Irvine Inspired: Part 1 - Parks

Irvine Inspired pa r t 1 : pa r k s

A 10-part series celebrating the people and milestones in and around Great Park Neighborhoods as the community celebrates its 10th anniversary.

Parks: A Centerpiece of Community

Ahmad El Gamal, GPN resident

The morning sun seems to have brought extra energy and activity to Beacon Park on a recent Saturday.

A couple sips coffee on the iconic treehouse lookout while listening to a chorus of birds singing. A young girl dashes from the twist slide and takes great delight as she beats her friend to the netted tire swing.

Two boys navigate a mini ropes course as if they were competing on American Ninja Warrior, while teenage boys debate whether a friend was fouled during a pickup game at

play there with my children,” said Great Park Neighborhoods resident Ahmad El Gamal. “The park has provided endless entertainment and joy for my kids. It is nothing short of spectacular.”

Beacon Park is one of eight signature parks within Great Park Neighborhoods that are buzzing with activity on any given day. They are also within walking or biking distance to Great Park, one of the City’s most dynamic

the basketball court.

parks and an emerging regional destination.

Meanwhile, about 50 feet from the intensity

In keeping with the name of the community,

of the hoops game, a family prepares a cake and decorations for a surprise birthday party

Great Park Neighborhoods takes an inventive approach in giving each park its own unique

at the nearby indoor/outdoor clubhouse.

concept and identity – while intentionally

“I am filled with gratitude whenever I walk

people in surrounding homes, schools and

through Beacon Park with my wife and

trails.

designing them to be a focal point to connect

Here’s a glimpse at Great Park Neighborhoods’ eight resident parks and interactive features:

PAVILION PARK ( OPENED 2013)

PARASOL PARK ( O P E N E D 2 0 1 7 )

The greenhouse and herb garden (adjacent to the community

A century-old parasol pine tree serves as the anchor and

building, play structures, and basketball court) are signature

most distinctive landmark to Parasol Park. The 80-foot

features within Pavilion Park. They are designed to

towering specimen provides shade and character to the

accommodate numerous plant life and gardening workshops

park, and is one of the only Heritage Trees that is still

within the neighborhood.

planted in its original location (nearly 1,000 Heritage Trees from the surrounding area have been saved, boxed and replanted as the community evolves).

BEACON PARK ( OPENED 2013) Beacon Park, located directly across the street from a K-8 school with the same name, is known for its eclectic vibe.

POOLS PARK (O P E N E D 2 0 1 8 )

It has ample places to run, play, swim, climb, or sit back

This water-centric oasis includes an eight-lane competition

and relax. Its most distinctive landmark is the Lookout

pool, family pool with cabanas, kid’s pool area, and pools

(treehouse), a truly one-of-a-kind structure nestled in

clubhouse. It is balanced by an outdoor fitness area, great

between three 75-year-old Jacaranda and heritage trees.

lawn, full-scale playground, sand volleyball courts and other amenities.

CADENCE PARK ( OPENED 2018)

RISE PARK ( O P E N E D 2 0 2 0 )

The arts are celebrated at Cadence Park, located directly

Designed to seamlessly connect nearby homes and

across the street from Cadence Park School (K-8). The park

structures with nature and surrounding open spaces, the

includes three uniquely designed buildings that celebrate

playground includes a pair of eight-foot-tall yellow warblers

music, dance, visual arts, and literature. These themes are

as a signature feature (bird sculptures that sit in a nest of

carried through the park and the adjacent art walk with

twigs protecting their eggs). This linear park swings you

murals, sculpture and interactive musical sculptures. The

through stunning landscapes and sculptural structures,

art walk features a student-created sculpture from the

connecting home to park and stimulating mind, body and

adjacent Portola High School, as well as other works from

spirit. Another highlight is the scenic Overlook deck and fire

notable artists such as Jen Stark, Aaron de la Cruz, and Sage

pit. The 50-meter (Olympic-length) lap pool is an impressive

Vaughn. A small, outdoor amphitheater provides a venue

aquatic complement.

for neighborhood performances. The park also features a community pool, shuffleboard, bocce courts, half-court basketball and sand volleyball courts.

SOLIS PARK ( O P E N E D 2 0 2 2 ) Inspired by the rising sun and canyon walls of Irvine’s Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve, Solis Park celebrates

NOVEL PARK (OPENED 2019)

this geological formation by incorporating inspired pools,

This unique park puts the “neighbor” in neighborhood park.

architecture and gathering spaces. Distinctive features

Its features include a community clubhouse, passive-use

include The Retreat (a shaded outdoor lounge area with

workspaces, tot lot, dog parks and wash stations, Zen and

multiple pools for small gatherings, ping pong and foosball)

pod gardens, and coffeehouse (CUP by Blue Hummingbird

and The Cave at Solis Park, a cavern-like space with nearby

Coffee, owned and operated by a Great Park Neighborhoods

pool, spa, playground, walking and riding paths, and outdoor

resident).

kitchen.

fun fact For the eighth consecutive year, the City of Irvine’s park system has been ranked among the top 10 in the nation by the Trust for Public Land. Irvine ranked fourth in the country and first in California in the national nonprofit’s annual ParkScore Index, which is recognized as the national gold-standard comparison of park systems across the 100 most populated cities in the United States. The index is based on factors including park access, acreage, investment, and amenities.