I've been coming to Encino Park for years, and it's one of those neighborhood spots that just feels…read moreeasy and welcoming. The park is really spacious and well-maintained. There's plenty of grass for kids to run around, toss a ball, or just roll out a blanket for a picnic. The playground is solid, clean, safe, and usually full of families in the afternoons. I like that there's enough shade from the trees so you're not baking in the sun the whole time (which is a big deal in the Valley). What I appreciate most is how relaxed the vibe is. It's not overly crowded or chaotic like some bigger parks in LA. You'll see people walking their dogs (on leash), neighbors chatting, and kids practicing soccer. There are also tennis courts and a community center, which makes it feel like a true local hub. Parking is usually pretty manageable, especially compared to other parks in Los Angeles. Bathrooms are basic but generally kept in decent shape. Overall, Encino Park is simple, clean, and family-friendly. It's not flashy, but it's dependable and sometimes that's exactly what you want in a neighborhood park.

This is a nice neighborhood park. There are a couple tennis courts for free and I like that they…read morehave an enclosed playground. It's pretty clean. The playground is not that large though, so it can feel pretty crowded at times. They also have a little track where kids can ride bikes and scooters separate from the playground so they have plenty of space to cruise around. The grassy area has picnic tables and BBQs. There's lots of space to lay a blanket out as well. Sometimes there can be people with their dogs off leash running around like crazy which isn't great. I have also seen kids on motorized bikes ripping through the park around other people who were in the park. Just because this park is so small, if there's anything unsatisfactory going on, you're going to see it or be near it.

Took my students on a field trip here and it was wonderful. The state park interpreters were super…read moreknowledgeable and welcoming with cool facts about the site and land, had three different stations of activities for my students to enjoy. A beautiful, family friendly park, completely free and tucked away in Encino

If you can, please bring feed for the geese. And three domestic ducks. Instruction from the park:…read more1) no bread. 2) corn and vegetables are great. --- you can get cracked corn and poultry feed from Walmart. About $12 per 40 lb bag.

The Japanese Garden in the Sepulveda Basin is such a beautiful oasis in the Valley, especially in…read morean area that can get so hot. It feels peaceful, well cared for, and instantly calming the moment you walk in. There is a small $5 admission fee, which honestly feels completely worth it, especially because it clearly helps keep the grounds so clean, beautiful, and well maintained. I brought my parents here while they were visiting, and they absolutely loved it. If you're lucky enough to visit during the right season, you may even catch the cherry blossoms, which make the whole experience even more special. There is also plenty of parking on site, which makes visiting easy. One thing to keep in mind is that they are closed on Sundays. Also, if you have extra time, Sepulveda Basin Lake is nearby and worth checking out as well. A lovely, serene spot that feels like a hidden gem in the Valley.

The gardens are beautifully maintained with koi ponds, little bridges, stone lanterns, and…read moreperfectly trimmed bonsai. Everything feels intentional and peaceful. I went on a weekday afternoon and it was super quiet, which made it even better for just slowing down and wandering. There are plenty of benches to sit and take it all in, and the sound of the water alone is enough to lower your blood pressure. It's not huge, but that's part of the charm. You can take your time and really appreciate the details without feeling rushed. I also appreciated how clean everything was and you can tell they put a lot of care into maintaining the space.

