Crown Valley Community Park in Laguna Niguel is truly a great place for community gatherings and exploration. “Thank you, thank you!” to Staci who recommended Crown Valley Community Park. I’ve driven by it a million times and thought the only thing up the street was the South Coast YMCA. There’s much more to Crown Valley Community Park. For example, the Niguel Botanical Preserve is amazing! I could almost do a separate post on the 18 acres of beauty born from volunteer hours.
Location: From the Interstate 5, take the Crown Valley offramp and drive toward the beach. Pass over Moulton and La Paz — but make a right into the YMCA parking lot before you hit Niguel Road. If you are coming from PCH, it’s the first left past Niguel Road. [Address: 29751 Crown Valley Parkway, Laguna Niguel] MAP to Crown Valley Community Park in Laguna Niguel
Recommended by: Staci
Highlights:
- The nature trail in the Niguel Botanical Preserve – what an adventure!! The kids led us all around the hillside. Absolutely amazing! You can see the care every volunteer put into it. Lots of lizards, rabbits, and squirrels – plus beautiful flowers. We entered the preserve right above the playground. Not too steep of an ascent to the top.
- The play area is steps away from the YMCA entrance with a fun castle theme
- Found it very easy to keep track of two kids from anywhere on the playground
- The little kids generally stuck to the smaller structure – but the big one was fun for the older kids. They did lots of running around and there were many sitting areas underneath.
- Concerts on summer evenings (Fridays from 6:30-8:30pm)
Be Aware:
- It is near the parking lot – but most of the kids steered clear and it didn’t seem busy with traffic
- This community park is the site of concerts and many parks and rec activities. Check the calendar if you are crowd averse.
- No swings (baby or otherwise)
Checklist:
- Parking lot is huge – parking won’t be a problem
- Recycled rubber and sand play surface (a bit slippery on the edges)
- City website says 2 restrooms – and Staci says “yes” – but I didn’t exactly where they were (somebody report back in the comments okay?)
- Nice shade this afternoon from the sycamores surrounding the playground
- Lots of picnic tables on the grassy hill near the playground and one grill
- Shaded picnic tables nearer to the park entrance by the amphitheater
- Community pool, sports fields, bike path
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
What a great find! Although the parking lot was a little too close for my comfort, the Niguel Botanical Preserve was AMAZING! You can find more information at http://www.niguelbotanicalpreserve.org
My family loved hiking the trail and even my 2 year old could keep up. Someone on the trail told us that the hike changes every season with different flowers and trees blooming. Worth a look. P.s. Bathrooms are actually in the YMCA facility (right across from the play equipment).
wahoo! love the new map feature!'
xoxo, K