W.O. Hart Memorial Park (Hart Park) is a 56 acre community park, located within the Old Towne Orange Historic District. The park land was originally acquired by the City in 1933, and established as the first ”Orange City Park” in 1934 as part of the federal Works Progress Administration. Hart Park is designated in the National Register of Historic Places, and is home to several historic structures and architectural elements.
Hart Park
City of Orange Hart Park Website
Address: 701 S Glassell Street, Orange, CA 92866
Parking: Free parking in paved Santiago Creek bed which is in the middle of the park.
There are three entrances to Hart Park. Glassell St, East River Ave and Shaffer St.
Dogs: Permitted with a leash
Features
- Sports Facilities
- Baseball Field – Lighted (with dugouts)
- Spectator BleachersElectronic Scoreboard
- Tennis Courts (2) – Lighted
- Volleyball Courts (Sand – 2) – Lighted
- Pickleball Courts (10)) Lighted
- Baseball Field – Lighted (with dugouts)
- Playground (Wood Chips)
- Walking Path
- Trail Access to Santiago Creek Bike Trail
- Restrooms
- Drinking Fountains
- Sitting Benches
- Bandshell
- Reservable terrace
- BBQ Stations
- Picnic Area – Accommodates up to 986
- Picnic Area – with utility sinks
- Picnic Tables (non-reservable)
- Community Building: Accommodates up to 30
Hart park is a perfect place for sports activities, family reunions/gatherings, birthday parties, weddings, company parties and more. There are many picnic tables and BBQ throughout the park and also acres of passive and open space, which are splendid for exercising and walking.
There is a reservable bandshell which is ideal for music events. The City of Orange hosts free concerts in the park every summer in the bandshell. The bandshell was the second project in the park and was built in 1938.
The Santiago Creek Bike Trail (SCBT) travels through Hart Park which connects to other trails that can get you from Riverside to the beach, including the Santa Ana River Trail. It’s a very convenient trail and makes for a great bike ride from many spots in Orange.
The park is clean and green with many of trees. Nice to walk your dog, exercise or have a picnic with many areas to choose from. It is near downtown Orange all walks of life venture into the park.
Hart Park Pickleball (now open)
The City of Orange received $2 million to go towards the construction of a new pickleball facility on the south side of the park, which includes 10 lighted pickleball courts, spectator shade seating, fencing, wind screens, benches, landscaping, lighting, and other amenities.
Location: South side of the park, near Glassell Street and close to the 22 Freeway, right by the orange grove.
Hours: 5 AM to 11 PM (lights shut off at 10:45)
No reservations, first-come; first -served
If people are waiting, you play a game to 11 points, win by 2 and then rotate off. Warm ups are five minutes only. You can also use the paddle racks to rotate in.
The courts are popular, so early mornings or weekdays are quieter.
The funding for these courts came the 2022 Federal Omnibus Appropriations Bill.
Hart Park Fitness Circuit
The outdoor fitness circuit is located in the southwest corner of the park, right next to the new courts and next to the orange grove. The new circuit has four pieces of shaded outdoor exercise equipment, new concrete and paver walkways to tie it all together.
Hart Park Pool
Hart Park Pool is now run by Premier Aquatic Service and is now open year round and features a swim team, lap swim, and group lessons that keep running.