"Mountain View & Bethany Drive" Park

This small community park is located between Mountain View and Bethany Dr in the Turtle Rock Community. You can get to this by heading east on Campus Drive, make a right on Turtle Rock Drive and then right again on Emporia. The park will be right in front of you.

We stumbled on this little quite park when we're searching for another park that was recommended by one of our friends. We couldn't find what we were originally looking for, so instead we took the chance and tried this park.

There are two play structures in this park, however, without the proper specification, I could only guess that one is for 2 to 5 while the other one is for 5 to 12. The very first thing I noticed of these two play structures are how "unique" they look. They definitely do not look like the typical play structures that we found in other city parks. 

The 2 to 5 play structure has two ladders, one staircases and one climbing tube. There are also two sets of slides: one 90 degree turn slide and one dual slide. The play structure breaks into two sections and are interconnected with a bridge. The climbing tube is definitely something I've never seen before. It's actually quite interesting because at first I thought the tube is a slide, however, after I discovered a step is installed within the tube surface, I realized it is a climbing tube instead of a slide. Unfortunately, the tube opening is extremely high and in no way a toddlers, or any kids before 5 could possibly climb onto it without the help of an adult. This seems like a big oversight on the design of the play structure.

The 5 to 12 play structure has one monkey bar, one ladder, one staircases and one rock climbing wall to get on the platform. From there, the only way down is either the tube slide or the pole. Play activity is limited to a single metal steering wheel which looks like an afterthought more than part of the design. It's interesting to see that there's no real slide on this play structure except the tube slide. Do they think bigger kid enjoy tube slide more than open slide? :)

There are four swings, two for toddler and two for bigger kid. There are also one spring horse that is made to look like, or actually is a tire, which from my point of view is quite cool.

We arrived this park on a late evening weekend so it's hard to determine if the park is busy or not during weekday after school hours. However, judging from two problems I saw in this park, I would say this park has very little traffic.

First and most important, the play structures in this park are dirty. Not only do they cover with dirt and dust and leaves, some of them are also coated with bird droppings, which actually is a health hazard. Second, the supposingly sand pool that the play structures is sitting on, turned into a solid ground and has some plants grow out of it. To me, this means that no kids (or very few) has been playing in the field to loosen up the sand and the sand slowly compact into its current form. These two problems indicate that the park has not seen much foot traffic for a very long time.

I talked to few friends about the park situation, they all said that Turtle Rock is an old community and this is not uncommon. I think this is a valid argument, however, it's not an excuse to have the park in this poor stage. So what that the community residents' age is higher than other? Their kids, grandkids, or even great-grandkids can still come visit and enjoy the parks if they're well maintain. It's always sad to see a park for kids in this kind of situation and left to...... "died". I hope the Turtle Rock community will consider put in some efforts to these community parks and bring them back to life.

Pro: quiet neighborhood/area, non-exist park traffic, never before seen tube slide

Con: Poor condition, dirty facilities, unattractive play structures, street parking

"Paseo Westpark & N Santa Teresita" Park

This park is located right next to the Westpark Kindercare. You follow the north bound Paseo Westpark and after you past N Santa Teresita (on your right), the park will be on the left side. Pull into the Westpark Kindercare parking lot and it will be there. At this point I'm still trying to figure out if this is a city park, or a community park. Judging from the location and the nameless status, I will have to assume that it's a community park.

The park is quite quiet during the weekend, almost no one come here, occasionally there will be one or two families join in and enjoy the park with their kids but that's about it. I've never visited the park during weekday so it could be very busy since it's right next to Kindercare (I drove by the other day during weekday, still don't see a single human being.....).

The park has two play structures, one for 2 to 5 while the other one for 5 to 12. The park also has a seesaw, a spring horse, and four swings.

The footprint of the 2 to 5 play structure is quite small, much smaller than other toddler play structure in most of the park I've been to. Although it's small, there are three ways to get on the platform: a traditional staircases, a ladder and a plastic multi-steps and two slides on either end for the toddler to get down, one goes to the sand pool and the other one goes to the padded ground. Compare to some other play structures that have multiple ways to get on but only one way down, this is a much more thoughtful design.

The 5 to 12 play structure has one staircases, two ladders and one monkey bar to get to the platform, while you're on the platform, you can use the two single slides or the dual slide to get down. My daughter seems to enjoy this one more than the 2 to 5 play structure so that's something. However, there's no shade on this play structure at all, so it's quite tough to stay up there watching the kids play under the sun.

Another problem is the condition of the 5 to 12 play structure in general. The play structure itself is fairly well maintain, however, one of the two activity equipments under the platform is not working at all. The Spin Racer's cars are stuck on the rail due to the sand and it's been like that for quite long. Also, the sand condition in the sand pool that the play structure is sitting is quite bad, the sand is not fine and almost like tiny rocks. I would compare it to the condition in Plaza Park that I review before.

Overall, this is an average park. I know I shouldn't expect too much from a community park (may be I should?), however, if the maintenance and the sand condition improves, the park's quite environment and non-exist foot traffic is actually quite nice for families that do not like to be disturbed while their kids are playing.

