Jeffrey Open Space Trail
Jeffrey Open Space Trail Map
About Jeffrey Open Space Trail in Irvine
The Jeffrey Open Space Trail is a significant recreational area located in Irvine, California. Spanning approximately 96 acres, this linear park stretches for about 5 miles through the heart of Irvine, following Jeffrey Road from just past Portola Parkway in the north to the Quail Hill open space in the south.
Designed by landscape architect Richard Roy, the trail showcases the natural beauty of Southern California with its rolling hills, meadows, and woodlands. The park features native plant communities and serves as a habitat for various wildlife, including birds, rabbits, squirrels, and reptiles. Throughout the trail, visitors can find interpretive signs providing information about the local flora and fauna.
The Jeffrey Open Space Trail is not just a natural haven but also a historical journey. It includes elements that reflect the area's heritage, with historical markers tracing 500 years of local history. These markers cover various eras, from the time of Spanish explorers in 1510 to James Irvine's purchase of The Irvine Ranch in 1864, and up to the creation of the Irvine Master Plan and cityhood.
The trail is divided into three segments, each depicting a different historical era. The first segment features mosaic-tile landmarks illustrating early history, the second covers the history of The Irvine Ranch, and the third represents the master-planned City of Irvine. One unique art installation along the trail consists of 14 timber posts, reminiscent of the vertical beams that once supported an Irvine Valencia Growers packing house.
Completed in stages during the mid-1990s, the Jeffrey Open Space Trail serves multiple communities developed by the Irvine Company. It connects with other parks and trails at various points, enhancing the overall recreational network of the city. The trail's design, inspired by the principles of Frederick Law Olmsted, emphasizes simple, beautiful grading and plant massing, creating a series of sequential spaces that contrast with the typical landscaping found in much of Orange County.
