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Barnes Park
Category: Active Life Parks Parks [Edit]
350 S. McPherrin AvenueMonterey Park, CA 91754
(626) 307-1394
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
16 reviews for Barnes Park
16 reviews in English
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Review from molly j.
San Gabriel, CA
10/12/2011
This park is mostly colonized and used by the locals. The locals are mostly Chinese speaking from the Chinese diaspora... meaning Taiwanese Mainland Chinese HK and ETC maybe Indonesian and Singaporean and little of Vietnamese as there are Vietnamese Diaspora population boarding this city... like S El Monte El Monte or whomever can drive can come here. There are also a massive Latin diaspora community that comes here to play baseball. In MP this area was a previous Spanish Mexican territory so there are a lot of expats from that.. expect to see Latin and Asian everywhere...
I do not think there is anything bad to say about this park.
In the morning expect children playing from the nearby nurseries...
in the afternoon expect families coming in to play sports fly kites and just do silly things with their time there....
When night falls there are a lot of activities going on.
There are re-occurring Chinese performances like Chinese opera singing Traditional Chinese dance... It is also centred around a recreation area where there are swimming meets and match. Everything is there...
from the city hall police department fire department library YMCA swimming pool... childrens play area... also There are wu shu meet ups there if you like to join... There are even young students there to practice hip hop and dancing... -
Review from Charley T.
Los Angeles, CA
1/24/2012
This park is nice and clean.
Oh, you want more details? Okay, Mister "I need to know more than a sentence jerky pants." I come here once in a while with my nephews, they get a kick out of the Jungle Gym and like what kid wouldn't? it has swings and slides! I smile just watching them play without any thought that something might ruin the moment.
If they're tired with that, they would go to the benches to watch people practicing on their swings at the baseball field.
I for one enjoy the peace and quiet this place serves. It's connected to City Hall, so if you have a complaint, heck, you can just jump there and BAM! your voice will be heard.
But I have never complained so I don't know how the bureaucracy works.
Special events are held here, my favorite has to be Garage Day Sale. Second is 4th of July. Third is Dirty Dancing Tribute Extravaganza - just kidding.
I just recommend that you bring a smile and a good vibe when coming down here, and pick up after yourself - keep the World clean. -
Review from Laura S.
7/5/2011 15 photos
FREE Fireworks!? Yes.
Started at 9pm. But you need to get there early to get a seat, but somehow you can squeeze yourself in someplace in a patch of grass.
Luckily, we were able to find a spot to put our portable chairs. I think either way, you get a good view... unless you're under a tree. Fail. I could see the fireworks still but the tree covered some of it! Ugh!
People:
Like the population in MP... Asians and Hispanics. Yes, I did hear a mixture of Chinese and Spanish. And I did hear the occasional Viva de MEXICO... on the Fourth of July... in the US. Fun stuff.
Parking:
Hard to find parking nearby
Overall:
Beautiful fireworks that's free. So... good stuff. -
Review from Bill D.
Monterey Park, CA
8/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
Very nice and relaxing park.
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Review from ayami h.
Pasadena, CA
3/26/2009
Rolling green grass - check.
Extensive playground area - check.
Sand - check. . . did you know that sand is a rare commodity in the playground world? I only know this because I'm a mommy.
Lap pool - check (will be back this summer to really check it out!)
Benches to rest my tushie while my daughter goes a-muck - check.
Abundance of trees for shade - check.
Baseball diamond - check.
Tennis courts - check.
Community center - check.
Amphitheater - check. What other park can boast an AMPHITHEATER??
This park rivals parks in Pasadena, it is that nice. No offense. And it is very close (aka across the street) from the police station (can you say safe?), library, boys and girls club. .. it's literally a perfect spot! -
Review from Elizabeth A.
Monterey Park, CA
5/30/2008
I saw Greg's review and I HAD to give my input. edit: no, i don't hate greg -__-;; , he's cool.
Maybe I'm just being nostalgic but, I like this park. It holds a lot of memories for me but before I start wandering down Memory Lane, let me point out some good traits.
