Look at all the green in the 2020 Irvine Parks Guide, and one thing will be clear: Irvine is a city of parks.
Yes, we are proud of our award-winning schools and our beautiful villages. But we also treasure our outdoor spaces.
In 1970, the U.S. celebrated its first Earth Day in response to a growing national appreciation of natural spaces. Irvine was a young community then, but its Master Plan already focused on the importance of recreation. The wide open spaces of The Irvine Ranch gave Irvine Company planners a rare opportunity to build a community that embraced the great outdoors.
Fast forward to the present-day collection of 271 parks, with more park acreage per capita than Seattle, Portland or Denver.
There are large parks like Mason Regional that are big enough to host family reunions and summer concerts. Community parks, like Bill Barber Park, are filled with sports fields of every variety. There are neighborhood parks in each village where locals gather for holiday celebrations. Finally, there are more than 200 smaller village parks that families can enjoy within steps of their home.
Irvine’s planners believed that parks were the key to creating community. And now, more than ever, they provide places to exercise and relax. From sunrise dog walks to sunset strolls, parks are a beloved part of the Irvine experience.
Irvine’s parks aren’t merely pretty places. They are safe sources of fresh air and sunshine, right in our own backyard.
This summer, use the Parks Guide to go out and explore Irvine’s green open spaces. You may find a new favorite place to play!
