Every time I visit Oak Creek Park in Irvine, the playground is bustling with one mom’s group or another.  I had to hit it early in the morning to grab photos without kids, but the South Irvine Stroller Strides was gearing up for their morning workout.  It’s about a block away from Valley Oak Park (across Barranca).  I thought it was only a soccer field, but there’s a playground!

Directions to Oak Creek Park in Irvine:  Easy to find from Interstate 405 and 5. From 405, exit Sand Canyon and go inland. Turn left on Barranca and take an immediate right on Valley Oak Drive. Turn right into the parking lot. If you are coming from the 5, head toward the 405 and turn right on Barranca. Then take the right onto Valley Oak Drive. It’s basically at the corner of Barranca and Sand Canyon. (Address: 15616 Valley Oak, Irvine) MAP TO OAK CREEK COMMUNITY PARK IN IRVINE

Highlights:

• There’s lots of space to RUN and get the wiggles out
• There are usually other moms and kids playing here – so it’s great for socializing
• I love the rolling grassy hills for playing under the sycamore trees
• Some shade on the playground
• Big kid and little kid equipment is close to each other
• The restroom and parking is close to the playground
• Bring a ball to kick around on the field or a frisbee
• 2 bench swings, 2 baby swings

Be Aware:

• I’m always a little uneasy about the people who sit parked in their cars away from the playground. I think it’s just a central and scenic spot in Irvine where people take lunch breaks or meet up with one other — just keep your eyes open and be aware.
• Could be busy on weekends during soccer season.
• The parking lot is nearby, but the kids don’t seem to wander there too much.

Checklist:

• Parking in dedicated lot
• Play surface: Recycled rubber and sand under swings
• Restrooms near the playground
• Nice, covered picnic area
• Benches at the park
• Baseball/softball diamond
• Soccer fields
• Official City of Irvine website
• Nearest library branch: Irvine Heritage Park or Irvine University Park

Nearby parks:

• Valley Oak Park
• Quail Hill Loop Trail (hike/nature walk)
• Heritage Park in Irvine
• Orchard Park in Irvine

I discovered Valley Oak Park in Irvine while searching for a good place to meet up with grandparents. It’s an ideal choice because of the level walking surface from the dedicated parking lot to the playground – and plenty of benches (not to mention, the proximity to the 405 freeway).

Directions to Valley Oak Park in Irvine: Easy to find from Interstate 405 and 5. From 405, exit Sand Canyon and go toward mountains. Turn left on Alton and take an immediate right on Valley Oak Drive. Turn left into the parking lot before you hit Barranca Parkway. If you are coming from the 5, head toward the 405 and turn right on Barranca. Then take the left onto Valley Oak Drive. MAP to Valley Oak Park in Irvine

Highlights:

• All-in-one kind of park complete with a grassy area, basketball court, play structures for all ages, sandbox, tennis courts, swings
• Excellent picnic area with grills – great place to bring lunch
• Even the recycled rubber play surface is decorated with oak leaves and acorns
• Hopscotch
• Very compact so it’s easy to see the kids everywhere
• I love meeting people here because it’s easy to find
• A variety of slides and crawl-through tunnels
• Good for both little kids and big kids (bring a basketball or soccer ball)
• Restroom and drinking fountain very near the playground

Be Aware:

• Can’t really think of anything to “Be Aware” of at Valley Oak. Except, I have seen the parking lot fill up.

Checklist:

• Parking in dedicated lot (maybe 10-15 spots)
• Recycled rubber and sand play surface
• Very nice restrooms and drinking fountain near the playground
• Shade under patio cover
• Easy to view kids
• Full basketball court
• Official City of Irvine website
• Nearest library branch: Irvine Heritage Park or Irvine University Park

Nearby parks:

• Quail Hill Loop Trail (hike/nature walk)
• Heritage Park in Irvine
• Orchard Park in Irvine

Concourse Park is in the Portola Hills neighborhood of Lake Forest. I never knew how to get to those “houses on the hill” on the way up El Toro Road towards Santiago Canyon and O’Neill Regional Park. You notice the homes up to the left and I always think about what a great view they must enjoy. The park is in a beautiful setting so close to Whiting Ranch and the Santa Ana Mountains.  It was renovated over Summer 2011 to include more shade, plus a new sand and water play area.

Location: Take El Toro Road waaaaayyyyyy up to just before Cook’s Corner and the turn onto Live Oak Canyon Road. Turn left onto Ridgeline. Turn left on Saddleback Ranch Road. You’ll pass the community pool and the playground is just ahead on the right. (Address: 18931 Saddleback Ranch Road, Lake Forest)  MAP TO CONCOURSE PARK IN PORTOLA HILLS

Highlights:

• It feels like a great wide open space with lots of nearby nature from Whiting Ranch. I saw lots of birds on my visit.
• There’s a fire access trail near the park that takes you down the hill for a mini-nature walk before opening into the wide expanses of Whiting Ranch.
• The playground is very near the parking lot with the toddler version in front and the bigger kid structure behind.
• The toddler playground is just the right size for little ones. There are also 2 baby swings and ride-on spring toys here.
• There used to be a grassy hill in between the play structures which was a perfect place to hang out. With the renovation, they flattened the hill and made it into a bunch of planters for large sycamore trees for lots of shade when they mature.
• The big kid playground has more opportunities for climbing and monkey bars. There are 2 bench swings and one tire swing.
• With the renovation comes an expanded climbing area and a dedicated sand play area with a water feature. The water play feature looks like a desert palace.
• A restroom was also added during the renovation (although it’s not open yet — just a portable toilet).
• There is one picnic shelter near the playground for shade cover during lunch. A second shelter sits with a view overlooking Whiting Ranch.
• There’s also half court basketball and a winding sidewalk which people were using for their morning walks with/without kids.

