Heritage Park in Irvine comes highly recommended by a Fun Orange County Parks visitor because of its beautiful lake, community center, Fine Arts Center and Irvine Heritage Library. It's a great place for strolls and picnics.
How to Get to Heritage Park in Irvine: From Interstate 5, take the Jeffrey Road off-ramp and turn towards the west. Turn right on Walnut and turn right into Heritage Park Circle near the library. Drive to the back of the lot for the playground and lake. MAP to Heritage Park in Irvine
Highlights:
- WATER PLAY! My kids went crazy with the fountain and it's especially nice on these hot fall days. I didn't see even see any slipping when we were there.
- KID SIZE BASKETBALL! There's a lower to the ground basketball hoop right off the playground, separated from the adult courts by a handball wall.
- I loved the "shower head" play equipment (see below) where kids stand on the rotating bottom pedestal and hang from the top which also rotates. I've seen these at other parks, but my kids can never reach the top and stand on the bottom. This one is smaller than most!
- Fun teeter-totter and ride on dolphin. Set up for pretend play revolving around an ocean theme with a bait & tackle shop and equipment that looks like ships and boats.
- I also liked the "climbing funnel" made out of net material. The kids loved it.
- Easy to see the kids from most points in the park
- There's also an accessible "boat" - like the one at TeWinkle Park. There's a ramp and it fits a wheelchair. The best way to make it rock is for an adult to stand in the middle and almost do lunges back-and-forth.
- Big lake with ducks and geese
- Fine Arts Center, Irvine Heritage Library, Community Center all in the same area
Be Aware:
- Kids will be drawn to the water play, so make sure you bring a towel and a change of clothes
- Watch for goose poop! Wasn't on the playground, but the sidewalks and some of the grass surrounding the park.
- I wouldn't think this is the best park for really little kids, although I asked a few parents how they liked it and they weren't complaining. They just took a more active role in the playing by getting on the equipment with the kids.
- Popular with school groups and moms clubs
- Some parents worry about their kids near the lake
Checklist:
- Large parking lot
- Restrooms beyond the basketball courts; accessible restrooms in the youth center
- Recycled rubber and sand play surface
- Swimming pools, soccer fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, volleyball, baseball diamonds
- Plentiful barbecues and picnic tables
- Shady trees cover many of the seating areas
- According to the City of Irvine, the fountains run from 10am-6pm daily
- Official City of Irvine website for info on party reservations
- Nearest public library branch: Irvine Heritage Park
- Find more Orange County Splash Parks and Water Play
- Find more Pirate Ship Parks in Orange County
Nearby parks:
Originally posted in October 2010.
