*The Parks of North Hollywood:

www.gotonoho.comGreetings Canine Angelenos!

Today's blog is all about the parks of my home territory...North Hollywood. I've discovered 10 places in NoHo's 10.2 square miles where a dog can roll in the grass and chase a squirrel or two; not too bad for a major city neighborhood I must say.

Now if your looking for peace and quiet, you probably won't find that here. The Hollywood Freeway (170) makes up the majority of North Hollywood's Western border and most of the neighborhood's parkland runs alongside it. But hey, if we were really worried about that we would live out in the country instead of the greatest city in the world wouldn't we?

There's a lot to love about my NoHo, so let's jump right in and cover ourselves with some dirt and grass:
  

(Click here to see what goes into my parks rating system.)

 

North Hollywood Park & Recreation Center

Rating: 3.5 Paws

11430 Chandler Bl.
North Hollywood, CA 91601

My park (I live a 5 minute walk away) is sandwiched between Tujunga Ave. and the 170 Freeway and runs from just North of the intersection of Riverside Dr. and Camarillo St. to Chandler Bl. near the Orange Line bus terminal.

This park has more squirrels than just about any place in L.A. - I get exhausted chasing them all.

Born in 1927 as Lankershim Park, it was the largest public green space in the San Fernando Valley for many years. Today it's divided into two sections by Magnolia Bl. 

The Southern section is a nice park with hundreds of shady trees, grass to roll in, and 1.6 miles of dirt trails to walk on. There are public restrooms, exercise stations, water fountains and trash cans, but no poop bag dispensers - a glaring omission in a park that is so popular with dogs. There are also quite a few picnic benches and a small memorial to the Californians that were killed on 9/11.

Cross Magnolia Bl. and you'll enter the Recreation center where there are baseball fields, tennis courts, a skate park, a roller hockey rink, a playground and a swimming pool alongside a public library and other city facilities. There is also a nice statue honoring Amelia Earhart, a long time resident of nearby Toluca Lake.

Oooooooooh that's nice....freshly mowed too.

The tennis courts and baseball fields recently underwent a major refurbishing and the newly planted grass is plush and extremely rollinable (I just made up a word!).

This park has become the center of outdoor activities in the increasingly popular NoHo Arts District and I visit it almost every day. Come on by for a visit and check out the rest of my great neighborhood while you're here. Many of the local restaurants have dog-friendly patios and they often give cookies and a bowl of cool water to us canines. Now that's what I call service.

Alexandria Park

Rating: 2 Paws

Laurel Canyon Bl. & Erwin St.
North Hollywood, CA 91601

A couple of miles North along the 170 brings you to the infamous Valley Plaza Mall. Once among the busiest and most cutting edge shopping spots in the country, it's now a "ghost mall" with an interesting story to tell. Pack Leader says you should watch these great videos about the mall's unique history.

Since dogs don't go shopping, the only thing that interests us around here is the neglected little park that sits between the parking lot and the freeway.

You're likely to have this park all to yourself because no one shops in a ghost mall do they?

It's only about 100 yards wide and 1/4 mile long, but it does have decent grass, a water fountain, some trash cans and a couple of picnic benches. It's also infested with gophers. Humans generally dislike gophers in their parks, but I enjoy digging up their little dirt mounds in hopes of catching one. Pack Leader tells me its never going to happen but that won't stop me from trying.

If you like digging for gophers, you need to visit this park.

Valley Plaza Park & Recreation Center 

Rating: 3 Paws

12240 Archwood St.
North Hollywood, CA 91606


At the Northern edge of the Valley Plaza Mall property, behind the Sears store, you'll find St. Clair Ave. and the South entrance to the Valley Plaza Recreation Center.

Tennis courts, baseball fields (including a Dodger's Dream Field for Little Leaguers), basketball courts, a volleyball court, a playground and a swimming pool can all be found surrounding your typical city-run recreation facility buildings. On the freeway side of the park, a short dirt pathway runs between the tennis courts and the swimming pool just South of Vanowen St. 

There's something for everyone, human and canine, to do here.

Cross Vanowen St. and you'll be in Valley Plaza Park, which stretches North to Gault Street. The park has a library, restrooms, exercise stations, lots of trees and a poorly maintained "lawn" that's far more dirt than grass. There are picnic benches and trash cans throughout the park but no poop bag dispensers.

The grass needs some TLC but its still a nice park with plenty to see and do.

In the Northwest corner of the park is a footbridge that goes over the 170 Freeway and takes you to the "Whitsett Fields" aka. the Valley Plaza Sports Complex.

You people should really spend less time in your cars and more time at the park...

Valley Plaza Sports Complex

Rating: 2 Paws

Whitsett Ave. & Vanowen St.
North Hollywood, CA 91605

If you play soccer or baseball in the Valley, then you know about this place. The North end of the park has some baseball fields and the South end is full of soccer fields. Usually it's packed with local athletes, but come early on a weekday and you'll have the fields all to yourself.

