By Irvine City News staff

Irvine celebrates Halloween and the changing of the seasons with a wide variety of events, both family-friendly and for adults who love playing dress-up for the holiday.  

Choose a costume and enjoy a chill-filled celebration of all things creepy, mysterious and spooky. Here are some choices for Halloween fun around town, and nearby:

Boot Hill haunted house for CHOC
October 13–14, 20–22, 27–29; 7–10 p.m.  
It’s the 18th year that the folks at 16 Goldenrod in Irvine have hosted an Old West-themed haunted house, complete with a creepy cemetery and a creative back story about the town of “Bridgewood” that once stood where Woodbridge is now. It’s free, there’s parking at nearby Springbrook Elementary, expect a line and please donate generously to CHOC Children’s Hospital, the beneficiary of all the boos at Boot Hill. Note that it’s not open on Halloween itself! 
legendofboothill.com 
 
Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch & U-Pick Tours  
Through October 31 
Find your way through the corn maze, visit the petting zoo, take a wagon ride around the farm, and pick your own pumpkin right off the vine. And on weekends, the Fall Harvest Festival includes a pumpkin cannon, carnival games, food and more. 
tanakafarms.com/tours-pumpkin-patch 

Costume Week at Pretend City  
Oct. 22-28 
Dress your kids in costume and go to Pretend City Children’s Museum the week before Halloween and receive 25 percent off a second admission. 
Also check out Frankenstein Friday on Oct. 27, Healthy Halloween Oct. 30, Trick and Treat through the City on Oct. 31 and Dia de los Muertos on Nov. 2.
Pretendcity.org

Haunted Hotel at Wyndham Irvine 
October 28; 9 p.m.-2 a.m. 
For over 21 Halloween fun, the third annual Haunted OC Hotel bash features 4 DJs on two floors of the Wyndham Irvine, with ballrooms, bottle service and VIP areas set up throughout the hotel. Tickets range from $23-$1,200. 
orangecountynightlife.com/event/71501/haunted-oc-hotel-halloween 
 
 
Eat, Drink and Be Scary Costume Party at Hotel Irvine 
October 28; 9 p.m.–2 a.m. 
This Halloween, partygoers should don their scariest, most original costumes and creep over to Red Bar and Lounge for its second annual Halloween party. There will be Halloween-themed specialty cocktails to sip, while fans of fun mix and mingle with other creatures of the night and enter the group costume contest to win some scary-good prizes.  
hotelirvine.com/happenings 
 
Oktoberfest at Hotel Irvine 
October 29; 11 a.m.–4 p.m.  
Sample craft beers from Ballast Point, Stella Artois, North Coast, Stone and others, along with a menu featuring rustic sausages, hot dogs, burgers and more, in Hotel Irvine’s big back yard space. There’s live music, games and activities for all ages. General admission is $40 per adult; $15 per child ages five to 12; children under four years complimentary.
hotelirvine.com/happenings

Irvine Park Pumpkin Patch
Through October 31  
Irvine Regional Park, Orange 
Enjoy a pumpkin patch, hay maze, pony rides, haunted house, face painting, bouncy houses, games, food and of course the train ride at our favorite park not in Irvine. 
irvineparkrailroad.com/events/pumpkin-patch ​

By Irvine City News staff

By Irvine City News staff

The attractions of living in Irvine are many, and among them are the city’s adjacencies: what’s next or near to us. While easy access to Segerstrom Center for the Arts, John Wayne Airport, Disneyland and South Coast Plaza come immediately to mind, it’s easy to forget the natural wonders within or near the city limits. These include the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary that flows into the Back Bay, the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains, the rugged San Joaquin Hills, and the beauty of Laguna Canyon.

It’s important that Irvine continue as a good steward of our own city, as well as the natural and human communities we impact. One such place is Laguna Beach. We share the canyon that connects our cities, and when Irvine locals visit the beaches, art festivals and shops of Laguna, we impact traffic and parking, too.
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One way to lessen the impact on our neighbors, and on ourselves, while eliminating the stress of driving Laguna Canyon and finding parking in the summer is to take the bus. It’s the Summer Breeze, the free weekend bus service from Irvine to Laguna Beach.

For a second summer, the Orange County Transportation Authority, in partnership with the city of Laguna Beach, will offer the buses from the Cavalia parking lot to Laguna Beach. The parking lot is between Laguna Canyon Road, the 133 and the 405. The buses run every 20 minutes or so from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays from July 1 to Sept. 3.

