Augustus F Hawkins for the People

Go ahead, take a guess where I shot this footage of a Great Blue Heron…

Ballona Wetlands?

wrong

Oh… I know…Galapagos Islands?

nope, sorry, wrong again.

Did anyone guess South Central Los Angeles? If so, you’d be correct my friend.

Augustus F. Hawkins Natural Park is a beautiful oasis discreetly situated on 8.5 acres behind a vine-covered gate on busy Compton Boulevard in South Los Angeles… and home to our featured feathered friend.

As I drove into the park last Friday afternoon I was stunned to find a full lot of cars and a buzz of activity . There were maintenance people tending the gardens, families riding their bicycles, couples picnicking on the grass or walking hand in hand along a winding trail. All of this in a park designed to imitate the habitats one might find in the Santa Monica Mountains for a neighborhood of families who don’t happen to have access to such a landscape. Included within it’s native plant gardens is a wetland marsh where my Great Blue Heron friend was spending his day.

*TIP* Before you head to the park teach your child about the importance of wetlands with this Young Scientist workbook!

Not only does Hawkins serve as a “museum” of native plant and animal species but it also houses the Evan Frankel Discovery Center (located adjacent to the parking lot) which has interactive educational displays and offers classes, camps, an after-school program, clubs, bird watching hikes, overnight camp outs, as well as field trips to the Santa Monica Mountains and various wildlife sanctuaries.

It is a Los Angeles treasure connecting inner-city youth to nature! I highly recommend a visit to the park with your family.

Augustus F Hawkins Natural Park

5790 Compton Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90011

323-581-4498

Environmental Classes

Pet Ownership – Thursdays 4:30 pm, Free, all ages

Backyard Habitat – Wednesdays 4pm, Free, ages 8 – 12

Gardening – Mondays (Seniors), Wednesdays (All ages) 10 am, Free * They will provide a gardening box for participants’ use.

Environmental Interpretation – Thursdays 3:30 pm, Free, ages 12 and above

Aerobics (outdoors!) – Mon through Friday 7:30 am, $20/month, ages 18 and above

Capoiera – Saturdays1:30pm – 3:00 pm, Free, ages 8 and above *beginning level

After-school Environmental Club

Monday through Friday, 2:00pm – 6:00pm $10/month

“It includes activity classes, character building and socializing with the theme of animals and the environment in passive recreation Children will experience the park as a wildlife habitat and incorporate environmental awareness into their home.”

Bird Watching Hikes

Last Sunday of the Month, 8am-9am

Who is the park’s namesake you ask: Augustus F Hawkins was the first African American from California to be elected into Congress. He was a Democrat who represented South Los Angeles first in the State Legislature and then in Congress.

Center Hours of Operation

Mon & Tues 10 am – 6pm, Wed 10 am – 7pm, Th & Fri 10 am – 6pm, Sat 10am – 5pm, Sun 12pm – 5pm

Park opens daily at 6am

*Sign up to receive WDCPLA email updates*

- Ilana Gustafson Turner

8/15 – 8/31 WDCP Best of LA August

WDCP Best of L.A. 8/15 – 8/31

Opportunities to share nature with your children in L.A.!

Bosque de Rio Hondo in Whittier Narrows Recreation Area

Week of 8/15 – 8/21

Friday 8/15 Green up Your Act at the Sooky Goldman Nature Center in Franklin Canyon Park* from 3pm – 4:30pm. You will learn how to live green while soaking up the outdoors on a short hike.

Saturday 8/16 continue the lessons learned on Friday with We Go Eco!, a “hands-on, full of fun nature day” led by students in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Youth Program at Rancho Sierra Vista* from 10am – 2pm. Saturday evening expand your nature loving into the night sky with a full moon hike at Charmlee Wilderness Park* from 7pm – 9pm (reservations required 310-317-1364).

On Sunday 8/17 you have your choice of two morning bird walks, one at the Ballona Wetlands* from 8am – 11am, the other at Echo Park Lake* at 9am. Don’t forget your binoculars!

Monday 8/18 is a special event for TEACHERS (let your child’s teacher and principal know). The Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Gardens is hosting a Native Plant School Garden’s Workshop from 9am – 3pm. School leaders will learn how to make your child’s school full of native plant wonder. There is a fee and a limit to the number of participants so call quickly (909-625-8767 x 224)!

Tuesday 8/19 is Kid’s Night at the Chautauqua in Temescal Gateway Park* from 7:30 – 9pm. Ms. Laura, the naturalist, will “share the wonders of nature in story, song, movement, and activity” around the campfire.

Wednesday 8/20 enjoy the weekly campfire festivities known as Franklin Family Night at the Sooky Goldman Nature Center* in Franklin Canyon Park.

Thursday 8/21 I suggest you and the kids put on your best detective hats, grab your magnifying glass and your binoculars and head to your local park for some bug investigating and bird gazing.

Week(s) of 8/22 – 8/31

Friday 8/22 Deb’s Park is hosting their family-friendly Film Fridays* with one of my favorite’s, Whale Rider (English w/ Spanish subtitles). Enjoy a bird walk at 7pm through some of their 300 plus acres of urban parkland and saddle up for a movie and some popcorn under the stars at 8pm.

Saturday 8/23 spend time at another urban oasis, Whittier Narrows*, on a guided bird walk starting at 8am. Saturday evening listen to Hupa storyteller Kat High at the Satwiwa Native American Indian Cultural Center* from 7pm – 8:30pm. Bring a flashlight!

Sunday 8/24 spend the morning exploring the Malibu Bluffs* with a 2 mile Ramble to the Sea from 10am-12pm.

Monday 8/25 I suggest a nature walk through Compton! The Augustus F. Hawkins Natural Park* boasts 8.5 acres of strolling paths through native plant gardens, riparian areas, a running stream, a nature center, and grassy area, setting the grounds for a day of leisure for you and your child.

Tuesday 8/26 make your way over to Kidspace in Pasadena and wander through their wonder-filled science and nature-themed exhibits as well as 2.2 acres of outdoor learning opportunities.

Wednesday 8/27 you can visit another kid-friendly landmark, the Los Angeles Zoo. They have a daily schedule called Squawks and Talks, filled with interactive demonstrations, lectures and other opportunities to deepen your child’s understanding of the animal kingdom.

Thursday 8/28 you can wander along the 51 miles of the L.A. River Greenway*. Mix and match any number of the 6 parks that line the river which spans our city from the San Fernando Valley to the Pacific Ocean.

Friday 8/29 see the “Starry Summer Night” at Charmlee Wilderness Park. They will have a telescope set up and offer views of the sky from 7pm – 9pm. There is a $4 parking fee and reservations are required (310-317-1364).

Saturday 8/30 enjoy a guided nature walk at the Eaton Canyon Nature Center* from 9am – 11am.

Sunday 8/31 finish your August off with a visit to the Conejo Valley Kid’s Adventure Garden*. They are open every Sunday from 11am – 3pm and features a tree house, hydroponic pond, and an “exciting place to learn about nature and gardening”.

* FREE

- Ilana Gustafson Turner