Arroyo Park in Newport Beach is the second “Arroyo” Park on this website. The other one is in Yorba Linda. San Juan Capistrano has one by the same name, but it’s just a “pocket park” with no playground.  The location of this one is kind of cool because it’s below street level and near the toll road.  We made our first visit on Father’s Day after strolling around some of the local beaches and having lunch at Islands Restaurant on Bison. It’s a little oasis nearby.

Location: It’s right near the 73 Tollroad off Bison and McArthur.  Everybody has their own way to get to MacArthur — one way is to exit Interstate 5 at MacArthur.  Drive towards the beach and turn left onto Bison.  Prepare to turn right. You will see Islands on your left and before you cross the bridge you’ll turn right into what looks like apartment complexes. Bear left and you’ll drive down into a parking lot where you’ll find the park and a basketball court.  MAP TO ARROYO PARK IN NEWPORT BEACH

Highlights:

• I have a feeling only locals know about this place
• The picnic tables are round concrete and right on the playground with an arbor
• The basketball court is beautiful!
• There are restrooms right near the playground
• You can see your kids from every angle
• Any park with a teeter-totter gets high points from me
• Ride-on fire engine and a little clubhouse, too.
• 2 baby swings, 2 bench swings.
• Fun to run the bases on the nearby baseball diamond. We had a virtual game there!
• Then we ran the field to the back of the park where a trail leads up to the apartments.

Nature Connection: There are great locations for spotting birds back on the trail past the fields.  Bring your binoculars and see what you can spot!  I always see the best birds in vacant lots.  Practice closing your eyes and listening for birds!

Be Aware:

• The big kid structure was pretty high off the ground with those lovely ladders with wide spacing that we all hate.  However, there’s lots to do around that structure.
• Watch for wildlife on the trail.
• Could feel a little isolated if no one was around. Bring a friend or a play group – or go as a family.

Checklist:

• Dedicated parking lot near the playground and bathrooms
• Bark play surface
• Drinking fountains and restrooms
• Basketball court
• Picnic tables and grills
• Baseball diamond and soccer field
• Official city website: Reserve up to 2 tables in the picnic area and BBQ area by calling 949-644-3151. (City of Newport Beach website)
• Nearest public library:Newport Beach Central Library in Fashion Island (Events Calendar)

Nearby parks:

• Bonita Canyon Sports Park
• Aldrich Park at UC Irvine
• Eastbluff Park
• Mason Regional Park
• Nature Connection: San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary

*Added to KaBOOM.org as part of their 2011 Park-A-Day Challenge

Ocean Breeze Park in Laguna Niguel was a great little discovery for our family.  My son spent his time shooting baskets on the very nice basketball court while my daughter played on all the play equipment and visited with other families out for a play day at the park.

Location: Ocean Breeze Park is in a neighborhood near the intersection of Niguel Road and Camino Del Avion.  From I-5, exit at Camino Capistrano and turn right towards downtown San Juan Capistrano. Turn left onto Del Obispo and travel across the train tracks and past the farm to turn right onto Camino Del Avion.  Turn right on Niguel Road, followed by another right on Charles Road. The park is ahead on your left. (Address: 32311 Charles Road, Laguna Niguel)  MAP TO OCEAN BREEZE PARK IN LAGUNA NIGUEL

Highlights:

• It’s a nice, compact park where you can see your kids from a bench and let them roam and play.
• It’s mostly fenced, except for a few entrances and exits.
• The big kid and little kid play areas are separated by a picnic gazebo in the center of the park.
• Families seemed to have a system of eating at the picnic tables, then playing at the little kid area, then moving on to the big kid area before leaving the playground.
• The picnic gazebo in the center of the park gives the park lots of character.
• 2 baby swings, 2 bench swings

Be Aware:

• Malcolm Elementary is right next door to this park, so I can imagine it’s much busier on school days.
• Parking is on the street, but read the signs carefully because it’s not allowed everywhere and between certain hours.
• Not a lot of shade on the playground
• The big kid area is showing signs of wear and isn’t as nice as the newer play equipment for the younger kids.