Laguna Beach stops include the bus station, Sawdust Festival and Festival of Arts/Pageant of Masters attractions. Riders can catch the free Laguna Beach Trolley from the stops, which runs up and down the coast.
And for the even more adventurous (and those adept at transit maps, apps and timetables), the Laguna trolley connects to the Dana Point trolley at the Ritz-Carlton, and the Dana Point trolley connects with the summer trolley in San Juan Capistrano.

An alternative way to hit the beach without driving in summer weekend traffic is to catch a Metrolink train from the Irvine station to San Clemente or Oceanside. It’s only $10 roundtrip, and kids under 5 are free. Trains on the Orange County and Inland Empire line depart Irvine starting at 8:42 a.m. each morning. The last train back leaves San Clemente Pier at 5:55 p.m.

And if you’re a baseball fan, don’t forget the Angels Express Metrolink trains for weekday home games that begin at 7:07 p.m. The trains depart Irvine station at 4:15, 5:17 and 6:05 p.m., arriving in Irvine for boarding a few minutes later. The train leaves the Anaheim station 30 minutes after the game ends.
 
octa.net/Bus/Routes-and-Schedules/Special-Bus-Service/Laguna-Beach-Summer-Breeze
visitlagunabeach.com/trolley
san-clemente.org/i-am-a-/visitor/san-clemente-trolley
visitsjc.com/summertrolley
octa.net/Metrolink/Promotions/Angels-Express-2017

​Irvine City News staff

The start of summer vacation seems like the beginning of a few months of ease for educators, parents, students and those who support their efforts the rest of the year. Au contraire, to which any parent can attest whose June, July and August is already booked with summer camps, swim team, road trips and other forms of enrichment designed to keep their progeny engaged in lifelong learning and off of screens (at least a bit).

Spring and summer is also a busy time for Irvine Public School Foundation (IPSF), the nonprofit that helps bridge the gap between government funding and what it really takes to keep Irvine public school programs excellent.

The busy season kicked off with the IPSF 20th Birthday Bash in conjunction with the 3rd Annual STEAM Carnival at the Orange County Great Park. Some 3,500 attended a creative twist on the traditional carnival, as 50 booth sponsors offered fun, hands-on activities in an interactive atmosphere to spark students interest in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM). It was fun for adults, too, with a “Cheers to 20 Years” beer and wine garden featuring craft beer from TAPS Fish House & Brewery, wines by Bianchi and ONE HOPE, and food tasting from Luna Grill and the newly-opened Texas De Brazil restaurant.

“What started as a group of concerned parents wanting the best, well-rounded education for their children has now evolved into one of the leading educational foundations in the nation,” said Neda Eaton, president and CEO of Irvine Public Schools Foundation. “Over the past 20 years, IPSF has proudly contributed over $63 million in programs and funds to support education in Irvine. It’s so incredible to bring the community together to celebrate this milestone.”

The event raised over $57,000 to benefit Irvine Unified School District (IUSD).

IPSF’s annual Spirit of Community Awards luncheon will be held June 1 at Strawberry Farms. The Spirit of Community Awards is a partnership between IPSF and Irvine Unified Council PTA that recognizes the contributions of individuals, groups, or organizations that have made a significant contribution of time and/or talents to benefit the students of the Irvine Unified School District.

The IPSF Summer Enrichment Academy offers enrichment courses for a variety of subject areas, including coding, arts, athletics and STEM courses. There are two sessions, June 19-July 7 and July 11-July 28, with elementary, middle school and high school courses, plus one-week specialty camps, with most held at neighborhood IUSD schools.

On Monday, June 5, IPSF will host the 7th Annual Tee It Up For Education Golf Tournament at Strawberry Farms. Join IPSF for a fun-filled day of golfing and networking with civic, business, and education leaders throughout Orange County, all in support of Irvine schools.

On Sunday, July 16, 2017, IPSF and Angels Baseball Foundation will team up to host the 5th Annual Aces & Athletes Poker Charity Casino Night. This year’s Tacos, Tequila & Texas Hold ‘Em event will be held at the exclusive Don Julio Club at Angel Stadium. The night will feature dinner, cocktails, great prizes and raffle items.

And it’s not too early to save the date of Oct. 14 for the 8th Annual Spirit of Excellence Gala. Presented by FivePoint, the stylish and fun fundraising evening celebrates excellence in education and the achievements of distinguished alumni, while raising funds for Irvine classrooms to benefit more than 33,000 students. Last year’s event raised some $780,000.
 
