Robert Egger, Sr. – South Bay Recreation Center

This place is disguesting! The park is full of transients… they sleep on the picnic tables, smoke God knows what… made my son and I sick from the smell… they sleep on the bleachers to the baseball field… and in the open grassy area… this isnt a place to take your kids when its become overwhelmed with transients and it smells of urine and other nasty things near the trees and fences…

Horrible experience, I signed up my 8yr old into as many activities as I could to keep him busy during the summer with the plan to drop him off and pick him up at specific times, a staff there assure me she would personally keep at eye on my son and I left with a satisfactory feeling. The first day arrives, my sons day care drops him and thank goodness they stayed to make sure because nobody knew what class my son was talking about, apparently it was a drop in sort of class that needed at least 3 to 4 students to even offer the class and no other kids were there. Nobody shared that with me at signing. And nobody called me to tell me, I could had arranged different plans for my son. During the first week I had many other encounters just as disappointing, like the time I called to speak to my son and ‘the manager’ told me they were not mandated to supervise my son as quote ‘this is not the boys and girls center’. Or the time they LOST my son at a Aquatica during a field trip, then they shame him for their fail to the point of tears and dare to tell me my son was a bad kid at pick up time. Horrible experience. Do not sign your kids in any activity here. This is just a bunch of teenagers in for the freebies that don’t care about our kids, and the Manager is a self centered ignorant that has no appreciation for our little ones. I really wanted to like this place but I was left with a bitter aftertaste and a disgusting gut feeling. I have payed for classes for the whole summer and we are not coming back.

Overall clean and very big you can play football soccer and even fly a kite my kids always ask to go to this park they even have softball/​baseball fields

My old and current stomping grounds. Ghetto? Gangs? Not really. A good place to take the family, or even for a nightly walk. Plenty of grass area to play or practice any sport. Rocket Park was the breeding ground of Southside legends.

I know this park has been stereotype as a gang related area, but a majority of them are wrong. This place does it job keeping kids entertain with its simple jungle gym set and my dogs love going here to run around the grass. On a plus side, I have attended many children’s birthday here and they all enjoyed having it at this park.

Nice little park for kids. It’s not very big but it doesn’t take much to please a 4-​year-​old. They have large open space for football, throwing ball, or soccer as well as places for grilling and having a picnic. At only a mile walk from my place, it’s perfect for a sunday afternoon.

This park does its job keeping children entertained. I remember coming here a lot when i was in elementary school. Maybe twice a year they hold a carnival, but it is not that great. It may be wonderful for a child going for the first time.
This place use to offer swimming lessons, but due to the recent city budget cuts, they had to eliminate it. There was shooting here back in October or November 2005 and since then, they keep their lights on at night.
Pros: They have two play structures, one in the front and one in the back. They have a carnival at least once a year.
Con: It’s small.

The park epitomizing the South Bay. Not pretty to look at, may seem ghetto/​intimidating, but if you are street smart, it is perfectly safe and lots of fun.
I am really surprised the first review was only in February of this year. The park is not used nearly as much as it used too, so chances are, you’ll have dibs on anything there. Being relatively close to the ocean, there’s always a cool breeze blowing through.
It saddens me to see what demographic remains in my old neighborhood (the type that does not Unilocal!OMG). Budget cut-​backs have limited the after-​school programs, but here are some of the facilities that remain:
— 2 softball fields with backstsop and «dug-​out» areas and lights
— 2 side-​by-​side half-​court basketball courts outdoors. You won’t find a key or 3-​pt arch here.
— 1 indoor full court basketball
— large field for football, ultimate frisbee, etc
— 2 sizable sand-​filled playgrounds with some fun kiddie rides. That’s right, no rubberized floors here and sand will get everywhere.
— 4 or 5 picnic areas with benches, some with grilling areas
— ample parking
— next to Mar Vista Middle School: tennis courts, hand-​ball courts
Fond memories here: took karate lessons, tiny-​tots, practicing riding a bike with no training wheels, carnival, birthdays, even standing in line with Grandma for free government cheese.

Also known simply as the REC or Rocket Park by some of the locals. This place has been a place for kids and adults to come hang out, play some sports or just to run around. I can remember many a time going here to play different activities or check out the carnival when it comes into town. I still go there at least once a week to play football with my friends on their field. If you need some flags, cones, or a ball don’t hesitate to ask. Everyone that works there is friendly and will help you out!