Douglas Park551

Douglas Park, a beloved Santa Monica green space, used to be a reservoir; a renovation created four-and-half acres that hold a great playground, ponds and streams filled with lily pads and fish, expanses of green grass, plenty of shade, picnic tables, and tennis courts.

The sunny playground boasts brand new equipment, including tire swings, digging apparatus, see-saws, and some very unusual climbing and balancing structures. Children and parents appreciate the abundance of sand, and parents particularly welcome the abundance of benches.

A large oval cement area does double duty; it's tricycle, scooter, or skateboard area in winter, and a refreshing water play area in summer, spouting jets of water that dance to the whims of the children.

Birthday parties are allowed; the system for reserving tables is first-come, first-served. There is also a sunny room available for rent very inexpensively.

The six tennis courts are not lighted at night; they also operate on a first-come, first-served basis. The Bacchi Ball area at the Wilshire end of the park is very popular among local seniors.

Restrooms and drinking fountains are clean; they're located on the west side of the park, just south of the tennis courts.