Lake Forest Community Welcomes Renovated Park

Early Wednesday evening at Concourse Park, Penne Rieger sat on a bench watching her son, Jake, making mud pies in a new, castle-like structure and marveling at the recent changes made at the community park.

“I think it’s a great improvement. I notice a lot more people here now,” Rieger said. “Adding sand to the water, it’s kind of like Alicia Park (at the Laguna Hills Community Center) with all the dinosaur bones. That is a big draw over there.”

More than 100 community members—men, women, children and several dogs—attended the official ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday at Concourse Park, at the top of Saddleback Ranch Road. Many more residents arrived at the park after the brief ceremony.

Hot dogs and refreshments were served while children played in a bounce house, participated in arts and crafts, and were entertained by a balloon twister.

The park now has a rock climbing structure, the aforementioned castle feature, large canvas shades covering parts of the playground equipment and a restroom.

“Bathrooms are a great draw,” Rieger said, sincerely.

The rededication ceremony was led by Lake Forest Mayor Peter Herzog, assisted by about a dozen local children who helped him cut the ribbon in front of the new rock climbing area. Several other city officials, including City Manager Bob Dunek and Director of Community Services Gary Magill, also attended the event.

“It is important to renovate our parks whenever possible,” Herzog said. “This park was built some time ago but the needs of the community changed. So what we’ve done is listen to the community and what they wanted to add, such as the restroom and the shade structures. It’s very important to try and keep the parks useful for the community, and that’s what we’ve tried to do.”

Five years ago the Lake Forest City Council set aside $5 million to renovate its parks. There are two parks remaining—Tamarisk and Rimgate. Both currently are under construction.

Architect Mike Hutchinson, who has been involved in the park renovations, said he was pleased with the outcome of Concourse Park, particularly the section of the playground that contains the water castle.

“There are dinosaur bones we put under the sand and a rock (in front) that says, ‘Can you find me?’ I’m not sure the kids have found that yet,” Hutchinson said. “There are individual pieces, but in one spot we have an entire dinosaur under the sand, a pretty good size one, where the head sticks up. We just listened to the community. The main thing they wanted was more shade and a bathroom.”

Rieger agreed that the added shade will make all the difference for the children.

“It was so hot here, even with the slight wind we get,” she said. “Now with the shade it’s a lot better and people are utilizing the park more. I notice that my son will now call his friend and they will meet at the park. There are a lot more kids now.”

Jake Rieger, 8, called the park "great."

"I think it’s a fun place with the sand and all the cool rocks,” he said, grinning.