roller skating
paths.
Griffith Park. Open from 6 AM-10 PM daily. Features over 4,000
acres of land, bridle (equestrian) trails, hiking paths, jogging paths,
mountain roads, picnic areas, golf courses, tennis courts, swimming pool,
soccer fields, and playgrounds. Attractions include the Autrey Museum of
Western Heritage (4700 Western Heritage Way, 323-667-2000, open 10 AM-5 PM
Tues.-Sun.), Greek Theater, Griffith Observatory (planetarium theater, Hall of
Science, Zeiss telescope, open 2-10 PM T-F, 12:20-10 PM Sat.-Sun.), Los Angeles
Equestrian Center (480 Riverside Dr. in Burbank, 323-840-9063), Los Angeles
Zoo, Travel Town Museum (5200 Zoo Dr., 323-662-5874, open 10 AM-4 PM daily,
emphasis on railroad history, bicycle rental available here, 323-662-6573),
Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round (Park Center, 323-665-3051, open weekends during
school year and weekends over the summer, daily 11 AM-5 PM for Christmas and
Easter breaks), Griffith Park Southern Railroad and Pony Rides (Los
Feliz/Riverside entrance to park, open during school year from 10 AM-4:30 PM
Tues.-Sun. during summer till 5 PM. 323-664-6788 for Railroad, 323-664-3266 for
Pony rides)
Sherman Oaks/Castle Park. 4989 Sepulveda Blvd. in Sherman Oaks, 818-756-9459.
Open from 10 AM-11 PM Sun.-Thurs., till Midnight on Fri. & Sat. Offers
miniature golf, batting cages, an arcade, and party facilities (charges vary
according to activity).
Orcutt Ranch. 818-346-7449. Open to public from 8 AM-5 PM daily.
Features manicured gardens and towering oak trees. Available for rental from 8
AM-10 PM on the weekends and 4 PM-10 PM M-F.
Los Angeles Zoo 5333 Zoo Drive, 323-644-6400
The Los
Angeles Zoo is open from 10 AM to 5 PM daily, and to 6 PM on Sat. &
Sun. during July & August. Admission
rates are $3.25 for children ages 2-12, $8.25 for adults, and $5.25 for
senior citizens. Admission is free
for members of the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA)
or the American Zoo & Aquarium
Association. Group discounts
are available, as are employee
discounts for companies of 50 or more. Educational Programs offered by the zoo include docent- and self-guided tours, classes for preschoolers, youth,
and scout groups, as well as adult workshops, "zoo on the road" programs
for schoolchildren, adults, and community groups, and curriculum
materials for teachers.
Other Recreation Programs/Organizations:
Ventura
County Recreation Programs
Oxnard
Recreation & Community Services 555 South "A" St., Suite 265,
805-385-7995
Recreation & Community Services provides a variety of recreational and educational programs and classes for all ages, including sports such as basketball and volleyball. For adults, tennis, soccer and softball are offered through leagues, clinics, instruction and tournaments. Adult softball leagues and tournaments are held at the Community Center West Softball Complex. Oxnard Tennis Center is the site for tennis classes, tournaments, and other activities. Youth Sports also include flag football. Other classes for children include Pee Wee Golf Lessons and CPR. Yoga is offered for adults and a class called Grandparenting in the 21st Century may be of interest to older adults as well. Wilson Senior Center, 350 N "C" St., through the Wilson Senior Services Program, offers a nutrition program and other specialized classes and services, including Legal Aid, the Minibus, Senior Vegetable Garden, RSVP and Senior Excursions. An Adaptive Recreation Program held there conducts monthly social gatherings and dances for developmentally disabled adults. Colonia Park, 170 N. Marquita, features a gym, lit softball fields, a youth center and a senior center. 2 community centers; Performing Arts Center, 800 Hobson Way, and South Oxnard Center, 200 E Bard Rd., serve the community. South Oxnard Center also houses 1 of the 3 senior centers in Oxnard. Other facilities include Police Activities League Gym, 251 S "K" St., Soccer Fields at Southwest Community Park, 5th & Patterson, Del Sol Soccer Complex, 1500 Colonia Rd., River Ridge Athletic Field, Vineyard & Ventura, Durley Park Youth Center, 850 Hill St. and Southwinds Youth Center, 300 W Clara. Thirty one neighborhood parks serve the city as well.
Conejo Recreation and Park District 403 W.
