I guess I didn't really explore this park as much I should have during my first visit, as my memory…read moredid not recall how big the park actually is. And perhaps I was just bothered by how inconspicuous the park entrance is: it's a gate that does not immediately look like the entrance to a park, which is how I missed it the first time I visited over a decade ago. During my recent second visit, I came back with a better appreciation for parks and birds. I did not expect to find any birding lifers here, but I in fact found four in one day. I heard the Green Heron before I saw it, and photographed it without realizing what it was. I just thought it was another Black-Crowned Night Heron, but boy was I delighted to find out later when I was reviewing my photos that it was a Green Heron lifer. The park appears to know it's a great spot for birding as there is signage indicating possible seasonal bird encounters. Perhaps I should stop talking about birds, but I can't help it. Also, "Peck" Road? Birds are the point. It's a large park with a delightful amount of nature to get immersed in. I can't wait to come back for a third visit!

A friend of mine introduced me to this hidden gem a year ago for birding. I recently returned and…read morefell in love with it all over again. This place is a birder's paradise, with its large lakes and blooming flowers, inviting many bird species. I've counted over 20 different species in just a few hours of walking a whole loop. My only complaint is that it was closed the one day I made the long drive out, on a day that it wasn't supposed to be closed. But thankfully there is a cut out on the gate to the side so you can still walk in. You'll just have to park on the street instead of drive in and park inside. So this is just something to watch out for - random closings.

This is a fantastic playground for kids ages 5 and up that features a huge rocket structure, 8…read morepickleball courts, and 5 tennis courts. It gets crowded, so toddlers may enjoy nearby Primrose Park. A major plus is that the bathrooms are located inside the air-conditioned community center. The shaded benches are a bit far from the play area, so keep that in mind. Overall, it's a great spot with plentiful parking, a nice walking loop, and well-maintained pickleball courts.

Great public park with lots of amenities, including a playground area, picnic shelters, basketball…read morecourts, tennis courts, pickleball courts, and baseball, softball, soccer, and football fields. My partner and I really enjoy coming here to play pickleball nowadays. There are 8 permanent courts. The courts are super busy on weekend mornings and less busy on weekdays. The queue system is fair and efficient. I only wish they would keep the pickleball courts open until later. They usually close around 8pm, which seems kind of early. In my opinion, this is one of the cleaner and better-maintained parks in the area. There is a pleasant walking path. I always see people walking their dogs here and families coming here for a stroll around the park. There are parking lots on both sides of the park, as well as plenty of street parking all around. However, when there are events going on at the park, parking can be a bit difficult.

SoCal weather really said "pick a personality" and then refused to commit, so I took advantage of…read moreits good mood and clocked in at Arcadia Park like a picnic professional. Big, beautiful shady trees?!?!?! Check!!!!! Perfect blanket-sprawling real estate?!?!?!? Also check!!!!! It's the kind of spot that makes you forget the weather might flip on you in 20 minutes, so you eat, lounge, and live your best picnic life while the sun is also feeling fabulous!!

Attended the San Gabriel Water District's Water Fest here and had a good time. This park is large…read moreand was able to host many booths, a stage, a VIP area and a play area with inflatable slides, etc. This didn't even take up half of the park! They also had an In-N-Out truck in the parking lot. There's lots of trees surrounding the park and the grass was green and well taken care of. It's an ideal place to hold an event or have a picnic or birthday party.

I have been a resident in Baldwin Park Ca since 2019 and an active resident whom works out at…read moreBarnes Park while my child plays. Today what put fear in me was graffiti being written with the words " NIGGERS GTFO." As a woman of color I do not feel safe in my community with seeing this on display on government property, I have also experienced hateful remarks by others in the Baldwin community in the past however, seeing it in writing on a public structure is very disturbing and a red flag. In addition, I have video footage of the concrete evidence, with the graffiti and the park has surveillance. Im afraid to address this with Barnes Park and Baldwin Park Police because BPD will not do anything about it. I will never return to this park or bring my child. Might as well relocate to a more welcoming environment that does not reciprocate hate towards minorities and that is more so ever safe. Barnes Park should be held liable because they left this hate on their property. Security should had pro trolled and documented this offense.

