Summertime is special, particularly for Irvine families, who have access to a wide range of spectacular parks where they can barbecue, watch or play sports, picnic or simply enjoy a leisurely walk during this wonderful time of the year.
Heritage Park is an especially welcoming oasis. As I entered the park, I stopped to watch tai chi practitioners, their undulating arms seeming to mimic the fresh breeze that picked up as I walked from the large parking lot adjacent to the library. The wind sent leaves aflutter in the pepper trees that provide pleasant shade on hot days.
I’m very fond of trees, as readers might have noticed. Heritage Park has several terrific varieties that offer a cool respite beneath their branches, including the carrotwood tree, which was adorned with plump apricot-colored berries on the day that I visited. Golden rain trees, true to their name, bear plumes of yellow flowers in early summer, contrasting with their emerald-green foliage and furrowed silver bark.
Adding to the peaceful ambience, a large pond (or small lake) offers two fountains and, as a bonus, views of turtles basking in the sun and ducks and geese foraging in the grass. Benches provide comfortable perches for readers, people-watchers and meditators.
Pickleball players will be delighted to discover the outdoor courts. Sports fans will find pools, soccer fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, racquetball courts and a sand volleyball court. It’s a great place for community gatherings and outdoor parties.
Also at Heritage Park, there’s a commitment to culture, as you’ll find Irvine Fine Arts Center, Heritage Park Library and a community center.
Best of all for kids? The splash pad that sends up spumes of cooling water next to the colorful playground. It was all I could do to stop myself from joining the squealing group of kids. Ah, to be 6 years old again!
Which reminded me of my granddaughter’s upcoming visit. I’d already planned on taking her to Col. Bill Barber Park. Now I decided that I’d create a perfect park trifecta by adding Adventure Playground, where she could get happily sweaty, followed by Heritage Park for its water features, specifically the splash pad, to cool her down. (I plan to take a towel and a change of clothes for her. Which brings me to another point: The restrooms are clean and easily accessible, something everyone can appreciate.)
The playground invites imaginative role-play. Themed to mimic an ocean paradise, kids can picture themselves as ships’ captains, dolphin-riders or seafood salespeople. The recycled rubber-and-sand play surface ensures safe landings for little feet.
Something about Irvine inspires creativity when it comes to kids’ activities, I find. I like the way Heritage Park caters to their interests – and their size, as evidenced by a basketball hoop set low enough for successful net-swishing shots.
It’s easy to keep your eye on kids in this green oasis, which is large enough to offer plenty of space to run but small enough to be manageable. Heritage is an emerald gem of a park, great for children and families, a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
