Madrid Fore Park in Mission Viejo

Madrid Fore Park in Mission Viejo sees the playground area as a gathering place in the Madrid Fore neighborhood. I hope it ends up being a multi-generational spot for neighbors to enjoy the outdoors and each other!

That being said, visitors should understand that this public playground is a neighborhood park which means it’s primarily designed for those living within walking distance. So there are no restrooms. There also isn’t a lot of parking. This is typical for neighborhood parks. You’ll want to seek out community parks for more parking options and amenities.

How to Get to Madrid Fore Park in Mission Viejo: It’s surprisingly easy to find and right off I-5 at Oso Parkway. Take the Oso Parkway exit and head towards Mission Viejo. Take one of the first lefts past the freeway at Montanoso. Then you are going to make your first left up the hill at Via Marina. It might look like you can make a left sooner than Via Marina, but just be aware that you’re in between golf course holes going up Montanoso at this point, so although it might look like a left you can make it’s actually the golf course. Via Marina is pretty clearly marked. I parked up at the sign and entered through the top of the park. If you wait to go around on Via Oceano, there is only parking on the side of the street with homes in the opposite direction of travel. (Park Address: 26182 Via Oceano, Mission Viejo) MAP TO MADRID FORE PARK IN MISSION VIEJO

Recommended by: Julia, who has been sending me updates since May 2024 — and was so excited for me to share so you’d to be able to enjoy it, too!

Highlights:

Shade! It’s what everyone is craving during these summer months and perfect for So Cal weather!

Brand new equipment as of July 2024 with lots of spaces for community gathering and play for all ages.

I feel like this park has everything from clubhouses and teeter-totters, to swings, to spinners, climbers and slides!

The wide green slide will be a big draw because these are new, but just be aware that it is STEEP and FAST. Designed for 5-12 year olds and it’s quite high off the ground only reachable via ladders. (So they make it hard for little ones to attempt.)

It’s nice because it lets out at the edge of the playground where it’s less like to have kids running by. However, watch that legs don’t get jammed coming off at the bottom. Don’t want your feet to get caught on the recycled rubber and your body to keep going!

I liked that the colorful blue and green structures were separated so the kids have different spaces to spread out — and caregivers have different spaces to watch.

There is a smaller slide for smaller kids that is reachable by stairs instead of ladders.

There’s one of my favorite swing-with-me swing is here!

Caregivers or siblings sit on the bench part and younger ones in baby seat. If you like these, I have a list of parks with swing-with-me swings!

There are also 2 bench swings for older kids.

The huge “pine tree” spinner is super-sized so multiple kids can fit at once.

There are some climbing challenges for older kids in the form of ropes and rubber hammocks. This is the view from the platform where you go down the big wide green slide. So you can see how you can climb up here.

There is also a small sand pit with a digger which can be popular.

Wait till you see the public art exhibit with blocks of wood designed by community members and kids! The blocks are meant to be gently spun, and when that happens, the top of the artwork chimes like windchimes. I loved the sound element and the creativity of the artists!

Be Aware:

• The landscaping and lighting for the playground are not set to be complete until August due to a delay in the lighting delivery. So please respect the work areas until they can be completed. At the time of my visit, the basketball court wasn’t really usable yet.
• Like I said above, this is designed as a neighborhood park so respect the hours (grounds open at 7am) and be extra careful to follow signs when parking so as not to obstruct driveways, etc.
• Different parts of this playground are designed for 2-5 year olds and 5-12 year olds. Sometimes this can be frustrating if you have a little one who likes to climb the big kid equipment. So just wanted to give a heads up that it’s all mixed in!
• I already put in cautions about that big wide green slide (see above) along with the drop points that come with climbing up to take the slide. And also watch your head on the bar above the slide!
• Whenever sand meets recycled rubber it can get slippery.
• I happened to visit on a Thursday which, at the time of writing, appears to be trash day in this neighborhood so parking options are further reduced due to cans lining curbs.

Checklist:

• NO restrooms
• Play surface: recycled rubber
• Grounds open at 7am for public hours
• Picnic tables and seating areas for adults
• 1/2 basketball court
• Official City of Mission Viejo website information for Madrid Fore Park
• Official City of Mission Viejo website info for questions
• Nearest public library: Mission Viejo Public Library
• Check my post on Shade Covered Playgrounds in Orange County

Nearby parks in Mission Viejo:

• Cordova Park in Mission Viejo
• Coronado Park in Mission Viejo
• Oso Viejo Community Park

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