When you arrive parking is plentiful along the borders of the park or in the parking spaces. I love…read morecoming to this park for dog training and for spending time with my dog allowing her to sniff and run on an extended leash (either 30 to 45 feet leash). The great thing about this park is that there is a sidewalk to walk on to walk the perimeter of the lake, or there are many areas of large green fields that surround the park. I have seen other dogs off leash, and normally this gives me great hesitation, but in a large park like this, you can be far enough distance away from everyone else and their dogs to avoid them. Now that it's spring, everything is blossoming and blooming, but be careful, when I was here the grass had not yet been mown, and there are so many foxtails growing right now. So many got caught in my shoes and thankfully I checked my dog's body completely and her feet and none had stuck to her. When things are mown it's great but also beware of the ants. When I was on the side of the park that has the football field sized grass area, I was watching my dog sniff and play and suddenly I felt something biting me. I looked down and dozens of red ants were climbing me from the dirt. I must have mistakenly stood on an ant mound. Thirdly, just also keep aware of coyotes, I have seen a coyote several times at Lake Balboa and they do not seem fearful whatsoever and they are just walking around casually in the middle of the day. This park is a true gem because of how beautiful and serene it makes life feel. There are people fishing in the lake, walkers, runners, people relaxing on benches reading, friends playing cards, birthday parties or other events, people bicycling or skateboarding. I love this park.

It's one of those places that feels like a mini escape without having to leave LA. The lake is…read morebeautiful, especially in the mornings and around sunset, and the walking path around it is perfect for a chill stroll, jog, or bike ride. There's always a good mix of people here families, couples, dog walkers, and folks just trying to get some fresh air. The park is spacious, well-maintained, and surprisingly peaceful considering how central it is. Plenty of picnic tables, grassy areas to relax, and spots to just sit and people-watch. The ducks and birds add to the whole vibe. Parking is usually easy, which is a huge plus, and the restrooms are decent for a public park. On weekends it can get busy, but it never feels overwhelming because there's so much space. Whether you're looking for a quick walk, a picnic date, or a calm place to clear your head, Lake Balboa is a solid go-to. Definitely one of my favorite outdoor spots in the Valley.

This park is awesome. Everyone has their dogs off leash plenty of bags trashcans balls…read moreAnd of course friendly pups! Parking is easy if you don't live in walking distance. The park is not fenced in like an actual dog park - it's actually Quite scenic with lots Of great greeeeeen grass !

I come here pretty regularly with my dogs and have to say Libbit Park is one of those little…read moreneighborhood gems in Encino that feels like a true community space. It's a nice open grassy area where dogs can run around, play fetch, and burn off some energy and there's plenty of room for people too. It's great for casual weekday walks or weekend hangs with other dog owners. Even though it's not officially designated as an off-leash dog park, most folks let their dogs roam and socialize, and surprisingly it works out most of the time. You'll find tennis balls and a few toys around, which is a fun bonus for pups who like to chase. The vibe here is friendly and relaxed neighbors chat, dogs interact (mostly politely!), and it really feels like a little community hub. I will say: bring your own water for your dog, because there aren't many fountains around, and sometimes the ground can get a bit messy depending on who's been there before you. All in all, it's a lovely local spot if you want a low-key place to let your dog stretch their legs and meet some new canine friends. Great for a quick visit or a longer chill session on a sunny SoCal day.

Date: February 1, 2025…read more I think this is my first review of 2025! Woowoo! That's what motherhood does to ya. I had this park bookmarked for a while now and decided to check it out today. We were actually around the area for lunch but didn't plan to go to a park and ended up driving back this way for it. Read the reviews and was excited to check it out and I'm so glad we did! As a recent mom of three, I felt so comfortable and safe solo watching my kids here. It's a nice playground in the middle of a fenced off grassy area with a restroom right by it. I loved that the restroom was right next to the playground to make a quick trip and not worry too much about my kiddos playing. They have a bunch of trees and also shaded top above so it was nice even though it was hitting 80F still! Surprisingly all the parents around were super attentive to their kids and made sure nobody was hurting another. I heard so many kids apologize for accidentally bumping into other kids and it just felt so nice to be in a kid area with kids who were well behaved, especially bc of my toddlers. Restrooms weren't too bad for a park. Not the cleanest but definitely not the worst I've been to. Overall I'm so happy we found this park and we will definitely be back more often!

