Along with plenty of traditional park features – like multiple play structures, picnic tables, park benches and an exercise course – Manhattan Beach’s Polliwog Park also has a lot to offer nature lovers.
There’s the large pond that takes center stage within the 18-acre park. It’s home to migratory birds, making it a great spot for little ones to practice their bird watching skills. During our visit, we spotted coots, gulls, crows and several different types of ducks.
Another gem for nature lovers visiting Polliwog Park: The Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden, which sits at the southwest corner of the park.
Although the garden space isn’t very large, there’s plenty to see. Features include a children’s garden, a meditation garden, a waterfall, a wildflower meadow, an amphitheater, and a bird and butterfly habitat. It’s a pint-sized space that’s great for kids.
The multiple grassy areas at Polliwog Park are expansive, making the park a great space for kids to run. There are all kinds of trees providing shady areas perfect for picnics.
And there’s a sloped grassy hill adjacent to the pond that’s made for rolling down. Or in the case of The Explorers, lying down and starting up at the sky for awhile.
Date of most recent visit: Tues., Feb. 7, 2012
Who: Mom & The Explorers
Weather: Drizzly with dark clouds, low-60s
Highlights
- Wandering through the Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden
- Playing on the U.S.S. Polliwog – the ship-inspired play area adjacent to the pond
- Chasing birds into the pond
- Lying down on the grassy hill & staring up at the dark, cloudy sky
Practical Matters
- Polliwog Park is an 18-acre park with a large pond, multiple play areas, picnic tables, grassy expanses, an exercise course, a 9-hole disc golf course & more
- Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden is open dawn to dust; entrance is FREE
- Garden features include a children’s garden, a meditation garden, a waterfall, a wildflower meadow, an amphitheater, and a bird and butterfly habitat
- Curbside parking is available along Redondo Ave. & Manhattan Beach Blvd.
- Restrooms located in the middle of the park
- Be advised that Polliwog Park sits alongside a school; students swarmed the play areas when school let out during our weekday afternoon visit
Polliwog Park is located at:
1601 Manhattan Beach Blvd.
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
