What makes a great park? A great park is different things to different people. Some are happy to find a swing that doesn’t creak. Others want everything under the sun and nice place to sit, in the shade.

Beeman Park at 12621 Rye Street has a playground for the kids and a ton more. Beeman is the home of the Studio City Recreation Center which hosts classes for kids and adults, from Zumba and Tai Chi and guitar to tennis. Lacrosse anyone? The recreation center is available to rent out for events, birthday parties and the like. You can contact them about that or about having a party at the park, they ask that you get a permit if you will be getting a bounce house. Unlike some other parks in the area they have restrooms.

If you want to get your kid involved in team sports, check out the Studio City Recreation Center’s online schedule. Right now it’s time to sign them up for baseball or softball. Basketball is just wrapping up. There is a lot to choose from and what they offer varies depending on the time of the year, soccer is just around the corner in the Spring. They have sports camps for those times when your little ones are off of school and could use something to busy their minds and tire them out.  There’s even a Pre-K class for the tiniest wee people.

I haven’t personally been a part of their adult classes or leagues, but there are pickup basketball games, tennis, softball, a running track (dirt) and excersize equipment to get fit or help you stay fit.

The Studio City Coop Preschool makes it’s home here at the park. It’s tucked away in the corner near the parking lot on Rye Street. Our bigger kid went there for two years and we had a great experience. It’s a way to be very involved with your child’s first learning experience. Classes are four days a week, Monday thru Thursday from 9-12. It involves more time on your part than a traditional drop-off type of school because the parents actually run the place. At the same time, it’s also less expensive than the other drop-off schools in the area if that’s a concern for you.

So if you’re looking for something to do this is a great place to stop in for a couple of hours, you’ll want to bring cash for the ice cream truck that’s parked out front.

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