Happy new year! This tiny park has truly evolved over the years. I grew up here in the…read moreneighborhood since 1997 , this little park didn't used to have a fancy playground in the middle. It was known as the RV and homeless park because it was super sketchy with RVs everywhere and questionable activity & odd characters....fast-forward a few years later & the city pushed for this to be a family friendly, child safe space. Well, the constant activity of children and families has scared away the illegal activity and all the RVs and sketchy folks. So the cities plan worked, now families have a place to bring their kids at, plus there is no sand and it's fenced in so it's very safe. There are also nods to Jesse Owen's the Olympic medalist athlete. There is a small bathroom in the middle dogs are welcome and it's at the end of a cul-de-sac and a very low-key suburban neighborhood. It is also next to a Wendy's fast food restaurant and a gas station and across the street. Is the Korean supermarket!

Super fun day at the park. I never celebrated St. Patrick's Day in a park with a bunch of House…read moreheads. To be honest I thought my days are going to house parties were over. The things that we do for our best friend. Thank God she took chairs to sit in. DJ Dan played while we sat around Munching on all the treats Lisa wanted us to eat plus Jell-O shots. Fun time . The only downfall was that the bathrooms were closed. I'm too old to use the Porta potty's. Especially dirty ones with no toilet paper. Thank goodness, we came prepared

I had a "Motion Capture Essentials" class here at Woodley's Park and was an amazing experience. I…read morelearned so much from the best teacher, TJ, and the course was from the renowned Mind's Eye Tribe. It was both fun and educational, and TJ helped me understand the hard work that goes into making action movies with motion capture.

I not quite sure how one goes about to get a plot for gardening here, but it seems like a really…read morenice space for a green thumb enthusiast. I overheard someone talking bout this place and constantly pass it getting in the freeway. It a community garden where people have plots for gardening and such. There's an also a little park area, rose garden and cactus garden. Parking is available inside a lot, closed at a certain time. As well as street parking. There's two sections across the street from each other. We popped in to have a wander and see what it was all about. It's a cute little park area where it's pretty and quaint. Nice place for a stroll. People have spots for gardens so respect and not trespass. Your able to walk along the path and check each plot out but he respectful and not pick anything. It's a little oasis out of the city even though you're right in it. It's just along the 101 freeway but you don't notice it with all the trees covering it. The rose garden is simple yet a good variety of plants. As well as the cactus garden towards the back. It's a cute place to have a wander and even a plot.

