Little Patch of Earth: September 2015

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Extensive Santa Barbara Park and Open Spaces List

Sisters at Orpet Park

Friday, September 25, 2015

Girsh Park (Updated)

Girsh Park got some new play equipment, so I am updating my review!

Girsch Park is a large park with baseball fields, soccer fields, basketball courts and lots of open green space for dog walking. It also has a small play structure over wood chips for 5-12 with 2 slides and climbing areas as well as climbing rocks. It is located in Goleta near Costco: http://girshpark.org/contact-us/directions-to-the-park

Pros
Bathrooms are close by.
There is lots of space to run and kick balls.
The new structure is much more toddler friendly.

Cons
There are no swings.
Several friends have commented about having the homeless population in this park in particular.

5-12 Play Structure

Climbing Places

Slides

Climbing Rocks

Sunny Fields Park (Solvang)

This clean, fun park is located in Solvang, but is a great outing combined with seeing the miniature ponies or ostriches (and only about 20 minutes beyond the blueberry or strawberry picking). Think the size of Kid's World with lots of themed toys for a variety of ages. It is just off the 246 on Alamo Pintado Road: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Sunny+Fields+Park/@34.607481,-120.1232025,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x80e9548e3b2fce01:0x727673076f0312f2

Pros
The park is clean and well kept.
The park has bathrooms.
There is a variety of structures, bridges, swings and slides.
There is plenty of parking in the lot.

Cons
The park is probably busy when the fields are in use.
There is not a lot of shade here on a hot day.

Park Overview

Sliding and Monkey Bars

Ship and Old West Structures

Climbing and Bouncing Area

2-5 Structure with Slide

5-12 Structure with Slides

And More Slides

Shaded Sitting Area

Play House!

Baseball Fields

Picnic Areas

Toddler and Chair Swings

Regular, Tire and Chair Swing

Riding Toys

Nice Bathrooms

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Lookout Park (Summerland)

This Summerland park overlooks the ocean and is easy to get to. It has a 5-12 structure over rubber mat with 2 slides, 1 climbing spot, a sliding bar and the stepping poles. It also has a spring riding toy, toddler and regular swings, and volleyball court. It is very close to the Summerland exit off the 101: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Lookout+Park/@34.4201084,-119.6017809,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0xb7041ddc9daa6364

Pros
This park stays cool next to the ocean.
This park has bathrooms.
This park is not busy during the week.
The park is well contained (but there is a path down to the beach on the far side).

Cons
Parking can be limited on the weekend or during events.
The structure is taller and not the best for the littlest ones.
Because of the ocean air, this park is really wet in the morning.
There are some overnight campers and people present.

5-12 Play Structure (Front)

Toddler Swings and Spring Riding Toy

5-12 Play Structure (Back)

Volleyball Area and Bathrooms

Stepping Poles

Path to the Beach below

Friday, September 4, 2015

Other Goleta Neighborhood Parks

We discovered some other small neighborhood parks on our quest to check out all the locations on this map of parks and open spaces in Goleta and from recommendations from friends

Armstrong Open Space is located off Pacific Oaks Rd in the 7000 block of Armstrong Rd. There is a slide and some swings.

Slide

Good Climbing Tree

Tunnel

Swings at Armstrong Open Space

Winchester Open Space II is located at the end of Warwick Place or on Calle Real Rd in the 7000 block . There are some swings.

Swings at Winchester Open Space II

This little park has no name and does not show up on any maps, but our friends call it "Airplane Park" (by street maybe Marymount Park). It is located by a narrow path at either about 7137 Armstrong or 7142 Marymount off Pacific Oaks in Goleta. It has toddler and regular swings as well as an airplane spring toy.

Swings and Spring Toy

This park we found driving by one day looking for University Village Walkway. "Lowell Park" (for lack of a better name) is on Lowell Way just off Hollister Ave in the 7200 block.

Small 5-12 structure (some broken parts)

Swings

Slides

There is a small playground on Jenna Dr. It has 2 slides, 2 climbing areas and swinging bars.

Park on Jenna Dr.

Trigo Pasado Park in Isla Vista is located on Trigo Rd and Pasado Rd. It has a great climbing wall.

Climbing Wall at Trigo Pasado Park

Elings Park

Elings Park is a huge combination playground, playing fields and wedding area. One little known fact: it is built on a landfill. There are baseball fields, soccer fields, and a mountain bike area as well as a playground area. It has a 2-5 play structure and 5-12 structure over sand. The 2-5 structure has a slide and 2 climbing areas. The 5-12 structure has 2 slides, a bridge, 2 climbing areas, a sliding bar. It is also a dog friendly park with off leash areas. Directions here.

Baseball/Softball Fields

Soccer Fields

Bike Area

Pros
There are bathrooms.
There is a variety of play equipment.
A nearby picnic area is shady.

Cons
This park can get crowded, especially when there are games on the fields.
Dog owners often do not obey the code of conduct for the on leash areas, so this is not a great park if your kids are wary of dogs.

2-5 Play Structure (Front)

2-5 Play Structure (Back)

5-12 Play Structure (Front)

5-12 Play Structure (Back)

5-12 Play Structure (Side)

Regular Swings

Shady Rest Area