Are there any parks with lights in OC? A longtime reader specifically asked me about south OC and about Mission Viejo parks long ago and then it came up again in a FB group of moms. So I finally did my research to put together a list in 2015.
Fast forward to Fall 2024 and the ask is for ANY parks with lights on at night! For some reason this darkness hit harder and seems more sudden than past years. And the kids/caregivers really want to extend the playtime!
Parks with Lights in South OC
- The two playgrounds at Lake Forest Sports Park are the only ones I know of that are open and lighted on the playgrounds until 10pm. Thanks to the reader who sent me an email and to the staff at the park who confirmed.
- As far as I know, NO other parks in South County are designed with lights on the playgrounds for play at night.
- Parks in the cities of: Aliso Viejo, Lake Forest, Laguna Hills, and Laguna Niguel close at sunset (with the exception a few parks in Aliso Viejo that have path lighting and are officially open until 10pm).
- OC Parks regional parks close at sunset, unless you are camping at a designated campground.
South OC Cities with Parks Open after Dark
Some parks in these cities may have "passive" or "path" lighting -- but not specific lighting for the playgrounds.
- City of Dana Point 949-248-3530 (Park Hours: 6am to 10pm, except Shipwreck Park which closes at sunset)
- City of Laguna Beach 949-464-6645 (Park Hours: Restrooms close at dusk, all beaches close from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. according to Municipal Code - Crescent Bay closes at midnight - and city parks are closed between 10pm-5am)
- City of Mission Viejo 470-3061 (Park Hours: 7am to 11pm)
- City of San Clemente 361-8264 (Park Hours: 6am to 10pm)
Source: City Websites
Parks with Lights in North and Central OC
Huntington Beach Central Park has a park curfew of 10pm-5am (but that doesn't mean the playgrounds have lights). I know there is path lighting, but if you have been after dark then let me know if the lights are on enough to play.
Should cities change their rules?
Wouldn't it be nice to feel welcomed instead of feeling like you are breaking the rules? Most cities naturally have sports parks that are already equipped for nighttime lighting and set further away from residences than neighborhood parks. If we are going to give organized sports the courtesy of nighttime play, how about extending the same courtesy to families who are trying to give their kids unstructured play time with both parents present or after working parents get home? Yes, I understand some leagues have to pay for the lights - but not all. For instance, in Mission Viejo "Youth resident (90%) volunteer not-for-profit leagues conducting youth sports activities" are NOT charged for lights.
KaBOOM.org (National Campaign for Play) calls this Playability: "the extent to which a city makes it easy for all kids to get balanced and active play."
- I think it would be awesome if each city would choose ONE park that it could designate as an after-dark park for families -- maybe just until 8pm? And that would only need to happen during the winter months because it's lighter later the rest of the year!
- Or pick one or two days to leave the lights on until 8pm at the designated "community" park?
- I would propose the following parks in South County as natural community spots for play in the evening hours. These are NOT designated now - just my suggestions as one who has visited almost all the parks in South County:
- Aliso Viejo: Aliso Viejo Community Park
- Dana Point: Creekside Park
- Lake Forest: Lake Forest Sports Park (Yay! already have lights on until 10pm)
- Laguna Beach: Main Beach Playground
- Laguna Hills: Dinosaur Park near the Community Center
- Laguna Niguel: Crown Valley Park
- Mission Viejo: Oso Viejo Park outside the Norman P. Murray Community Center
- San Clemente: Vista Hermosa Sports Park and Courtney's Sandcastle
- San Juan Capistrano: Los Rios Park
- Rancho Santa Margarita (residents-only parks): RSM Central Park
Do you agree? Would you choose a different park in your city?
How can you make a difference?
I have to say that every single parks commissioner I've ever met has been SO passionate about play and serving their community. How are they supposed to know you'd like a place to play after dark unless you tell them? You are a parent and you are the one most likely to use the parks! If lighting parks at night isn't possible in your city - at least you'll know "why" by getting your questions answered.
- Send a letter to your local City Council, Parks Commission, or Community Services Director.
- Go to a Parks Commission meeting and speak up as a parent during the public comments portion of the meeting.
- Keep an eye on the posted agendas or newspaper articles for information on meetings where decisions are being made about parks near you - and make sure you share your opinion on any issue that effects you as a resident.
- Ask about lights at parks on the city's social media accounts or parks and recreation accounts.
Originally posted in February 2015.