It's been over 2 years since I started going to the Sepulveda Garden Center. I had just relocated…read moreto Ventura County from the OC. My new place didn't have space for all my potted plants, so I was desperately trying to find a place that I could store them at. I noticed this community garden while driving past the 405 freeway near the Hayvenhurst exit. Its right near the Tapias Brothers Farm. I took a look around the place. The garden center is divided into two sections by Magnolia. The one on the north end beside the freeway is the original and much larger of the two. I thought my odds of saving my plants had increased. I met Pat, the Manager of the place. Really nice lady and a fountain of information on plants that are grown in the area. Unfortunately, there was a long waiting list. I was like number 100 or so on the waiting list. I still put in my name out of desperation. It wasn't until a year later that Pat called me telling me my name had come up on the list. By then, I was forced to give away most of plants - it was heartbreaking. At that time, I was relocating to North Hollywood, so the Garden Center was going to be a lot closer to where I lived. I really missed my plants and wanted to start gardening again, so I said why not. The cost was $25 per plot per year. The cost to rototil was $5, which was an option I chose to save me time preparing the soil. Pat will start you at one plot 1st. But if you show you are a responsible steward, she will offer you up to 2 more plots. I got lucky and all my 3 plots are adjoining. It's really a great bargain, because you can use as much water as you want and they offer free use of garden tools and mulch. To be considered a responsible gardener and neighbor, you must weed regularly and take care of your plants. Warning: this is a lot harder than it sounds, especially in the hot summer months when the weeds grow like crazy. You must be in decent shape to keep of with the rigors of up keeping a garden. If you leave your garden plot untended, you'll eventually receive a warning letter from Pat. I actually wish she were more draconian with the rules, because some neighbors just ignore there plots, resulting in beds full of weeds that spread seeds (and baby weeds) to neighboring plots. You can grow a wide variety of vegetables, dwarf fruit trees and flowering plants. Tomatoes, artichokes, cantaloupes, eggplant, peppers, pumpkin, beans, cucumbers, strawberries, etc. do very well. I plant some vegetables, but my main focus is flowering plants. While it's not a true park, families will have get togethers here. They will tend to their plots first, and then have a picnic at the shaded tables and seats at the center of the garden. Besides the large waiting list, the downside to having a plot is that once in awhile, there are thieves who will steal your fruits or veggies or even little statues and such that you use to decorate your plot with. So don't put any item you value too much in your plot, and regularly check up on it. The thieves are less likely to disturb the plots that are well maintained. Some gardeners put up tall fences, but it ends up making the place look like a prison. And many of these gardeners end up putting more effort into their fences and gates, than they do their actual garden. Nothing is sadder than looking at a plot that is fenced in and filled with weeds. The other downside is the garden center closes by 3 PM. They open at 7 AM, so best time is to come early. If you like to party on weekend nights, the garden center's operating hours might not be a good fit for you. I've recently moved to West LA, but still make the trek up to Encino most Saturday mornings to tend to my plots. Even though the 405 freeway is right beside the garden center, I often feel like I have been transported to someplace more rural. It's a nice reminder that Los Angeles was once an agricultural city. This is my antidote to the hustle and bustle of city life.

I recommend visiting on a weekend morning -- there's plenty of foot traffic, from runners to…read morebird-watchers flexing those giant pro-level cameras, so you'll feel safe and in good company. Go with a friend if you can, and if you're rolling solo, stick to the main trails and bring bear or pepper spray for peace of mind. I hadn't returned in a long time after an incident with a predator, but I finally revisited, and honestly, it's still a gem in the San Fernando Valley. The SFV Audubon Society also hosts guided nature walks and other events, so check out their website for more info.

The last ten years we have been coming here in the spring for long walks. The weather is perfect…read moreand it's in full bloom. So much beauty all around when walking through the basin. You will also hear birds singing and if you stop and look around you will find birds in trees, many beautiful birds. Lots of lizards and other wildlife in the bushes so be careful. Stay on path and walk around to enjoy the beauty. In the middle of a busy city you will find this peaceful place. Check it out.

People don't do much reviews on parks. Why? I don't know. I have been to this park 4 times in the…read morepast. I truly like this park very much. It's close to home and offers a lot of activities to do. It has children's playground equipment, 2 basketball courts, 4 BIG, tennis courts, a dirt track, clean bathrooms, picnic area, nice spacious landscape and the most important, it's kept nice and clean. This park is one of my favorite parks in Studio City. They have recreation areas and can let you sign up for sports/classes that interests you. Recently, I had taken few classes with couple of their teachers/coaches and they are WONDERFUL! Earlier this morning I went to play tennis with one of my friends. Tennis is one of my favorite sports to watch and to play. We don't keep score. We just like to play and have fun. You can walk, jug, people walk their dogs, kids, they have picnic areas and do a lot of kids birthday parties.. or you can just simply sit in silence and enjoy nature, the sunlight and have a good, peaceful time. Private lot parking, or street nearby parking. They are closed on Sundays. Kind of weird, but it's their rules, not mine. That's when people usually spend time with their families. I am not going to dock a star for that since it meets all the other amenities & requirements.

Quaint- Tennis courts, baseball area, and lots of space for a neighborhood park…read more Construction impedes the walking path so as of September 2024 it isn't very relaxing. I'm hoping to find a public track & field type of walk/run path in the valley! The sand is nice on my knees but annoying when ends up in my shoes!