City of Irvine Parks Remain the Fourth Best Park System in the Nation

For the second consecutive year, Irvine has secured the fourth position nationally for its park systems among the 100 most populous cities in the United States.

According to the Trust for Public Land’s annual ParkScore index, released on Wednesday, Irvine outperformed other cities in Southern California: Santa Clarita ranked 49th, Long Beach 61st, Anaheim and Riverside shared the 76th spot, Los Angeles dropped eight places to 88th, and Santa Ana landed at 93rd. The rankings are based on various factors including the percentage of residents within a 10-minute walk to a park, park amenities, investment in parks, and the proportion of city land dedicated to park space. Equitable distribution of parks, comparing access and space between predominantly white neighborhoods and communities of color, as well as across income levels, also contributes significantly to the rankings.

In Irvine, over 90% of residents have access to a park within a 10-minute walk, and the city allocates over $600 per resident for park maintenance. Irvine leads in park facility expenditure per resident among the 100 cities surveyed.“Irvine is renowned for its well-planned community, emphasizing the health and well-being of our residents," stated Irvine Mayor Farrah Khan. "Ensuring equitable and accessible parks and open spaces remains a top priority for us."

Here's a snapshot of some of Irvine’s top parks:

Children can enjoy spotting woodpeckers or watching lizards along the paved trail leading to the Turtle Rock Nature Center within the park premises. The center boasts a native plant garden, and visitors are encouraged to explore the trails on self-guided walks.

Reopened to the public in 2023, Bommer Canyon Community Park is now known as the Bommer Canyon Preserve. The park is shaded by century-old sycamore trees and features the restored Cattle Camp picnic area, which first opened in 1967.

With two baseball fields, two soccer fields, and spanning over 16 acres, Hicks Canyon offers ample space for group sports, solo workouts, or leisurely strolls to kickstart your day.

The splash pad at Heritage Community Park is a fun and budget-friendly way to kick off summer vacations. Situated near a sand pit, ocean-themed climbing structures, and a swing set, the park also features a lake where ducks often frolic.