This park is not the prettiest, but it offers a lot and is great for kite flying. When its warm I like to get takeout and come here in the afternoon for a picnic. There is lots of space, picnic tables if you want or just find an unused spot on the green and throw down a quilt. And they do have clean bathrooms and working water fountains. As I said, there are lots of things offered here. Take a look at the other reviews about camp, tennis courts and the quality of the field for games because I can't speak to how good all that is. read more

Whatever tennis court reservation system they have going on is terrible. I feel for those living in the area. Plus the guy, Christopher, running the office was quite rude to me doing my visit to get a court. I tried to resolve whatever power trip he was on with grace but his need to call me out publicly for having a "bad attitude" (which I didn't) was unnecessary, hurtful, and lowkey racist. Thankfully we don't have this kind of disorganization at the courts in my neighborhood, so I'll stay there. read more

This park is not the prettiest getting there i almost step in poop because people don't clean after there pets & trash cans fill to the top. Tennis courts need more light at night & they need more experienced empires at the park and better management. read more

Be aware of the tennis courts, at the time of writing this review they are in desperate need of resurfacing due to slippery patches at the center of the baseline that are so smooth you can skate across them in your sneakers. I wrote the LA dept of parks and recreation and they said they are awaiting instructions on how best to proceed with resurfacing. I pray for rapid instructions. It's not safe to play on slippery courts. The park is otherwise well-maintained and the staff in the office are nice and available to the public. read more

This large facility appears to have everything you would want in a park. There's a huge community center with programs for seniors, summer programs for kids, childcare, and a gym. The gym is closed to the public during the daytime, if I understood the signs correctly. Looks like the kids in the care programs have full reign until after 6pm. So I couldn't get inside yesterday to check it out, but that is probably where the indoor basketball court is......where else would it be, haha...... I didn't see the handball court either, however I'm under the impression they have one, from when I lived near that area of Venice. I did see: Ball fields, lighted. Outdoor basketball court, lighted. Kids play area. Picnic areas. Lighted tennis courts, which even have a separate Yelp review listing: http://www.yelp.com/biz/penmar-recreation-center-tennis-courts-venice#hrid:opWp7pkhYqiwDtnLHLVL8w/query:penmar The Penmar golf course is across the street, on the other side of Rose. And that's a separate listing also, with reviews. http://www.yelp.com/biz/penmar-golf-course-starter-venice#hrid:ZBOxtivxEPNXyVZ4p-yigg/query:penmar Penmar Recreation Center is a big, bustling place, serving many needs of the community. Cool. 9 photos posted read more

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This isn't the prettiest of the la parks (dead grass, few flowers, ugly paths) but it's large enough for multiple sports; Soccer, baseball, tennis and basketball. We played on the tennis courts. Our net was a bit damaged but otherwise it was fine. I would probably return if my favorite parks were already full. I suppose this park would be my third choice. read more

these tennis courts are really dark the lights go off when it goes dark actually there are no lights it's just when it gets dark it gets dark and you have to leave and it's already in a setting where there's lots of shade trees and things around that shade the court and it's very hard to see so I would also not recommend playing tennis here although it is free. read more

It's a park nothing special about it. Tennis courts a easy to reserve and spacious. The park is clean not over crowded and there's a basketball court, baseball field and playground. read more

The WORST place to play tennis on the Westside! The park is noisy and there's no separation between courts, so people's balls are constantly rolling onto your court, disrupting your match. This wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't also the most crowded court in the area: sometimes we have waited over an hour to get a court. Try the courts at Marine Park (by Lincoln/Rose): the courts are all self-contained, the nets are nicer, and the park is far less sketchy. read more

PLEASE PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS!!! look out for your little ones!! I'm a nanny and the child I care for hurt herself bad on this slide/rock climb thing. I don't know what it is but just warning you guys do not let your little ones slide down this thing. I seen it so many times children go down fast and usually get stuck on the elephant trunk. She was bleeding and and is now very sore. I loved this park but now not so sure simply because I don't want to see this incident happen again. I just think that the elephant trunk thing is so random and seems to be the only thing popping out. So it can't be a climbing thing or a slide so what is it? Children can also hurt themselves bad if they slide off trying to climb and can hurt their jaws or tummies so just be careful! read more

