I've been comin here for years playing dodgeball. I've always had a good relationship with the…read morestaff here. Now I take my kid here to play at the revamped and amazing park. Huge maze/climbing fortress that leads to a super slide. Clean and well kept. Plenty of parking. I'm a little big for the slide but I still rocked it just to prove to myself that I am not getting older and I can handle anything. I don't even think I aged that much in the last few years. Thank you

**Rating my experience with a toddler*…read more This is a new park that just opened in the Highland Park area. It's a real gem and my toddler son loved playing here with his friends. There's a big play structure for the kids aged 5 and up, and a smaller play area for under 5. My 4 year old loved playing in the big structure and going down the big blue tube slide. Some children may be hesitant going down the slide, and if so, you'd have to climb all the way down as there's not alternative slide. It could get a bit crowded if there's too many kids in the structure, so parents be forewarned and keep your eyes on your children if they need help while in the structure. There's a good handful of swings, ranging from regular swings to double swings to a round swing where 5 kids can go at the same time! Super fun! The grounds are also all rubber and no sand, which was a bit of a bummer as my child likes to play in the sand. There also a large basketball court next to the playground, and the recreational center next to the courts. We went on a Sunday and the center was closed, so unfortunately we couldn't access the bathrooms. Lots of street parking, but it can probably fill up fast during the popular months.

Stopped by to try a new park to play at and was surprised I didn't notice it before. There's a…read moresmall playground, swings, a basketball court and an indoor court as well. I had to leave soon when I noticed a couple sitting off on the side smoking cigarettes who refused to stop smoking after being made aware of the no smoking sign on the playground. It appears many families come through this location on Sundays so it's a great place to hang out, have some lunch with your kiddo. Just wished it was more regulated to keep the smoking away.

Reviewing only the kids playground: I bring my 1yo baby girl…read morehere. She loves it. Soft floor (no sand). It's a small area compared to a park playground but SO convenient if you live nearby. It's a bit bigger than the Arts Disctric Park. Lots of parking meter parking (don't forget to bring your card or coins for parking like I did!). Tip: if you want to avoid the crowd, come in the morning until around 1pm. After 2pm it's full of toddlers lol I think there's a school nearby?

Ferndell Trail is one of those spots that feels like a quiet little escape without having to go too…read morefar out of the city. It's shaded, peaceful, and has that tucked-away forest vibe that's honestly hard to find in LA. Parking is free along the entrance streets, which already makes it feel more accessible and low-stress to visit. I'd recommend taking the east trail if you're trying to get to the top--it's a bit easier and shorter, especially if you just want a steady, enjoyable walk without overdoing it. It's not a super intense hike, more of a gentle reset kind of place. Perfect if you want to clear your head, get some fresh air, and not feel rushed. Especially if you take the east trail at a steady pace 30-40 minutes. (look on Google Maps it'll show you or alltrails). Definitely one of those go-to spots when you just need a breather.

The Fern Dell Trail (or Ferndell) is a very short, shaded dirt path that runs parallel on both…read moresides of a small spring-fed stream in the lower portion of Griffith Park trail system. One doesn't get to hear the natural sound of a small (brook) waterfall in Los Angeles often, so stopped for a bit to enjoy. Also took a picture of the rocky grotto (no waterfall this day) on the trail as well. There are terraced ponds along the trail, stocked with goldfish and koi as well.

Gorgeous spot to have a nice dirt path hike through to catch a sunset and some cool views of the…read moreDTLA landscape. The air up there is nice and it's not too windy or anything. Depending on the amount of people up there, it can be calm and surreal enough to make for a good picnic to watch the sky and enjoy the sights. My friend and I didn't walk too far down the dirt path as we parked near the Elysian Park sign. We only walked straight to the large concrete displays with grafitti on them. We both enjoyed our experience here so much and took note of the type of shoes we need to wear next time! Would definitely want to explore back here again!

Elysian Park is one of my favorite hikes/runs right outside of downtown LA, right by Dodger…read moreStadium. Pro tip: Do the hike counterclockwise. When Dodger Stadium is behind you and you face the mountain, start counterclockwise--trust me, you'll thank me. On the way back, you'll enjoy a gorgeous downtown view. At the top, there's a painted seating area where you can rest and soak it all in. A couple of things that could be better: It's a dirt/sand path, so wear shoes you don't mind getting dusty--unless you want to spend each day cleaning them. It's usually around 6,000 steps for me--though that varies--and roughly 400 calories burned (but don't quote me on that!). Overall, it's about a 45-minute hike/jog with ups and downs--just enough to get your heart going, and then you can treat yourself to a city-state after. Pretty good overall--highly recommend it!

