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San Gabriel CA - La Laguna de San Gabriel at Vincent Lugo Park

By
Industry Observer CalDRE #01165532

San Gabriel CA - La Laguna de San Gabriel at Vincent Lugo Park

 

La Laguna de San Gabriel at Vincent Lugo Park in San Gabriel - San Gabriel REALTOR Michael Jacobs 818.516.4393 cell

 

 

A recent article in Westways, the magazine of the Automobile Club of Southern California(AAA) highlighted what they called whimsical parks in our area.   One of the featured parks was the La Laguna de San Gabriel in the city of San Gabriel which inspired my visit again, this post and these photos.

 

This sea-themed fantastical park within the Vincent Lugo Park sits in a corner of Vincent Lugo Park at 300 West Wells Street north of Valley Boulevard and east of Del Mar Avenue near the San Gabriel Village neighborhood.  

 

This inspirational space was the created by Benjamin Dominguez in 1965.  Although its known by some as Dinosaur Park, you will find many colorful fantasies of the sea made of concrete.   Look for a sunken pirate ship, seal-shaped islands, pirate ships, a whale and much more.  The park is ideal for kids from one to twelve but everyone is welcome.  You’ll  find bridges over a dry creek bed and a bike path with adjacent picnic tables, soda/water machines, restrooms and bike racks.  Parking is in an adjacent lot.

 

Artist Benjamin Dominguez Created The Park

 

Actually, the park was scheduled for demolition due to deferred maintenance when it was “rescued” by some local residents.  Today, it is a part of the California Register of Historical Places and many changes are in progress.  



If you like a bit of kitsch and fun times, you are likely to enjoy La Laguna de San Gabriel at Vincent Lugo Park.   If you like additional information check www.lalagunadesangabriel.org or www.sangabrielcity.com.   

 

 

Enjoy Living in San Gabriel - contact REALTOR Michael Jacobs 818.516.4393 cell

 

 

 

And if living in San Gabriel is of interest to you, there are currently 86 properties(primarily single family homes but also some condos and townhomes)on the market for sale in the city according to our local multiple listing service as of August 20, 2013. They range in price from $309,000 to $2,695,000 in both the 91775 and 91776 zip code.  Check www.camoves.com/michael.jacobs or better yet contact me at 818.516.4393 cell or michaeljacobs@coldwellbanker.com as the inventory of San Gabriel homes for sale is constantly changing.

 


San Gabriel CA - La Laguna de San Gabriel at Vincent Lugo Park

Posted by

Michael Jacobs

 

CalBRE # 01165532

P. O. Box 587

Pasadena, CA 91102

Call/Text:  818.516.4393

mtj916@gmail.com

 

 

Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Michael how interesting, nice to know AAA is always looking for fun facts and it just so happened in your back yard:)) Great pictures!

Aug 20, 2013 04:10 PM
Nancy Laswick
United Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
Your REALTOR® For The Valley Of The Sun

Michael - what a great park! Kudos to the local residents who "rescued" it! I love the sea snake... could Nessie have made the trip all the way from Lock Ness? ;-)

Aug 20, 2013 04:42 PM
Hella Mitschke Rothwell
(831) 626-4000 - Honolulu, HI
Hawaii & California Real Estate Broker

Michael: My little grandsons would love Dinosaur park. What a great place for families near Vincent Lugo Park.

Aug 20, 2013 04:55 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Endre - you never know where you will find inspiration.

Nancy - maybe La Laguna de San Gabriel could be the setting for a Creature from the Black Lagoon for a Halloween fun time.   

Hella - I'm sure your grandsons would have a great time -- lots to discover.

 

La Laguna de San Gabriel Fun Times

 

Aug 20, 2013 04:57 PM
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Michael, great little park. It's gems like this that help give a community identity and create the impetus for people to want to call it 'Home'.

Aug 20, 2013 08:16 PM
Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

Kudos to the California Register of Historical Places for "rescuing" this very cool park. It looks like so much fun Michael.

Aug 20, 2013 08:29 PM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Good morning, Michael....I have grandchildren who would love to spend time in that park...glad it came to life again...

Aug 20, 2013 08:35 PM
Potranco Realty
Potranco Realty - San Antonio, TX
"Sold with Potranco Realty"

Michael, this is a very unique landmark park and good to hear it was saved from demolition so many future citizen can enjoy many memories and take countless photos, thanks for sharing.

Aug 20, 2013 10:39 PM
Kathy Sheehan
Bay Equity, LLC 770-634-4021 - Atlanta, GA
Senior Loan Officer

Michael, I love that the residents stepped up to save the park.  Great story!

Aug 20, 2013 10:41 PM
Joanna Cohlan
Fresh Eyes For Your Home - Chappaqua, NY
Designing, Decorating & Staging Westchester Homes

Very kitsch and very wonderful-these are the kinds of things that belong in the National Register and so glad that everyone can continue to enjoy it!

Aug 20, 2013 11:02 PM
Amanda S. Davidson
Amanda Davidson Real Estate Group Brokered By Real - Alexandria, VA
Alexandria Virginia Homes For Sale

Good Morning Michael, La Laguna de San Gabriel at Vincent Lugo Park was certainly worth rescuing. It's really unique and looks like something kids would really enjoy. You have great photos!

Aug 20, 2013 11:04 PM
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

Michael...I really love that. What a great idea for a park...your area really has it all!

Aug 21, 2013 12:51 AM
Belinda Spillman
Aspen Lane Real Estate Colorful Colorado - Aurora, CO
Colorado Living!

Michael,  This indeed looks like whimsical park.  What fun for the kids to climb on the sea creature coming out of the ground.

Aug 21, 2013 02:15 AM
Beth Atalay
Cam Realty and Property Management - Clermont, FL
Cam Realty of Clermont FL

Michael, so happy to know that demolition never took place, kudos to local residents of San Gabriel.

Aug 21, 2013 02:54 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

I'm so glad the park was not destroyed...it's adorable!  I know my grandbabies would love it!

Aug 21, 2013 06:02 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Norman - Roger - Barbara - Bob - Kathy - Joanna - Amanda - Jeffrey - Belinda - Beth - Sharon

Thanks for stopping by and your comments.  The look of La Laguna de San Gabriel is definitely retro-cool and like many of you commented -- it's great local residents came to the rescue in saving it and for putting plans in place for restoration.

 

Fun times at La Laguna de San San Gabriel at Vincent Lugo Park

Aug 22, 2013 01:29 AM