Crowds check out new Portola Springs Community Park
Local families check out the playground at Irvine’s Portola Springs Community Park during a grand opening ceremony for the park on Saturday evening, January 26, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Irvine introduced the community to its newest park on Saturday, Jan. 26, featuring sports fields, a native garden, playground and a community center on 32 acres.
Portola Springs Community Park, 900 Tomato Springs, serves the developing Irvine community south of the 241 toll road.
Kris Anderson, left, of Newport Beach and Lara Marmelstein of San Juan Capistrano play pickleball, a sport growing in popularity in Southern California, on one of six new lighted pickleball courts in Irvine’s new Portola Springs Community Park on Saturday, January 26, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Park-goers play pickleball on six lighted pickleball courts in Irvine’s new Portola Springs Community Park on Saturday, January 26, 2019, when the park was officially opened to the public. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Irvine Mayor Don Wagner welcomes guests to a grand opening ceremony for the city’s new Portola Springs Community Park on Saturday, January 26, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer
Kids play on the playground equipment at Irvine’s Portola Springs Community Park during a grand opening ceremony for the park on Saturday evening, January 26, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Irvine dignitaries cut a ribbon to official open Portola Springs Community Park during a public ceremony on Saturday, January 26, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Local families tour the facilities at Irvine’s Portola Springs Community Park following a grand opening ceremony on Saturday evening, January 26, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Local families check out the playground at Irvine’s Portola Springs Community Park during a grand opening ceremony for the park on Saturday evening, January 26, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Artist Ann Handberry talks about one of her Native American-themed paintings on display in the Native American Wing of the newly opened Community Center at Portola Springs Park on Saturday, January 26, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Irvine Mayor Don Wagner accepts a gift from Acjachemen Nation members Joyce Stanfield-Perry, Mark Mendez and Adelia Sandoval, from left, in the Native American Wing of the Community Center at Irvine’s newly opened Portola Springs Community Park during a grand opening ceremony on Saturday, January 26, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Local families check out the playground at Irvine’s Portola Springs Community Park during a grand opening ceremony for the park on Saturday evening, January 26, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Irvine Mayor Don Wagner welcomes guests to a grand opening ceremony for the city’s new Portola Springs Community Park on Saturday, January 26, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer
Irvine’s 32-acre Portola Springs Park, which officially opened to the public on Saturday, January 26, 2019, is complete with a Community Center, playground, native garden, two lighted softball fields, two lighted soccer fields, one warm-up field, one sand volleyball court, six lighted pickleball courts, three lighted tennis courts and a concession building. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Kids play on the playground equipment at Irvine’s Portola Springs Community Park during a grand opening ceremony for the park on Saturday evening, January 26, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Park-goers play pickleball on six lighted pickleball courts in Irvine’s new Portola Springs Community Park on Saturday, January 26, 2019, when the park was officially opened to the public. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Harper VanDermolen, 10, of Irvine practices bunting with her teammates during a demo by the Irvine Girls Softball Association on one of the two new softball fields at Irvine’s Portola Springs Community Park on Saturday, January 26, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Local residents relax on chairs and couches in the Native American Wing of the new Community Center at Portola Springs Community Park in Irvine on Saturday, January 26, 2019 following a dedication ceremony for the new 14,000 square foot community center and 32-acre park. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Local residents take sunset photos at the newly-opened Portola Springs Community Park, which has an expansive overlooking view of much of Irvine and beyond, during a dedication ceremony for the park on Saturday, January 26, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
The Irvine Co. has opened five new neighborhoods in Portola Springs in the last few years. Previously another four neighborhoods opened in the northern Irvine village.
A new elementary school is also set to open this fall in the village.
The Portola Springs park boasts a 14,000-square-foot community center with a multipurpose room, patio area, two classrooms and a Native American Wing with cultural displays.
Outside, children played Saturday on the nature-themed playground while the Irvine Girls Softball Association showed off the two lighted softball fields.
There are also two soccer fields with lights for evening play, a sand volleyball court, three lighted tennis courts, six lighted pickleball courts and a concessions stand.
Classes will start being held at the community center in February, including youth dance and music programs and other after-school and camp activities. There will also be recreation and sports programs offered for all ages.
The center will be open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays; 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays; and noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays. Information: cityofirvine.org