Hillcrest Dr., 805-495-6471
The Conejo Recreation and Park District, an independent special district, was formed in January 1963, with 80 percent voter approval. The district includes Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park and Westlake Village. District facilities include dozens of neighborhood parks, several community parks (serving a number of neighborhoods), 4 community centers, 1 district-wide park (Conejo Creek North, 1379 E. Janss Rd.) and playfields (intended for competitive team sports such as baseball, basketball and soccer). Amenities at the parks include playground equipment, picnic tables & benches, barbecues, restrooms, athletic fields (softball, soccer), courts for basketball, tetherball, handball, volleyball, tennis, shuffleboard, fitness/jogging trails. Conejo Creek Dog Park is a leash free area for dogs, divided into a part for large dogs and another for small ones. Other facilities include Hillcrest Center (Center for the Arts, Sports Leagues & Tournaments, Tennis & Gymnastics Classes), 403 W Hillcrest Dr., 805-381-2747, Alex Fiore Thousand Oaks Teen Center, 1375 E Janss Rd., 805-494-5156, Botanic Garden (in Conejo Community Park, 1175 Hendrix Ave.), 805-494-7630, Senior Adult Center, 1385 E Janss Rd., 805-381-2744, Therapeutic Programs Center (activities for people with disabilities, special events, excursions and classes), 1600 Marview Dr., 805-381-2739. Many of the classes and programs are held at the community centers. The district offers aquatics programs & classes for all ages and summer day camp programs for school age children.
Rancho Simi Recreation
& Park District 1692 Sycamore Dr., 805-584-4400
The Rancho Simi Recreation & Park District serves about 130,000 Ventura County residents. Facilities include 5 developed urban community parks, 8 themed community parks, 27 neighborhood parks, 2 golf courses (1 18-hole & 1 9-hole), 3 swimming pools, 32
softball diamonds (10 lit, 22 unlit), 5 lit soccer fields, 14.5 basketball courts (11.5 lit, 3 unlit), 18 lit tennis courts, 2.5-acre lagoon, and an Equestrian Center. Arroyo Simi Park offers an off-street bikeway of 6.9 miles and 4.3 miles of equestrian trails. The district also features recreation buildings at three neighborhood parks, the Sycamore Drive Community Center complex, Rancho Santa Susana Community Center & Gym, Historic Santa Susana Railroad Depot, and a Historic park with one building designated as a State Historical Landmark and two buildings on the National Register of Historical Places. The district offers over 250 year-round recreation programs, activities, and classes for all ages, and seasonal activities, such as aquatics and golf. The District’s Alternative Recreation Program serves mentally and physically disabled residents with classes, activities, programs and trips designed for them.
The district has interagency partnerships with Simi Valley & Oak Park Unified School Districts, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, the City of Simi Valley, and Ventura County. These partnerships help develop and maintain some of the facilities and/or programs offered, such as before- & after-school recreation.
Ventura Parks and
Recreation: 501 Poli St., Rm 226, 805-658-4550 (parks), 805-658-4726 (class
information)
The Ventura Parks and Recreation Division offers a variety
of classes and activities for all ages. Adaptive sports classes are offered for
children with physical disabilities. An after-school recreation playground
program is offered for children in grades 1-5. The Adult Sports program,
focusing on basketball, softball, flag football, volleyball and soccer, offers
tournaments, leagues, classes and special events. Park facilities include the Beachfront Parks: Surfers’ Point at
Seaside Park, located at Figueroa Street at the Promenade, Promenade Park,
Marina Park (South end of Pierpont Boulevard), Harbor Cove Beach (west end of
Spinnaker Drive); Historical Sites:
Olivas Adobe Historical Park, 4200 Olivas Park Drive, 805-644-4346, Albinger
Archaeological Museum, 113 E. Main St., 805-648-5823, Mission San Buenaventura,
211 E. Main St., 805-643-4318, Ventura County Museum of History and Art, 100 E.
Main St., 805-653-0323, Ortega Adobe Historic Residence, 215 W. Main St.; Scenic Parks: Arroyo Verde Park
(Foothill and Day Roads), Grant Park (Ferro Drive), Figueroa Mall Historical
Rose Garden; Sports-Oriented Parks:
Camino Real Park (Dean Dr. & Varsity St.), Fritz Huntsinger Youth Sports
Complex (Telephone Road & Saticoy Ave.), Harry A. Lyon Park (De Anza Drive
at Cameron St.), Westpark Community Center (450 W. Harrison Ave.,
805-648-1895); City Golf Courses (both
18-hole): Buenaventura Golf Course (5882 Olivas Park Drive, 805-642-2331),
Olivas Park Golf Course (3750 Olivas Park Drive, 642-4303). Amenities at the
parks include restrooms, picnic/barbecue equipment, children's play areas,
hiking trails, nature center (Arroyo Verde Park), tennis courts (lit and
unlit), basketball courts, baseball/softball fields (lit and unlit), soccer
fields, volleyball courts, open grass areas, Westpark Community Center features
a gym, handball courts, horseshoe pits,
game & crafts rooms, and kitchen & community meeting rooms. Skateboard
facilities for all skill levels (protective gear is required) are available at
Westpark Community Center, Hobert Park and the campus of Pacific High School
(Dean Drive & College). The City has also established miles of on and
off-street bicycle paths and maintains trails along the coastline for
bicyclists, runners and joggers as part of the Pacific Coast Bike Trail. For a
map of the City and County Bike Paths, call the County of Ventura Dial-A-Route
Center (1-800-438-1112.)
