UPDATE 1: Review #10
2026-024…read more
Since my decade old review, Charles H. Wilson Park is due for an update.
Major Changes:
2005: Annenberg Tree House
2009: Fitness Zone
2012: Turf Training Facility
2018: Children's Playground & Splash Pad
2024: Community Sports Complex's Roller Rink
2025: Tennis Courts LED Lighting
Current Project:
It was announced in 01/2025 that 8 new dedicated, lighted, & ADA-accessible pickleball courts will be built near (north) the existing courts. Early 2026 completion expected.
Amenities:
* Amphitheater
* Basketball Courts
* Batting Cages
* Electric Car Charging Stations (PlugShare)
* Farmer's Market (Tuesdays & Saturdays)
* Fitness Course 0.91-mi.
* Fitness Zone
* Futsal
* Horseshoe Courts
* Indoor Sports Center
* Live Steamer Trains (1st Sunday, 3rd Saturday)
* Paddle Tennis/Pickleball Courts
* Picnic & BBQ Areas (bouncer accessible with permit)
* Playground
* Restrooms
* Roller Hockey Rink
* Sand Volleyball Court
* Softball Diamonds
* Splash Pad
* Sports Center
* Tennis Courts
* Tree House
Donated by The Annenberg Foundation, the 2.5K sq. ft. Tree House was designed by Treehouse Guys, LLC & is the 1st universally-accessible tree house in a CA public space.
The "fresh air gym" includes kinetic exercise machines, intuitive adjustable resistance machines, & calisthenics station for body weight exercises. I love this outdoor gym but the OCD in me has issues with not spraying down (sanitizing) equipment after use which is common for indoor gyms & it gets really dusty/dirty particularly after raining.
Batting cage operator Tyler Sports, Inc. helped turn the defunct skatepark into a 10K sq. ft. artificial training facility for futsal & baseball/softball fielding; there's 2 netted pitching tunnels & 2 turf sports fields. This helped minimize non-rule abiding soccer players from practicing on the tennis & pickleball courts, & damaging the nets. Futsal is a fast-paced, scaled down version of outdoor soccer.
The children's playground was part of a citywide initiative to modernize aging play structures & swing to meet current safety standards. I love the intricate "Spherical Spider Web" rope-based climbing structure! There's a smaller rock climbing wall for the younger set or kids who prefer to be closer to the ground. The only iffy equipment is the Stand-Up Seesaw; I've seen some kids accidentally falling or intentionally crawling underneath the seesaw while in motion. Yikes!
That same year a splash pad was added to replace the defunct pond (which I miss dearly... I loved our local ducks!), turning the community's eyesore into a spot to cool off during spring & summer, using recirculating water system to conserve water (yeah, that means don't drink the water!).
L.A. Galaxy & TUDN partnered to refurbish the rink's floor surface with Sports Court Defense tiles that are designed to be a safer, shock-absorbing surface, & better support sports: roller hockey, roller derby, pickleball (6 courts), futsal (3 courts), etc.
LED lighting was added to the tennis courts for reduced operating costs, improved visibility (that would be me for my old fart eyes), & energy efficiency.
I officially tried pickleball for the 1st time this year at YEE Badge Day at PowerPlay Pickleball (refer to Review #953), & I'm hooked! So I am especially excited for these new lighted courts... woot, woot!!
The farmer's market has grown so much that they expanded to the small lot west of the softball field nearest to Crenshaw Blvd.; most of the food vendors are located there in addition to the ones near Dee Hardison Sports Center.
I met Mel while taking a pic of the horseshoe courts; he's registered with the City to maintain the courts & was doing some upkeep when he spotted me. Mel's so thoughtful & generous with his time... I learned Ted Allen horseshoes are the best (unique finger grips for consistent throws, expertly designed for balance), about the Flip or Turn style (he prefers turn) throws, differences between kid & adult horseshoes, court clay, etc. Ted broke many records to his 10 world championships as well as holding them, including 72 consecutive ringers -- wowza! He even demoed a couple of pitches for pics & hit 2 ringers... what a surprising moment for writing this update!
Charles H. Wilson Park is a 44-acre family-friendly, recreational hub that truly has a l'il something for everyone!