Heritage Park Play Island in Cerritos

Heritage Park Play Island in Cerritos is not officially in Orange County, but it is definitely a destination playground worth visiting.  Your kids will get to play on fun equipment and while getting a small dose of history about the American Revolution.  A reader pointed me in the direction of Heritage Park in Cerritos by commenting on our page on Facebook. We always appreciate reader recommendations!

Location: Cerritos is located along the 605 Freeway between Interstate 405 and the 91 Freeway. We traveled north on Interstate 5 to the 91 and exited at Carmenita. Make a left onto Bloomfield and the park will be ahead on your left.  If you come from the 605, you can exit at South Street and turn left at Bloomfield (the park will be on your right). Address: 18600 Bloomfield Avenue, Cerritos. MAP TO HERITAGE PARK PLAY ISLAND IN CERRITOS

Highlights:

• It’s a FREE, public park.
• It’s an island!  How cool is that?
• The play equipment is built INSIDE the buildings! You can ride a tunnel slide from the top of the church.  You can climb through attics and across roof walkways for fun pretend play.
• There are hidden slides and historical locations.
• Don’t miss the pirate ship! Can you find the concrete canoe?
• Look for ducks, geese, and turtles.
• Hit the library and read up on Paul Revere’s ride before you come.
• Half the fun is discovering how cool this place is — so I’m not going to share all the secrets. You’ll have to see it for yourself!
• The Play Island is the real attraction, but there’s another playground off the island. It’s simple, but another draw.

Be Aware:

• No food on the island. Eat your snacks somewhere else.
• Watch your step – there is duck poop scattered around.
• Cerritos High is right across the street.
• DON’T feed the ducks, even though you may see others do it. (Here’s why.)
• CLOSED Tuesday mornings. Opens at 2 p.m. on Tuesdays. (And the sign says it can close for any reason at any time.)
• Can be busy on the weekends. I’d recommend getting there right when it opens at 10 a.m.
• I saw kids of all ages, but I’d want to stay near the little ones because of the small walkways and big kids.
• I had trouble navigating the indoor playgrounds with my backpack on.
• Two entrances/exits to the island. Front entrance right off parking lot near the Paul Revere statue. Another covered bridge at the back leading to the restroom.

Checklist:

• Free parking in a dedicated lot off Bloomfield
• Play surface is recycled rubber inside the buildings
• Bark play surface on the playground off the island
• Heritage Park Play Island on the Cerritos website has an aerial view of the island
• 2 lighted basketball courts, ball field
• Playground on the island
• Playground off the island
• Drinking fountains scattered throughout
• Restroom building is off the island – take the back bridge