Discover 2 Natural Parks for the Price of One (Free!)

Shake up that playdate with these new natural parks that are much more than swingsets and monkey bars - kickstart your new year with a park that combines ecology and biology lessons with sliding, puddle-stomping and climbing!

By jen arrow January 1, 2014

It’s time to shake up that usual playdate plan! These two Westside parks (Tongva Park in Santa Monica, which opened earlier this year, and three-year-old Legacy Park in Malibu) are both part of the new “natural parks” movement. So much more than swingsets and monkey bars; kids can learn about native plants, the water cycle and community enrichment, all while still getting to slide, puddle-stomp and climb up, up, up. Both parks beautifully balance wild touches with an ultra-contemporary, family-friendly appeal that will have your kids asking to go back again and again.

Take a look:

Waves and Wilderness

Legacy Park doesn't have a traditional playground, but oversize animal statues are located throughout the park along with educational placards explaining the featured habitat. These reptile figures had one little girl exclaiming "Lizard! Lizard!" while introducing her dog to each statue.

Tongva Park
1615 Ocean Avenue
Santa Monica, Ca 90401
Hours: 6 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Online: tongvapark.squarespace.com

Legacy Park
23500 Civic Center Way
Malibu, CA 90265

-Jennifer Arrow

Have you visited these, or any of Los Angeles’ other new natural parks (like Vista Hermosa Natural Park near downtown or Augustus F. Hawkins Natural Park in south L.A.)? Which is your fave? Tell us in the comments!

Images courtesy of the author.