Explore: A scenic lake! In the middle of Los Angeles!
Eat: A picnic-- you’re packin’!
Play: Paddle boats, kayaks, playgrounds, lots to do
Stay: All day
Family Matters: Public restrooms, ample free parking, some independent food vendors -- but don’t count on it (we only saw an ice cream truck, which we patronized), best to bring your own. Water, walkways, picnics and free parking.

Need a healthy dose of nature in the middle of the San Fernando Valley? Check out Balboa Park in Van Nuys. At the heart of the park is 27-acre Lake Balboa, which is surrounded by a 1.3 mile paved footpath which is easy to navigate, even with a stroller, which is essential for me right now. After taking a walk, feed the ducks and then feed yourselves. Enjoy a picnic in one of the beautiful covered pavilions. If you think the kids will be in the mood for some hot dogs or hamburgers instead, leave the Foreman grill at home and make use of the barbeque pits on site.

After lunch, let your kids run free in the maritime themed playground, which is separated into areas based on age groups, one for ages two to five and another for ages five to twelve. Bring out your little one’s inner rocker by letting him bang away in the interactive drum play area (and be damn grateful you don’t have to listen to it in your home!).

If you’re looking for a relaxing day of family fun out on the water, this park fits the bill as well. I think that’s my favorite part: you can have a great lake/water experience without necessarily going to the beach. Paddle boats can be rented daily during summer months and on weekends and holidays year-round, for $12 for an hour and $9 for a half-hour. Kayaking is an option for the older kids, age 12 and up. Bring the dog too; pets are allowed as long as they’re on a leash. Parking spots can be found by entering the park from Balboa Boulevard, and a dirt field to the northwest of the park is used as well during busy times.

Notes: Ten years ago Balboa Park “officially”changed its name to Anthony C. Beilenson Park…who knew? Anyone?

Bummer: There is a number on their web site that encourages pavilion reservations but we couldn’t find anyone to pick up the number we dialed. We think it’s first come, first served. The pavilions are indeed beautiful but it would be nice to think there was some form of organization to them, instead of needing to camp out like a ‘tween waiting for a Hanna Montana concert.

We called two numbers listed on the park’s website and nobody picked up. We found a number listed on Yahoo and nobody picked up. We even called the General Manager of the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks and they didn’t pick up. Shall we blame Anthony C. Beilenson for this? Does anyone have HIS number?

For more information: http://www.laparks.org/dos/aquatic/facility/lakeBalboa.htm

Playground pics: http://laparks.blogspot.com/2008_06_01_archive.html