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Q: How can I reserve a park / picnic area for a party, family reunion or other special event?
A: Many parks will specially reserve a group picnic area or other areas of the facility for your special event. By finding the park of your choice on this website, it will indicate where to call for reservation information.
Q: Am I able to bring a bouncer or other play equipment for my child’s birthday party?
A: When making your reservation for a space at the park, inquire as to whether that equipment is allowable at that facility. You will be advised what needs to be submitted, such as liability insurance. This also includes other special needs such as the use of amplified sound.
Q: Do you have a park where I can shoot model rockets?
A: County Ordinance precludes the firing of rockets or fireworks at County parks.
Q: Where can I sign my child / myself up for baseball, soccer or any other recreational programs?
A: Check with the park in which you are interested as to when sign-ups begin. If you are not certain which park is near you, you might check with the recreation district office nearest you (check under “Find A Park”). Also, if you reside within an incorporated city, it is likely that your city operates its own park and recreation department. You may wish to check with that agency for your nearest park.
Q: In what areas does the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation provide parks?
A: This Department basically oversees local and community parks in unincorporated County areas. (For the most part, where there are incorporated cities, they operate their own park systems.) In addition, the County operates several large, regional facilities of a countywide draw such as Castaic Lake, Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park, the Whittier Narrows Recreation Area, Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area, Kenneth Hahn Recreation Area, four Arboreta and Botanic Gardens – the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden, Descanso Gardens, the South Coast Botanic Garden and the Virginia Robinson Gardens – as well as many natural areas and wildlife / wildflower sanctuaries. The Department also has jurisdiction over 19 golf courses on 17 sites, located throughout the County and maintains over 300 miles of multipurpose riding and hiking trails.
Q: Where can I apply for a golf registration card to reserve tee times?
A: This Department does not require a registration card to reserve tee times; simply contact the starter at any County golf course, by telephone or in person, to reserve your time, up to one week in advance of the desired time.(Please note that the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks does require a registration card. If that is the agency you are trying to reach, you can contact the City directly by calling (818) 291-9980; or at <www.laparks.org>; and checking the Directory of Services for “Golf”.)
Q: I lost my SCUBA card; how can I replace it?
A: Please contact our Underwater Unit at (310) 965-8258 for assistance in replacing your SCUBA card.
Q: The tree in the parkway in front of my house needs trimming, who should I call?
A: If you reside in unincorporated County territory, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works maintains roadside trees. You can reach that Department at (626) 458-5100. If you are within a city, contact the city offices for information as to which department takes care of roadside trees.
Q: Do you have any garden facilities where I can schedule a wedding?
A: Yes; there are the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden in Arcadia, Descanso Gardens in La Caņada-Flintridge and the South Coast Botanic Garden on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Please go to the facility’s individual site for further information.
Q: Can I have a wedding at any County park?
A: Most any County facility can be used for a wedding site, depending on your wants and requirements. Some people may prefer a small rustic, outdoor wedding in a natural area, some might wish an indoor wedding in a community building (many of which have kitchen facilities available). Many County golf courses have banquet facilities very appropriate for weddings and receptions.
Q: How do I obtain permission to film at a County park?
A: Please go to our individual section “Film Permits and Still Photo Shoots” for further information.
Q: I can’t find any parks listed in my telephone directory, where are they?
A: Most parks are listed in the governmental pages in the front of your telephone white-pages directory. County parks would be listed under Los Angeles, County of, and sublisted under Parks and Recreation. Cities are similarly listed under “___, City of”.
Q: Do you have any year-round swimming pools?
A: Two County pools are open year-round for recreational swim and lessons; they are Jesse Owens Park pool in southwestern Los Angeles and the Roosevelt Park pool in south Los Angeles.
Q: Do you offer swimming lessons?
A: Yes swimming lessons are offered at all pools and are free of charge as is open, recreational swimming.
Q: Which facilities allow personal watercraft such as jet skis?
A: Castaic Lake in Castaic and at the Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park in San Dimas. As personal watercraft alternate days with power boats at Bonelli, please contact the facility to determine if it is the appropriate day for your desired use.
Q: At which County lakes can I swim?
A: There are lifeguards on duty and swimming allowed at Castaic Lake, Bonelli Park and Santa Fe Dam. Other County lakes are intended for fishing and swimming is not allowed.
Q: Where can I fish?
A: County lakes that are kept stocked for fishing include:
• Castaic Lake in Castaic
• Frank G. Bonelli Park in San Dimas
• Legg Lake in the Whittier Narrows Recreation Area
• Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area in Irwindale
• Kenneth Hahn Recreation Area in Baldwin Hills
• Apollo Park in Lancaster
• Alondra Park in Lawndale
• Earvin “Magic” Johnson Recreation Area in Willowbrook
• Cerritos Park in Cerritos
• La Mirada Park in La Mirada
• Peck Road Water Conservation Park in Arcadia
• Belvedere Park in East Los Angeles
Q: Can I bring my dog to any County park?
A: Dogs are allowed at County parks and on trails as long as they are on a leash and under the full control of the owner. Dogs are not allowed at the garden facilities.
Q: Do you have any off-leash dog parks?
A: There are currently no County parks that allow dogs to be off leash. You may wish to check with the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, which does have several “dog parks”.
Q: Where can I view wild flowers?
A: The Department has several wildlife / wildflower sanctuaries, located in the Antelope Valley. For further information about the sanctuaries, please go to <devils-punchbowl.com> and then click on Wildflower Sanctuaries.
Q: Where can I play disc (Frisbee) golf?
A: There are disc golf courses at Veterans Memorial Park in Sylmar and at La Mirada Community Regional Park in La Mirada.
Q: Where are your nature centers located?
A: The Department-operated nature centers are:
• Eaton Canyon Nature Center in Pasadena
• Placerita Canyon Nature Center in Newhall
• San Dimas Canyon Nature Center in San Dimas
• Whittier Narrows Nature Center in South El Monte
• Deane Dana Friendship Park Nature Center in San Pedro
• Devil’s Punchbowl Visitors Center in Pearblossom
Q: Do you have camping at County parks?
A: County parks are basically day-use facilities. There are camping facilities at two County parks – Castaic Lake and a concession-operated RV and campground at Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park in San Dimas. Some County parks and natural areas do allow overnight camping for organized groups; please check with the facility for further information.
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