Wondering about the new playgrounds in Orange County? Each December since 2023, I get together with Heather from OCParentGuide to put together our lists for Instagram. We thought it might make it easier for you to find out more about these parks if I had a list to go along with it.
These are the newest playgrounds by year from 2025 to 2024 to 2023.
2025 New OC Playgrounds
In no particular order, here are the new playgrounds in Orange County built or renovated in 2025. Please let us know if we missed any so we can keep the list up-to-date! We keep track of these things, but we don't get paid to keep track of them so we aren't always getting a complete list unless YOU help us!
Part 1
Newport Elementary Beach Playground in Newport Beach is only open outside of school hours. It has a whale for climbing and the location is very California right on the beach.
- Russell C. Paris Park in Westminster (8582 Palos Verdes Ave, Westminster) - "Up in the Sky" themed playground featuring a towering hot air balloon structure and colorful, imaginative play areas.
- Lynwood City Park in Lynwood (just north of OC)
- Jerome Park in Santa Ana
- Emery Park in Fullerton
- John Wayne / Orange County Airport Playground - Heather (OCParentGuide) visited using the OC AirPass so families can visit the play area without needing a boarding pass. Here's the video of her trip there! Please note that REAL-ID is required for an OC AirPass and parking fees may apply. Pick up an AirPass at the Information Booth in Terminals A, B, And C.
Part 2
George Upton All Access Playground at Carl Thornton Park in Santa Ana was such a surprise to me with it's accessible play elements and sheer scale.
Harriett M. Wieder Regional Park in Huntington Beach was an amazing renovation into an accessible option for this city.
San Miguel Park in Newport Beach was renovated to have accessible features, mostly on the 2-5 year old portion of the playground.
Thunderbird Park in Dana Point got a new huge orange slide and inherited the dinosaur egg from Dana Crest Park which was renovated in 2024.
Canyon Rim Park in Anaheim Hills got a fun little renovation with my favorite mini-picnic tables, musical elements, baby swings and a big kid playground for the climbers!
Riverdale Park in Anaheim near Orange, Anaheim Hills and Yorba Linda has it all! So many fun play elements along with a restroom and proximity to the river trail.
And there are always some that I haven't been able to cover yet:
- Arnold Cypress Park in Cypress (8611 Watson Street, Cypress)
Plus, Westminister 2025 Park Openings!
Westminster wins for the volume of new and renovated playgrounds that had ribbon cuttings in 2025! Definitely the most for any OC city this year. Here is a listing of all the parks in Westminster.
- Russell C. Paris Park noted above in Part 1
- Bolsa Chica Park Playground in Westminster (13660 University Street) - "Warm Nautical Vibes" themed playground.
- Bowling Green Park Playground (14700 Bowling Green Street, Westminster) - "Zipping Active Adventures" themed playground.
- Westminster Village Park Playground (5300 Tattershall Ave, Westminster) - "Sea Loving Adventure" themed playground
- College Park in Westminster (15422 Vermont Street, Westminster) - "Woodland Escape" themed playground designed with safety, fun, and inclusivity in mind.
- Tony Lam Playground in Westminster (8301 McFadden Avenue, Westminster) - "Education" themed playground.
2024 New OC Playgrounds
These were the newest playgrounds from last year!
Part 1
Acacia Park in Fullerton features some fun climbing features and, of course, this lovable mammoth!
Sweet Shade Park in Irvine was re-done to be universally accessible with lots of upgrades from restrooms, to ramps, to adaptive basketball hoops.
Peninsula Park in Newport Beach is right outside the Newport Beach Junior Lifeguard headquarters building at the base of the Balboa Pier.
Fountain Valley Universally Accessible Playground was an incredible transformation on the site of the Fountain Valley Sports Park.
Madrid Fore Park in Mission Viejo is a pretty impressive neighborhood park which encourages neighbors to gather together in different play and seating spaces.
Hicks Canyon Community Park in Irvine has shade and also a mostly baseball theme!
Part 2
This particular grouping of parks has not made it into blog posts yet, because they aren't necessarily parent-recommended (change my mind if you know the parks well -- I trust your local knowledge!). But they ARE nice play structures and NEW as of 2024.
Whitaker Park in Buena Park - a playground shared with a school (available to the public 4pm-10pm School Days, 7am-10pm Non-School Days). Park Address: 8401 Montana Ave, Buena Park.
Parque de Los Niños in Placentia - park with a dinosaur. Park Address: 1701 Atwood Ave.
Placentia. Special note: Local parents have reported not feeling comfortable at this park and also gang activity near this playground.
Magnolia Park in Garden Grove - attached to the Magnolia Park Family Resource Center. Park Address: 11402 Magnolia St., Garden Grove. Special note: A parent reported that this park "is completely fenced in with locks now! Safer for the kids and prevents vandalism at night."
Tuffree Hill Park in Placentia - a baseball-themed park. Park Address: 2101 N. Tuffree Blvd., Placentia.
George Koch Park in Placentia - Police, fire, and construction themed inclusive playground open to the public and attached to Koch Park Recreation Center which offers Tiny Tots program. Park Address: 2210 N. Valencia Ave., Placentia.
2023 New OC Playgrounds
Part 1
San Gorgonio Park in San Clemente wooden treehouse theme gives views of the ocean.
Pioneer Road Park in Tustin feels like it got taller and has a Western theme.
Riddle Field Park in Laguna Beach is another park with a baseball theme near a baseball diamond!
Santiago Park in Santa Ana got a very thoughtful renovation and added playground area.
Slater Avenue playground at Huntington Beach Central Park isn't part of the main playground area, but it's easy access from the parking lot.
Del Obispo Park in Dana Point is a small playground which is perfect for younger siblings while older ones are playing sports at the ballfields.
Part 2
Coronado Park in Mission Viejo is another great community gathering place with lots of seating and play areas.
Pattinson Park in Huntington Beach is close to the ocean, but without the view.
Santa Fe Park in Placentia was a welcome upgrade to the playground area for the residents who live nearby.
- Yorba Linda Adventure Playground
- Betsy Ross Park in Anaheim
- Vintage Park in Lake Forest
- Pine Tree Park in Tustin
- Borrego Canyon Overlook Park in Foothill Ranch
Hope you enjoyed what's becoming an annual tradition!
