Fun Orange County Parks

OC kids playgrounds and nature play trips

Harry M. Dotson Park in Stanton: Where an X Really Does Mark the Spot

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Harry M. Dotson Park

Harry M. Dotson Park in Stanton is a definite “find.” A reader recommended it ages ago – but I was never in the area to take photos until recently. It’s beautiful, enclosed, and fun for pirate pretend.

 

Location: The location was a little tricky. The maps I consulted didn’t take me to the right place. The address is 10350 Fern in Stanton.  Apparently there are two sections of Fern. The park is on the section north of Katella.  We took Katella from Disneyland and turned right onto Beach Blvd., right onto Cerritos, and a left onto Fern (park is on the right).  A more direct way, would be to take the 22 Garden Grove Freeway and exit at Beach Blvd.  Then you can just travel towards Adventure City and take the right onto Cerritos and left onto Fern. (Address: 10350 Fern Avenue, Stanton) MAP TO HARRY M. DOTSON PARK IN STANTON

Recommended by: Tracy (her comments in italics)

 

Highlights:

  • Pirate Ship Playground equipment!! SO NEAT!!
  • Water Park Area
  • Newer park in great shape, kept clean, and brand new play and picnic areas
  • They have a pirate ship playground, a water park type area, a treasure chest, bathrooms, picnic area. Small park with great amenities.
  • The pirate ship is mainly accessible for wheelchairs. There are a few steps at the very end of the ship, but the rest seems navigable.
  • The “Wet Saloon” is the water park component. It wasn’t running when we were there. It’s located next to shaded concrete picnic tables.
  • The main play equipment is the pirate ship, but there’s also a smaller “fort” near the picnic tables. The little ones that were there on our visit would bounce between the fort and the ship.  It was pretty easy to keep an eye on the kids here.
  • There are two large boulders to climb with hand holds.
  • The treasure chest doesn’t open, but the kids will try.
  • Lots of interpretive learning boards on the structures and a chess board under the ship.
  • All the slides got high ratings from my kids.
  • I loved the little peaceful spot in the back with the lawn area and pathway.
  • Read the signs about Mr. Dotson and how, for him, “It’s for the kids.”  I loved that quote and enjoyed reading about his community spirit.

 

Be Aware:

  • It’s in a little crowded neighborhood. Not the nicest area but the park itself is really great and really worth it in the day time.
  • There aren’t any swings in this playground but everything else is great!
  • Just pay attention to the map and directions before you go. I have the marker set directly on the park so you can find it.
  • Water park hours 12pm-5pm Memorial Day through Labor Day

 

Checklist:

  • 6 parking spots right outside the gates, otherwise parking on the street
  • Play surface is recycled rubber underneath the equipment
  • Restrooms and drinking fountains
  • Outside shower (just like at the beach) near the restrooms
  • Mostly fenced
  • Half court basketball
  • Lots of shaded picnic tables and benches for parents to watch the kids
  • Fitness trail and nice little path and grass at the back of the park
  • Official City of Stanton website for Harry M. Dotson Park (park is slide #9 – hit pause for phone number and information)

 

Comments

  1. We have been by twice today and the water isn’t on. In the past few years I have been it has always started on Memorial day.

  2. This is what it says on their website – you can always call to confirm. I believe it’s for the 2015 summer season?

    Harry M. Dotson Park
    10350 Fern Ave.
    (714) 379-9222 ext. 270

    The “Water Feature” is open for the
    summer season:
    May 25 – September 2
    Monday – Sunday (seven days a week)
    12-5 p.m.

  3. Hi,

    I understand that the water park is open during summer but does anyone happen to know th e exact dates?

  4. Thank you for all of that information that you had contain for us. Yes it is a beautiful place you in deed. Love the water park.

  5. The parking to the park on the weekend is not that hard to find because you can park anywhere outside the park if all the parking lot are full,around where the apartment are. Try not to park all the way to the houses because you might need to have a stanton pass or eles they will tow or leave a ticket on your car. Learn that the hard way. Does anyone know when will they be serving free lunch? I want to know because my littles one say that it taste really good and I want to try it.

  6. I was never actually been there before but what I has heard from your guys it seem kind of fun.My kids had actually been there before with their aunt and cousin and was kind of getting bully by the other bigger kids because they were only three and four and they want to play in the water area but otherwise it was really fun for them.I would recommend you guys to go in the morning at 7, 8,9 or 10 am because it doesn’t get too much crowed if you guy want to sit and relax without other kids running and screaming,don’t want it to be too hot,and don’t want your kids to get wet. If you go to work or don’t want to go in the morning and just want to spend the rest of the peaceful day with your kid and don’t want to get wet then you should go after 5 pm because that when the water area stop and people starting to pack up and go home. And if you guys and the kids want to go cool off in the summer and like having people around then I would recommend you guys between 11am and 5pm because that when a lot of people started to show up and they begin to turn on the water system. I not sure if you can rent the park for parties for free because some people say that if you want to rent all the park and tables then it cost $30 if you are a resident and if not then it cost $60 for non-residence. The capacity is 5o people. And if you want a bigger and quieter park for older people then you should go to Stanton Park. The park has 5 picnic shelters, 4 tables in each shelter and the capacity are 40 people per shelter. The price is pretty much the same but instead you would need to pay $100 for refundable deposit in case you would litter or break something. If you are planning to throw a pirate party or any kid party then you should go with Dotson park because the park has awesome playground and water play. Stanton Park in the other hand is bigger and it doesn’t has any playground equipment, only grass if you are planning a nice picnic watching the sky. On Christmas, the mayor of Stanton are going to give away free toys to children at Harry M. Dotson Park. On special holiday ,Stanton Park are going to have special festival even through I have never actually been to any of them. The free meals that Dotson Park are giving out is pretty health, balance and yummy for kids under 18 year old.I did some of the research and most of these information came from my sister and kids. Hope these answer most of your questions and if not then ask any time you want so that I can do the research so that you don’t have to. I am planning to go during this week with my kids, hope to see you guys there.:)

