Grijalva Community Park in Orange at Santiago Creek is another recommendation from Mary who told me about Pioneer Park in Anaheim.
It was very easy to get to from the freeway and we had tons of fun playing. We talked to many moms who supported Mary's tips and added a few of their own. I've been to this park many times since our first visit and it keeps getting better with the first City of Orange skate park set to go in during the coming year.
Directions to Grijalva Community Park in Orange: Exit the 55 Freeway at E. Chapman and head toward the hills. Turn left on North Prospect. Then turn left into the park. If you are coming from Tustin, you can turn from Jamboree onto E. Chapman Avenue and approach the park from the opposite direction -- to make a right on North Prospect. For the playground, you'll want to drive all the way in the driveway to the end of the field like you are heading to the Sports Center, then you'll turn right back towards the fields and the front to park your car right near the play equipment. (Park Address: 368 North Prospect Street, Orange) MAP TO GRIJALVA COMMUNITY PARK AT SANTIAGO CREEK
Recommended by: Mary
Highlights:
This playground did not used to have shade covers when I first visited, so it's really nice to have them now!
Close-by parking with playground set back and separated from busy street by a high fence.
My very favorite part of this park is the bridge!! There are two play structures separated by a footbridge (one for younger kids with baby swings, the other for older children with bench swings and lots of monkey bars).
Here is the big kid side of the bridge which is the side closest to the parking lot:
Then there is another structure with a double racing slide, a curvy taller slide, a climber, and corkscrew firepole.
This big kid area also has a bank of four bench swings.
The other side is nearer the snack bar and picnic area. It's perfect for the 2-5 year olds. It has two baby swings and the whole thing is just a big lower to the ground.
Nice community-size park that is also home to the Grijalva Sports Center. The Santiago Creek Bike Trail also attaches to the back of the park nearer the Sports Center.
A great walking path around the perimeter of the park - many people there for jogging and fitness. We tend to walk Loop #1 which is a .41 mile loop. You'll pass by the playground, basketball court, outdoor fitness area, and then come back around to the front of the park where there is the picnic gazebo and other picnic options nearer the playground.
Beautiful main building near playground houses clean bathrooms
Grills and picnic tables everywhere!
There is an outdoor fitness area at the opposite corner of the park from the playground. Three different shade covered sections to it.
Be Aware:
- Can be busy on weekends with soccer games
- The fire pole on the highest play structure was too high for me to reach my 3yo (but that seems to be the case at many parks)
- Not a lot of big trees for shade a the playground during summer months
Checklist:
- Free parking in dedicated parking lot near the playground
- Bark play surface
- Restrooms are clean and nearby
- Drinking fountain near gazebo on corner of Spring/Prospect
- Easy to view the kids on any part of the playground
- Nice basketball courts on opposite side of park from playground
- Sand volleyball court doubles as a sandbox for the kids
- Official Sports Center web page
- Official Grijalva Park info from the City of Orange - for reservations
Nearby Park:
Originally published March 2009.