Pro: quite area, parking, non-exist park traffic during weekend.

Con: small-ish 2 to 5 play structure, lack of maintenance, bad sand condition.

Cypress Community Park

The Cypress Community Park is located on Visions, just one block down from Jeffery Road. You head northbound on Jeffery Road, make a right turn on Roosevelt, and then another right turn on Visions, the park will be on you right side. Pull into the parking lot and make a left and you will see the park. Cypress Village is a fairly new community in Irvine. So as expected, the facilities are also quite new.

The playground consists of two play structures: one for 5 to 12 and the other one for 2 to 5. There is a climb structure near the 5 to 12 structure that looks almost like a real rock climbing wall. The park also has four swings (two for toddlers and two for adults), three seesaws (two short and one regular size), and two excavators sitting on the sand pool.

There are four entry points on the 2 to 5 play structure: one staircases, one climbing blocks, one ladder and one plastic rock climber, however, there is only one dual slide for the toddlers to get down. This post the same question that I have on the Sycamore Park: who think this is a good idea to have so many entry points but only one slide to get out? This will be a automatic traffic jam epcicenter if we're talking about LA freeway. :)

The play structure doesn't have much extra activity. The only two choices are the wheel on the platform, or the table under the platform so they can play with the sand pool that's right next to the structure.

The 5 to 12 play structure has even more entry points compare to the 2 to 5, includes two staircases, two ladders, one monkey bar, and two climbing boards, but at least this one has two slides: one single turn slide and one dual slide. However, the dual slide is only accessible (if you go with the traditional staircases entry) after you walk through the fake rock bridge. That rock bridge is quite narrow and there's no handrail on either side, so I felt like I'm Indiana Jones trying to get to the treasure whenever I walked across that bridge. I can imagine that kids that are 5 to 12 might not have any problems crossing that, but just a little bit scary from my point of view.

There are also few new (OK, so may be they're already at other parks, but this is the first time I encounter one) play equipments, such as the flower style mini-merry-go-around, or the excavators on the sandbox, or the large climbing structure on the other end.

The overall design language of the play structures is quite similar to the one at Sycamore Park, which uses dull color tone on the structure with umbrella shades. The dull color is bad choice, but the umbrella shades are good call. I strongly encourage community (or city) to consider the adding shades when replace the older play structures. It benefits not only the kids, but the parents who accompany them.

The park is not very busy. I suspect not a lot of people know about this park, or may be because I went there during off-peak hours, but nevertheless, it is a very nice park that the kids will enjoy and the parents will relax.

The park is very close to the 5 freeway. There is also the Trabuco Grove shopping center right across the street, plus the Orange Tree Square and The Arbor shopping center down the road not too far away, which is quite nice for a half-day family activities.

Pro: Quiet neighborhood, quiet park, new-ish play structures, interesting play equipments, umbrella shade on both structures, a lot of parking spots 

Con: strange color choice, restroom is locked (I'm not 100% sure)

William R Mason Regional Park

The William R Mason Regional Park located on University Drive between Harvard Avenue and Ridgeline Drive. It is a huge park: 339 acres of land in total, with a 9-acre lake plus 123 acres of wilderness and natural area. Although it's big, I'm only going to talk about the playground facilities since this is a blog that talks about toddler's playground. :)

Mason Regional Park is a regional park after all, so there is a $5 entrance fee. According to the park map, there are three playground areas within the park. Two of them are located at the North-East while the third one is at the South-West. The one I went to is at the South-West corner. Once you past the park entrance, take the right fork and follow the road, the playground is just behind the volleyball court.

Assume everyone love free stuff and not willing to pay $5 for the playground facility, the parking lot next to the playground is virtually empty, so you shouldn't have any difficulty finding a parking spot. Park traffic is moderate, but mostly joggers or just people enjoying the walk in the park.

There is only one play structure for 5-12 years old on this location. The structure consists of four slides: a kiddie double slide, a ripple slide, a regular double slide and a full spinal slide. There are multiple access point on this play structure too, including one staircase, three climb access (a chain net, a half-cylinder steps and a "spring") and a vertical pole. Nearby there is also 4 sets of swing: two toddler swings and two adult swings.

The structure is well maintain, and fairly clean. The playground is sitting on a same sand pool that is connected with the volleyball court. The problem with this is that, the sand surrounding the play structure is very solid, more like a baseball court ground than a kids-friendly sandbox style.

Other than the solid sand area, this is a typical, nice and well maintain play structure that family can enjoy. However, given the fact that there are quite many community parks within Irvine that also have the same level of cleanness and condition, but with no $5 entrance fee, I doubt that I will come back to this one if it is not necessary.

Pro: Large park, clean, well maintain, few traffic, lake nearby

Con: entrance fee, only one play structure, lack of play objects on play structure except the steering wheel.

Sycamore Park

The Sycamore Park is located between Lewis and Eastwood Southwood, you can get to it by heading south on Trabuco Road and then make a left on Remington, the park will be right in front of you. The Sycamore Park is quite big, however, the playground only consists of two play structures for toddlers and kids. There is no dedicated parking to this park so you will have to find street parking.

