*This program takes place at Mile Square Regional Park, 16801 Euclid St., Fountain Valley, CA 92708*

The OC Parks Jr. Ranger Program encourages park guests to explore the outdoor world within OC Parks by developing a sense of belonging, becoming a part of nature and feeling empowered to be stewards of Orange County’s natural and cultural resources.

Participants will explore Mile Square Regional Park, complete activities and take the OC Parks Jr. Ranger Oath to earn a unique Jr. Ranger badge.

We will become mapping experts and create our own memory map while exploring the park. We will meet in parking lot H at the entrance to the Nature Area.

This program is designed for ages 7 to 12, but all are welcome.

Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian during the program. Sunscreen, sturdy footwear and water are recommended.

The program is free and parking is $5 per vehicle. Inclement weather will cancel the program.

Advance registration is required. Learn more and register for Jr. Ranger Adventure: Mile Square Regional Park.

For questions, please contact Resource Specialist Phoebe Lett at phoebe.lett@ocparks.com.

Learn more about the OC Parks Jr. Ranger Program.

Nature can often inspire awe and wonder. Join OC Parks staff and volunteers as we reflect on our fabulous natural setting in Mile Square Regional Park’s Nature Area while enjoying a short nature walk. The program will also include painting a beautiful rock with circular designs and patterns inspired by mandala paintings.

Makers Square is a monthly program exploring the unique historic and natural features of Orange County and beyond through hands-on creative projects.  Each month features a new artistic medium and topic to discover. No previous art experience is necessary, and all are welcome to join and try something new!

The program is free and parking is $5 per vehicle. 

Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Water, sun protection and sturdy footwear are recommended. This program utilizes acrylic paint, so wearing clothes you don’t mind getting paint on is encouraged.

We will meet in parking lot H near the entrance of the Nature Area.

Due to limited space, advance registration is required for this program. Learn more and register for Makers Square: Painting Mandala Rocks. 

For questions, please contact Resource Specialist Phoebe Lett at phoebe.lett@ocparks.com.

(Garden Grove, Calif.) – Celebrate the moms and caregivers in your life at the Mother’s Day Concert in the Park on Saturday, May 9 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Haster Basin Recreation Area in Garden Grove (12862 Lampson Ave.). Gather your families and friends, bring your blankets and chairs and enjoy two live bands, fun activities for kids, community vendors and a preview of the exciting summer ahead at OC Parks.

Don’t miss out on a lively performance by Anything for Salinas (Selena Tribute Band) covering the biggest hits from Selena Quintanilla, the Queen of Tejano Music. New Romantics: A Taylor Swift Tribute Band, will close out the evening performing the pop star’s most popular songs, offering upbeat entertainment for all ages. 

"We’re excited to invite residents to our first-ever County concert here in Garden Grove, bringing the celebration right into the neighborhood,” said Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento, Orange County Board of Supervisors. “We wanted to celebrate Mother’s Day in a meaningful way, so we’ve lined up two special tribute bands for a fun, family-friendly community event.” 

The event will feature food trucks on-site with tasty treats available for purchase. Admission is free and visitors of all ages are invited to attend. Pets are welcome and must remain on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Free parking is available at the nearby Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, with additional parking and shuttle services available at Lampson Elementary School and CalOptima Health at no cost. Early arrival is recommended to secure a good spot on the lawn.

May 9 – Mother's Day Concert in the Park
Time: 4 - 7 p.m. 
Admission: Free  
Location: Haster Basin Recreation Area | 12952 Lampson Ave., Garden Grove, CA 92840 
Free Event Parking:

• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints | 12742 Lampson Ave., Garden Grove, CA 92840
• Lampson Elementary School | 13321 Lampson Ave., Garden Grove, CA 92840 – Includes free shuttle service.
• CalOptima Health | 505 City Pkwy W., Orange, CA 92868 – Includes free shuttle service.

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OC Parks

OC Parks manages nearly 60,000 acres of parks, historical and coastal facilities and open space for the County of Orange as part of OC Community Resources. http://www.ocparks.com

OC Public Works will remove an existing stone wall and replace it with a gravity block wall. 

The park will be open to visitors on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and closed all other days throughout the duration of the project. Construction equipment will be present on site.

WHAT: 

• OC Public Works, in collaboration with OC Parks, will replace an aging stone stack wall behind the Arden property.
• Area motorists and other road users may experience delays when traveling through the project area during working hours due to material and equipment deliveries. Traffic control measures, such as caution signs and flag personnel will be present for your safety.
• Public parking near the project location may be affected due to staging for equipment and deliveries.
• Neighboring properties may experience an increase in noise during work hours due to construction activities.

WHEN: 

Anticipated Construction Duration:
May 4 - August 2026

Working Days/Hours:
Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.

The construction schedule is tentative and subject to change due to weather and other factors. 