Ipsfacademy.org
Ipsf.net

By ​Irvine City News staff

 
The citizens of Irvine remain committed to honoring America and those who served it by establishing the Southern California Veterans Cemetery at one of two sites on the former Marine Corps Air Station El Toro. But no one need wait until a final resting place is decided upon to show respect to the service men and women who defend our nation.

We can honor those who made the supreme sacrifice for our freedom by visiting Irvine’s Northwood Gratitude and Honor Memorial as its expansion debuts the Sunday before Memorial Day. Last July, the Irvine City Council unanimously approved the Community Services Commission’s recommendation for the improvements. The extension of the plaza will add an additional pedestal to engrave in granite the names of those killed in action since Oct. 1, 2001. The new pedestal will also include a panel with information about Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, the memorial’s history and statistics, and a poem. There will also be two new benches for those who wish to spend time contemplating the memorial and its meaning, and the names of those commemorated at the memorial.

The Gratitude and Honor Memorial was originally dedicated in 2010 as the first permanent memorial to honor every American fallen service member in Afghanistan and Iraq for their sacrifice in service to our country.

The memorial started informally, when Irvine resident Asher Milgrom began building wooden crosses for each service member killed as the Iraq war began in 2003. Milgrom and his family placed the memorials at Northwood Community Park, and soon the candlelit commemoration grew as the community supported and embraced it. As the overseas conflicts continued, more individual memorials were added. Soon, a groundswell grew to make the memorial permanent. Spearheaded by Irvine resident Andy Zelinko, the movement for a permanent memorial grew with community donations in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, and a $150,000 contribution from the city of Irvine. The city council budgeted $130,000 toward the expansion.

The ceremony on Sunday, May 28 at 4 p.m. will re-dedicate the newly expanded memorial. Gold Star family members will speak about their loved ones who died in Afghanistan or Iraq.

Scott Huesing will be the guest speaker at the ceremony. He is a retired USMC Infantry Major with over 24 years of service, both enlisted and as a commissioned officer. Huesing wrote the book “Echo in Ramadi” about leading the Marines of Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines into combat in 2006.
 
The Northwood Gratitude
and Honor Memorial
Northwood Community Park
4531 Bryan Ave., Irvine
 
northwoodmemorial.com

 Farm living is the life for us at tanaka farms

​By Irvine City News staff

The culinary concept of farm-to-table dining has been a healthy trend for a few years now. Chefs go directly to farmers and ranchers to choose what they’ll put on our plate, paying close attention to the provenance of all they prepare. At Tanaka Farms, home cooks can enjoy the same experience by picking their own produce—and by picking we mean fresh from the fields. There’s also a produce stand open 7 days a week, for those who don’t want to get their hands dirty.

And more importantly, kids can join in. By picking strawberries, carrots and other fresh fare right off the plant or from the soil, they can learn crucial lessons about where food really comes from, and understand the benefits of choosing what’s fresh and seasonally grown.

Plus, riding a tractor and playing in the dirt is fun!
​
After all the winter rain, this is a great season to visit Tanaka Farms. Now is the perfect time of year, with the farm’s vibrant crops and fruit in perfect balance with the lush green hills of the surrounding open space and nearby Strawberry Farms Golf Course.

The best season for sweet strawberries is now into June, while melons will be seen in July and August. There’s also other produce grown on the farm, which often includes Swiss chard, cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, Maui onions, and more. The fruits and vegetables available varies throughout the growing season, and because of the rains on certain days strawberries may be in shorter supply, so call or check the website to be sure.

Farmer Tanaka, his wife, Shirley, and his son, Farmer Kenny, own and operate Tanaka Farms, which is a 30-acre working farm. According to the farm’s website, Tanaka Farms began with great-grandfather Teruo, who immigrated from Hiroshima-ken, Japan, to California. His son, known today as grandfather George, was born in Dinuba. Farmer Tanaka is a third-generation Japanese American (“Sansei”), who was born and raised in Huntington Beach, and has a degree in Agricultural Business.

In 1998, Tanaka Farms began using Responsible Farming Methods after land development prompted a move of the farming operation from its former location at Irvine Center Dr. and Bake Parkway to its current location at University Dr. and Michelson Dr. “This means food safety is our top priority,” the family says on the website. “We do our best to follow organic growing guidelines but will deviate if necessary to save a crop.”