Not a lot of traffic to this playground. We were there on a weekday afternoon/evening, but only 5 kids around and after 15 mins of playing, we're the only family left. 

The first thing you will notice of the Sycamore Park playground is that, the play structures' colors are very odd. If you view them from afar, you almost can't tell there is a playground. The play structures only has three colors: blue, green and brown in different shades. What happen to the typical bright red and yellow? Who approve these dull colors on the children play structure? I guess we will never find out.

Beside that, the play structures are actually very well maintain. The 2 to 5 toddler play structure has one half turn slide, two staircases (one plastic one metal) and one climb bar. I applaud to whoever decided the toddlers need more than two ways to get on the platform, but with only one way down (the half turn slide), I'm not sure if that's the best way to design a toddler play structure.

I would also like to give a thumbs up on the big umbrella shade on top of both play structures. It's very thoughtful and really think of the children (and parents who is standing guard next to the structure) who are playing under the relentless California sun.

An interesting observation: the slide is actually about 3-4 inches higher than the platform. Not sure why they do it this way, but my daughter (2yo as of writing) was having a hard time to get into the slide (because toddler usually sit down on the platform and then slowly move forward to the slide, as oppose to adults who usually put their feet into the slide and then sit down), and because of that, she actually prefers the slide over at the 5 to 12 play structure.

The 5 to 12 play structure consists of two slides: a pair of straight down and a full spinal, with one staircase, one rock climb, one climb bar and one monkey bar to get onto the platform.

The play structure is very well layout, and multiple ways of getting onto the platform is definitely a nice touch. The slides on this play structure do not suffer the same "higher than platform" problem and my daughter enjoyed this more than slide on the 2 to 5 play structure. Both slides are quite steep and down speed can be really fast.

Next to the play structures, there are also a balance beam, two sets of swings and an up-side-down merry-go-around. 

One of the complains that I would like to point out here is, the sand is quite dirty. The sand quality is good, but there are a lot of debris from the trees and grasses surrounding the playground. Of course this is not a sandbox and I shouldn't expect too much from it, but I'm sure other kids will just playing with the sand no matter what, so I hope that the sand could be cleaner.

Pro: quite area, few traffic, new-ish play structure, umbrella shade on both structures

Con: strange choice of colors, no dedicated parking, dirty sand

Plaza Park

Plaza Park that is located at the corner of Warner Avenue and Paseo Westpark, which is just about two blocks from Culver Drive (Google map at the end of the post). A typical playground layout that breaks into two sections: a wooden castle structure for younger age while a plastic/metal play structure next to it for older kids. Both structures features stairs and slides. There are also a spring horse, two kid size swings and a seesaw that can fits four people.

The playground has a car park adjacent to it, which is very convenient for parents. During weekend day time there are quite a lot of activities on the big soccer field nearby, so if you're thinking to park there, be aware.

Traffic to the playground is not too bad. We were there on a weekend around evening time and only about 6 kids (that's about 3-4 families) were there playing.

The wooden castle structure has two wide walkways for kids to walk into the castle, but climb up to the tower and the slides would be quite difficult for toddlers since the steps are quite high. However, what worry me most is the condition of the structure. Since it's sitting on top of the sand area, obviously whoever walks into the castle from the sand area will bring in a lot of sand onto the surface of the structure, and because of that, plus the foot traffic, the wood surfaces on the structure have been worn out badly and I worry that tiny wood chip will cut my daughter's finger.

The plastic/metal play structure has two staircases, and two climb bars to get onto the structure platform, with a full spinal slide and a half spinal slide on either end, plus the two lookout "windows". The staircases are unprotected (not a complete handrail) so toddlers will have a little bit difficult time to get up. My daughter (2yo as of writing) seems to enjoy the full spinal slide more than the half spinal slide side. The speed is definitely quick on the full spinal slide so watch out for that.

The plastic/metal play structure also suffers from the same problem its wooden friend has. The paint on the metal handle, especially the top coating, is mostly gone, and even the top plastic layer on the plastic balls on the structure is gone.

 

Another problem on the playground is the condition of the sand and the landing ground. I'm not sure if I can call that sand anymore since the particles are so big, I would consider those "dried soil" than fine sand. Of course those areas probably never consider to be a sand pool to begin with, but I'm sure all the kids who play there will try to play with it and assume those are sand. Surprisingly, although the sand is rough, the area is generally clean and doesn't have a lot of debris from the surrounding trees and grasses.

While the sand is rough, the soft-mat surface that the playground is standing on is even rougher. You can see the big crack on the photo on the left, which is very likely caused by the long exposure of the California dry nice weather. However, this is no excuse for the park to be in this condition.

Irvine thrives on high level of living standard and well maintain public facilities, but I fail to see it in the Plaza Park playground. I hope the city and the community can work together and renovate the playground.



Pro: parking spot nearby, convenient location, not too busy, quite area, restroom nearby

Con: lack of maintenance/poor condition on the playground facilities, lack of toddlers play facilities.