Shadow Oak Park
What it is
Shadow Oak Park is 25 acres at 2121 E. Shadow Oak Drive in West Covina, up in the hills on the south side of the city. It is a neighborhood park, not a destination, and it is named for the live oaks still standing on it.
The part nobody tells you
The park is built on two levels, and the upper and lower lots are joined by a long, steep staircase. If you park at the top and walk down to the fields, you are walking back up at the end.
If you would rather not, drive east past the stairs and there is parking on the lower level. Parking is free at both.
The lower lot looks out at the San Jose Hills, which is the best view in a West Covina city park and the reason to take the stairs at least once.
What is actually there
Two public tennis courts, free, with no lights, so daytime only
Basketball courts and baseball fields
A playground on the top lot
Three shelters you can reserve, weekends only, 8 AM to 6 PM. None of them have power, so plan around that. Alcohol is not allowed in any West Covina city park.
Paved paths through the park. It is a walking park, not a hiking park, and the grade does the work rather than the distance.
The tall pine by the tennis courts is a cell tower. Once you see it you cannot unsee it.
Why we know the staircase
Walking a grade is not the same as walking a mile. Going up loads the calves and the back of the leg. Coming down lands through the arch and the front of the knee, over and over, which is the part people feel the next morning without knowing why.
That is the work we do. A foot session opens with a warm mineral soak and then steady pressure through the arch and the reflex points of the feet and lower legs. You stay fully clothed for it.
Serenity Zen is about ten minutes from the park, at 423 N Azusa Ave in West Covina Village. Open daily, 10 AM to 9 PM.