Be Aware:

• This backs up to quite a bit of open space, so just be aware of your surroundings and watch for rattlesnakes. Mountain lions and coyotes are a concern if you have very small children, but just make sure you are nearby your child and not letting them run ahead. I spoke to the moms at the park and most had never had encounters with ANY of these animals. (I think there’s too much action here during daylight hours.)
• The playground can be hot during the summer, but the added shade covers give some relief.
• Bring a change of clothes – and maybe a change of shoes! My daughter had a blast playing in the water and with the sand, but got filthy!

Checklist:

• Dedicated parking lot
• Bark play surface
• New restrooms (not open yet – portable restrooms available)
• 2 covered picnic areas with grills
• Drinking fountain near picnic shelter
• Half court basketball
• Walking path/sidewalk winding through park
• Access to Whiting Ranch from fire access road
• City of Lake Forest website
• Nearest public library branch: Foothill Ranch Public Library

Nearby parks:

• Foothill Ranch Community Park
• Borrego Park

Dinosaur Park in Laguna Hills is the most common name I’ve heard for this amazing fossil-themed park behind the Laguna Hills Community Center at the corner of Alicia and Paseo De Valencia. I’ve also heard it called: Dino Park and Prehistoric Park. It’s a great run-around park with 2 different levels and all sorts of play equipment.

Location: Exit Interstate 5 at Alicia Parkway and head towards Laguna Hills (away from Mission Viejo).  Dinosaur Park is ahead on your right at the corner of Alicia Parkway and Paseo De Valencia – behind the Laguna Hills Community Center. [Address: 25555 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Hills). MAP TO DINOSAUR PARK NEAR LAGUNA HILLS COMMUNITY CENTER

Highlights:

• Different areas appropriate for different ages
• Concrete turtle sculptures
• Very clean indoor bathrooms at the Community Center
• Close to soccer fields so plenty of room to run
• Beautiful rose garden and flowering trees
• Fun discovering fossils in the rock walls and playing on “whale bones”
• Tunnels, bridges, and stairs for exploring
• 2 bench swings and one baby swing (on upper level)
• Great for birthdays and big gatherings
• Visit the inside of the beautiful Laguna Hills Community Center for learning more fossil history and visiting the small public library
• Renovation in 2011 resulted in: replacing a lot of the sand with recycled rubber surfacing — and automating the turtle fountains with sensors.  They go off for 3 minutes at a time. (The city knows they are popular — and are trying to keep them functioning ALL year. Wanna know how you can help? Remind kids not to jam sticks or sand into where the water comes out. Thanks!)

Be Aware:

• Access to tall tunnel slide on upper play area is precarious for toddlers
• The metal slides connecting upper to lower play areas can get really hot
• Some parents don’t like this park because their younger child will want to play on the lower level — and the older child will want to play on the upper level.  So the parent runs around to be able to keep an eye on everybody.
• It backs up to Laguna Hills High School, so there are sometimes high school students there (outside of school hours during the school year)
• May compete for space with Community Center programs, city events, and soccer games at certain times of year

Checklist:

• Plentiful parking near Community Center
• Play surface: Recycled rubber and sand
• Bathroom building near to playground
• Numerous drinking fountains
• Starbuck’s, Subway, The Pizza Store are across the street in Ralphs shopping center (Coffee Bean is NO longer inside Ralphs)
• Shade covers, trees, and patio cover over picnic area
• Large picnic area with shade near snack bar, as well as two accessible picnic tables on upper level near swings
• Most impressive picnic area with COVERED barbecue grills
• If the snack bar happens to be open, a portion of proceeds benefit the Laguna High School marching band and color guard
• Visit the City of Laguna Hills website for making reservations
• Nearby public library: The Laguna Hills Technology branch of the Orange County Public Library system (it’s small, but it does have a selection of childrens’ books available for check-out)

Nearby parks:

• Costeau Park
• Stockport Park
• Mandeville Park

Christopher Park in Mission Viejo is a place a friend mentioned in passing.  Of course, I always file away parks I’ve never visited and we stopped at this nice spot for a quick play.

Location: Christopher Park is in a neighborhood off Trabuco (between Alicia Parkway and Marguerite).  From Interstate 5, exit at Alicia Parkway and head towards the foothills.  Turn right on Trabuco and take another right on Carlota Drive. You’ll see the park straight ahead of you.  Make a right onto Valpariso to park.  (Address: 26801 Valpariso Drive) MAP TO CHRISTOPHER PARK IN MISSION VIEJO

Highlights:

• It’s in a nice neighborhood surrounded by trees and lush green grass
• The park is away from any busy streets
• I felt like we were in a sunken garden with the two massive palm trees providing shade (one directly on a bench near the playground sand)
• The twisty slide is really tall and fun
• Little ones like the bridge and steering wheel for pretend play
• Definitely bring sand toys for shady play in the morning
• The half basketball court is really nice and very near the playground
• We had the added bonus of spotting the trash truck on the morning we visited! (Always a treat!)
• 2 bench swings, 2 baby swings

Be Aware:

• NO restrooms
• The tall slide is really tall for the littlest kids – so go with them or make it off-limits
• I talked to a grandma that said people bring their dogs to this park throughout the day
• It’s definitely hot during the middle of the day

Checklist:

• Parking on the street
• Play surface: Sand
• NO restroom
• Drinking fountain a little ways from the playground
• Picnic tables set up in the shade of trees
• Half basketball court and small grassy area
• Official City of Mission Viejo website
• Nearest public libraries:  Mission Viejo Public Library

Nearby parks:

• Valyermo Park
• Castille Park
• Alicia Park

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