  10. Yes, that is correct! The water feature is open for the summer of 2013 seven days a week from 12-5 PM. Enjoy!

  12. Does anyone know if the waterpark section is open yet this summer 2013?? I would love to take my kids there today. Thks.

  13. The place is great, do not let these other scared folks keep you from visiting..Every child will have a blast theres one way in or out so you dont have to worry about children wondering off its a really cool place the locals are friendly and everyone there is about the kids, we will definitly go again. My daughters had a blast 7,6,5 years old..

  14. WATER PARK IS NOW OPEN FOR 2012…THANKS TO CITY OF STANTON AND ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPUTY ASSOCIATION!

  15. June 7, 2012
    WATER FEATURE CLOSED FOR SUMMER 2012 due to budget!!! (there is a sign at the entrance)
    Very nice park that is, however, overrun by rowdy East LA look alike crowd. (The park is in an iffy neighborhood). Was here at 1pm with little toddler who couldn’t play in the toddler area because it was filled with teenagers. The parents of smaller kids were not refereeing, so the place was just an out of control madhouse.

  16. Does anyone know how parking is on the wkns. is it easy to find parking. I want to have my son’s birthday party there but I don’t know if there’s any parking on the weekends

  18. My three boys had a blast at this park, and for a warm Sunday afternoon (1/29/12) it was not too crowded. This is probably one of the nicest parks is this part of O.C.. The equipment is awesome, it is very well maintained, and I like the single entrance and exit. On the down side there was not a lot of available parking. Also, during the 90 minutes I was there there were three to four teenage+ couples hanging out on the kids equipment (young girls with older boyfriends).

  21. I am so excited to see this post! (I don’t know how I missed it before!!?!?).

    Compared to many of the parks on the website, and of course in other areas of Orange County, I definitely understand the comment about the area being “questionable”. From someone who has lived in the Anaheim since I was born, this area is close to home and its nice to finally see some newer parks popping up.

    Some comments on the park:

    * They don’t allow dogs.
    * They have staff on site, who routinely walk the property and addresses any issues. They watch over the park pretty carefully, which I think is great to maintain the park in good shape and make sure visitors are observing the rules.
    * Residents and non-residents can reserve the tables in advance. I threw a Pirate-themed birthday party for my 2 year old and it was so much fun!!

    I have been here many times, even on weekends and it has not been crowded. Overall, a great park!! Thanks so much for the post, I am glad to know that others are visiting this park!!

  22. Great little park. We live in Anaheim and I’m surprised their isn’t anything like this in our city. It’s clean and well equipped. My 6 and 4 year old had a blast. We went at 11:30 on a Friday and there were just enough kids for my kids to play with. Not too crowded. No lunch was provided that day, but there’s a McD’s right around the corner on Beach and Katella. We’ll definitely go here again.

  23. Does anyone know if there is a number we can call to see if the water features will be running on the day we want to go? Or is there a set schedule for when they run the water? Its summer and it gets very hot so I want to take my family here but i dont want to go unless the water features will be on. There are plenty of great parks closer to me so the water would be the only reason i would go here. Thanks 🙂

  25. I went to this park last wk and my almost 2yo son had a blast! He had so much fun that he didn’t want to go home! The park was clean and during summer, lunch and snack is served to kids under 18. If you’re planning to go, I recommend going before water lagoon opens so you can park right in front.

  26. We have been here about 3 times now and each visit has been quite enjoyable. My trio of girls loved the water and the option to go back and forth between the fun pirate ship and the water saloon!
    It is important to arrive early to avoid the crowds but it is such a lovely clean space with only ONE way in and out. As a mother of three young children this is a definite plus for watching and attending to my kids.

  27. We went this morning (7/11) and arrived about 10am. The fountains start running at 11am. There was a nice group of people and children there until about 1:15 and then it started to get crowded with many bigger kids who weren’t as diligent with the little ones.

    Also, during the summer months, the city provides free lunches for the children playing there. I had packed my kids’ lunches but others were partaking and it looked like a nice balanced meal. I’ve never seen this before & the gal who was there from the city, handing out the food, was very nice.

    We will most likely go back again this summer but will plan to arrive early, as we did today, to ensure parking & a picnic table! Thanks for the info!

  28. I understand your feelings. I don’t like crowded either. The day/time/conditions when you visit make all the difference in whether it’s a good experience or not. We went on a quiet Friday morning. It was overcast and the fountains weren’t even running. There were maybe three other families there, so it didn’t feel crazy at all.

    Hope you continue commenting and letting others know of the good – and the bad – in the places you play.

  29. Park was great looking, but was way too crowded. The neighborhood was questionable. We won’t return.