Checklist:

• Parking on the street
• Play surface is all bark
• NO restrooms
• Full court basketball
• Drinking fountain near basketball court
• Picnic tables near small kids playground
• Picnic gazebo in the center of the park
• Not much shade on the playground, but there’s shade for picnics on the grass
• Consult the official City of Laguna Niguel website for more information
• Nearby public library branch: Dana Point Public Library (with Friends of the Library Bookstore)

Nearby Parks:

• Bear Brand Park
• Salt Creek Trail
• Dana Crest Park

*Added to KaBOOM.org as part of their 2011 Park-A-Day Challenge

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. 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.
• Fountains only run during the summer!

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

I had another post planned for this Friday, but I had a really nice request for Sand Free Parks in Orange County come into my inbox last night:

“I am looking for parks that don’t have bark chips or sand. I would prefer the rubber padded flooring. My granddaughter is autistic and due to the sensory issues that come along with that she would rather spend hours touching the sand or wood chips. If I could find a park without either it would enable her to enjoy the slides, swings, etc. I’m sure there are many parents of autistic children that would enjoy knowing where these parks are at in Orange County.”

This reader will be happy to know that the recycled rubber surface is becoming a preferred surface at many playgrounds. 

These parks have NO sand and NO bark chips (ones marked with * have restrooms):

• Fred Barrera Park in Orange*
• Serrano Park in Orange*
• Eastside Community Park in Yorba Linda*
• Box Canyon Park in Yorba Linda*
• Brea Sports Park Playground*
• Hidden Hills Park in Laguna Niguel
• Niguel Heights Park in Laguna Niguel
• Peter Green Park in Huntington Beach
• Bonita Canyon Sports Park (2-5 year old playground) in Newport Beach*
• Fountain Valley Recreation Center and Sports Park*
• Heritage Park Play Island in Cerritos*

Honorable Mentions (because they have a sandbox separated from the equipment):

• Cabot Park in Laguna Hills*
• Costeau Park in Laguna Hills
• Knotty Pines Park in Laguna Hills
• TeWinkle Park in Costa Mesa*
• Coastal Peak Park in Newport Beach*
• Sunset Park in San Clemente

I hope that gives you some options! I will keep my eye out as I explore parks this summer. I know my “Fenced Parks” post has also been a popular one. I just found 2 more today that I’ll be adding to the list!

Costeau Park in Laguna Hills underwent a big renovation in April/May 2011 which removed all the bark play surface and completely replaced it with green recycled rubber.  I was ready to be under-impressed because I liked the old wooden equipment. In fact, I overheard some teenagers say “We played at that old park, like, our whole lives.” Despite my doubts, I have to say, I think the new version really is an improvement!

Location: At the corner of Alicia Parkway and Costeau, very near I-5 and AAA of Southern California office.  Exit I-5 at Alicia and turn towards Laguna Hills (away from Mission Viejo).  Pass Hon and take your next left on Costeau. You’ll see the playground on your right. MAP to Cousteau Park

Highlights:

• I love the new “Kids Only” treehouse theme.  Have your kids look for wildlife hiding in the tree.
• The climbing equipment and slides kept my 5 year old entertained.  We even played a simplified hide-and-seek.
• Those with toddlers will appreciate that this park is almost sand-free. There’s a separate sandbox at the little kid area.
• 2 baby swings, 2 bench swings on separate sets.
• Two spinners. I’ve seen these before, but I like the “bowl” version at this park because it’s close to the ground so kids can stop themselves.
• Springy mini teeter-totter for extra bounce.
• Lots of interpretive panels with numbers, counters, and planets.
• Basketball courts
• Large grassy area and hills for rolling down. Bring a ball or a frisbee.

Be Aware:

• Loud roar from traffic on Alicia Parkway, especially during high traffic times
• The baby swings are near the big kid equipment and the big kid swings are BETWEEN the little kid/big kid equipment. So watch the little ones when they travel back and forth between the structures while big kids are swinging.
• In rare instances, you might compete with school children or day care programs for use of the park.
• It’s near a street corner. However, because it’s slightly sunken in kids rarely run for the road.

Checklist:

• Plenty of close on-street parking
• Recycled rubber play surface
• NO restrooms
• Shade from trees surrounding the play area
• Hopscotch near basketball court
• Easy to supervise children
• One picnic table right near each play area, more tables with grill near the basketball court
• Wire mesh benches with backs
• Softball field, basketball court, hopscotch