Mathews Parkette

The beach cities are full of small parkettes and North Redondo beach is no exception. I found this small parkette while I was on my second maternity leave and needed somewhere safe and fun to take my then 2 year-​old and 2 month-​old. I live right near Anderson park, but I wanted to get in a little exercise and this parkette is about 1.5 miles from my home. It is about the size of a full lot and located on Mathews, just a block north of Artesia, in between a couple of town homes. It is very cute and small.
When you first walk into it there are a few picnic tables and a patchy grass area. There are stairs and a ramp, great for strollers and wheelchairs alike. The playground has one large structure which my daughter loves to go on and then there is a separate swing which has a baby swing and a regular one. There is also a little ride on motorcycle toy where kids can rock back and forth.
My daughter has loved coming here every time we visit because it is a change of pace for her from Anderson or Polliwog parks — our usual destinations. I liked it when my son was a newborn b/​c it is very private and no one is usually there so I could nurse him or change him in private.
I deducted one star for the fact that the ground is covered with those wood chips — which while better than sand is not as good as the foam that most newer parks have. Also, the play structure’s bridge is a little difficult for toddlers to get across without getting their feet stuck in the little holes.
Overall I like this park and now that my son is older he also enjoys the baby swing. I like going here when I want to get a long walk in and get a change of scenery from our usual parks.