In honor of National Park and Recreation Month, the City of Irvine invites residents to explore its parks, complete activities, and earn prizes throughout July. The Park & Recreation Month Challenge begins July 1 and highlights award-winning amenities available across Irvine’s parks.

To participate, residents can get their Park & Recreation Month passport at participating community centers, the Great Park Visitors Center, Turtle Rock Nature Center, and Adventure Playground. The passport can also be downloaded online at cityofirvine.org/parks.

Each of the 12 locations in the challenge features two unique activities designed for all ages. After completing an activity, participants receive a stamp in their passport from City staff. Bonus stamps can also be collected at Pop-Up Library events Sundays, 1–4 p.m., at the Middle School Youth Action Team office located within Heritage Community Park, and during the Wilderness Access Day at Bommer Canyon Cattle Camp Saturday, July 19.

Prizes are available while supplies last. Participants who collect six stamps can earn a 2025 Park & Recreation Month sticker sheet; 12 stamps unlock a limited-edition water bottle.

In May, Irvine was recognized nationally for its outstanding park system, ranking second in the United States and first in California in the Trust for Public Land’s annual ParkScore Index, which found that 94% of Irvine residents live within a half-mile walk of a park. The monthlong Park & Recreation Month Challenge highlights the City’s top-ranked parks and celebrates outdoor recreation, discovery, and play.

National Park and Recreation Month started in 1985 as an initiative of the National Park and Recreation Association, with the goal of raising awareness of the essential services provided by parks and recreation opportunities in communities across the country. July is also recognized at the state level by the California Park and Recreation Association as Parks Make Life Better Month.

A full list of parks and activity challenges is available at cityofirvine.org.org/parks.

Participants can also follow the City of Irvine on social media for updates and reminders about the challenge.

Facebook: facebook.com/cityofirvine
Instagram: instagram.com/cityofirvine
X: x.com/city_of_irvine