The Audubon Center at Debs Park is an environmental education and conservation center for the communities of northeast Los Angeles. Its mission is too cool not to mention: “to inspire people to experience, understand and care for the local natural world.”
What I didn’t realize before our visit is that the Audubon Center at Debs Park is just one small part of the 282.3-acre Ernest E. Debs Regional Park, the fourth largest park in the city of Los Angeles (and home to some 140 species of birds).
Insider tip: There’s plenty for families to see and do at the Audubon Center at Debs Park. Start at the Outfitters shop, then head out to the Children’s Woodland for plenty of nature play and exploring.
After spending a few minutes checking out the Audubon Outfitters shop – which doubles as a sort of small nature center – we headed out to the Children’s Woodland. And really, we could have spent hours there.
If I could design my dream backyard (oh yeah, and if I had a ton of space, too), this is what it would be like. Lots of boulders, a cave (in the background here), a creek bed,
a tree that begs to be climbed in the center of an area set up just for art projects,
raised planters, a water pump,
and the coolest fort The Big Explorer had ever seen.
Insider tip: If you’re looking for a more structured activity (think nature hike or nature art), The Audubon Center at Debs Park offers several community programs each month at no cost.
I did manage to pull the kids away from this wonderful play space long enough to go for a short nature walk on the nearby Butterfly Loop Trail (I know, I’m a terrible mother).
The highlight of our jaunt was the boys helping me through a mud puddle I was sure I would slip in.
They encouraged me to “take it slow” and even helped pull me through with their walking sticks.
The kids wanted to head out to see the rest of the park, but we decided to leave that for another day. There are all kinds of trails and birds out there waiting to be discovered. We wouldn’t want to disappoint.
Practical Matters
- The Audubon Center at Debs Park is open Tues.-Sat. from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Audubon Center at Debs Park website
- The Center is located at the western entrance to the 280+-acre Ernest E. Debs Regional Park
- The Audubon Outfitters shop doubles as a mini nature center; it provides park information & rentable trail supplies (including strollers, backpacks & binoculars)
- The Children’s Woodland area adjacent to the Center is an amazing nature playground for little explorers, featuring a creek bed, fort, water pump, boulders, an outdoor art area & more
- The kid-friendly, ¾-mile Butterfly Loop trail head is just outside the Center
- The Center provides community programs which are all FREE to families
- Several restrooms are available at the Center
- No food or drink for sale, but there are picnic tables if you bring your own
- Center has a free parking lot
The Audubon Center at Debs Park is located at:
4700 N. Griffin Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90031
