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

El Toro Park got press from the Orange County Register a day after its grand opening in September, where reporter Erika Ritchie gives a great run-down of Lake Forest plans.  We went to visit pretty soon after reading the article and found the playground surrounded by orange fencing and blocked off for play. It took a few weeks, but the playground is definitely ready for kids.

Location: The playground is located very near the Laguna Hills Mall. Take the El Toro Road exit off Interstate 405. Turn towards the mountains and away from the mall (if you are coming from the north, it’s a little tricky because you have to do a little jog on Via Carlota to get to the actual El Toro Road).  Get ready to make a quick right onto Rockfield. Take Rockfield almost to Los Alisos and make a left onto Larkwood Lane. The street dead ends after you pass the park. MAP TO EL TORO PARK IN LAKE FOREST

Highlights:

• The water play is definitely a highlight. So bring your kids ready to get splashed and maybe “muddy” with sand.  The water feature is a knee-high channel running over what looks like a tidepool. Press a button on the nearby post and water comes trickling down and ends in a puddle in the sand. FUN!
• I loved how compact the park felt. It was great for watching multiple children. You could stand in one place and see everything.
• There’s a low fence outside the play equipment that discourages the kids from running towards the sidewalk or cars.
• They have those “shower head” rotating wheels that I love near a fun little playhouse.
• Nautical feel carries through the playground with climbers and themed fence surrounding the street side.
• The odd-shaped climbers were fun, but some were too far away from the platform for my daughter to reach without assistance.
• Shade from trees and benches to watch the kids.
• Tennis courts separate the play area from the adult exercise equipment.
• 6 swings! 2 baby, 2 bench, and 2 special needs.
• Nice green space for nature play.
• Restroom right near the swings.

Be Aware:

• The Register article points out that the park sits “in the city’s oldest neighborhood” and that there was no playground equipment before the renovations. So . . . this is a park in transition. I’d imagine neighbors are not yet used to the playground traffic and parking impacts.
• Special note: We would not recommend visiting this park alone. Bring a friend and be aware of your surroundings.
• There is a nearby bridge and creek.
• Exercise equipment is designed for adults and not recommended for children.
• Lots of toddlers playing at the park while we were there, but there are some definite high spots.

Checklist:

• Recycled rubber play surface with separate sandbox
• Parking on the street
• New restrooms very near the playground
• 2 baby swings, 2 bench swings, 2 special needs swings
• Water play area designed like a tidepool
• Shade covers and shade from trees
• A picnic gazebo sits beyond the park, but not within sight of the playground. Every time we visit during the week, the shelter is already taken. I’d suggest bringing a blanket and spreading it out near the playground.
• There is a drinking fountain, but it was clogged when we visited.

• The location is incredibly rich in history. The Los Rios District is the “oldest neighborhood in California” according to this website featuring info about the homes and historic buildings.  If you enter the park from the train station, you’ll see lovely black and white historic photographs set into the garden wall.
• The playground structure is dark wood with iron accents. You’ll really feel like you’re in the Old West. My kids immediately starting pretending they were at the ranch and trading post.
• I absolutely love the REAL children’s saddles atop the telephone pole horses. I have my fingers crossed that no one decides to vandalize them.  It’s such a clever and authentic addition.
• We also loved “The Grand Canyon” – our nickname for huge climbing boulders.
• The picnic area will soon be covered with a lush trellis of grape vines to shade the picnic tables.  Many of the tables were built to be accessible.
• Kids will get a thrill hearing the train rumbling and whistling through the depot.
• Pair your trip with Ruby’s and Zoomar’s to make a day out of it.

• The water feature – a pump with a ramp – runs in the summer. (No guarantees, though. Water features have a way of working for a while, then being turned off. Or only running during certain hours . . .)

• Parking in a small dedicated lot.
• Bark play surface
• Very nice, new restrooms
• Two sets of drinking fountains – one near the restrooms and one closer to the playground
• Not a lot of shade now – but the little sycamores will grow into great shade trees
• Lots of picnic tables nearby the playground and closer to Paseo Adelanto
• Easy to see the kids from all viewpoints and plenty of benches to rest

Now that the weather is heating up, I’ve received lots of requests for water play areas at local parks. As always, I’m starting with what I know. And although I don’t know Irvine shopping – I’m pretty good at playing at the Spectrum. Last week, I took my 3 year old out to see what fun we could stir up.

Location: The Spectrum is the Irvine shopping center visible from where Interstate 405 and 5 meet. Irvine Center Drive is the exit to take from the 405. Take Alton if you’re coming from the 5. See the highlights below for parking suggestions. MAP to Irvine Spectrum for Water Play

Highlights:

• If you’re in for a real wet splashfest head towards the Food Court near PF Chang’s and Champs. There you’ll find 3 very cute tortoises spewing water surrounded by a gusher of a fountain. Parents here come prepared with swimsuits, towels, and lunch. It was fairly busy and I suggest dressing the kids in water shoes to prevent slipping. [Park near Edwards Theater in the structure on the side of the center nearest the 5 - off Gateway Boulevard.] Restroom near Food Court.
  
• If you’re more interested in a fountain of tiny droplets and being closer to the “kids area” of this Irvine shopping spectacle, then turn onto Enterprise from Irvine Center Drive next to Interstate 405. Pass Nordstrom’s and park in the small lot outside The Vitamin Shoppe for easy access to the fountain. I’d pick this particular fountain for smaller children. Restroom near Amy’s Hallmark.
  
• We also took the opportunity to stroll around a bit. Based on a recommendation from Tiny Oranges, we visited the Sweet Spot Baker’s Workshop so my daughter could decorate her own cupcake ($5).
• We also took a ride on The Big Wheel ($3 each) and The Carousel ($2 for her).
• Bring pennies to make some wishes in the fountains.

Be Aware:

• The Carousel and Big Wheel don’t open until 11am.
• Fountains can be busy. Recommend wearing shoes. Bring a towel.

Checklist:

• Parking is free. Park off Gateway in the structure OR off Enterprise before you hit Target.
• Concrete play surface in fountains.
• Restrooms in Food Court. Restrooms in Amy’s Hallmark. (There are directories all over the place for more locations).
• Umbrellas at tables surrounding fountains to shade adults watching the action.

Dinosaur Park 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, Prehistoric Park, and Fossil Reef Park. It’s a great run-around park with 2 different levels and all sorts of play equipment.

Location: Corner of Alicia Parkway and Paseo De Valencia – behind the Laguna Hills Community Center. [Address: 25555 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Hills). MAP to Dino Park in Laguna Hills

Highlights:

• Different areas appropriate for different ages
• Turtle fountains fun on hot days – work like drinking fountains
• 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 and playing on “whale bones”
• Tunnels, bridges, and stairs for exploring

Be Aware:

• Access to tall tunnel slide on upper play area is precarious for toddlers
• I’ve heard of parents and taller kids bumping their head on low bars on upper play area (but they’ve recently painted it purple for greater visibility)
• The metal slides connecting upper to lower play areas can get really hot
• Surfaces on one structure is peeling near metal bridge on upper play area
• May compete for space with Community Center programs, city events, and soccer games at certain times of year

Checklist:

• Plentiful parking near Community Center
• Starbuck’s across the street in Ralphs shopping center (Coffee Bean is NO longer inside Ralphs)
• Bathroom building near to playground
• Numerous drinking fountains
• 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

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