Pavion Park in Mission Viejo was our mystery destination on a recent walk up the trail from Oso Viejo near the Norman P. Murray Senior Center. I had my two kids and two nephews with me (ages 4-8) and embarked toward Pavion thinking it would be a quick jaunt, but it turns out it’s a 1.8 mile hike uphill on a paved trail.
Location: Pavion is near the corner of Jeronimo and Olympiad. There are multiple directions to approach this park. From Interstate 5, it may be easiest to exit Alicia Parkway and travel east towards the foothills. Drive quite a ways up the hill and turn right onto Olympiad. Turn right onto Jeronimo and take an immediate left onto Pavion. Park along the street. MAP TO PAVION PARK IN MISSION VIEJO
Highlights:
- Can you tell I loved the funnels? I haven’t seen any of these at any other park. The funnels were bigger than the kids and satisfied their need to throw sand in the hole and come out the bottom.
- There’s a path just past the Oso Creek Trail leading between this park and Oso Viejo Park which cuts through the Jeronimo Open Space. It was a beautiful walk. (Uphill from Oso Viejo to here / Downhill from here to Oso Viejo).
- It’s a large playground with multiple play areas and shade trees surrounding the playground
- The blue and white structure had elements of an accessible playground, but seemed to be ready for an upgrade (construction fencing and slides roped off)
- The main playground was “old school” with monkey bars and big gaps for climbing
- There was a rope climber spanning almost the whole width of the park
- Two bench swings, two baby swings
- Areas to play in the sand in the shade
Be Aware:
- There are large gaps in the equipment, which is great for older kids but maybe not so great for little toddlers.
- The kids liked to climb on the wall near the funnels – watch out for that.
Checklist:
- Parking along the street
- Sand play surface
- There may be restrooms at the nearby school, but no obvious ones near the playground
- Drinking fountain
- Picnic tables and barbecues
- Shade trees for picnics on the lawn
