Lake Balboa
| In Los Angeles, on the southern
edge of Van Nuys, just off Balboa Boulevard, lies a
surprising, wonderful little retreat from Los Angeles:
Anthony C. Beilenson Park (FKA: Balboa Park). A person could
easily drive right by the entrance without getting much of a
clue as to what lies inside. Anthony C. Beilenson Park is home to a sprawling, 27-acre, man-made lake filled with reclaimed water where ducks, swans, water birds, a few turtles, and tons of coots (AKA: “pirate birds” in part due to their red eyes, black bodies, and white beaks) float about. |
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| The lake is stocked with fish for fishing. It is encircled by a 1.3-mile cement walking path, with scattered benches for resting and taking in the view. Near the southeast side is a large playground area. |
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| In the grass on either side of the walking path, families,
friends, and couples rest and picnic. Children’s birthday
parties are a frequent sight on weekends. The park is much more
sedate on weekdays. On one Saturday when I visited, a gorgeous 1920’s-themed wedding took place with the lake and blossoming cherry trees (the trees blossom for a few weeks, usually in March) as a backdrop. |
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| Anthony C. Beilenson Park is located at 6300 Balboa Blvd., Van Nuys, CA 91406. The park is usually open from sunrise to sunset, seven days per week, although it is subject to closure for inclement weather. |
I did this most recently in 2023, in Los Angeles, California, USA. |
Jen (California, USA) |
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jen is also known as J.W. Lynne, a best selling author of eleven novels. Click on any of the titles below to see the book on Amazon! THE UNKNOWN: Eight kids learn the shocking reason why they were kidnapped. ABOVE THE SKY: A girl lives in a world where touching her soulmate is forbidden. THE DARKNESS OUTSIDE: A teen is locked in a bunker to take a simulated trip to the moon. KID DOCS: An experimental program turns kids into doctors. WILD ANIMAL SCHOOL: A girl falls in love with a boy at an exotic animal ranch. WHAT HE DIDN'T TELL ME: A traumatized girl meets a boy with a horrible secret.** IF I TELL: A teen wonders if her father is a serial killer. Besides reading books and dreaming up stories to write, Jen's favorite activities are singing along to musical theater soundtracks and hiking in California's beautiful parks. *Jen's books are available on Kindle Unlimited.* **In the novel WHAT HE DIDN'T TELL ME, the characters hike to the Hollywood Sign and experience many other bucket-list-worthy L.A. adventures. |