Pack Leader says I'm too short to play keeper.

Next to the fields are restrooms, water fountains, trash cans, picnic benches and even a concession stand on busy weekends. However, like all the parks in NoHo, there are no poop bag dispensers. I think I have to have a word with Councilman Krekorian about that...

Somebody left behind a soccer ball! The "finders keepers" law is in full effect here.

After kicking the ball around for a while, travel another mile or so North along Whitsett as it parallels the 170 to the intersection of Strathern St. and Whitsett Ave. near North Hollywood's border with Sun Valley. There are two more small parks there to investigate.

Strathern Park West

Rating: 2.5 Paws

12728 Strathern St.
North Hollywood, CA 91605

The official address of this park is on Saticoy St., but I don't recommend entering from there because of limited parking, the park is actually a couple of hundred yards down a broken glass covered alleyway, and there is no sign telling you the park is there. You should enter the park from the North end on Strathern St. or from the South near the end of Lull St.

This is definitely the least visited park in NoHo.

The park is a narrow half-mile long strip of grass between the 170 Freeway and Beeman Ave. There are no amenities except for a couple of benches and trash cans but I love this place because it's an unofficial off-leash park and very lightly used. If you want to get away from the crowds and run free, this place is just what the vet ordered.  

 

 Jamie Beth Slavin Park

Rating: 1.5 Paws

7965 Whitsett Ave.
North Hollywood, CA 91605

This is a tiny pocket park that is separated from Strathern Park West by the 170. It has a playground, basketball court, a few picnic benches, a water fountain, and a short paved pathway. While there isn't much to do, I must admit the grass is nicely kept and there is an abundance of gopher holes...if you're into that sort of thing.

It's tiny but its got the basics.

That's it for the parks that run alongside the 170. Now let's check out the rest of the neighborhood:

Tiara Street Park

Rating: 1.5 Paws

11480 W. Tiara St.
North Hollywood, CA 91601

North Hollywood's newest park is really just a playground for the kids but there is some nice grass to roll in as well as exercise stations, water fountains, trash cans, and restrooms for the humans. There's even a short pathway that goes around the entire park.

As a bonus, it's right next to an In-N-Out Burger which adds a delightful beefy aroma to the air. I highly suggest you talk your humans into sharing a Double-Double with you while you're there.

Whitnall Highway Dog Park

Rating: 2.5 Paws

5801 Whitnall Highway
North Hollywood, CA 91601

It's ragged looking and the grass is always in poor shape, but it's NoHo's only off-leash dog park so it's hard not to love. There are benches for the humans to sit on while they watch their doggies play and there is usually a kiddie pool to jump into. As with most dog parks, there are poop bag dispensers, water fountains and plenty of trash cans.

The park is split into big dog/little dog sections that are separated by a dirt parking lot.

This apartment building across the street has spectacular decor if you ask me...

Victory-Vineland Park & Recreation Center

Rating: 2 Paws

11117 Victory Bl.
North Hollywood, CA 91606

This small recreation center is right next to the Target store at the intersection of Victory Bl. and Vineland Ave. It's a tiny spot with just a single city building, a tennis court, a basketball court and a playground. Behind the building is a park large enough for two soccer fields and a few picnic benches.

It's not the biggest or prettiest park around...but its a park and I'm thankful it's here.

Chandler Bikeway

Chandler Bl. & Vineland Ave.
North Hollywood, CA 91601

At the Southeast corner of Vineland and Chandler is the Western entrance to the Chandler Bikeway. Its not really a park but it's a great place to take the dog on a stroll. It's also where you'll find one of my favorite things to roll in - the free mulch pile the city has set up for anyone who wants to take some mulch home for their lawn or garden. Pack Leader doesn't exactly approve of me rolling in the smelly mulch, but I can usually get a quick tumble in before he pulls me away.

The pathway runs for miles; deep into Burbank.

In the North Hollywood section of the bikeway are the Chandler Murals - a collection of amazing paintings on the street facing walls of the local businesses. The people who made these have some serious talent and they've created the "artsiest" street in all of NoHo - maybe all of L.A.

Of all the murals, this is my personal favorite.

This one is Pack Leader's favorite.

When you reach N. Clybourn Ave., you've reached the Eastern border of North Hollywood and the end of our adventures for today. 


I hope you've enjoyed exploring North Hollywood as much as I have and that my blog inspires you to check out one of L.A.'s most unique and fastest growing neighborhoods. Maybe I'll.....


...see you at the park!


Chloe Canine-Angeleno







Some of the information I've shared in this blog came from the following sources:

Universal City-North Hollywood: A Centennial Portrait
by Tom Link



All photographs were taken by my pack leader, Jim Gross

Everything else was discovered by getting my paws dirty and the extensive use of my nose.

