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.