Monkey bars, movies at busy park

Susannah Smith, 16 months, of Manhattan Beach gets into the swing of Hermosa Valley Park. Photos

Part two of a series

by Doris Beaman

The park at Valley Drive and Gould Avenue in northern Hermosa is near and dear to me, lying as it does a few blocks from my home. Hermosa Valley Park, the 5.3-acre expanse of grassy fields, tree-dotted slopes, hardtop court, outdoor amphitheater and children’s play equipment forms the most widely used traditional-type park in the city.

 (The city-owned beach is by far the largest official park at 50 acres, and the tree-lined Greenbelt covers 19.5 acres in a thin strip bisecting the town.)

On any weekday or weekend — morning, afternoon or evening — people can be found playing soccer, football, Frisbee and basketball, walking dogs, throwing birthday parties and barbecues, and playing on swings, jungle gyms and monkey bars.

The playground area now boasts a “universally accessible” swing, which can be used by kids with a variety of physical challenges. The swing was purchased by the nonprofit Hermosa Beach Friends of the Parks.

Personal trainers often meet their clients at Valley Park, and at times yoga classes are held on the grassy area under the many shade trees. Recently I saw a family teaching their daughter how to ride a two wheeler down a small slope on the grass.

The amphitheater, officially the Frances Young Bowl, is the site of occasional concerts, Shakespeare in the Park performances and family-friendly screenings of Movies in the Park during the summer.

There are also plenty of picnic benches and fire pits, a restroom building and a drinking fountain. Picnic tables can be reserved for birthday parties and other events.

An annual community dog parade ends at Valley Park with a dog trick competition.

Burning history

In 1923 construction was begun for North School on the west end of the park, and the city school district still owns a sizable part of the park, which is leased to the city for a nominal amount.

A sump that used to stand on the east side of the park was once a place where residents disposed of their Christmas trees in a huge annual bonfire.

In 1973 the city held Frances Young Day. The Hermosa Garden Club and Frances Young were celebrated for helping to change the sump into the Frances Young Bowl. New storm drains were installed which eliminated the need for the sump. The Garden Club also planted the Theodore Payne Native Plant Garden in the northeast corner of the park.

If you haven’t visited this park you are really missing out. There is plenty of parking along Valley Drive and Gould Avenue, and in two parking lots at the Kiwanis and Rotary clubhouses. In the southwest corner a ramp leads from the park up to Morningside Drive.

Do you need some recreation? Some family time? Some free entertainment? Don’t let the kids watch TV another day. Take them to Valley Park where a piece of paradise offers something for everyone.

Park enthusiast Doris Beaman is a member of the Hermosa Beach Historical Society, the Hermosa Beach Lawn Bowling Club and the Hermosa Beach Garden Club. ER

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