Hummingbird Park in Aliso Viejo has everything I wanted out of a play place as a kid. It's sunken below street level so it feels kinda secret and hidden.
It's surrounded by places to explore at the edge of the lawn. In the mornings and evenings, the open space seems magical with an orange hue and the sun's rays cutting through the tree branches.
How to Get to Hummingbird Park in Aliso Viejo: It's at the corner of El Toro Road and Aliso Creek Road on your way to/from Laguna Canyon or the 73. Turn from El Toro onto Aliso Creek Road and make an immediate right onto Hummingbird Lane. Park on the street and you'll see the playground below. (Address: 21933 Aliso Creek Road, Aliso Viejo) MAP TO HUMMINGBIRD PARK IN ALISO VIEJO
Recommended by: Mali Workman, one of our official site photographers back in 2009. Thanks to Tara for updating in 2018. Mali and Tara's comments in italics. Then Lisa and Katie alerted me that they improvements were finished in March 2022. Thanks to all for helping me keep this post up-to-date!
Highlights:
- I recommend Hummingbird for birthday parties or large group get-togethers.
- There's a playground and plenty of grass space to set up tables and an E-Z Up.
- It's also hidden from the street so few people know it's there. [Oops! Now everybody knows!]
- And again, light is beautiful in the late afternoon for pictures!
- A fun blue slide, a triple beige slide, and smaller green toddler slide.
- Lots of climbing! There are stairs, a hidden climber under the triple slide, ladders, and horizontal bars that lead to the geometric shapes.
- I love the pretend play that happens in the clubhouse and there's another little counter under the blue slide that could stand in as a "restaurant."
- Toddlers would like playing in the sand or picnicking. Plus there are just fun grassy areas to run without fear of them running into the street.
- Concrete benches and two concrete picnic tables with benches.
- 2 bench swings. 1 baby swing. Swingset is set away from the main playground.
- The park crosses Hummingbird Lane and spreads uphill along the utility easement under the bank of power lines which create a linear park. I noticed dog owners taking their dogs to that portion.
Be Aware:
If there were ONLY one caution I could share for this playground it would be to "watch your head." There is a bridge with a yellow CAUTION - Watch Your Head sign. And these bars at the top of the triple slide are super fun for the kids to be able to speed up their ride, but I know bigger kids or parents are bound to hit their heads.
All the extra climbing elements mean there are extra open spaces or drops that could be hazards for the younger kids. A mom was there when I visited and she had to walk her toddler up to the slide and he waited for her to come down so she could be there to guide him down the slide. Just a bit more work for the caregivers if you need to have hands-on all the time.
No restroom building, but there is a portable toilet away from the playground.
It doesn't look this green year-round. In the dry months it's not quite as lush looking because the sycamores lose their leaves.
Checklist:
- Limited street parking
- Sand play and recycled rubber play surface under the playground and wood chips under the swings
- Aliso Viejo Community Association (AVCA) owns the parks and takes reservations for AVCA members on this park reservation form
- Nearby public library: Aliso Viejo Public Library
Parks Nearby Hummingbird Park in Aliso Viejo:
- Ridgecrest Park
- Argonaut Park
- Aliso Viejo Aquatic Center Pool
- My list of ALL the best parks with playgrounds in Aliso Viejo
Originally published in October 2010.
Photo archive of the OLD Hummingbird Park playground.
