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
July 14, 2023
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 the basketball court.
Meanwhile, about 50 feet from the intensity of the hoops game, a family prepares a cake and decorations for a surprise birthday party at the nearby indoor/outdoor clubhouse.
“I am filled with gratitude whenever I walk through Beacon Park with my wife and 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.”
“I'm filled with gratitude whenever I walk through Beacon Park”
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 parks and an emerging regional destination.
In keeping with the name of the community, Great Park Neighborhoods takes an inventive approach in giving each park its own unique concept and identity – while intentionally designing them to be a focal point to connect people in surrounding homes, schools and trails.
Here's a glimpse at Great Park Neighborhoods’ eight resident parks and interactive features:
Pavilion Park
Opened 2013
The greenhouse and herb garden (adjacent to the community building, play structures, and basketball court) are signature features within Pavilion Park. They are designed to accommodate numerous plant life and gardening workshops within the neighborhood.
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. It has ample places to run, play, swim, climb, or sit back and relax. Its most distinctive landmark is the Lookout (treehouse), a truly one-of-a-kind structure nestled in between three 75-year-old Jacaranda and heritage trees.
Parasol Park
Opened 2017
A century-old parasol pine tree serves as the anchor and most distinctive landmark to Parasol Park. The 80-foot towering specimen provides shade and character to the park, and is one of the only Heritage Trees that is still planted in its original location (nearly 1,000 Heritage Trees from the surrounding area have been saved, boxed and replanted as the community evolves).
Pools Park
Opened 2018
This water-centric oasis includes an eight-lane competition pool, family pool with cabanas, kid’s pool area, and pools clubhouse. It is balanced by an outdoor fitness area, great lawn, full-scale playground, sand volleyball courts and other amenities.
Cadence Park
Opened 2018
The arts are celebrated at Cadence Park, located directly across the street from Cadence Park School (K-8). The park includes three uniquely designed buildings that celebrate music, dance, visual arts, and literature. These themes are carried through the park and the adjacent art walk with murals, sculpture and interactive musical sculptures. The art walk features a student-created sculpture from the adjacent Portola High School, as well as other works from notable artists such as Jen Stark, Aaron de la Cruz, and Sage Vaughn. A small, outdoor amphitheater provides a venue for neighborhood performances. The park also features a community pool, shuffleboard, bocce courts, half-court basketball and sand volleyball courts.
Novel Park
Opened 2019
This unique park puts the “neighbor” in neighborhood park. Its features include a community clubhouse, passive-use workspaces, tot lot, dog parks and wash stations, Zen and pod gardens, and coffeehouse (CUP by Blue Hummingbird Coffee, owned and operated by a Great Park Neighborhoods resident).
Rise Park
Opened 2020
Designed to seamlessly connect nearby homes and structures with nature and surrounding open spaces, the playground includes a pair of eight-foot-tall yellow warblers as a signature feature (bird sculptures that sit in a nest of twigs protecting their eggs). This linear park swings you through stunning landscapes and sculptural structures, connecting home to park and stimulating mind, body and spirit. Another highlight is the scenic Overlook deck and fire pit. The 50-meter (Olympic-length) lap pool is an impressive aquatic complement.
Solis Park
Opened 2022
Inspired by the rising sun and canyon walls of Irvine’s Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve, Solis Park celebrates this geological formation by incorporating inspired pools, architecture and gathering spaces. Distinctive features include The Retreat (a shaded outdoor lounge area with multiple pools for small gatherings, ping pong and foosball) and The Cave at Solis Park, a cavern-like space with nearby pool, spa, playground, walking and riding paths, and outdoor 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.
