Victory Park in Tustin: An Outdoor Tribute to El Toro Air Station History

Victory Park in Tustin makes you feel like you are playing on the grounds of a Marine Corps Air Station. Wait. You are!

Directions to Victory Park in Tustin: The park is right off Jamboree near The District in Tustin. If you are coming from I-5, you take the Warner / Park Avenue exit off Jamboree. Turn right at the stop and the park is ahead of you on your left. Another easy way to get to the park, while getting a close-up view of the original full-size hangars is to take Barranca to Tustin Ranch Road and turn on Victory Road. (Address: 3300 Park Avenue, Tustin) MAP TO VICTORY PARK IN TUSTIN

Highlights:

Every detail of the park keeps the air station alive — from the hangar-shaped restroom building & covered picnic area to the mini flight control tower replica with photos of the helicopters that flew here.

The garden area has landing strip details and the benches are shaped like airplane wings sitting on top of a hangar-shaped base. There are 6 placards sharing incredible details and historical photography of the old base.

Lots of climbing apparatus with different size handholds that would be fun, even for older kids.

Grassy hill with a spiral path leading down into the playground – at the top is blue-filtered telescope and a red-filtered binocular that you can set into the distance.

Interactive play panels with drums and music, plus an oddly placed post office doorway that leads into a wall.

You’ll find plenty of futuristic monkey bars and “spiderweb” climbers, as well as spinners and balancing pedestals.

There is an accessible ramp for wheelchair access to some of the playground features, but the play surface is wood chips.

There is a nice sidewalk around the park for walking or scooters.

There are 6 bench swings and 4 baby swings.

Be Aware:

• It’s a BIG playground and you’ll probably have to follow your little one to be able to see him/her in all the places they can go. The good news is that the equipment is big enough to hold adults.
• The tallest tunnel slide is only reachable by a ladder – and it’s steep. Test it out yourself first!
• Not much shade on the play area

Checklist:

• If you want to make this a Play Trip, check out my post on Things to Do Near Mess Hall Market in Tustin
• Dedicated parking lot
• Recycled rubber and bark play surface with lots of lawn areas and some decomposed granite pathways
• Nice new restroom building
• Drinking fountain
• Some benches, but they don’t really provide a great view of the playground
• Covered picnic area with 4 tables and 2 charcoal grills
• Four more picnic tables outside the cover, surrounding the grassy area near the parking lot. All situated for easy unloading.
• 3 small elevated stages with shade covers and electrical for music performances
• Reservations required for groups of 20 or more
• Official City of Tustin reservation information
• Official Victory Park page on city website

Nearby parks:

• Bill Barber Memorial Park
• Sweet Shade Park

Originally published in October 2015.

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