There are several options for produce picking. Patrons (individuals or groups) can take a tractor ride, which loops around the entire grounds and makes several stops at the different areas to pick cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, etc., finishing with strawberries. If one is short on time, skip the tractor ride and pluck your own berries off the “U-Pick” planters adjacent to the market stand. With both options, you pay for what you pick. Some farm tours are free (other than paying for the strawberries picked); others include an $18 fee. Weekend tours don’t require a reservation, certain weekday tours do. It is a bit confusing, so check the website or inquire at the farm for more information.
 
tanakafarms.com

​By Irvine City News staff

By Irvine City News Staff

After days of torrential winter rains, the new Parasol Park neighborhood in Irvine debuted to a sunny Saturday that saw some 7,000 tour the parks, model homes and amenities of Irvine’s newest master planned community.

Parasol Park is the third neighborhood in Great Park Neighborhoods developed by FivePoint on the former Marine Corps El Toro base. Pavilion Park opened in 2013, Beacon Park in 2015, and 18 months later the grand opening for Parasol Park on Jan. 21.

Civic leaders in attendance included Irvine’s newest councilmember Melissa Fox; former Irvine mayor and new assemblyman Steven Choi; members of the Irvine Unified School board Ira Glasky, Lauren Brooks and Paul Bokota; planning commissioners Dustin Nirschl and Anthony Kuo and community service commissioners Jim Shute and Dick Owens; and a representative from Congresswoman Mimi Walters office.

“A few years ago we accepted the responsibility and the privilege of turning the historic Marine Corps El Toro base into a 21st century community,” said Fivepoint CEO and President Emile Haddad in remarks to the gathering. “We promised this community would be inclusive, open and connected. Our goal was to allow people from every walk of life, every age, and from every corner of the world to make this their home, if they choose. We promised to keep and attract jobs here. Today, when I look at where we are, we have over 1,700 families who make this place home. We have seniors living on limited incomes who call this place home. Soon, we will have families of limited income who will say the same,” Haddad said. “They will be able to send their kids to the same quality schools. I hope as you walk around you’ll agree we’re delivering on those promises. We will work tirelessly to continue to fulfill those promises going forward.”

The evolution of Great Park Neighborhoods is apparent when touring the model homes and public spaces at Parasol Park, which is designed as a pedestrian-oriented, park-centric community. With Parasol Park, the homebuilders are focused on more vertical living. Described as an “in-town” neighborhood, it features attached and detached homes, but none that are typical single-family ranch or two story homes. Many have rooftop or third-floor decks. Some models have elevators to more easily access the loft-like lifestyle residents will enjoy.

The first of the Great Park Neighborhoods, Pavilion Park, north of Irvine Avenue, featured more traditional single-family detached homes, though the variety of design aesthetic available was more diverse than what Irvine homebuyers had come to expect. Next, Beacon Park opened with a mix of attached condominiums, townhouses and flats for those who appreciate a more urban lifestyle, as well as single-family homes. Beacon Park centers on both the whimsical outdoor park space, which has become a FivePoint design trademark, and also Beacon Park School, a middle school that will serve all of the neighborhoods.

The area includes 2.5-acre Parasol Park, the third in a series of innovative parks and playgrounds that have become centerpieces of Great Park Neighborhoods. The park is built around a heritage Parasol Pine tree, one of hundreds of heritage trees preserved from the former base, and it includes a zip line already popular with kids, as well as a community green house run by The Ecology Center from San Juan Capistrano. The greenhouse will host classes on gardening and sustainability, as well as provide community garden plots. The park also includes a community living room, outdoor kitchen, fireplace, playground, and multipurpose courts.
The new Great Park Sports Park will also be within an easy walk or bike ride from Parasol Park, as is a water-inspired park in the Great Park Neighborhoods that will include three pools, along with workout and wellness opportunities.

“This is a beautiful community,” said Irvine Councilmember Melissa Fox in her remarks from the stage during the event. “The principles of diversity and inclusion here are absolutely what makes Irvine the best place to live,” Fox said, while also discussing innovations that may be coming to Irvine, such as a smart city grid and automated vehicles to shuttle students and seniors. “When the future arrives, we’re already going to be there.”

By Irvine City News staff

OK, let’s get the jokes and guffaws out of the way first. We get it: Irvine is to romance as beige is to colors. We’re Irvine exceptionalists here at Irvine City News, and even we admit that our hometown isn’t the first place that leaps to mind when thinking about Orange County locations for romantic interludes. Anyone can name sexy spots in Irvine’s next-door neighbor cities Laguna Beach and Newport Beach, and other nearby coastal enclaves: a night in a retro cottage at Crystal Cove, a midnight Duffy ride on Newport Harbor or drinks at Stonehill Tavern’s dimly-lit lounge. But that’s OC romance 101.

