We’re in week three of the ABCs of the Santa Clarita Valley. Weeks 1 and 2 included “A for Animals,” featuring details on various places in the Santa Clarita Valley to see animals, and “B is for Bicycle Trails.”

This week I am sharing “C for Central Park” – which is one of the largest parks in the Santa Clarita Valley (130 acres) and boasts many great community events throughout the year, most notably the Concerts in the Park series in the summer: fun, free family entertainment on summer nights. This summer the concerts will run each Saturday from July 6 through Aug. 3.

But there is much more to Central Park than Concerts in the Park. I recently discovered some other elements of the park, such as its community garden – there is currently a waiting list for garden plots – as well as the Central Bark dog park, public art, and a 3.1-mile cross-country hiking (or biking) trail, which I personally enjoy.

Central Park is located at 27150 Bouquet Canyon Road with ample parking (although parking is at a premium during the Concerts in the Park series, and many families choose to walk or to head to the park early to get a good parking place and a premium spot on the green for watching and enjoying the concerts).  The park also offers a child play area, picnic tables, basketball courts and a baseball diamond. Many of the city of Santa Clarita’s parks & rec softball teams play at the site.

One design element of the park that I really like, as a parent, is that there are picnic tables right at the children’s play area, which has swings, slides, climbing structures and a big sandbox. I have taken advantage of the setup and met friends for a picnic lunch at the park. I get to talk with friends while the boys play right next to us. It’s easy and enjoyable.

Central Bark: The one place in town your dog can run free.

Central Park is also the location for the city’s Earth Arbor Day celebration, which will be held this year on April 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Another beloved city event that happens at Central Park is Relay for Life-SCV, taking place this year on May 18. Last year, 177 participants raised more than $5,000 for the American Cancer Society. Other past events at the park have included a food truck festival, TributeFest, a pet fair and more.

I would love to know what your favorite park in Santa Clarita is. (While I think Central Park has much to offer, it is not my favorite; that is still to come in the ABCs of the SCV, so keep coming back each week to find out more about my Santa Clarita favorites.)

Also, please stop in at The Good Long Road Facebook page to let me know how you are enjoying the series and what your favorite Santa Clarita Valley outings, adventures or explorations are.

Jennifer Fischer is co-founder of the SCV Film Festival, a mom of two, an independent filmmaker and owner of Think Ten Media Group, whose Generation Arts division offers programs for SCV youth. She writes about her parenting journey on her blog, The Good Long Road. Her commentary is published Saturdays on SCVNews.com.