The Los Angeles River #3 - East San Fernando Valley

Greetings Canine Angelenos!



Its time to visit my favorite place in town again... the L.A. River!

In Part 1 of my dog-centric look at the river, I covered the Western San Fernando Valley, from where the river starts at Headwaters to the Sepulveda Basin Dog Park.

In Part 2, I followed the river all the way through the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area.

Today, In Part 3, I'll travel through the Eastern San Fernando Valley - from Sepulveda Bl. in Sherman Oaks to Cahuenga Bl. in Studio City. 

This route will have us, for the most part, traveling along Valleyheart Dr. from West to East.

Valleyheart Dr. runs parallel to the river from Sepulveda Bl. to the edge of Griffith Park in Burbank. However, there are many places where the road disappears then reappears (an annoying trait of many roads in The Valley) and it often splits in two, thus creating North Valleyheart and South Valleyheart. 

This can be a little frustrating but as long as you drive close to the river, you'll find the road. 



* Sepulveda Bl. to Kester St.
    (Thomas Guide 561 H3 & J3)

The walking path on the South side of the river is currently (June 2014) under construction as part of the L.A. Riverfront Park Project - Phase II - its full of construction vehicles and piles of dirt. As with many city construction projects, the published planned completion dates are rarely accurate so I won't even mention them here. When its done I'll let everybody know via my Twitter feed so follow me to get the latest information.

The beautification of our river is an ongoing process.

On the North side there is "unofficial access" (aka. no fence) and you can walk along the river there - I saw people and dogs using it when I last visited.

Looking East from the Sepulveda bridge.

 

* Kester St. to Van Nuys Bl.
    (Thomas Guide 561 J3; 562 A3)

Running between Kester St. and Cedros Ave. along the North side of the river is Ernie's Walk, a 1/3 mile long path with some benches and nice shady landscaping. In the late 1980's, a local resident named Ernie La Mere took it upon himself to improve this stretch of the river by prodding city officials to clean up the area, planting flowers, and making a small cemetery for neighborhood pets. L.A. needs more people like Ernie. 

Ernie was obviously a pet lover. Thanks Ernie!

There is currently a locked gate when you reach Cedros, but extending the walkway East to Van Nuys Bl. has been proposed as part of the L.A. Riverfront Park Project.

There is no access to the path on the South side of the river.

I got an early start today at Ernie's Walk...maybe too early.

* Van Nuys Bl. to Fulton St.
    (Thomas Guide 562 A3, A4, B4, C4, D4 & D5)

There is no access to the river along this stretch through Sherman Oaks. However, between Hazeltine Ave. and Woodman Ave., on the South side of the river, there is unofficial access (as I noted earlier that just means there is no fence stopping you from walking along the path).

There is a footbridge that crosses the river on Sunnyslope Ave., between Woodman and Fulton, that connects Valleyheart and Rye St. The bridge lets you get a good look up or downstream of the river. Seems to me like an excellent access point for a future park project.



* Fulton St. to Coldwater Canyon Bl.
    (Thomas Guide 562 D5 & E5)

The Valleyheart Riverwalk Greenway is one of the nicest stretches of the river and its being improved upon as I write this blog. When completed it will make a loop trail of just over 1 mile.

This spot is beautiful. I can't wait until both sides are opened.

On the North side, The Village Gardeners, an organization made up of neighborhood LA River lovers, have created a beautifully landscaped trail with trees, benches, poop bag dispensers and trash cans. The site is under construction and there is currently no access. The re-opening and ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on June 21st at 9am - we'll be able to visit this great new addition to the river in just a few weeks.

 ***UPDATE***

THE NORTH SIDE IS NOW ACCESSIBLE AND IT IS GORGEOUS! CHECK OUT MY POST WITH THE LATEST DETAILS FROM MY VISIT IN JULY 2014

On the South side, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority and the County of LA run the Richard Lillard Outdoor Classroom. Created in 2003, it was the first LA River park in The Valley.

Designed with students in mind, there are signs along the path that display information about the river, an amphitheater, and beautiful landscaping that restored native plants and trees.

I explored and did my research at the same time. I'm a multi-tasking hound!

The park is named after Richard Lillard, who was a prominent Los Angeles ecologist that helped lead the fight against making Mulholland Dr. into a freeway and was one of the first people to propose a park in the Santa Monica Mountains to permanently preserve open space. 



* Coldwater Canyon Bl. to Whitsett Ave.
    (Thomas Guide 562 E5 & F5)

There is no official access to this section of the river, but negotiations are under way with developers of the Whitsett Golf Course to possibly/hopefully create the L.A. River Natural Park as another part of L.A. Riverfront Park Project. The all volunteer organization Save L.A. River Open Space is working hard to preserve this area; The Valley's last 16 acres of unprotected open space along the river.

