Lions Park

A Glimpse Into the Past

Located in Costa Mesa, California, Lions Park covers 10 acres of green space. Back in 1940, local residents banded together and petitioned for a park district, resulting in what was initially called Costa Mesa Park.

The name changed in the late 1970s to Lions Park, honoring the local Lions Club and their beloved annual Fish Fry fundraiser that brought the community together here for years.

What You'll Find

The park houses several important local landmarks including Davis Field, the Costa Mesa Historical Society (perfect for history buffs), the Downtown Recreation Center, and the Neighborhood Community Center.

You'll also stumble upon the Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library - which offers more than just books. Beyond books and DVDs, they offer fun interactive games and even musical instrument rentals like guitars and ukuleles if you're feeling inspired.

Need a swim? The Aquatics Center has an outdoor pool with lifeguards and swimming lessons for all ages. Meanwhile, the Recreation Center buzzes with activities from pickle ball to indoor basketball and Mommy and Me exercise classes.

The Coolest Features

A notable feature is the concrete airplane - an actual Korean War-era Grumman F9F Panther jet installed back in 1960. Kids enjoy climbing on this unique playground element that has become a local landmark.

The modern playground includes tall climbing towers connected by bridges and a popular circular zip line that children particularly enjoy. There are also delightful musical instruments scattered throughout where families can create impromptu concerts together.

Playground Paradise

The playground is well-regarded in the Costa Mesa/Newport Beach area. It includes equipment for children of different ages - climbing structures, slides, swings, seesaws, and a sandbox.

The zip line swing deserves special mention - it follows a unique curved path that usually has a line of eager kids waiting their turn. If you're bringing younger children, just keep an eye on them around this area since there's no barrier around the zip line's path.

Recent Makeover

Lions Park has seen some nice updates in recent years, including a brand new library building and the addition of a spacious great lawn great for casual games or lounging.

Look down and you might notice something interesting - the park's surface uses recycled rubber that, from above, resembles an airstrip, cleverly complementing the aviation theme. This rubberized ground covers most of the playground, making falls a lot less painful for active kids.

The Little Things That Matter

You'll come across all the essentials here: clean restrooms, plenty of picnic tables, and benches within the grounds where you can catch your breath. The grassy areas invite impromptu picnics or frisbee games.

Many families make a day of it by combining park time with a visit to the adjacent library. Open daily from 6AM to 10PM, Lions Park gives you plenty of time to enjoy all it has to offer.