Grijalva Park was acquired by the City of Orange in 1999. Since then, it has become a beautiful family friendly park perfect for playground fun, working out, pickup basketball, sporting events, light workouts, and small gatherings.
Grijalva Park
Address: 368 N Prospect Street, Orange, CA 92869
The main crossroads are Chapman Ave and Prospect St. Exit the 55 freeway at E. Chapman and go East. Jamboree Rd or the 241 toll road can also be taken to Chapman Ave (head West).
Features at Glance
- BBQ Stations
- Bicycle Racks
- Drinking Fountain
- Meeting Room (Accommodates up to 12 people) (can be reserved for private functions)
- Outdoor Exercise Circuit
- 2 Picnic Pavilions – Accommodates up to 75 (can be reserved for private functions)
- Picnic Tables
- Restroom Building (open to public)
- Security Lighting
- Sitting Benches
- Three lighted multi-purpose fields (can be reserved for private functions)
- Two lighted outdoor basketball courts
- Tot Lot (Wood Chips)
- Volleyball Courts (Sand)
- Walking Paths
- Parking Lots
Playground
Grijalva Park has a very big playground, divided into two halves designated for younger or older kids, with a variety of swings and slides. The playground features baby swings, bench swings, monkey bars, horizontal bars, connecting bridges, small slides and more. The play area ground is comprised wood chips. Wood chips offer good shock absorbency, which helps prevent injuries from falls, and they also prevent mold from moisture.
Fitness Features
Gijalva Park spreads across 17 acres, forgoing groves of trees in favor of wide open green spaces. A sand volleyball court and two basketball courts mark the corners of the park. Three lighted multi-purpose fields in the center of the property can be reserved by sports teams or organizations. The fields do not have goals installed, but that doesn’t stop local soccer leagues from using them for weekend games. Parking may be difficult to find on these days, so come early!
The fields are encircled by a .41-mile closed-loop track ideal for running, jogging, and walking. As one of the few dirt tracks available in Orange County parks, it attracts many runners who don’t want to damage their knees running on cement or asphalt. Another .29-mile loop outlines the back of the park for a shorter walk. Visitors can also choose to tackle a combination of both trails for a total of .61 miles. These paths are wide and well-maintained but can become muddy after heavy rainfall.
Outdoor Fitness Stations
One of the amenities that makes Grijalva Park unique is its outdoor exercise circuit. The outdoor fitness stations utilize the body’s mass for resistance for a full body strength and cardio workout.
In 2014, the city’s Community Services Department began installing the 19 pieces of easy-to-use fitness equipment on the southwest side of the park. This project cost about $240,000, which also included landscaping and paving costs. The area is protected by shade structures, making it the perfect place to fit in a quick workout and enjoy the fresh outdoor air without getting a sunburn in the process.
Grijalva Park from Greenfields Outdoor Fitness on Vimeo.
Sports Center
Grijalva Park is best known for its state-of-the-art fitness facility. The Sports Center at Grijalva Park contains over 26,000 square feet of exercise space, including a dance room with wood flooring, ballet barres and mirrored walls, a multipurpose room, and a huge gym with basketball and volleyball courts.
Basketball Open Gym Hours
The gym is open to the public for pick-up basketball games on weekdays from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm; admission is $2. First-time participants 17 and younger are required to bring a parent/legal guardian prior to playing. Hours and days are subject to change without notice.
For those looking for more involvement, the Center hosts a men’s adult basketball league each spring and fall. The season is nine weeks long, and teams must pay a $246 fee and a $128 deposit to participate, plus $32 each game for referee services. NJB hosts youth basketball leagues at Grijalva as well.
The Sports Center at Grijalva Park also offers a host of classes. Dance classes for toddlers and young children are just under $50 for six weeks of tuition. Adults can enroll in a variety of ballroom and line dance classes for similar prices. A huge variety of other cardio, yoga, tai chi, Zumba, and general fitness classes are also available at great values. And for community members seeking to develop a hobby or talent without sweating too much, the Center also offers jewelry-making, knitting, and pastry decorating classes.
Pickleball Courts
Open indoor pickleball play is every Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30 – 11:30 am. A fee may apply.
Other Amenities
Family gatherings or company picnics can be held at the two pavilions in the park. They must be rented in advance and can hold approximately 40 and 48 people. Barbeques throughout the park enable parties to cook their own food. Grijalva Park also offers parking and convenient access to the Santiago Creek Bike Trail.
Grijalva Park Tips
- Use Walnut Ave. to enter/exit during events to avoid traffic lines.
- Ride or Walk to Grijalva using the Santiago Creek Bike Trail.
- Skip the gym fees and use the adult exercise court.
- Dogs on a leash are allowed.
- There are three running loop options roughly .3 miles, .4 miles, and .6 miles long. Parents can burn some calories while kids practice.
- Reserve a picnic pavilion for a birthday party or any event. Fields and office space can be reserved too!
- Pickup basketball is played on the outdoor courts seven days a week.
- Dirt lots near sports center are great to play with RC cars.
- Check out the ducks, turtles and other wildlife at Santiago Creek and the bridge.
- Take a family trip on bikes via the Santiago Bike Trail to the park.
- Shade near fields is limited so bring sunscreen, umbrellas and EZ UPs.
- No overnight parking is allowed.
- No drones allowed.
Grijalva Park Master Plan
These Grijalva park has had these amenities planned since the park was originally built. They continue to be discussed today by the city and community, and are a future possibility.
- Arts theater
- Aquatics facility with instructional pool
- Branch Library
- Community / Senior Center
- Skate Park
Shea Costales is an old-soul hippie with a passion for outdoor exploring. You can usually find her doing yoga in a local park, grubbing at the newest burger shack, or petting your dog.
