I like getting my kids out to the park, but I get tired of
going to the same one. And every now and then, it's nice to find a place to go
where you get more out of your park trip than just a few minutes of fun on
the play equipment. If you live in or near Huntington Beach, California, Golden
View Elementary School has just what you need to add a little life to your
ordinary playtime.
Located just outside of Golden View Elementary is Golden
View Park. It offers a 2-structure playground with sand and a field
for playing tag or soccer. But venture on-campus, just past the basketball
courts and you’ll find another play structure, a field, and a 2-acre fenced
farm, the Student Environmental Learning Facility (SELF). You won’t be able to
go inside like a petting zoo, but the magical moment when you and your kids are
approached by 20-plus curious bunnies sniffing inquisitively at your fingers
through the chain-link fence will definitely give you the giggles. And then
you’ll meet a multitude of chickens, musical geese, and the monstrously large
turkey you just can’t look away from. Be careful with fingers though. The
animals seem friendly thanks to the interaction they get from the kids who
attend school there, but they may still nibble and peck which can hurt if
you’re not careful!
The SELF is home to birds, sheep, goats, chickens, pigs,
turkeys, ducks, geese, turtles and rabbits and holds a garden bed for each
classroom. The teachers include trips to the farm in their curriculum where
students get a hands-on opportunity to care for plants and animals and learn
about planting and caring for their gardens throughout the seasons.
Golden View Park and Elementary School is a great place to
have fun with your family but visit on a weekend or holiday so that you won’t be
in the way of the students when class is in session.
Golden View Park and Elementary School are located at 17251
Golden View Lane, Huntington Beach, CA.
**Reprinted from Heidi Deal's Yahoo! Voices Contributor Page**
