Park Series: Mira Costa Park Popular for Little League Practice

By Aleta Walther
Drive down Camino Mira Costa and you may mistake Mira Costa Park as a neighborhood greenbelt since its play area and picnic benches are situated out of sight at the south end of this narrow L-shaped park. However, where you may see just a grassy open space, San Clemente Little League players and coaches see a practice field, unencumbered by trees and ornamental landscaping.
“This is a good park to practice in,” said Jerry Thomas, who had accompanied his son to the park for baseball practice. “There are not enough ball fields in San Clemente for practice so when we can’t schedule a ball field, we come here. This (Mira Costa) is one of the few parks in San Clemente that has enough space to practice.”
Thomas’ son plays for the San Clemente Little League Major’s Blue Jays. The Saturday this writer visited the Mira Costa Park, the Blue Jay players were practicing pitching and catching. Another group of about 15 children and adults were enjoying a birthday party while several teenagers played an energetic round of footbag, also known as Hacky Sack.
Mira Costa Park does not have playing fields per se, but it does have plenty of level ground to play soccer, although there are no soccer goal posts or nets. It also has a drinking fountain, several benches, three picnic tables and a child’s play area with swings, slides and a jungle gym. These amenities are easily accessible from Calle La Veta or Calle Guyamas. There is also a concrete walkway that traverses the park from Camino Mira Costa, past the play area, to Calle La Veta. Although not abundant, there are some trees, including some stately pines. Dogs are allowed on leash. There are no restroom facilities.
Only a couple of blocks from the Sears Essential and Big Lots shopping center in North San Clemente, Mira Costa Park is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Park amenities are generally available without charge or reservation on a first-come, first served basis. If you wish to reserve any part of the park for a wedding, birthday party or other event with 50 or more people, or bring equipment to the park such as a bounce house, a permit is required. For more park information, call 949.361.8264.

Kids: Don’t forget to enter the Beaches, Parks and Recreation Foundation essay contest. If you are between the ages of 4 and 17, write about which San Clemente park is your favorite. Email your essay to recreation@san-clemente.org or mail it to Rita DeForrest, Beaches, Parks and Recreation Department, 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, CA 92673. There are loads of prizes, with three grand-prize winners receiving an annual pass to Disneyland. We may even use some of your quotes in upcoming articles. Deadline for entries is June 1. For more information on the essay contest, call 949.361.8237.

This is the third in a weekly series highlighting San Clemente’s parks. The article is provided by the city through its Beaches, Parks and Recreation Department.

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