Every morning, for the last 2 weeks, I get up at 5:25 am to take my daughter for her cross country practice at Lacy Park. I am not much of a morning person, but I am beginning to look forward to greeting the day in the beauty of this hidden park.
I say hidden because even though Lacy Park is located in San Marino, California, for the most part, only the residents of San Marino truly know about it. Even the residents of Lacy Parks next door neighbors - Pasadena, San Gabriel and Alhambra are sometimes not aware of its existence.
Its located between Virginia and St. Albans, just North is located h of Monterey Road. It occupies 30 acres - thats 30 acres of open green areas with many varieties of trees and shrubs.
Fewer people still know that the open center area of the park used to be a lake - Wilson Lake in 1875. City of San Marino purchased the lake and the land in 1925 and dedicated it as a park.
If you enter from the back entrance, off of St. Albans, you will see the Boy Scout huts and the most amazing Rose Abor. Theres also access to the San Marino Tennis Club which in itself has an interesting history. It was started by 3 local Huntington Middle School moms to encourage kids to love the game of tennis.
The main entrance of the park is off of Virginia. It will take you to the two loops that circle the park. The outer loop is about 1 mile in length and the inner loop is about 3/4 of a mile. As my daughter runs her five miles, I get to walk around the outer loop at least 3 to 4 times - not too bad, given I need my exercise. :-)
Theres a really nice playground for kids and picnic tables. During the summer, YMCA and City of San Marino have their youth summer programs which are absolutely fantastic.
The park is open 7 days a week - free Monday through Friday. On weekends, there is a nominal charge for non-residents.
The park is surrounded by stately San Marino homes. The home prices in the area around Lacy Park is considered San Marino hills and has beautiful estates starting at $1.8 million and up.
READ ALSO: What can you buy for $9.3 million in San Marino
If you are ever in the area, please stop on by and visit.
