In the heart of Beverly Hills even the parks get a little nip & tuck. Between Spalding and Roxbury on Olympic Blvd, for decades Roxbury Park has been the slightly staid go-to for local playdates. But with tired sand and exhausted equipment, it was time for a little work. Renovation finally complete, the Roxbury Park reveal is ready for it’s close up, and once you get there, you won’t want to leave.
Not Just A Pretty Face
Yes, the place looks fabulous: the high tech towers and twirls and slides and spinning wheels are beautiful and irresistible, but beyond looking cool, much thought went into their creation. These monkey bars and intermittent rock walls were researched and built to create not just a safe and easily accessible means of creative climbing, turn taking and kid collaboration, but to promote health and well-being through challenges that encourage making their mini-muscles work to conquer that wall or wiggle their way to the top. It’s a playground for mind & body, and building the ability to use both together.
The Future’s So Bright…
…they put up shades! In addition to Mother Nature contributing her part (the canopy of trees are ever so strategic, the purple blossoms ever so pretty), now there’s a host of shade sails to supplement it. Sunblock, hats, always a smart move. But in that rare instance that mom forgets (not you, but some other kid’s mom), the park has you covered. Literally.
Some Sand In, Some Sand Out
If you hate that moment of coming home from the park and recreating the sandbox in the entryway as soon as they take off their shoes, this new climbing area is for you. The once sand foundation has been upgraded with a rubberized surface, making it not just a cleaner place to play, but one that promises cleaner homecomings.
Until they find the new sand and water table. Complete with sand digger. Ah, well. Maybe a clean entryway is overrated.
We Can See You From Right Here
Lots more seating has been provided around the perimeter. For those moments when they’re safely exploring their upward mobility and parents can actually take a load off, the bench is waiting. Coming with coffee isn’t a terrible idea.
To Everything Turn, Turn, Turn
Add this to the list of why it’s great to be a kid. Between the new tippy twirl tire for a whole gang, those little tulip seats for one, and the triangular wheels where they can stand and spin round and round and round again, kids can go for hours. But with all that spinning, you may need a Dramamine just to watch.
Climb, Slide, Swing, and Spin
The Roxbury revamp has gone fairly futuristic. Twisty jungle gyms. Slinky slides. Much more in the monkey bar department. And swings that match the new millennium; 16 in total, with12 big kid kinds and 4 little buckets. That keeps kids of all ages happy, and they never have to wait in line for a turn.
Plenty of Parking
This park boasts possibly the most (and inexpensive) parking in Beverly Hills. There is plenty of parking around the park perimeter (take the alley that runs along the west side of the park), with 20 min for $0.25 meters available as far as the eye can see. There’s also metered parking available on Roxbury south of Olympic, and in a small lot behind the community center. Still can’t find a spot? Try Olympic Boulevard, but mind those parking signs.
So What’d They Do With all The Old Stuff?
It all got donated to Kids Around the World, where the old equipment got re-purposed to parks in the Philippines and Ecuador. This upgrade comes with multiple upsides.
Roxbury Park kept all the other assets fully in tact: the 11 sprawling acres (in the city!) of rolling green grass, four tennis courts and a hitting wall, lawn bowling, croquet, putting greens, a baseball diamond and a soccer field, a basketball court and sand volleyball, too. But now with up and coming shaded picnic pavilion, infinite climbing courses, twirls, whirls, and enough swings for the whole gang to hang…prepare to plant yourself and leave only when the kids make you. Maybe pack lunch. Heck, pack dinner while you’re at it.
Roxbury Park Playground
471 South Roxbury Dr.
Beverly Hills
310-285-6840
Park hours: Daily, 6 a.m.-10 p.m.
Online: beverlyhills.org/exploring/cityparks/roxburycommunitycentermemorialpark
With the new and amazing York Park in Highland Park and the refurbished zippy Griffith Park Playground, LA is bursting with Park activity. What’s your favorite new spot?
—written and photographed by Jolie Loeb
