A Happy Discovery During This Pandemic

I’ve lived in Los Angeles for over four years and I just made a very happy discovery. It’s even sweeter since just about every hiking trail and park in LA County is closed right now due to the Covid 19 pandemic and this avid hiker has been stuck walking on pavement for over a month. A walk is a walk and I am blessed to be able to take one anywhere however, there is something so much more peaceful about walking in nature amongst rolling green hills and overgrown wildflowers listening to the sound of the wind blowing and birds chirping than honking car horns and having the only site of nature be flowers in people’s lawn and overgrown weeds sprouting from the cracks between sidewalks… dramatic I know!

So where is this open trail? Kenneth Hahn State Recreational Area is located in the Baldwin Hills Mountains in Los Angeles County. Not only does the park have a few different trails and great views of the city, it has a running stream that leads into a small pond filled with ducks, swans and geese. The 401-acre park has basketball courts, volleyball courts, soccer fields, baseball fields, picnic benches and fishing. Granted all those extra activities are closed right now you can still take a walk on very well-manicured trails and then lay a blanket out on the lawn and enjoy a scenic picnic by the stream. I don’t know about you, but I have been chilling on my patio for weeks so, visiting the Kenneth Hahn Park was a huge mood booster for me! I can’t believe I didn’t know this park existed, but I sure am I happy I discovered it. The trail I went on today was stroller friendly and mostly flat so I will be going back once the baby brewing in my belly joins the world!

During this national pandemic, mental health has become a crisis for many and spending time outdoors in nature is a proven mood enhancer. I am sharing this open park location in hopes that those who need outdoor time have a safe place to go for a nature walk or to enjoy a picnic and feel a bit happier and less stressed in these uncertain times.