"Playground + playground" play ideas
"Playground + playground" play ideas
Plus, there's a park type for every kind of outdoor play
Today’s newsletter is for those of you who are feeling like everything is too much these days! I’m right there with you. My hope and wish is that you are finding pockets of peace during play or outside time. Extra hugs are always in order!
This week, I’m sharing playgrounds which I hope will become your favorites over the years. I still love them no matter how many times I visit them — and each for different reasons which I’ll share below.
As I came up with lower key parks to share with you, I was naturally drawn to pairing them with nearby playgrounds that are also worth a visit. That’s where the Playground + Playground pairings come in.
When looking for a place to play I usually prefer the less-busy neighborhood parks to the packed destination playgrounds. But combos are always good, so this way you get a Plan B option if something doesn’t work out at your first choice.
See you outside!
Michele
As a friendly reminder, make sure you ALWAYS check official sources when you are heading out to any of the locations I share. These are merely suggestions. Only you know what works for your family. Plus, your experience may not be the same as mine — and there can be changes to the hours or unforeseen circumstances or conditions at the suggested locations.
Featured: Mandeville Park in Laguna Hills
We visited Mandeville Park in Laguna Hills to catch one of the best sunsets over the entire month of me featuring September Sunsets.
This park is up in the hills with sunset views of the coastal hills behind Aliso Viejo. It also has a toddler area that’s just right for little ones. No restrooms.
Add a Playground: This one is also close to Dinosaur Park which is a community park with restrooms.
3 play ideas
Here are 3 more lower key parks with playground pairings and why you’ll love them.
Brush Canyon Park in Yorba Linda
It’s in an otherwise quiet neighborhood with loud freight trains going by beyond the fence — for the train lovers! And this one has restrooms.
Add a Playground: Or 6! This park is near Yorba Regional Park in Anaheim which has multiple playgrounds and lots of space for exploring around lakes, a stream, and open spaces.
Valley Oak Park in Irvine
Look at those trees and that fun play area where you can easily see the kids from that bench. Oak leaf decoration even in the recycled rubber surfacing. Restrooms here!
Add a Playground: You can pair this one with Oak Creek Community Park which also has restrooms and is close by!
Darrin Park in Lake Forest
This is one of those hang-out-and-watch-the-kids parks. Not a lot of shade, but you’ll like the surfacing and mellow vibe here. No restrooms.
Add a Playground: Super close to an accessible playground (also without restrooms): Cherry Park in Lake Forest. Go to these ones on a Tuesday and stop by Taco Mesa for their Taco Tuesday deals.
PLAY: Types of parks!
This is the section of the newsletter where we talk about PLAY each week. I might share a video, an article, a book, or something inspiring. Just trying to help keep you empowered to prioritize play to benefit development and preserve childhood!
Just for fun . . . do you know the types of parks you will find out there? Here’s a brief list of them:
Pocket parks - usually a grassy or nature area with no playground
Neighborhood parks - often has a playground, yet usually no restrooms
Community parks - oftentimes has a community center or family resource center and services/programs attached + restrooms + no parking fees
Destination playgrounds - there are always those special playgrounds that fit in any of these categories that are worth a special trip or have features that no other park offers. I name a lot of the popular parks on my Park Map page.
Regional parks or county parks - usually run by the county and offer more acres and usually hiking trails + restrooms + parking fees collected + might also have campgrounds
State parks - our CA State Parks require a day use fee or annual pass to enjoy them + restrooms + bigger than regional parks and sometimes locations of historical/geological/cultural significance + campgrounds in some spots
National parks - we don’t have any of these in Orange County — but the closest ones you may have visited are Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego or Joshua Tree. Channel Islands National Park requires a boat ride. Sequoia and Yosemite national parks are more than a day trip away, but so worth the visit.
Looking for the types of parks MAY help you plan your play? For instance, if you are potty training, you can stick to community parks which are more likely to have restrooms. If you have a budget for parking and like to hike then state parks might be a good fit. Or if you are just there for the free play and making neighborhood friends then try your neighborhood park.
Always love to hear from you! What’s your favorite type of park? Where do you play the most? Or submit ideas for future PLAY section posts.
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