Barnes Park:
-is the 'festival' grounds for events such as Play Days (a fair-like Thurs-Sun annual event), Cherry Blossom, and I can't remember what else
-close to the Library, Boys & Girls Club, CVS, Subway, William's Doughnuts
-has a pool, the price was pretty cheap when I went here during junior high summer school outings
-softball field
-tennis/badminton courts
-indoor basketball courts
-right next to the police station
-and last, but not least, the amphitheatre..
the amphitheatre!
oh... those wonderful two summers where choir camp was held at the park. doing push-ups, arm exercises, sit-ups, and more on the amphitheatre stage was great. running up hill to touch that stupid pole, was not. practicing choreo and singing everyday for two weeks from 8 am - 1 pm, great. performing at the end of two weeks with sound, a band, as a big group and as smaller individual groups, priceless. seriously, priceless.
i keep wishing i was back there, performing as a group. sigh, oh well, i'm in college now... a baby's gotta do what a baby's gotta do (brownie points if you know where that is from)
edit:
Barnes Park also has a patio area where I used to throw parties for children as part of the Junior Friends of the Bruggemeyer Library. The Lions Club also has a pancake breakfast here and I volunteered for that while I was in high school. Those pancakes and ham was good. Good times at Barnes Park. -
Review from Paula G.
Los Angeles, CA
4/25/2009
Honestly, one of the nicest and cleanest parks I've been to near Los Angeles. Huge areas of grass, no hidden trash or crazy stuff in the playground sand, benches and trees galore for your picnic and resting desires. They even have a lap pool, baseball diamond and amphitheater! Amphitheater! How cool is that?
The last time I was here it was packed with people for the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. There was plenty of space to fit all the vendors, food or otherwise, as well as all the performers and people here without feeling claustrophobic. Everyone was cordial and polite and it felt as if Eagle Rock had decided to hold a neighborhood spring festival. All prices for all the vendors were so reasonable and I knew that the same stuff would've been sold at the Little Tokyo Cherry Blossom Festival would have cost twice as much.
There was plenty of street and neighborhood parking, if you didn't mind a little walk up a hill for some exercise. The Boys and Girls Club, Police Department and City Hall is only a hop and skip away so the area feels totally safe. The only shady thing you'll get around here is actual shade from the trees (haha, get it? ^_^)
So, if you don't mind driving just a little bit for some quiet outdoors time, feel free to come to Barnes Park. -
Review from Lynette T.
Hidden Hills, CA
7/5/2009 2 photos
We were here for the city's annual free 4th of July fireworks show.
It was a spur of the moment decision to go & we're glad we did.
Now, this is how you dash in & out:
Go at the last minute (we arrived 4 mins. before the show started)
Park on the north side of Garvey (therefore you avoid the traffic before & afterward)
Take along folding chairs
Sit on the north side of the park in front of City Hall. (to avoid the massive crowd in the main park areas) We settled right in front of the US & State of California flags which made for an even better sentimental view when the fireworks exploded behind them. (see pic)
Previous reviews list all the merits of this fine city park.
I'd like to add that the city's Spirit buses can easily bring you here from all points in the city.
Last few years, we've been coming here mainly for concerts & festivals.
The amphitheater is perfectly located on the sloping south end of the park. Even on a hot day, you still enjoy a nice breeze while sitting under the canopy, listening to beautiful music.
Barnes Park has been a part of my life for over 40 years. So many memories... -
Review from Mitch W.
3/24/2010
Free Fireworks on the 4th of July??? Can it get any better than this??? I don't think so.
I live fairly close to this park and noticed last 4th of July that the City of Monterey Park was having a fireworks show. We decided to check it out this year and it was a very nice 20+ minute show. We arrived about a half hour before the show started and found an open spot on the grass.
There's a lot of people who come out for the show, so it's better to arrive early and pick your spot. There are food booths, so you can get something to eat and throw a frisbee around during the afternoon before the show starts at night. Parking is hard to find, so be prepared to walk a little. Bring a blanket or chairs so you'll be comfortable.
Thanks you City of Monterey Park for the fireworks!!!
Xie Xie! -
Review from G.I. J.
Los Angeles, CA
9/16/2008
If you are a lap swimmer they gotta nice heated 50 meter pool. Hours M-F 6-8am and Sat/Sun 6-10am. Monthy rate is 38 dollars or 5 dollars per day. One caveat -- there are many older to elderly chinese "swimmers" who lack lane etiquette or lack the knowledge of lane etiquette. Since I don't speak chinese . . . The life guards are youngsters, polite but indifferent.
Beyond that, it's a great way to stretch out your swim.
This is an atypical city park. You'll find the requisite Basketball gym, tennis courts, Baseball field, BBQs, Bench seating, and outdoor amphitheatre. In addition the Police station, Fire station and City Hall inhabit this park.
