I have always loved Memorial Park, located in Pasadena, also known as Stank-adena, or as most of us…read morelike to call it Get-down-dena.
Memorial Park has just about everything you need for a family with various interests. You can't go wrong here, located right by Pasadena High School off 225, home of the Eagles, where the grass is greener and the girls are prettier.
Basketball area is large, at least six goals, covered, and always full of basketball players of all ages.
There is a skate park next to it with ramps of all sizes. My daughter's favorite section of the park, she uses it with her skates or bicycle, she is now asking for a skateboard this Christmas. I would, take caution with little ones; it's full of teenagers who do try to look out for smaller kids, except they can't avoid little ones when they are going full speed. I've seen some really bad accidents.
Soccer fields always have players on them whether it is practice or games. Everyone seems to play nice even when the fields are being occupied by several groups. One of the soccer fields has a ¼ mile walking, running, jogging, trotting, biking, or skating track. Nobody is there to enforce the tracks rules, perfect for a mother of three who needs to get her cardio in with kids who rather bike ride, skate, or kick balls on the track. This may not be the track for you, if that sort of thing bothers you. You should still come for everything else Memorial Park offers.
This mamita's favorite part: Unlike the skate park I don't have to chase my daughter to ensure her safety. I bring a blanket, lay down on top of the hill and let the kids work out their problems on the playground.
I always yell to my kids as we are rushing out the door to grab water, but like most other times they don't listen. There are water fountains, and to my surprise actually have a good water pressure that their mouths are nowhere near the spout.
The bad, is very bad. Restrooms, let's just not go there.
Gazebo, bridge, leisurely strolls, picnic tables, pits, and benches are all part of a day at the park. There is always someone selling raspas, corn in a cup, chicarrones, and other gusguerias (junk food). Just for Pete's sake pick up after yourself. My kids don't take many orders from me, but our one family rule is, "we don't litter", if they see you do it, well you asked for it.