Hillcrest Park (Fullerton)

Summary

Hillcrest Park is a 37.8 acres (15 ha) park in Fullerton, California. Opened in 1922, it is the oldest park in the city of Fullerton.[1] The park is located north of Downtown Fullerton and Fullerton College between Brea Boulevard, Harbor Boulevard, Valley View Drive, and Lemon Street. It is operated by the Fullerton Department of Parks and Recreation.

Hillcrest Park
Fountain on park's western edge
Map
TypeMunicipal public park
Location1200 N Harbor Blvd Fullerton, CA 92832
Coordinates33°52′58″N 117°55′20″W / 33.882850°N 117.922246°W / 33.882850; -117.922246
Area37.8 acres (15 ha)
Created1922
Operated byFullerton Department of Parks and Recreation
Public transit accessOC Bus 43, 143

The park is nestled among hilly terrain, offering views to the west and south from its peak. Within the park are a large historic fountain, picnic areas, trails, restrooms, the Hillcrest Stairs, and the Hillcrest Recreation Center.[2]

Features and amenities edit

A large historic fountain constructed by the Works Progress Administration in the 1930s is located in the park along Harbor Boulevard. The fountain was inoperable from the 1970s until a major renovation of the park was completed in 2018, which also restored the Great Lawn in front of the fountain, as well as a bridge across Brea Creek.[3]

The Hillcrest Park Duck Pond is located to the north of the historic fountain. The duck pond, which had fallen into disrepair, was restored and improved in renovations in 2020.[4][5]

Hillcrest Park became a fitness destination following the opening of the Hillcrest Steps in 2017. The wood steps provide access to the peak of Hillcrest Park from Lions Field, a group of softball fields on the western side of the park. Along the steps are staggered small observation decks with benches.[6]

Korean War Memorial edit

The Orange County Korean War Memorial is located along the edge of the park near Brea Boulevard. The granite memorial is engraved with the names of all 36,591 U.S. service members who died as a result of their military service during the Korean War. The memorial was unveiled on Veterans Day 2021.[7][8]

References edit

  1. ^ Whitehead, Brian (May 9, 2017). "New stairway in Fullerton connects Lions Field to Hillcrest Park and it's a 467-step workout". The Orange County Register. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  2. ^ "Hillcrest Park". City of Fullerton. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  3. ^ McRea, Heather (May 7, 2018). "Fullerton celebrates $4 million restoration of Hillcrest Park's fountain and Great Lawn". The Orange County Register. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  4. ^ McRea, Heather (January 4, 2021). "Fullerton's duck pond restoration at Hillcrest Park draws interested visitors". The Orange County Register. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  5. ^ "Hillcrest Park Duck Pond Improvements To Move Forward". The Orange County Register. April 26, 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  6. ^ Whitehead, Brian (May 9, 2017). "New stairway in Fullerton connects Lions Field to Hillcrest Park and it's a 467-step workout". The Orange County Register. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  7. ^ La Tour, Jesse (November 14, 2021). "Korean War Memorial Unveiled". The Fullerton Observer. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  8. ^ Do, Anh (November 20, 2021). "Korean War memorial in Fullerton got donations from near and far". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 7, 2022.