I like it. -
Review from Sunny D.
Los Angeles, CA
4/10/2007 1 photo
When was the last time you rolled down a grassy hill?
No I'm not talking about that time you fell after a long night of drinking. I'm talking about an intentional roll down a hill. I just did that yesterday and it felt grrrrrrrreat!
Had to babysit my 3 year old nephew and decided to stop by Barnes park for a picnic. I brought Zero along too since I'm a good doggie parent and can't leave him home while I have fun at the park. We played on the swings, flew a kite (or attempted to) and then we rolled down the hill.
Its located near Garvey & Garfield. Barnes park has a Community Center, Basketball Gym, Memorial Bowl, Picnic Pavilion, Olympic Size Pool, lighted Softball Field and Tennis Courts, and a Children's Area. They also have special events throughout the year. I've been here for 4th of july fireworks, Cherry Blossom festival a few years back, and a doggie birthday party.
So act like a 3 year old, tuck your arms in, and rolllllll -
Review from Nap Z.
Monterey Park, CA
2/7/2008
I play softball here so I'm here alot.
The park has an olympic size pool, outdoor, sheltered picnic area which can be rented, new playground place for kids, tennis courts, etc.
Also have indoor gym and an outdoor stage. They usually have fairs/festivals here which bring out the local vendors.
Park is very safe since the police station is next door. Try not to park on the street facing Right Field. Alot of softballs go that way. Dont want your car getting dinged. -
Review from Taco L.
Monterey Park, CA
10/12/2007
The park has:
-an olympic-size pool
-very large, outdoor, sheltered picnic area
-playground place for kids
-a bowl for events
-lighted softball field, during evenings there are usually organized games to watch
-three lighted tennis courts, usually there's a bunch of high school kids who take over, but now they're all at school haha
-there are patches of open field around the park, often used to play catch or mini-soccer
-there's a great walking/jogging path around the softball field, about 0.60miles round-trip. lots of stuff to look at while on the path, and you can detour up and down the hill, or around the entire park.
-big sloped hill, great to relax or to roll
-indoor basketball gym
-community center and bathrooms
I wish there was better lighting in this park though. Around the softball field is really well lit, but several other places are quite dark, including the kid's playground.
Barnes Park has a little bit of everything. And it should, this place is like the center of Monterey Park. Located in a quiet neighborhood, this park is adjacent to the public library, the police station, and the fire station. There's a Subway and a CVS not too far from here either. And a friend told me that there's an underground jail there? WOW. Anyway, there are plenty of things to do in and around this park. Great place to relax. -
Review from J W.
Alhambra, CA
6/6/2010
Every event is held here for Monterey Park. It's nice not very big so you don't have to wonder where anything is held. Limited parking but hey ride a bike or walk is so much more fun. Love the hills.
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Review from Scott H.
Monterey Park, CA
10/21/2008
The pool is the only reason I go to Barnes park. Vicinity wise it's super close, the price is a bargain, I looked into other public pools in nearby Alhambra and they were asking for double to triple the amount of Barnes park. As stated by G.I.J. alot of older Chinese swimmers who don't have lap swimming etiquette, so don't get your panties in a bunch when one accidentally runs into you. The weekend mornings are pretty interesting as right next to the pool they teach Tai Chi and sometimes it's fascinating to watch, it's like watching a slow motion kung-fu movie.
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Review from Van N.
Los Angeles, CA
3/14/2008
i really like this park, but was forced to give barnes park 3 stars b/c it's not as cool as almansor and almansor isn't a 5 star park. it's next to the city fire dept and if the firefighters would just come out and show themselves i might've given it one more just for that :P i love how barnes is such a neighborhood park...it's got old chinese fogies doin tai chi, teen b boy crews practicing their moves, high skool kids making out on the hillside, little wet kids running out to get picked up by their parents after swim class. the facility is not as clean and well maintained as almansor but i think that that's a plus b/c it gives everyone a little more flexibility in what they can do there. for example, dogs are allowed in the park and i can brandish my fake broadsword and other pointy fake weapons and no one comes to kick me out (we were banned from almansor :P). the *best* part is that its cozy dark parking lot allows me to take the best naps before i work out ;) it's like kindergarten nap time in the evenign cuz all the other folks take naps in their cars too....hehheheheh....3.75 stars!!!!
Listed in: watch me drop down and do some…