However, finding romance in Irvine can be done, even if it takes more creativity and persistence than the much “easier” beach cities nearby. So, in honor of Valentine’s Day, here are romantic suggestions for local lovers.
 
Tables for two
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There’s always something inherently exciting about new love, so maybe that’s why we’re enamored of the new Puesto restaurant at Los Olivos. There’s just something a bit darker and sexier about the interior of the gourmet Mexican spot than most Irvine restaurants. Plus, Puesto has a patio and bar we expect to be the hot spots in town by summer.

The not-so-secret-anymore speakeasy YNK at Irvine Marriott has an alluring ambience with a smoldering touch of Latin Miami flare, tasty tapas-like small bites and craft cocktails that should inspire questionable decision-making. Hey, get a room!

Speaking of hotel bars, Red Bar and Lounge at Hotel Irvine is always a good place to gather in a group before potentially pairing off later that night. In February, the venue is offering a Mixology Date Night where couples will learn to create craft cocktails together.

A touch of refined romance can be found at Prego Ristorante, one of Irvine’s few Old World options. On Valentine’s Day, the chef is featuring Ravioli Curore Mio, which features heart-shaped homemade ravioli, or there’s a 4-course couples tasting menu.

For a more contemporary Italian experience, North Italia’s big windows and high ceilings make it one of the sexiest rooms in town. It doesn’t hurt that the crowd it draws is deliciously diverse, and always as aesthetically pleasing as the surroundings. Of course, you’ll only have eyes for the one you’re with.
Cooking together over fire can get the romance heating up. Irvine has hot options like The Melting Pot for fondue and SWSH Shabu Shabu at Diamond Jamboree among our staff’s favorites.
 
Dates in the dark

Sitting in the dark balcony at the Barclay Theatre, watching passionate Flamenco dancers or other dancers perform makes for a fiery start to date night. Other top Irvine spots to sit in the dark on a date include taking in an art house film in a nearly empty theater at Edwards University Town Center (if you haven’t been recently, beer and wine is now on the menu); luxuriating in a king size recliner while taking in a big budget film in the luxury wing at Edwards Irvine Spectrum 21; or taking in a Bollywood charmer or other international films at Edwards Westpark 8.
 
Hot fire pits and cool patios

It hasn’t gone unnoticed that an increasing number of new Irvine restaurants have alluring outdoor areas complete with comfortable seating and sexy fire features. Everyone looks great by firelight, right? And though we don’t have ocean views, snuggling to keep warm at these venues may light the fires of romance in you and your partner or date.

The firepit and lounge area at Umami Burger overlooks the buzzing plaza at Irvine Spectrum. It’s a good spot to have a late-ish night drink after seeming a romantic comedy at the cinema, or to meet up before a show at Irvine Improv.

The recently remodeled Marriott Irvine is surprisingly one of the coolest spots in the city right now. The fireplace and firepits on the patio outside of FLOE restaurant and lounge offer a prime spot for lingering, and there’s something about a business hotel bar that can add a tempting touch of the illicit to date night, even for couples long past their courtship.

The patio and firepit at Eureka, a restaurant and bar at University Town Center near UCI, is one of the more aesthetically inspiring spots in town. There’s an acoustic guitarist playing some evenings, the drinks are strong, the food is good, and the crowd, servers and bartenders are generally congenial, attractive and cool.
 
A walk in the park

A stroll around the lakes of Mason Regional Park can be charming, especially if one takes the trails less traveled, which include the path through the butterfly habitat. A full moon is a fine time to take a short hike up the first hill of the Quail Hill loop trail (though we imagine the open space park is technically closed at dusk), or do the whole loop on a morning after the rain. The green this season inspires thoughts of spring romance. The gazebos at the lakes in Woodbridge offer romantic views in the evenings, as do the pedestrian walkways and bridges in the village. The trail in the Turtle Rock Nature Center makes for a nice walk hand-in-hand, as long as there’s not a field trip sharing the trail, of course. And a visit to the birds, the bees and other residents of the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary can inspire biological urges, while the quaint buildings of the Audubon Sea and Sage and the Duck Club area is perfect for a peaceful stroll.
 
