The City of Irvine is recognized nationally for its well-planned parks (Open in new window), greenbelts, open space (Open in new window) and interconnected bike network (Open in new window).
Since its inception in 1971, the City has developed 18 Community Parks, 37 Neighborhood Parks, and oversees a network of 5,250 acres of permanently preserved open space. In addition to the City’s park network, there are countless ways to connect with nature (Open in new window) and enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking (Open in new window), mountain biking, equestrian programs and naturalist-led tours.
Nature Preserve
The Turtle Rock Nature Center (Open in new window) is a much beloved five-acre preserve that serves as a home for wildlife as well as an outdoor classroom for people interested in the natural environment. The Center provides many volunteer opportunities as well as a wide array of educational programs.
The Irvine Ranch Conservancy (Open in new window) offers nature and educational programs, as well as a variety of volunteer opportunities (Open in new window).
Other locally-based charitable organizations (Open in new window) related to parks and recreation can be found on the City’s website.