Other Recreation Programs/Organizations:
Ventura Family YMCA 3760 Telegraph Rd., Ventura CA 93003 805-642-2131
The Moorpark Recreation Department offers a variety of recreation programs for all ages, such as tennis, arts & crafts, and golf. Classes and activities generally meet at the Arroyo Vista Recreation Center. Preschool Classes include Dance, Pre-Karate, Kids Corner (special needs children, siblings & peers), acting, music, ballet, and cheerleading. Preschool/Youth Classes include horseback riding (Peck Farm). Youth programs & classes also include guitar, chess, etiquette, therapeutic theatre, music & movement (special needs children), acting, cheerleading, and basketball. Teen programs include After Dark events, held periodically at the Recreation Center or the Boys & Girls Club of Moorpark, 200 Casey Rd. These dances are for youth in grades 6-9 and require school I.D. Other teen activities include the Skatepark and Band Jams. Adult classes also include dog obedience, fitness and yoga. Senior Adult Programs include nutrition ((at Active Adult Center, 799 Moorpark Ave., 805-517-6261, or Home-delivered or Brown Bag (Tuesdays, 9-11 AM)). Classes include dance, knit/crochet, art, computer lab, bridge, chair exercise, yoga, strength training, music, and games (Mah Jongg, Scrabble). Sports leagues include basketball for children & adults, softball for adults, and an instructional sports league for women (basketball-winter, soccer-spring, softball-summer, and volleyball-fall). The Arroyo Vista Recreation Center features indoor activity rooms and a gym. Park amenities include two covered picnic pavilions, playgrounds, softball fields, soccer fields, enclosed hockey rink, football field, tennis courts, and plenty of open space.
Santa Paula Recreation Santa Paula
Community Services Dept 530 W Main St., 805-933-4226
The Community Services Department provides recreation services, manages and operates leisure facilities (such as the Community Center, Santa Paula Train Depot, Farmers Market and Santa Paula Union Oil Museum). The Santa Paula Community Center, 530 W Main St., is the site for most recreation classes and programs. Classes and programs offered include a preschool for ages 3-5 (T/TH from 9-11 AM for age 3, MWF from 9 AM-Noon for ages 4-5), gymnastics (youth), tennis, dance, kung fu, guitar (youth & adult), youth basketball & flag football leagues. Adult classes include t'ai chi ch'uan, yoga, wire wrap jewelry making, and CPR & first aid. Senior Adult programs and services include Information & Referral, Braille Institute Visual Aid & Consultation, Fitness Class (P.A.C.E.), 55 Alive (Driving class), Health Services (Blood Pressure Testing), AARP Meetings, Lunch Program, Meals on Wheels, Homeowners/Renter's Assistance, Legal Help, Insurance Counseling, Bingo, Trips & Tours. Recreational facilities also include a skate park. Las Piedras Park Boys and Girls Club, 1400 Harvard Blvd., 805-921-0506, also offers after-school programs from 2-6 PM M-F as well as Teen nights from 6-8 PM M-TH and till 10 PM on Fridays.
Port Hueneme Recreation
and Community Services Community Center 550 E. Park Ave., 805-986-6542
Recreation Administration oversees all programs, classes, sports, senior services, special events, cultural arts, Junior Lifeguard program, and Lifeguard services. A variety of classes and programs for all ages are held at the community center. Tennis classes and activities meet at the Moranda Park Tennis Complex, 200 Moranda Parkway, 805-986-3587. The Boys and Girls Club of Port Hueneme, 590 E Pleasant Valley Rd., 805-271-9773, also provides activities and programs. Port Hueneme recreational facilities include 4 parks, a recreational corridor connecting two of the parks, and a historical museum that is a Ventura County Historical Landmark. Amenities at the parks include picnic tables & areas, barbecue pits, public restrooms, and children's play equipment. Hueneme Beach Park provides recreational swimming facilities. Bolker Park is a 4-acre neighborhood park with an open grass area. Dewar Park is a mini park with a small plaza and landscaped seating area. Bubbling Springs Park is both a passive neighborhood park and home to Port Hueneme Little League, with 2-3 hardball fields, one t-ball field, concession building, and large open grass areas. Moranda Park's facilities focus on active and structured activities, with amenities including 8 lighted tennis courts, 2 softball fields (1 lighted), 2 full basketball courts, and a multi-purpose building.
Ojai Recreation
Department 510 Park Road, 805-646-1872
The Ojai Recreation Department provides a number of recreational programs and activities including youth day camps, youth and adult activity classes and sports, teen fitness center & boxing program, a downtown skateboard park, gymnastics, summer aquatics, lifeguard training class, sports tournaments, youth excursions, and horse shows. Scholarships and financial assistance are available to youth on a first come first serve basis. The Ojai Recreation Department also coordinates Ojai Day, a community festival to celebrate the town's unique culture and community.