Spring has sprung! What is your favorite thing about Spring?

In his time in Stevenson Ranch, Dr. Richard H. Rioux made a great impact on its people. He was the director of the Los Angeles County Antelope Valley Rehabilitation Centers, and helped many people fighting drug and alcohol addiction. Given his service to the community, it's only fitting that Dr. Rioux serves as the namesake for Dr. Richard H. Rioux Memorial Park in Stevenson Ranch.

In the good doctor's honor, 17 acres were set aside in 1999 as a natural space where locals could escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The park consists mostly of sprawling grassy lawns and beautiful views, so head here for a picnic, a day of sunbathing, or just some time reading in the shade. With basketball courts, a covered playground, and sports fields, there are plenty of more active options if you're interested in those forms of recreation, too.

Dr. Richard H. Rioux Memorial Park
26233 W. Faulkner Drive
Stevenson Ranch, CA 91381
(661) 222-9536
parks.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/dpr/Parks/Dr_Richard_H_Rioux_Memorial_Park
www.yelp.com/biz/dr-richard-h-rioux-memorial-park-stevenson-ranch

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr florian.scholz

Chronic Tacos only recently debuted in Valencia, but the first location opened more than 10 years ago in Newport Beach. It was the brainchild of a pair of friends, Randall Wyner and Daniel Biello, who thought that the late-night food scene was really lacking in the area. Well no more. Biello and Wyner's brand of quick, to-order Mexican food filled that gap.

Head here for fresh flour or corn tortilla tacos filled with any meat you like, or a behemoth burrito stuffed with rice, beans, and, again, your pick of protein. You can also order one of the kitchen's specialty items, like the handcrafted flautas packed with carnitas, beef, or chicken and then dunked in the deep fryer. The deep-fried potato taco is another signature, showcasing creamy mashed potatoes and cheese. Don't forget to indulge in some Chronic fries, either, which the menu describes as "basically nachos with fries instead of tortilla chips."

Chronic Tacos
28301 Newhall Ranch Road
Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 294-9415
www.eatchronictacos.com
www.yelp.com/biz/chronic-tacos-valencia

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr permanently scatterbrained