Polliwog Park — Attraction in Manhattan Beach

One of the best local parks in the that will have something for everyone. And very popular spot for Pokemon Go (3 EX gyms). You will find 2 playgrounds, 2 baseball fields, 1 soccer field, 1 pool, 1 botanical garden, 1 dog park , 1 pond here, and a small historical museum.

There's 2 major sections in the park: a lower area that extends towards the residential area with a pond with ducks, turtles and tiny tiny little fish and an upper area with the playground visible from Manhattan Beach Blvd. They recently added a more distinguished biking line along the park.

The upper area has a body weight gym where people can exercise. Granted, this is pretty basic stuff for people doing a quick walk through the park. It also has a children's playground (EX Gym #1) complete w/ swings and slides. There's plenty of picnic areas and grills with enough trash and coal bins.There is also a roofed picnic section, but reservations are needed for big parties (and highly recommended).

The other half of the park goes from uphill to downhill into a natural auditorium. There are more covered picnic areas in this section, however, smaller than the one by the upper playground. The hill descends into the auditorium and beyond on that the pond with a small fountain. The pond has plenty of ducks and turtles for viewing enjoyment, but there is also a lot of poop to be stepped on. The pond isn't very deep, but that's not an invitation to get in. On rainy days, the pond will overflow and become a basin. Right next to the pond is the 2nd playground. This playground has 2 sections to it, one for toddlers and one for bigger kids. Again, there are slides, swings and other fun things for kids to play on including a sandbox. However, because of it's immediate surroundings and the surprise flooding, the area is a little deteriorated. Kids still enjoy it. Beyond the playground, there is a baseball field with a nice scoreboard (EX Gym #2) where the little league plays regularly.

If you go up the hill from the playground you will see the gated dog park and the soccer field. The 2nd baseball field is part of the larger area here as well. The dog park is complete with enough room for some short fetching and running, and includes some shade for the sunny days. If you continue going up the hill, you will see the botanical garden (EX Gym #3). There is a large variety of local plants here (mostly dessert) and sometimes you can smell the vegetation. There is also a nice little shaded area for people that want to just sit and relax here. Behind the dog park and between the Garden and the 2nd Baseball field, there is a gated pool as well. There is a parking lot here where people can park for access to any section...

I would have rated this park fivestars. However, within the last couple of years I would say this park has gone down in maintenance care. I remember the beautiful Botanical Gardens, the grass being a lot greener and well cared for, and the grounds being typically alot cleaner. In example... Free of duck poop and the pond was not over filled with water allowing toddlers or children to walk near and drag mud throughout the playground. Overall, aside from my previous maintenance comments it's a great part to bring your family has great walking pathways, tennis courts, soccer field, softball and baseball field as well as more than one play area for the older kids as well as a single gated play area for babies and toddlers. However, that may need repairing at some point for safety. I am a mother of five and I have been taking my children here for...

I've been going to this park since I was a little kid. I've taken Xander a few times over the years, but this is the first time we've been since the playground by the lake has been completely redone. I must say, they did a great job.

All of the playground equipment was super nice quality, and every kid there looked like they were having a blast. Xander and his little buddies definitely were! It was pretty fun for daddy as well. They even have a little pirate ship in the new playground. I'd like to think it was a little nod to the giant wooden pirate ship that used to be there when I was younger.

Which was very awesome and why Polliwog was always my favorite park as a kid. However, I do understand that the splintery behemoth would be considered a little dangerous by...