We were there for the Irvine Park Railroad Easter Egg Hunt.
It takes place right around the area that is part of the Irvine Park Railroad Station at Irvine Regional Park.
It’s not a sophisticated hunt. They plastic eggs full of candy or small toys are scattered all over the ground in a small area. Smaller kids go out and grab them, they have about 15 minutes, and the ground is picked clean.
Speaking of the Railroad, it travels about a mile and a half through the park and returns, a pleasant ride through the park.
The engine for the railroad is new, and no longer gasoline-powered. This new engine runs on rechargeable batteries – charged up at the station and overnight in the shed through an induction charging system.
Irvine Regional Park is set in the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains, it has lots of room for people to picnic, and their dogs to come along too.
Lots of folks bring their pooches to explore the park grounds, which has more to offer than a train ride and picnic tables.
The OC (Orange County Zoo) is located inside the park. On display are cougars, bears, snakes, and many other wildlife as could be found in the wilds of Southern California.
Some of the “wild” critters float around in one of the two lakes within the park. Isn’t that ducky?
They just swim about looking for food and enjoying their life.
This dog was looking for some critters, let’s investigate.
A female Mallard blending in with the fallen leaves.
A male Mallard was keeping an eye on her.
Four-wheeled “bikes” can be rented to ride around on the various trails throughout the park.
There are even some models where the young child can be put up front and not have to pedal.
Soaring in over the lake a beautiful white bird looks for fish.
The bird landed on the shore to have a closer look.
Tractor pulls are offered for visitors to the park who want to tour the grounds without having to pedal around.
Pedaling is what some folks do with their giant-tire boats on one of the lakes. Though I think they disrupt the fish.
That does look like it could be fun.
Irvine Regional Park has hundreds of Live Oak Trees spread throughout the grounds.
And lots of squirrels who live in the ground and in those trees. Hint: They’re nuts about the nuts.
Finally, the park is a peaceful escape from the city, but not too far from it. A place to fish and reflect.
And a place for a father to spend some quality time teaching their kid how to fish.