Quite a lot of steps…read more.. There are accessible paths, but I was surprised by the sheer number of steps (when coming from Grand). If I were the designer, I might have picked more paths just from a liability perspective? Nice water fixtures in the park. It was pretty quiet when i was there on the weekend morning. I did see some folks tending to the landscaping and cleaning while I was there, so I'm happy it's well maintained. I've heard about events being held there in the past, but I've never attended, as parking seems like it would be a bit of a nightmare. 2026: 20/100

Visited the park for the July 4th festivities. Figured it would be busy so we came early. Streets…read moresurrounding the park were closed and utilized for entry security check points, food trucks, picnic tables with umbrellas, potty areas and general walkways for the expected crowds. The park itself is nice but small. A nice patch of green inside the city center. It's on a sloped hillside so there are steps to navigate. There is a sloped path on one side to roll up a stroller or wheelchair. Fountain water feature had kids playing in it. Grassy area for a blanket to sit and relax. Today there were two stages setup for the live music. Great sounding sound system and plenty of room to get up and dance. A little warm today so they had large portable fans with water misters strategically placed did what they could to cool some visitors. Quite a few food trucks and some food vendors in the park plaza as well. Great selection of hot foods. Since we arrived early there weren't too many people yet so no lines to wait for food. We had to leave early so we had to miss the July 4th drone show. I assume it was fantastic given the festive ambiance and clear skies.

If I could give this place more than five stars, I would. I'm in love--there's really no other way…read moreto describe how I feel about Echo Park Lake. Seriously, how can any place be this breathtaking? This little slice of paradise is teeming with wildlife--birds of all kinds gliding across the water, turtles basking in the sun--it feels alive in the most peaceful way. Everything is so lush and green, and that iconic fountain in the middle of the lake? Absolute chef's kiss. Then there's the boathouse, the palm trees swaying around you... it almost feels unreal, like you've stepped into a dreamy escape right in the middle of the city. What I love most is that every corner has its own charm. There are plenty of benches where you can just sit and be, and no matter where you land, the view feels different but equally beautiful. You'll never get bored here. Whether you're in the mood to linger, take a slow walk, go for a run, or paddle around on one of the swan boats, this place meets you exactly where you are. It's peaceful, it's vibrant, it's everything. Honestly, it just feels like heaven. And surprisingly, there's plenty of street parking--which somehow makes this whole experience even better.

I think this is a great park just outside of downtown. The man made pond is beautiful, teeming with…read morewildlife - especially turtles. There is a great paved path around it for walking/running. Plenty of shade and benches along the pond. There are always a lot of people but you can find street parking - I have every time. The views are GREAT! Really lovely to see downtown LA behind the pond. The only word of caution I have is there is a pack of geese that do get protective in one area. I was afraid to walk past them because they are aggressive, but I made it out without getting goosed.

Need a respite from the hustle and bustle of Chinatown??…read more This is a great pocket park right behind the Los Angeles Public Library in Chinatown. The park is sandwiched between the Library and the surrounding apartments. It opened in July of 2021. I think it suits this area nicely! Ord St & Yale St change street names at the "L" curve in the road. Street parking is kind of scarce. There are meters in front of the library or you can attempt to find other street parking of which I'm not sure if they were metered or not. The first thing I noticed was the long set of stairs going up the hill because they were colorful and had a design on them (Chevron pointing upward). There are quotes on the landings between the steps and the steps have letters on them spelling out: Believe, Commit, Achieve, Release. The staircase is called Heavenly Stairs. There are a total of 147 steps. When you reach the top, there is a "Congratulations" sticker on the landing! The main entrance is called the Moongate Entry. Only steps lead up to the gate. You can use the ramp to enter a side gate into the park. Head toward the stairs, the gate is just before the stairs begin. This park has three tiers. The entry level is called the Lotus Plaza and has a succulent garden with a small waterfall, succulents, and an amphitheater where you can gather in groups. Then you can walk up the Dragon Walk (ramp) to get to the second level. Here is where you can enjoy the play areas, some exercise equipment, restrooms, and picnic area. It's a great place for young and old to hang out. There's a Bamboo Garden which is really small right now, but it won't take long for them to fill in! The uppermost level is the Heavenly Garden. There are a few pieces of exercise equipment and a lantern tower. You can exit the gate here to walk on the steps. If you go up, you will hit Hill Pl. If you go down, you will end up at Ord/Yale Street. This is not a grassy type of park. In fact, all the living greenery is where you cannot walk. There are trees, succulents and bamboo. The playground has a green covering, but that's not grass. It would be nice to have some grass to either walk on or sit on if you wanted to read a book or have a picnic. Other than for the lack of grass, I love this park! I wished there was one like this near me! I definitely recommend coming here to add some Zen or exercise to your day!!

I was visiting Chinatown and just finished eating at Pablito's World down the street from this cute…read morepocket park! It's definitely a hidden and zen and newer park in Chinatown. They put a lot of thought into the energy they want to bring to local residents and visitors like me! It was very clean and had a table, water fountain and exercise equipments. I know the playground is designed for 5-12 year olds but I had fun on the rock climbing wall :) I would definitely come back here again!

I was in the area recently and it was nice to see a small park in the middle of the urban jungle…read more Spring Street Park is very small, though, not enough shade, an area for kids to play. Not a lot of seating. I am happy to see it, but hopefully the vegetation will grow more or they will plant more to create more shade and shield from cars passing by, etc. A good idea, could use more parks in the area, although they're hard to maintain and create spaces for!

A somewhat up kept small walk-through park for all…read more While there are plenty of places to kick back, read a book, stroll your pets, play with your kids and enjoy some greenery in the DTLA jungle... the entire park smells of so many things that aren't always pleasing to the pallet... mainly an abundance of dogs and various liquids from the human body (urine). I haven't had the joy to encountered much security here when the park is open... which mainly seems to be weekends and a small portion of the day during week days... but definitely sounds like no one would want to greet them/him... enter with nose caution.