I actually enjoyed this park. It's a little small and has basketball courts but nothing really…read moreelse. Tons of parking and many people playing around on the grass nearby.

This park is probably one of the grossest park I've ever been to has dog species all over the…read morebasketball courts the grass even where the children play by the swings. I think it's just really unsanitary for people to bring their children here have to walk around.

I loved this park and I'll definitely be coming again with my daughter Very fun & nice park!read more

It's nice to put a little park in El Monte for the community especially for a preschool right next…read moreto it. However, you can't directly go into the park from the school which is to make it safe with fences bordering the school and park. There are three ways to enter the park via the surrounding streets or if you're riding your bike or running on the track on the dam, there's another entrance from the dam. Though the park is pretty clean with a small play area for kids, the park itself is hidden as there are no signs to guide you to the park. It's not much of a problem though as you'll be curious to enter the walkway to the park since you see a gate open on Bisby Ave. There's a small walking trail that takes you around the park with information about the Rio Hondo River and different flowers that can serve as an education for kids to learn about or even adults to know more about the city of El Monte. If you need to go to a place to relax if you're in the city, you ought to drop by here because the environment of the trees and grass will help calm you down besides the noise from the planes from time to time since there is a airport located across the dam.

This hidden gem is right next to the El Monte Airport and Rio Vista School. What's neat about this…read moreplace is that you wouldn't know it was there if you weren't looking for it. There are three access points (gates) that get you into the park but you have to be a local or resident to even know the park exists! There's no parking lot and no big signs leading you into the park. You really kind of have to walk into it. I think that's the whole charm of the park. It's great to know that the city of El Monte created a space just for it's residents to enjoy recreational activities. The small park has an open grassy space and walk way that circles the park. There is a big playground with swing sets, slides, and jungle gym for the little ones. All around the area, there are local plants, trees, flowers, and bushes with signs explaining the different species etc. There are also signs and boards that people can read about the history of the area and a sign showing a map of the Emerald Necklace that circles the surrounding cities. Very interesting if you ask me! Also in the park, there are tables and benches all around for barbeques and picnics. If you have to use the restroom, no worries! They got those too. One great bonus to this park is that there is an entrance to the Rio Hondo/San Gabriel River/Sante Fe Dam bike trail. You can enter it and head north towards Monrovia or head south to go to Whittier Narrows. How cool is that?

Peaceful here could use more water but perfect for fishing or just relaxing will be back soonread more

Plenty hiking opportunities, refreshing air, and a nice scenic drive in. Be sure to have a full…read moretank, as there is no gas services. There is a cafe/ convenience store across from the campground where you can also purchase your day use park pass for $5. I experienced a foggy day, which gave a cooling effect to my hiking. Restrooms are vault toilets, so unpleasant smells and a mess are a given. The lake has lots of swampy algae, therefore not appropriate for swimming or water sports. However, they do allow fishing with permit. I am a nature enthusiast and it was saddening to see the lack of humans respect for nature, with graffiti and trash in some areas of the park. Crystal lake definitely could use more funding to preserve its natural beauty. The loveliest part is listening to woodpeckers as they work, watching an eagle fly above with a fish in its talons, and treading quietly not to startle the squirrel who is crossing my path. I suggest picking up a map with hiking trails from the rangers post or convenience store, before planning your day!

cutest park ever, well maintained, clean and lots of shade from the mature trees. very nostalgic!read more

We've been to this park a few times, it's hit or miss with the crowd. One major concern is that the…read morestructures are all made of cement so prepare for some injuries. It's also all sand so that might lessen the falls. There's a smaller park for younger kids closer to the parking lot.