Romantic hideaways

Irvine is a big city these days, but there are still quiet nooks and secret spots to rendezvous with a lover for a quick kiss. The Katie Wheeler Library is a replica of the Irvine family’s ranch house that’s located on the grounds of the Irvine Ranch Historic Park. The bucolic setting offers opportunities for a slow-paced date, especially during the day when kids are in school and the place is usually uncrowded. Take a romantic stroll around the grounds. Explore the stairways and rooms in the library, while looking at the old photos of family members that hang on the walls. Pull a book of poetry off the library shelf, and find a spot upstairs by a window to read to each other.

On the other end of the romance spectrum, those looking for a little boost to their libido can explore the exotic options at Irvine’s only adult store (that we’ve heard of at least), Pink Kitty Boutique. The store off of Red Hill Ave. and Main St. offers…well, all the things one imagines an adult emporium would stock.
 
Hot Zot spots

Alums likely know that there is plenty of room for romance on the sprawling campus of UCI. For those of us less familiar, some sweet spots to sneak a cuddle and a kiss include Aldrich Park at the center of the school, especially the four-statue Jao Sculpture Garden. After admiring the art, the affectionate can pause beneath the nearby Humanities Bridge for some alone time amid the thousands of students rushing to class. There’s a hidden outdoor patio on the fifth floor of the Langson Library, near the special collections and archives. Peruse the posters of past art and culture shows on the walls, and then step outside to take in the air and admire the view, and each other. For those with a background in biology, a circular design in the walkway near McGaugh Hall may inspire certain urges, or perhaps curb them: the design depicts splitting cells of reproduction process known as mitosis.
 
Living the high life

There’s something about being above it all that lends itself to romance. The best view in Irvine is probably a tie between the Giant Wheel at Irvine Spectrum and the Great Park Balloon at Orange County Great Park. Both also offer a touch of the “hold me close” fear factor that can help set the mood. Plus, there’s something about the Spanish city names on the wheel that evoke romantic imagery. The Spectrum isn’t really a public plaza in a faraway Mediterranean village, but as the wheel pauses at the top of its circuit, you can pretend that it is.

Now if only Irvine had a rooftop view to add to the romance… oh, you haven’t heard of Club 12? The private lounge on the 12th floor of Hotel Irvine is for VIP guests only —and you too can be a VIP for an extra $35 per day charge on your room. And it’s worth it for the sunset views of our growing city, and beyond. 

​By Irvine City News staff

Irvine’s community centers, senior centers and nature centers are at the heart of what makes living in the city so special. Take a class, host a birthday party, enjoy a healthy lifestyle through recreation and sports, or just walk around and enjoy the open spaces and green places: residents can engage in all these activities and more at the several centers that are strategically located in most neighborhoods and villages, often in or near one of the city’s 19 community public parks.

In a few weeks, the newest community center will open in Quail Hill. Tucked on a hill with open space on two sides, the existing 17-acre Quail Hill Community Park and the edge of the residences on the others, the 12,500-square-foot Quail Hill Community Center will debut as one of the finest, most energy-efficient and aesthetically pleasing centers in the city.

Designs for the new Quail Hill Community Center (which was originally designated as a nature center) include a local environment and ecosystem-themed adventure play area. The new center connects to the adjacent Quail Hill and Shady Canyon trails, which in turn connect to trails in Laguna Canyon Wilderness Park and Bommer Canyon. Construction plans indicate that the $8 million facility, set on a 3.8-acre site, will feature a 3,000-square-foot multipurpose room, classrooms, dance/fitness room, a warming kitchen for catered events, staff offices and exterior spaces designed to extend the usable space.

Hikers and bikers on the Quail Hill Trail may have noted that a mound of rocks and boulders that long sat adjacent to the trail have been moved to the outdoor area behind the center, which looks to be one of the most intriguingly designed and landscaped outdoor public spaces at any of the city’s community centers.

The project includes a bio-filtration swale, a photovoltaic system and features other environmentally sound systems and construction practices and materials, and is designed to achieve LEED Silver certification. Irvine is home to more Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified buildings than any other city in Orange County.

The 2010 remodeling of University Community Park and the addition of a 6,063-square-foot building to the existing community building resulted in that project achieving LEED Gold, the first LEED recognition for a city facility.
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Hopefully, the Quail Hill Community Center will soon be added to the LEED list. We eagerly anticipate our first look at what appears to be a spectacular new center of community in our city. City websites indicate the opening will be on March 4. For more information, visit cityofirvine.org/specialevents or call 949-724-6606