CONTACT INFORMATION: 

Sr. Construction Inspector Eric Vega
714-719-1714

Sup. Construction Inspector Maria Villafana
714-659-0892

ProjectInfo@ocpw.ocgov.com
ocpublicworks.com 

Enjoy an afternoon family hike in Red Rock Wilderness, part of OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space. We will hike along a flat trail and cross a dry creek as we watch for red-tailed hawks and mule deer. The hike will average 3-4 miles round trip at an easy pace with a medium level of interpretation. This program is for participants who would enjoy a slower-paced and level hike. Wear comfortable clothes and sturdy shoes and bring water for the hike.

Please note that you will be asked to adhere to the following measures in order to participate:

• Be registered in advance, no walk-up registration is permitted.
• Arrive with all necessary equipment to keep you safe on the trail, including water, proper attire, and closed-toe footwear, first aid, health needs etc.
• Restrooms will be available, but facilities will not be sanitized for each individual.
• All participants are required to sign a liability waiver upon arrival at the staging area and before beginning the activity. The waiver can be previewed here: IRC Liability Waiver
• You may be prevented from participating if you do not adhere to the above protocols.

Strollers or all terrain wagons are not permitted.

Additionally, in an effort to respect and protect all employees, volunteers, and participants, please do not sign up or attend if you are not feeling well, exhibiting any symptoms of illness or have been in recent contact with someone who was ill.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-2 activity on the land. Please visit our FAQ page for answers to activity specific questions you may have prior to registering.

Learn more and register here.

Explore beautiful Limestone Canyon, part of OCParks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space, on this serene morning hike to Dripping Springs. Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve is one of the most pristine wilderness areas in the county. Dripping Springs is an extremely sensitive area and an essential watering hole for wildlife. We’ll hike through coastal sage scrub, grasslands, and oak woodlands as we take in this iconic destination. This 7-mile hike moves between 2.5 and 3 mph with a total elevation gain of 1300 feet. This is not a fast cardio paced hike! Please come prepared with a sturdy day pack, water, snacks, closed-toe hiking shoes or boots, sunscreen, first aid, and all other supplies to keep you safe and healthy on the trail.

Each participant must carry his or her own day pack and water and be comfortable hiking an average moving pace of 3 miles per hour. Please come prepared with a minimum of 100 oz. (3 quarts) of water and trail snacks. Under-prepared participants may be denied access to this program.

Please note that you will be asked to adhere to the following measures in order to participate.

• Be registered in advance, no walk-up registration is permitted.
• Arrive with all necessary equipment to keep you safe on the trail, including water, proper attire, and closed-toe footwear, first aid, health needs etc.
• Restrooms will be available, but facilities will not be sanitized for each individual.
• All participants are required to sign a liability waiver upon arrival at the staging area and before beginning the activity. The waiver can be previewed here: IRC Liability Waiver
• You may be prevented from participating if you do not adhere to the above protocols.

Additionally, in an effort to respect and protect all employees, volunteers, and participants, please do not sign up or attend if you are not feeling well, exhibiting any symptoms of illness or have been in recent contact with someone who was ill.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-4 activity on the land. Please visit our FAQ page for answers to activity specific questions you may have prior to registering.

Learn more and register here.

Enjoy the relaxation of riding in the wilderness on empty trails. Join us on this docent-led mountain bike ride through Limestone Canyon, part of OCParks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space. We will visit the East Viewing Platform for a panoramic view of the geological feature call The Sinks. The route to The Sinks will include a fun downhill ride on the Dripping Springs single track. The return route will take us on the Limestone Ridge single track with views of Limestone Canyon, Santiago Canyon and the Santa Ana Mountains.

This is a slow-paced ride designed for the beginner that has experience riding fire roads such as Limestone Canyon or Telegraph Canyon but wants to develop their climbing and riding abilities. The ride can also be enjoyed by more advanced riders looking for a relaxed ride in a beautiful setting.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-3 activity on the land. Please visit our FAQ page for answers to activity specific questions you may have prior to registering. Motorized recreation vehicles of any class or type are not permitted for use in the Nature Preserve.

Please note that you will be asked to adhere to the following measures in order to participate:

• Be registered in advance, no walk-up registration is permitted.
• Arrive with all necessary equipment to keep you safe on the trail, including water, proper attire, and closed-toe footwear, first aid, health needs etc.
• Restrooms will be available, but facilities will not be sanitized for each individual.
• All participants are required to sign a liability waiver upon arrival at the staging area and before beginning the activity. The waiver can be previewed here: IRC Liability Waiver
• You may be prevented from participating if you do not adhere to the above protocols.

Additionally, in an effort to respect and protect all employees, volunteers, and participants, please do not sign up or attend if you are not feeling well, exhibiting any symptoms of illness or have been in recent contact with someone who was ill.

Learn more and register here.

IRC Volunteers are needed to support IRC managed Exploration Day, a special event that provides the public with a rare opportunity to explore designated wilderness areas through a self-guided experience. Volunteer support is essential to ensure visitors enjoy safe, positive, and informative access to the land, while helping OC Parks maintain responsible use of these sensitive open spaces.

This event takes place along the Water Works Trail and MWD Road in Fremont Canyon Nature Preserve. Two trail entrances take place at Parking Lot P and in the overflow parking lot behind Lot P.

IRC Volunteers may register for either the first and or second shift.

