Any one who has lived in LA for a length of time knows it gets hot in the San Fernando Valley in late summer. I mean really hot, Phoenix, Arizona hot.
The perfect place to head is the Hansen Dam Recreation Area's Swim Lake.(11798 Foothill Blvd.) Why "Swim Lake," not pool? It is a chlorinated pool, but rather than a one shallow end and increasing depth to a deep end, the swim lake is shallow on three of the four sides of the pool. Shallow, like a lake, providing a couple of feet of wading water. The center of the pool is the deepest,coming to just below my shoulders, and I'm 5' 4". The one deep side features two tube slides. My young friends informed me that one is faster than the other.
Admission is free for people under 18, $2.50 for Adults-$2.00 if you have a Los Angeles Public Library card (which of course I do.) Parking is free. There is a catering coach offering hamburgers, hot dogs, quesadillas and sandwiches for $3.00-$5.00. A guy with an ice cream cart was selling a variety of items for $1.50.
We (myself and 4 kids)brought a picnic, but bought ice cream from the vendor. There are shade trees in a grassy area, but bring a beach umbrella is you must have shade.
The pool was crystal clear and pleasantly cool. Dressing rooms and bathrooms are available, spartan but very clean. This place is a big hit with young families, but there were some young teenagers too.
Hours now are 12:00-6:00pm on weekends, but come next June, it is open from 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
http://www.laparks.org/dos/aquatic/facility/hansendamAQ.htm
(818) 899-3779
Friday, September 3, 2010
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment