Guest Post: Settler's Park in Irvine

Please help me welcome, Michele of Fun Orange County Parks. I don't know about you, but as a mom to little ones, I'm always on the look out for new parks to check out. Although we definitely have our favorites we like to visit, it's always fun & exciting to "play" somewhere new... that's why I LOVE Michele & her website Fun Orange County Parks. Each & every month Michele is going to be featuring some of her favorite Orange County Parks....

Settlers Park is in a quiet setting among the citrus orchards and pepper trees at the edge of the foothills. This playground sports lots of fun for little climbers, a creative trike/scooter track, basketball courts, sand volleyball, and a soccer field. It's good for birthdays with an adobe-like picnic shelter with arched entrances. See the slideshow and more OC playgrounds and play ideas at Fun Orange County Parks.

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Thanks Michele! For a more detailed information about Settlers Park, or to find out about other local parks, be sure to visit Michele at Fun Orange County Parks.

xoxo, K

Zoomars, A Great OC Petting Zoo

image via flickr

I have nightmares about going to L.A. Zoo when I was young and walking up a huge hill in the summer heat. I don't love zoos, so I try to find substitutes for outings with the kids, like pet stores and petting zoos. Zoomars in San Juan Capistrano is a great example of a zoo substitute. You have a select group of animals in a small location, so the trip is not overwhelming for the parent or child. The petting zoo is well kept and located in downtown San Juan Capistrano. My boys love going to Zoomars because they can feed animal and ride a train all in the same day. They also offer enrichment camps during the summer.

Catering to over 150,000 visitors a year, ZOOMARS is home to hundreds of friendly animals to feed, pet, love and learn from. There are goats, emus, llamas, donkeys, alpacas, sheep, geese, ducks, guinea pigs and a bunny patch. All of the animals residents receive regular vet checks and are treated with respect, compassion and love. Close attention is given to cleanliness with both a handwashing and sanitizing stations throughout the grounds. After petting the animals, youngsters can saddle up for a pony ride or hop aboard the miniature train. At the front of the property is the century-old Olivares House, listed on the National Registry. Behind it sits an 1890’s bathhouse and picnic area available for birthday parties or family gatherings. ZOOMARS is located in the Los Rios Historic District of San Juan Capistrano, California’s oldest residential neighborhood.

Another great thing about a trip to Zoomars is that you can head over to Ruby's for a chocolate chip shake when you are done.

Zoomars Petting Zoo
31791 Los Rios Street
San Juan Capistrano, CA
949-831-6550

Getting to Know: Michele & Fun OC Parks

I don't know about you, but as a mom to little ones, I'm always on the look out for new parks to check out. Although we definitely have our favorites we like to visit, it's always fun & exciting to "play" somewhere new... that's why I LOVE Michele & her website Fun Orange County Parks. But rather than try to explain who Michele is & what she is all about, why don't I let her do it in her own words...

Basically, I'm a nut when it comes to my enthusiasm for parks and play. Add a talent for writing, a compulsion to organize information, ridiculous attention to detail, and a desire to share all this good stuff and you've got Fun Orange County Parks on Play Parks Central.

How does it work? I play with my team of expert playground testers (7 year old son and 3 year old daughter - and any other kid we can drag into the mix). I talk to the locals to find out the REAL highlights and hazards. I take tons of photos and post them to the blog, along with a map link and checklist. Then I cross my fingers and hope for comments.

My biggest wish is for more experts (that's you!) to share their experiences. Only mommy's know a day at the park with a 15-month old -- who trips on everything and eats bark -- is different from the school-aged kid who wants slides to be bigger and faster. So if you decide to try out Aliso Beach Park and you don't agree with my assessment, please share your own story in the comments.

Better yet, I'll have really done my job if you are inspired to fill out my form sending ME to YOUR favorite park. I live for those days! A new playground experience? Guided by someone who knows the inside scoop? Hurray!! Each individual contribution builds a stronger resource. And if you run a website, like Just Spotted, I reward you with a link back to your site.

My website is all about finding play parks. I want my visitors to have fun. I always say, "If just one mom brings her kid to a new park, then I've done my job." When I asked my computer-literate son what I should write for this post, he said "You're a good park finder. You find parks and say 'This one has a bathroom and that one doesn't.' The parks we find are always good. Your website stands out - how you use the real pictures of the park. I think it's a kid-friendly park website to look at because it has all the options of which parks you can go to."

Fun Facts
Newest Site Resource:
A link to dog-friendly parks under the Orange County Resources menu.

Most Useful Post also wins as Hardest Post to Write:
"Direct Links to City Website Parks Pages"

Proudest (Unofficial) Partner in Play:
I found KaBOOM ("a national non-profit that empowers communities to build playgrounds") through my work on Play Parks Central. They named me one of their "Playmakers in Action" for 2009. I try to help their worthy cause by spreading the word about their social network and Playspace Finder.

Who under-utilizes this resource?
I think it's PERFECT for parenting groups, like MOPS or MOMS Clubs. It would make playgroups SO much easier to plan. I've done all the work, they can just link to the site. It's also a great place for those planning birthday parties - I've had visitors e-mail me and we work together to find the best location.

What else am I crazy about?
My husband of 15 years, LEGOS, new music, Trader Joe's, sunsets over the Pacific, easy recipes, and Yosemite.

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So next time your looking for a new place to "play", be sure to check out Fun Orange County Parks. Better yet, next time your at the park, any park, be sure to share your playground experience with Michele, so that we can all benefit!

xoxo, K

Hullabaloo Performance

Hullabaloo, "the farm-fresh, free-range, organic kid-folk in a genre filled with musical Twinkies & Ding-Dongs" musical group is putting on a FREE concert (brought to you by the kind folk at Stroller Strides), Saturday September 13th at Calle Altea Park in Talega. Be sure to check out some the band's videos HERE.

What: FREE Hullabaloo performance
When: Saturday, September 13th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Where: Calle Altea Park, Talega

xoxo, K
image via Hullabaloo.

"Instent" Shelter

A friend had one of THESE babies at the beach the other day & I was jealous. It was so quick & easy to use. Even with her baby on her hip, she had the tent set-up & ready for action in 5 seconds flat. The Instent Shelter pops "up in seconds, down in a flash". The tent features "a unique 'instant' pop up frame mechanism. To erect, simply open out and pull on cord." Plus, it weighs just 7 lbs! Perfect for all-day outings to the beach or park. I'm definitely going to be picking one up. Want to get your own? Purchase them HERE.

xoxo, K

Baby Powder, it's not just for babies.

My two little boys love the sand. Whether we're looking for sand crabs at the beach or digging at the park, as long as the activity involves sand, they're in heaven. & although I love that they are enjoying themselves, I secretly wish they'd enjoy something that wasn't quite so... sandy, for lack of a better word. Do you know what I mean? No matter how much I wash their little hands & feet, it's no use - I just can't seem to win my battle against sand, it gets everywhere!

That is, until I remembered a little trick of my mom's. Growing up, she always had a bottle of baby powder on hand. Perfect for spontaneous park outings & beach adventures. Sprinkle a little baby powder on sandy, wet skin. & viola! The sand will virtually fall off by itself. Baby powder is definitely going to become a staple in my beach/ park bag.

xoxo, K

Free Balloon Ride

We spent Saturday previewing the Great Park and rode in the Great Park Balloon, the first major attraction of the park. The balloon takes you up to about 400 feet in the air and you can see all over Orange County. My kids loved the ride and the best part is that the whole morning was free.

Flight Schedule (including Night Flights):
Thursdays & Fridays: 10:00am - 3:00pm; 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Weekends: 9:00am -3:00pm; 7:00pm - 10:00pm (Get Directions)
(Flights are subject to winds and weather conditions.)

Tip: Wind conditions for flying are best between opening and 12:30pm.

For the convenience of guests, the parking lot opens 30 minutes before normal operating hours. Registration begins 15 minutes prior to the first flight. As weather permits, the last flight of the day is at 2:50pm.

For more information, please email info@greatparkballoon.org or call (866) 829-3829

xoxo, C

Day at the Park

A reader recently emailed us asking for information regarding water play areas at local parks. We thought we'd go one step further & include all of the local OC parks that go "beyond the call of duty". You know, the parks that have more than just your basic swing set & playground. Now you (& your kids) will never be bored with the same old park. (For more information on each specific park, just click on the park name & you'll be transported to the city website.) Have we missed your favorite park or playground? Be sure to email us & fill us in!

Pearson Park: 400 N. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim: swimming pools, lagoons & water gardens
Walnut Grove Park: 905 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim, water feature
Boysen Park: 951 S. State College Blvd., Anaheim, features a permanently grounded US Navy Cougar jet airplane, circa 1954.

City Hall Park: 401 s. Brea Blvd, Brea, swimming pool
Founder's Park: Central & Berry, Brea, climbing wall
Tri-City Park: Kraemer at Golden, Brea, fishing

Henry Bolsseranc Park: 7520 Dale Street, Buena Park: swimming pool
Carl Brenner Park: 7373 San Rafael, Buena Park, wading pool
Larwin Park: 6150 Ball Road, Buena Park, spray pool
William Peak Park: 7225 El Dorado Dr, Buena Park: swimming pool & skate park

Adlena Park: 300 N. Adlena Dr., Fullerton, spray pool
Chapman Park: 2515 San Carlos Dr., Fullerton, climbing wall
Downtown Plaza: 125 E. Wilshire Ave., Fullerton, interactive fountain
Laguna Lake Park: 3120 Lakeview Drive, Fullerton, fishing
J. Francis "Pep" Lemon Park: 701 S. Lemon, Fullerton, spray pool
Skate Park: 801 W. Valencia Dr., Fullerton

Ted Craig Regional Park: 3300 State College, Fullerton, fishing
Valencia Park: 2425 W. Valencia Dr., Fullerton, wading pool & activity slab

Eastgate Park: 12001 St. Mark St., Garden Grove, pool facility
Magnolia Park: 11402 Magnolia St., Garden Grove, pool facility
Woodbury Park: 13800 Rosita Plc., Garden Grove, pool facility

Huntington Central Park: 18000 Goldenwest St., Huntington Beach, fishing, frisbee golf, horseshoes & an adventure playground featuring rope bridge, cable slide, mudslides & forts. For more information go HERE.

Deerfield Community Park: 55 Deerwood West, Irvine, disc golf course
University Community Park: 1 Beech Tree Ln., Irvine, disc golf course & adventure playground featuring activities such as climbing, exploring, jumping and crawling. for more information go HERE.
Irvine Skate Park: 14701 Harvard Ave., Irvine

Heisler Park: located along the bluffs of Cliff Drive, North Laguna, marine & tide pool reserve area
Divers & Shaws Cove & Rockpile Beach: located off the bluffs of Cliff Dr., North Laguna, marine refuge area, scuba & snorkeling
Main Beach Park: Coast Hwy & Broadway/ Hwy 133, Laguna Beach, protected tide pools.

Fashion Island Shopping Center: 401 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach, CA 92660, pop up fountains near the Garys store

Eisehhower Park: 2864 N. Tustin, Ave., Orange, streams & lake for fishing

Frontier Park: 1400 Mitchell Ave., Tustin, frisbee golf
Pioneer Road Park: 10250 Pioneer Rd., Tustin, water feature

FREE Summer Concert Series

If you've already checked out our calendar, then maybe you've already noticed all the fabulous FREE summer concerts happening throughout Orange County. But they really are so incredible, we thought they deserved a post all of their own. So gather up your kids, grab a blanket & some lawn chairs, pack a picnic basket & get ready to enjoy an evening of music in the park. Just click on the cities to find out all the details.

Buena Park
Cypress
Dana Point
Fullerton
Huntington Beach
Irvine
Laguna Beach
Laguna Niguel
Los Alamitos
Newport Beach
Newport Beach: Fashion Island
Orange
Ranch Santa Margarita
San Juan Capistrano
San Clemente
Seal Beach
Tustin
Westminster
Yorba Linda
Yorba Linda: Nixon Library

xoxo, K

A Prehistoric Playground

The Prehistoric Playground is the perfect park for kids that are in love with large reptiles. They have dinosaur fossils to climb on and one of the greatest slides I have ever seen. There are clean bathrooms and shaded areas, so this park is great for summer outings. The park is located right next to Laguna Hills High School and within the Laguna Hills Community Center. There is also a fossil exhibit at the community center that you can explore as a family or group.

xoxo, C