•  
  • Registration: Assist at the staging area to answer public questions, hand out maps, set up/take down equipment.
•  
  • Gate Monitoring: Great folks as they enter the trail system, providing maps, answering questions, and most importantly, counting attendance via a clicker. The attendance numbers are critical for our reporting purposes.
  • Interpretive Booth: Provide interpretive/educational information at a booth to interested public participants.
  • Foot Patrol and Bike Patrol: Travel the trails as our eyes and ears as an IRC representative, make sure participants are staying on trail, answering questions, and keeping us updated on any emergencies. We will have radios for you to check out.
  • Equestrians, please email irvineranchopenspace@ocparks.com to volunteer for this event.

IRC Volunteer hours run 7:30 AM to 1:00 PM, divided into the following shifts:

• First Shift: 7:30 – 11:30 AM; First shift volunteers will assist with event setup before heading out to their field assignments.
• Second Shift: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM; Second shift volunteers will return from the field approximately 30 minutes before the event ends to help with breakdown and wrap-up.

All IRC Volunteers must wear their official IRC Volunteer uniform, including the OC Parks landowner patch.

Your support helps make Water Works Exploration Day possible!

Learn more and register here.

Join us in OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space for a challenging, docent-led mountain bike ride through Fremont Canyon to the unique geological formation known as Lizard Rock. This 16-mile out-and back ride, with approximately 2,500 feet of elevation gain is designed for experienced off-road riders in excellent cardio shape and will take up to 3 hours to complete.

The ride begins at the Weir (Outdoor Education Center) Staging Area inside Irvine Regional Park. We’ll climb out of the park on Coal Mine Road, passing the Fremont Canyon Weather Station and a grove of rare Tecate Cypress. Upon reaching Lizard Rock, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of upper Fremont Canyon, Sierra Peak, Cathedral Rock, and a sandstone formation locally known as Mini-Moab. We will return to the staging area via the same route.

While the ride is entirely on fire roads, be prepared for steep sections (both uphill and downhill) and potentially loose rocks and soil. We’ll regroup and rest as needed, with multiple opportunities for snack and water breaks.

This ride is entirely on fire roads, but includes sections that are steep (both up and down) and potentially will have loose rocks/soil. The ride will regroup and rest as needed and multiple opportunities will be provided for a snack break.

Please note, the ride is a challenging 16 miles long, with approximately 2500 feet of elevation gain and will take up to 3 hours to complete. It is important that participants bring sufficient food and water for a ride of this difficulty and duration. This program originates at the Weir (Outdoor Education Center) Staging Area inside Irvine Regional Park and ventures into the Fremont Canyon Wilderness Park, the Weir Canyon Wilderness Park, the Coal Canyon Ecological Reserve and the Cleveland National Forest.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-5 activity on the land. Electric Mountain Bikes of any class or type are not permitted.

Please note that you will be asked to adhere to the following measures in order to participate:

• Be registered in advance, no walk-up registration is permitted.
• Arrive with all necessary equipment to keep you safe on the trail, including water, proper attire, and closed-toe footwear, first aid, health needs etc.
• Restrooms will be available, but facilities will not be sanitized for each individual.
• All participants are required to sign a liability waiver upon arrival at the staging area and before beginning the activity. The waiver can be previewed here: IRC Liability Waiver
• You may be prevented from participating if you do not adhere to the above protocols.

Additionally, in an effort to respect and protect all employees, volunteers, and participants, please do not sign up or attend if you are not feeling well, exhibiting any symptoms of illness or have been in recent contact with someone who was ill.

Learn more and register here.

Join us for a slow-paced hike through Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve. Slowing our pace will encourage us to experience the land with all of our senses. If you enjoy recording your sightings of wildflowers, please download the app called SEEK (iNaturalist) prior to reaching the Augustine Staging Area. We will use SEEK to identify native and non-native wildflowers. Our slow pace will travel through the canyon to Dripping Springs, which is a year-round water source offering dense shade and moisture which creates an ideal environment for different flowers like orchids and ferns.

Participants should be prepared to hike on dirt trails and have previously hiked a similar distance. Please come prepared with a backpack/waist pack and at least 1 liter of water, closed-toed hiking shoes or boots, snacks, sunscreen, hat and any other supplies to keep you safe and healthy on the trail. EACH hiker must carry their own water and supplies.

Please note that you will be asked to adhere to the following measures in order to participate:

• Be registered in advance, no walk-up registration is permitted.
• Arrive with all necessary equipment to keep you safe on the trail, including water, proper attire, and closed-toe footwear, first aid, health needs etc.
• Restrooms will be available, but facilities will not be sanitized for each individual.
• All participants are required to sign a liability waiver upon arrival at the staging area and before beginning the activity. The waiver can be previewed here: IRC Liability Waiver
• You may be prevented from participating if you do not adhere to the above protocols.

Additionally, in an effort to respect and protect all employees, volunteers, and participants, please do not sign up or attend if you are not feeling well, exhibiting any symptoms of illness or have been in recent contact with someone who was ill.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-3 activity on the land. Please visit our FAQ page for answers to activity specific questions you may have prior to registering.

Learn more and register here.