Accessible playgrounds in Orange County have play equipment designed for children with special needs. Many times, that means the actual play structure has ramps that accommodate children in wheelchairs.
It also means much of the play surface around the equipment is a flat recycled rubber surface.
I've seen accessible swings and "boats" which fit wheelchairs and friends can rock for fun. Some of the parks listed have accessible features, but are not fully accessible.
Accessible Playground List for Orange County
- George Upton All Access Playground at Carl Thornton Park in Santa Ana
- Wieder Regional Park in Huntington Beach
- Sweet Shade Park in Irvine
- Fountain Valley Universally Accessible Playground at Fountain Valley Sports Park
- Cherry Park in Lake Forest
- All Inclusive Huntington Beach Playground in the Sand
- Pavion Park in Mission Viejo
- Courtney's SandCastle and Sensory Garden in San Clemente
- Box Canyon Park in Yorba Linda
- Angel’s Playground in TeWinkle Park in Costa Mesa
- Tustin Sports Park (accessible features, except main play structure does not have ramps)
- Mackay Park in Cypress
- George J. Koch Park in Placentia
- Garden Grove Park has some all-inclusive features
- Citrus Park in Anaheim (brand new in 2023 - it has "new inclusive amenities" and it's right next to the Anaheim Accessibility Center, however, just an FYI that the entire playground surfacing is bark)
- Columbus Tustin Park in Tustin (accessible features)
- Veterans Sports Park in Tustin (accessible features)
- Pittsford Park in Lake Forest (accessible features)
- Barton Park in Anaheim
- Heritage Park in Irvine (accessible features)
- Northwood Community Park in Irvine (accessible features)
- Link to Los Angeles Universally Accessible Playground List
Here's a more visual guide to the most accessible parks.
The George Upton All Access Playground at Carl Thornton Park in Santa Ana really blew me away with the size and variety of accessible play equipment.
Harriett M. Wieder Regional Park in Huntington Beach is one of my favorite parks and even more so with this new playground.
Sweet Shade Park in Irvine opened with all new accessibility and an adaptive basketball sport area.
The Universally Accessible Playground at Fountain Valley Sports Park opened in August 2024!
Cherry Park in Lake Forest is a newer accessible playground in Orange County. The ramps are extensive and there are play opportunities for people of all ages and capabilities.
Huntington Beach's all inclusive beach playground is the only accessible playground in Orange County on the sand with a pirate ship design and view of the pier. Best for 2-5 year olds.
I like Pavion Park in Mission Viejo for its colorful design, seating areas for adults (which we never get to use), and play equipment not found at many other places in OC.
Box Canyon Park in Yorba Linda is popular for North County residents. I always like to say it's pirates vs. castles! And it's set in such a lovely spot.
Courtney's Sandcastle in San Clemente is for the South County crowd. It's right next door to the San Clemente Aquatic Center and Vista Hermosa Sports Park. This park is particularly notable for its incredible sensory garden. It's also gated and comes equipped with restrooms for peace of mind.
Angel's Playground at TeWinkle Park in Costa Mesa was the first accessible park I visited in Orange County. It's massive and just as colorful as Pavion.
Tustin Sports Park is known for its shade cover and it was entirely renovated in 2022 to be accessible. It definitely has accessible features, but I think you can tell from the photo that the main play structure does not have ramps. Click over to the blog post to see more photos!
Pittsford Park in Lake Forest is another oldie, but goodie with some accessible features.
Garden Grove Park opened in 2022 as an all-inclusive aircraft-themed playground. The city's website says: "The new play area boasts airfield- and space-themed equipment that includes airplane and rocket ship play structures, play chimes, a rocking play feature called the Cruiser, and a merry-go-round, which are ADA accessible."
I still need to get photos of Barton Park in Anaheim, but you can visit the City of Anaheim website for more information.
Harry M. Dotson Park in Stanton (accessible features) used to be in the main list, but it's not recommended as of Summer 2023 due to reported nearby gang activity. But I'm leaving it here in hopes that will improve -- or in case you are familiar with the area and are okay with the risk.
Send an email to play@funorangecountyparks.com to suggest other accessible playgrounds. If you happen to source your social media post or article based on this blog post, I'd appreciate you citing me as a source and providing a link back to my blog.
More parks for specific needs:
*Source: "Park for universally challenged kids opens in South Orange County," OC Register, Erika I. Ritchie (October 2008) with more parks added and research of my own over the years
Originally published in November 2008.
