Vista La Mesa Park in La Mesa might be known by your kids as “trash truck park” if they’ve ever visited because it has a fun recycling theme with a small trash truck play structure. It also has a baseball field, adult fitness equipment and horseshoe pit. It’s a great spot for a picnic! There are also restrooms.
ADA friendly, can reserve, parking lot (free), restrooms, drinking fountain, picnic tables, public transportation, BBQs, street parking (free)
Playground, rubber ground, monkey bars, playhouse, rubber ground, shaded, slides (big, medium and small), swings (baby and tandem), tot lot
Large grassy area, baseball field, horseshoe pit, ride a bike
Alcohol allowed (with restrictions), dogs allowed
Address:
3955 King St, La Mesa, CA 91941
Tree House Play Structure
My daughter now calls this the “trash truck park” because of the EDCO Waste Management truck play structure. But, the whole playground is nature/recycling themed! I love that it’s all shaded and the whole playground is very cute and fun.
This treehouse play structure has two medium slides and one large slide, and the trash truck structure has two slides perfect for littles. Climbers will have lots to climb here!
Oh hey there, Brown Bear! This cute little guy is tucked away in the main “tree trunk” and he’s such a fun touch!
Tandem Swing and Saddle Swing
This is the first time my daughter was old enough to really appreciate the tandem swing – I got the CUTEST video of us swinging together! Next to the tandem swing is another saddle swing. The set is far enough away from the structures that traffic isn’t right in front of children who are swinging, but I still saw kids wander that way. Getting knocked over by a swinging kid (who has no way of stopping in time!) is no fun!
Garbage Truck Play Structure at Vista La Mesa Park
EDCO (which has a location in La Mesa) funded the playground in partnership with La Mesa Park and Recreation Foundation and the City of La Mesa. The play structure for little kids looks like one of their trucks!
The trash truck play structure has a set of low monkey bars, two small slides and a steering wheel.
Restrooms
The restroom building is near picnic area #1. I have never seen a “privacy” set up like this one before… you can lock the main gate to the restroom after you go in, but it’s very easy to reach around the door and unlock it. There are a couple of stalls inside, but no doors (as I remember it). I’d advise using the “buddy system” if you use the bathroom here. It is ADA accessible, and relatively clean.
Picnic Areas
If you’d like to have a birthday party at Vista La Mesa Park, this picnic area (site #1) is available to reserve by going to https://cityoflamesa.us/212/Park-Permits and getting a permit. It is otherwise first come, first serve. It has just four tables, but there is another table nearby (pictured below) with an umbrella and a barbecue.
In two other locations in the park, you’ll find tables with umbrellas and barbecues, just like the one pictured above. It’s a great spot for a small family barbecue!
Horseshoe Pit
Right at the entrance to the park is the horseshoe pit. I saw a couple different groups cycle through in the time we where here.
Adult Fitness Equipment at Vista La Mesa Park
This adult fitness equipment is located right off the playground.
Rules at Vista La Mesa Park
Park hours are 6am – 10pm. Smoking and alcohol are not allowed (you can get a special one-day permit issued by the City of La Mesa Police Department. A minimum of two weeks time is required to obtain the permit. The fee is based on the current Fiscal Year Fee Schedule. Security Personnel may be required when alcoholic beverages are served.). Dogs must be on a leash at all times.
