Editor’s Note: This is a monthly feature on notable regional parks in Orange County, which is rich with places to get outside and have fun with the family and explore nature.
Look at a 1940s aerial photo of what is now called Mile Square Regional Park, and you’ll see a concrete airfield shaped like a triangle.
The United States Navy had purchased a square mile of agricultural land in the early years of World War II and built the airfield. It was used as a military training field, along with the El Toro and Santa Ana Marine Corps air stations, until 1970.
Flash forward, and the view from above today shows a square mile of lush greenery, a nature center, two lakes, a sports park, an archery range, a fitness trail and three golf courses (one is being phased out). The concrete runways are nowhere to be seen.
In 1970, the first 85-acre phase of the county park opened in Fountain Valley, turning the concrete into an amenity for residents.
The now 607-acre park has seen celebrations, fundraising walks, festivals and protests. A bronze statue pays homage to President Ronald Reagan, who announced his re-election campaign at the park in 1984. In 1991, the Doobie Brothers performed a free outdoor concert to 35,000 fans.
Day to day, Mile Square Park envelopes people from many walks of life who come together for similar purposes: exercise, tranquility and fun.
On a recent Saturday, Sean and Alexia Mobasser kissed on a little wooden bridge leading to the Palm Island Gazebo. Freshly married that day, the newlyweds did a dance dip as wedding photographer Caroline Ho captured the moment.
Ho, with Serendipity the Venue, knows the scenic shooting spots. In the last six months, she has photographed about 40 clients at the park because of its picturesque landscape, she said.
Mid-week, Steve Lee strolled through his favorite park and interacted with squirrels.
“To say (Mile Square Park) is nice is an understatement,” he said. There are parks nearer to Lee’s Santa Ana home, but he doesn’t mind driving a little farther to find stress-relieving serenity.
“Some people go to Disneyland. Some people go to Knott’s Berry Farm,” he said. “I come here.”
Get outside
Location: Mile Square Park in Fountain Valley is bordered by Edinger Avenue to the north, Warner Avenue to the south, Brookhurst Street to the west and Euclid Street to the east.
Amenities:
• Archery range: Only large groups are required to make a reservation, and may require a permit. The range is closed for maintenance every Thursday from 7 to 11 a.m.
• Badminton and table tennis: Available to the public free of charge from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekends at Freedom Hall on a first come, first served basis. Equipment is available to loan for free.
• Barbeques
• Sports fields: Reservations are required and may require a permit.
• Basketball and racquetball courts
• Bicycling/bike trails: Bike Rental: Come explore the 640-acre Mile Square Regional Park on a bike!
• Wheel Fun Rentals offers a variety of bicycles for rent. There are two bike rental locations, the north location (closest to Edinger Avenue) is open year round, while the south location (closest to Warner Avenue) is open February and October. Information: wheelfunrentals.com/warner
• Boat rental: Swan Boat rentals are per-person and $11 an hour for adults and $6 an hour for children You can find the swan boats at the north lake. Information: wheelfunrentals.com/edinger
• Camping: A one-night stay overnight camping facility is available to reserve for organized youth groups. Camp Sycamore is designed as a “first camping experience” for children ages 6 and 12. Reservations must be made at the park office.
• Family picnic area
• Fishing: a fishing license is required for persons 16 years and older
• Fitness/par course
• Golf courses
• Nature area: 15 acres, open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Playground/tot lot
• Volleyball Court
Contact the park office 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Information: ocparks.com/parks-trails/mile-square-regional-park