Penmar Park & Rec Center - Be very careful of this elephant trunk. It's suppose to be where the younger children can play. Not safe at all!!! - Parks Near Me - Venice, California

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My son has been attending, now in his third year, and it's the one consistent physical activity he's been able to maintain. This is saying a lot for a ten year old with a short attention span. It's a fantastic program that focuses on effort, but also acknowledges achievement. Sensei is disciplined without being militaristic. There's an overall emphasis on healthiness, including the importance of a work ethic in school and outside activities. The student instructors are amazing. vary in age (13 to 20's), with one of the black belts being female (often away in college), which has enormous "role model" impact on the participants. The mixed gender instruction, which includes both non-contact/contact "sparring" is a great equalizer. read more

I love this park...... It's not the cleanest, the best organized or on the cutting edge of technology but it's old school Venice at its finest. Count on serious baseball games on Sunday afternoon and beautiful mornings. The tennis courts are great and the new kids playground is just right for the 4 year old. read more

Great local park - the facilities are clean. They offer wonderful classes and day care. They also have fantastic Easter, Halloween and other events. read more

Baseball fields are nice, lighting is bright and things are clean (no litter). Downsides include the uncomfortable benches (yes standard for baseball field) that seem to always be filthy (like have to sit on a jacket filthy). Parking is soso. Usually am able to find street parking a little ways down. read more

As an avid tennis player, Penmar tennis courts are in poor shape. They have not been resurfaced in years and are very slick in places, especially near the service line. Some of the nets are broken and many do not have a center strap. There are no dividing fences between all the courts, so you get balls rolling over from other courts. The courts have some potmarks and some of the paint on the lines is worn off or mis-painted. The conditions playing there are also very difficult because on one of the courts you have a gate on both sides of the courts, so people (that don't know tennis etiquette) interrupt your game walking through your court. In addition the weather is usually very windy, which makes for difficult playing conditions. A couple of redeeming qualities are the courts are cleaned weekly (Thursday mornings) and the courts are free. You get what you pay for! read more

I only come here for tennis and for the most part, I barely ever have to wait for a court! The only request I have for this park is please fix the slanted light post!! read more

Summer camp- don't do it if you have young children. I sent my son the summer of 2012 when he had just turned 6. TERRIBLE. They do not keep the younger kids separated from the older kids and my son was terrorized by the older kids. He did not know any better and neither did we, his parents. He hated going and would not talk about it until practically the end of camp we found out about the older kids and how he was spoken to. We did not send him back this year. Their after school program is good. But I am not happy with how they have all these different ages together. My son was traumatized for months afterwards about the things said to him, including the swearing and the inappropriate music. They have a lot to work on. And I heard from sources who sent kids in summer of 2013 that is was no better than summer 2012....... read more

Penmar Rec Center is truly a gem in our community. Our son started playing sports-baseball,football & basketball, there when he was 5. He's 14 now and still playing basketball at Penmar. I believe they no longer offer baseball & possibly football, but I've heard good feedback about their soccer program as well. The staff is fantastic. Very caring and attentive to the childrens needs and ensuring that they all have a fun experience in the various sports. Gregory Thomas is the Director and he has really improved the facilities and programs since he arrived in 2012, and his staff are all great & very professional. I can highly recommend the basketball program for young children- both boys & girls. They can always use parent volunteer coaches(which I did for years) and the staff coaches teams as well. Great quality court in a typically small rec center gym-floor is regularly resurfaced. Go by and check out the games Saturdays starting with the youngsters in the morning and finishing with the high schoolers late afternoon. read more

Nice basketball gym. Floors are relatively clean and great lighting. I'm here Thursday nights for rec games. Not sure about the rest of the park, but it looks more than solid with tennis and basketball courts. Only knock is that the parking is pretty small. read more

The park's staff really care. They make this park feel like a center of the community -- and I appreciate that.