There is unofficial access on the North side from Alcove Ave. (south of Woodbridge St.) to the golf course on Bellaire Ave.

There is also unofficial access on the South side stretching from the parking lot Behind Jerry's Deli to Whitsett Ave.



* Whitsett Ave. to Laurel Canyon Bl.
    (Thomas Guide 562 F5 & G5)

On the South side, the L.A. River Greenway Park is accessible from the Whitsett Ave. bridge. 

A paved walkway runs behind some businesses and a parking lot that face Ventura Bl. About half way to Laurel Canyon, a footbridge crosses the river on Laurel Grove Ave. and provides additional access. This area has very little in the way of amenities but does provide some natural relief from the hustle and bustle of Ventura Bl. 

I need my sunglasses - this is L.A. after all.

There is unofficial access to the North side.


* Laurel Canyon Bl. to Colfax Ave.
    (Thomas Guide 562 G5)

At the intersection of Laurel Canyon and S. Valleyheart you will find The Great Toad Gate, which is the entrance to the Valleyheart Greenway Path. This short path only goes as far East as Radford Ave. but provides a nice extension to your walk in the L.A. River Greenway Park; just be very careful crossing Laurel Canyon.

We need a Great Dog Gate somewhere along the river too...

Although the path is short, the landscaping, which includes a hummingbird and butterfly garden, makes it a pleasant trek. You also can visit the Rattlesnake Wall, a giant rattlesnake sculpture that makes me very glad they really aren't that big.

His tail is around the corner!

The path ends at Radford Ave. as the river enters the CBS Television back lot.

There is only unofficial access to the North side of the river.



* Colfax Ave. to Tujunga Bl.
    (Thomas Guide 562 H5, H6 & J6)

There are two ways to access this section from the West. You can descend the stairs on the Southeast corner of the Colfax Bridge or you can enter from the end of Dilling St., which can be reached by going North on Colfax then turning right onto Chiquita St., right onto Troost Ave., then right again onto Dilling.

From the Colfax Bridge - The Tujunga Wash merges with the river on the CBS TV lot.

A footbridge crossing the river is at the trailhead which gives you the option of walking on either side of the river. From Whitsett to the Tujunga Ave. bridge (which you'll need to cross) makes for a pleasant 1.1 loop hike. 

The South side is easier on the paws but I love a loop hike.

Also at the trailhead is a poop bag dispenser and access to another trail that heads North along the Tujunga Wash.



* Tujunga Bl. to Vineland Ave.
    (Thomas Guide 562 J6, J5 & 563 A5)

There is no access to the river anywhere along this stretch.



* Vineland Ave. to Cahuenga Bl.
    (Thomas Guide 563 A5 & B5)

There is no real access to the river here but that doesn't mean there's nothing fun to do.

The Central Branch of the Tujunga Wash, which gets it start near Valley Plaza in North Hollywood, joins the river here and splits Weddington Park into North and South sections.

South Weddington Park, which is only accessible by turning onto Valleyheart from Lankershim Bl., has plenty of things for a dog to do including running through plush grass, chilling under some shady trees, and digging at the gopher mounds that are everywhere in this park.

If you like digging for gophers (and who doesn't?), this is the place for you.

The park is divided into two sections by a couple of nice little league fields. The East side has a path that goes almost 1/2 mile around the park. The West side has become an unofficial off-leash area and gives you a good view of where the wash and the river merge. There are plenty of water fountains and trash cans around but no poop bag dispensers (the apartment complex across the street has some). There are public restrooms too.

The 'secret' off-leash park.

North Weddington Park is much more developed than the South and includes a Community Center, two gorgeous little league fields, a vegetable garden for teaching children about growing food, hand ball courts, picnic benches, a nice playground, and a 1/2 mile walking path that goes most of the way around the park. There are plenty of water fountains and trash cans but no poop bag dispensers. There are public restrooms here as well.

I think they should build a footbridge connecting these two parks.

This park is also only accessible from Lankershim Bl. Go North on Lankershim and take a left onto Acama St. which is about 1/4 mile up the road from Valleyheart.

 

The kids have their playground...and I have mine.

From here the river heads East behind the Universal City studio lot and makes its way toward Burbank - which is where we'll continue our journey in a future blog.




I hope this blog makes you realize that the L.A. River, even in the most developed areas, can be a fun place to take your pack.

See you on the river!

Chloe Canine-Angeleno




Resources used to write this blog:

Down By The Los Angeles River by Joe Linton

The Los Angeles River: Its Life, Death, and Possible Rebirth by Blake Gumprecht

KCET

The River Project

All photographs were taken by my pack leader, Jim Gross

Everything else was discovered by getting my paws dirty and the extensive use of my nose.