Southern California's chilly weather couldn't keep South Pasadena from catching some rays this past weekend. And why not? We have so many parks squeezed into our small space that unless you live at the tip top of Monterey Hills, you're within easy walking distance to someplace green, recreational and relaxing. (Although you might have to fight a third grader for one of the swings. Especially at Garfield Park.)

South Pas residents have six official community parks: Garfield Park, Orange Grove Park, Arroyo Seco Park, Eddie Park, War Memorial Park, and Library Park. I also include the big, green lawn next to the Meridian Iron Works building, adjacent to Mission Station. It's a great place for little ones to frolic in the grass, and they just can't help climbing up on the Walking Man (aka: Astride Aside) sculpture which, in my opinion, is an excellent additional use of public art.

Residents also have lovely little patches of grass with shade trees and pathways flanking the entrance to Via Del Rey, and another pretty garden spot at the very end – perfect for a quiet picnic or a quick dog walk. We can't forget the many natural open spaces, trails and "unimproved" hillsides that help define South Pasadena's borders – literally creating a sort of oasis in the middle of Los Angeles. For an urban city, we've sure got a lot of lush places to run around and throw a Frisbee or stretch out and take a nap.

Garfield Park is certainly the shining jewel in the city's crown. In 1920, South Pas purchased the land which it had been leasing from Southern Pacific Railroad. The seven-acre area has the feel of a manicured garden, with numerous rose and hibiscus bushes, and vintage-inspired streetlamps lining the main pathway. The park includes tennis courts, picnic areas, a well-maintained playground, a horseshoe pit, a children's memorial garden, a small fire ring and an adjacent rentable structure perfect for small parties. There are huge shade trees and a bench-lined pathway around the entire park. The gently sloping lawn beckons toddlers – and their parents – to roll down. The little stone bridge in the center is just right for setting out on great make-believe adventures. It's no wonder this place is the setting for so many community events – from summer concerts to fairs.

But Garfield Park isn't the only playground in town, and Orange Grove Park does its best to compete. It might not have the garden setting, but it does have a softball diamond, a soccer field, tennis courts and a pretty sweet history. As one of the city's oldest parks, in 1886 it was a gaming house and beer garden. Older South Pas residents might remember it as once having a swimming pool. It did. In fact, the pool, built in 1939, was one of the last major projects in South Pasadena to be funded by the New Deal. Now, the pool is gone and in its place is another beautifully maintained playground with safe, modern equipment and one of the bigger, better sandboxes in town.

Lesser-known Eddie Park is one of my favorite places in South Pasadena. Do you remember when you were a kid and you would walk past that big, mysterious house in the neighborhood – you know, the one with a sprawling lawn just perfect for playing, but with closed-up windows and slight peeling paint and an air of mystery that made you want to creep over and check it out? This is that place. In 1910, Arthur C. Eddie built a glorious Greek Revival house on an estate at Chelton Way and Edgewood Drive. In 1934, his daughter Ellen left the estate to the city of South Pasadena in memory of her family. And what a contribution!

Hanging out at Eddie Park feels like trespassing. The .75 acre lawn is just right for playing fetch with your dog, or catch with your kid. You can chill under one of the many old oaks, have a picnic at a table near a huge outdoor fireplace or watch your child explore the well-maintained play equipment. A small, Japanese-style arched bridge connects part of a long-forgotten garden to the edge of what was once the driveway, and the entire place feels like something out of a romantic ghost story. I half expect to drive by some night and see the place lit up for a spirit world flapper party.

The house is used for classes and meetings, but even if you don't attend any of them, you can peek into the windows to see the original wood paneling and ornate fireplace of the Eddie family's magnificent living room. Much of the original leaded glass remains in the windows.

Lower Arroyo Park contains almost 20 acres of improved parkland including tennis courts and athletic fields used by local Little League and American Youth Soccer. There are picnic areas as well as equestrian and hiking trails adjacent to nearby San Pasqual stables. The park adjoins both the Arroyo Seco Golf Course and the Skate Park and the entire area borders the Arroyo Seco. Huge trees shade what could be one of the most gorgeous playground settings in the San Gabriel Valley except for one thing: what is UP with the playground equipment?

It is as if South Pasadena has forgotten that children might actually like to play here. The swings look like they haven't been serviced since the Eisenhower administration. The somewhat newer slide is scratched, covered with graffiti etchings and missing some of its pieces. The 1960s-era jungle gym is rusty, sitting on top of a hard, dirt surface that turns into a mud hole whenever it rains. While the old-school equipment might bring a nostalgic sigh to (childless) people of a certain age, it makes most moms I know cringe, and hope we're up to date on our tetanus shots. With such a gorgeous natural setting, this could be our version of Lacy Park! How do we go about bringing the playground into this century? When I was there this past Sunday, it was virtually empty except for a few kids practicing soccer and a couple of guys rummaging in the dumpster.

Smack dab in the center of town, Library Park consists of two acres of landscaped grounds around our historic library. The meandering walkways are great for dogs, tykes, and first dates who aren't quite ready to say goodbye after having that cup of coffee at nearby Kaldi. The shaded grass areas are just right for picnics, or reading breaks. The gnarled roots of the giant Morton Bay fig tree serve as a sort of Middle Earth jungle gym for kids of all ages – just watch out or you might twist an ankle. If you're lucky, you might catch jugglers and unicycle enthusiasts practicing on the grounds. Often, the site is used for community music jams or performances by the South Pasadena Strings Program. The South Pas Senior Center shares this park space, with a separate entrance on the north side of the library.

War Memorial Park is a cultural heritage landmark. Consisting of two acres and adjacent to the historical Oak Lawn neighborhood, the park serves as the site for our 12,000 square foot War Memorial building. Built in 1921 on the former Oak Lawn Park, the structure includes a full kitchen and huge multipurpose room just perfect for big parties. This park is less about tossing a ball and more about giving a speech, but it is a great spot for benefits and receptions, nestled in a lush garden setting.

And then, there's the patch of green next to Mission Station on Meridian. This is where countless South Pas families spread out every Thursday for the Farmers Market, and gather every summer for the outdoor film series. It's just the right size to plop down while your kid runs around and practices cartwheels on the soft grass.  The Meridian Iron Works anchors the setting on one end. On the other, you might notice an odd but wonderful little rose garden with sloping stone renderings of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights surrounding a flagpole. (My daughter likes to slide down the Bill of Rights. I'm sure there is a metaphor in there somewhere.) This is where you walk after getting an ice cream cone at Busters.

So the next time you're sitting inside thinking there's nothing to do… just wander a few blocks, step into a park, find yourself a sunny patch and just be, instead. (And if someone challenges you to a game of nerf football, all the better.)

For Laurie Allee's video slideshow of South Pasadena's many parks, click on the video in the photo box above.