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.

Is this a very nice thoroughfare for walking for jogging bringing your pets bringing your bicycle…read morebringing people of all ages you can walk as short as you like or as long as you like Trails lead all the way to Long Beach if you want to challenge yourself and there are exits where you can explore different parts of the city it's a different Viewpoint when you go travel this way especially fun to see the airplanes land and take off and when there's actually water it's fun to see all the animals birds and wildlife there playing need to figure out how to get to the other side maybe there are different entrances but it's always a new adventure every time you visit here

I have lived around the area for quite some time and have seen multiple upgrades to the play ground…read morearea over the last several years. I love the refresh of the play ground. It's bright, vibrant and it feels more spacious as well. Great place to go take a nice stroll, play basketball, soccer or even eat at one of the picnic tables.

I have returned to Live Oak Park (LOP) to play some amazing pickleball with a few of my work…read morecolleagues. Luckily, it was on a weekday between 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM. Again, there are 8 permanent pickleball courts. We used two of them. We didn't have to wait nor did we have to give up our courts during our visit. We got almost 2 full hours of fun play until it got dark. So cool! Courts were really nice. However, they may need to be swept and rinsed down. There are 3 entrances onto the courts. Benches are available on one side. The waitlist rotation paddle system is closer to the benches. Restrooms are nearby the courts, but if they are closed, you'll have to walk over to the other restrooms near the children's playground or basketball courts area. Btw, the pickleball courts do not have any lights for night play. Once it gets dark, you'll have to call it a night! However, the tennis courts do have lights for evening play. If allowed (not sure), you may bring your portable pickleball net and lines for use. Just a thought. Weekends will probably be very crowded. So come early to snatch a court for however long possible until waitlist rotation comes into the picture. I'll definitely be back to LOP for more fun pickleball play. Thanks LOP! Sorry, still no photos at this time.

i remember coming to this park during my high school years with friends from arroyo high school or…read moreemhs :') it's very spacious and safe, surrounded by a suburban neighborhood and right on the outskirts of the main peck road. really peaceful for walks or pokémon go in the early AMs hehe

This was a pretty decent park. Has a half mile sort of trail that you can run and walk. Walked my…read moredog here and they even had dog poop bags for use if you don't bring your own. Not sure when the gym is open since it was closed when I arrived but overall the park was pretty clean and was nice.

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!!

Beautifully well maintained dog friendly park, so glad that they close late. We are here almost…read moreeveryday, many dog friendly owners walk their dogs here. You have to come if you have a fur baby. Lacy park is very nice too, but it closed just too early compared to Arcadia park. Highly recommended.

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.

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

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.

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?

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!

Very beautiful place. Just an hour's drive from La Crescenta, much closer than Big Bear…read more There's still snow there, the road is clear, and along the way, there's a mountain stream and a reservoir where you can stop. Download a map in advance, as there's no signal there. There's a small lake where you can take a walk, and a forest with a cozy family café where you can grab a snack.