My son is 6 turning 7 next month and this is our second week at Penmar's sports camp. I have to say so far it has been good. They go on fun feild trips every week. They give you the option to either send money with your kids or lunch. If you send money, it gets put in a ziplock back with the amount and your childs name on it. Last week they went to Knotts and when I went to pick him up, i got his bag back with change and receipts for everything. My son hasn't had any complaints about the camp. When I drop him off, he can hardly wait to get inside to play. Every week they chose a sport and practice it with the kids. So far I have no complaints, everyone there is friendly and very helpful. I would recommend this camp. read more

I almost didn't want to review this because I like the fact that no one seems to know about these courts ... but that would be selfish of me and I'm not a selfish cre...okay, I won't even finish typing such a falsity. However, these courts are FREE (notice a trend with the courts I like the most?), get that nice cool ocean breeze, and one is usually always available. The people who play here are all chill, the noise level's not bad, and the nets are kept pretty well in tact. No complaints except that sometimes it gets a bit windy... read more

this park was extremely well lighted and was shocked. I play softball and have been for a couple of years. this park was very possibly the best maintained park i have played at so far. read more

My child attended a camp here and we were less than pleased with the counselors there. They all had a bitchy attitude and Bree specifically was rude. She was awful with the kids and just overall a mean person. Did not seem to want to be there. Definitely not the right job for her! As a whole, I would say the time there was very unpleasant for my child they will never be going back there. read more

Review is of the tennis courts only. Do NOT go here on a weekday evening (except Friday)... you will wait at least 45 mins for a court. They are always packed!! Lights are manually controlled and go out at 10 or whenever the kid working decides to turn them off! Directly behind the courts are a large play area and basketball court which get loud and obnoxious when you're trying to play a match. There was a gang related shooting here about 6 months ago but I've never really felt unsafe. In general... no good, way better off paying for court time and reserving a court at one of the municipal courts. read more

We have been playing in the kids basketball league for over 5 years. Love the community, great indoor amenities with a small fenced in play area for younger siblings right outside the gym. Andy Felz keeps the center running great and is friendly and responsive to all. read more

Well, I live across the street so I go here a lot. After seeing the changes this park has gone through, I like the old one better. They recently put in brand new grass in the baseball fields. It was all dead within a month because of lack of enforcement. There were people tearing up the grass and nobody to stop them. Now it's jst a useless blob of dirt that keeps being watered and gets muddy. The park is fun though. And the basketball courts and tennis courts are nice too. The only thing I don't like is the lack of enforcement. Thanks read more

Great park. We play tennis, basketball, and baseball there year round. My son went to "Little Learners" and loved it. Amazing personnel. read more

This park is ALWAYS packed--we waited over 45 minutes for a court the other night. Upkeep is bad, very dirty and the courts are slippery from disrepair. Not to mention the fact that you have to replay every other point because the people on the surrounding courts hit their ball on your court every two minutes. Certainly some inconvenience has to be traded for a free court, but this is the WORST public court in the area. Try Marine Park in Santa Monica for a decent free option. read more

I really like this place and have taken advantage of many things. I love the golf course and the staff is friendly. I also have enjoyed many of the community activities of the community center. I am really happy that I live so close! read more

Penmar Sports Camp might be good for older kids but for 5 - 6 year olds, there just isnt enough adult supervision and too much alone time with older kids. My 5 year old said a 9 year old would take his arm and twist it until it hurt, another 10 year old would pretend to punch him in the face and said if he blinked, he was scared and the final incident was when he was alone in the bathroom with 2 other 5 year olds and they told him a water bottle full of pee was apple juice, He didnt swallow but it went into his mouth. Why he was in the bathroom alone with them, no idea.. He was only there for one week. I was called after the pee incident and found out about the others a few days later. We wont be going back of course. My son is totally fine because he has no idea how vicious these acts were, he thinks it was a game..with the exception of the pee incident. Keep the little ones safe and supervised and away from a large group camp environment - I wish i had followed my instinct. read more