Dinosaur Park in Laguna Hills: Dive Into Undersea Fossils

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.

Check out my one minute “park teaser” video a little further down in the post for a quick overview.

Directions to Dinosaur Park in Laguna Hills: 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 turtles 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!)
• A mom & reader of this blog actually encouraged the City to install shade covers over parts of the playground in 2017.

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 during summer
• 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 — at lunch and outside of school hours during the school year. One parent reported: “Too many high school kids cursing and hanging out on the playground around the kids.” Now, I have to say that I have NEVER had this experience in the 15+ years I’ve visited this park — but I also try to avoid times when high school kids would be there – or if I’m uncomfortable we just leave. That’s why I always include “Nearby Parks” in my posts so you can have an alternative when something unexpected or unpleasant comes up!
• May also 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
• Subway across the street in Ralphs shopping center
• 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 with shade covers
• Most impressive picnic area with COVERED barbecue grills
• If the snack bar happens to be open, a portion of proceeds benefit the Laguna Hills Little League
• Visit the City of Laguna Hills website for making reservations (it’s under “Community Center & Sports Complex)
• 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

Originally published in October 2008.