This park is so nice, I'm surprised it is so quiet! It has a nice walking path beside the water and it's so grassy! Perfect spot for a little picnic or evening stroll. read more

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Sweet, hidden relaxing little park to come and take a stroll. There is a nice meandering walking path that goes around a one acre pond, which is perfect to bring my Mom for a nice walk since it's a shorter distance around the park vs the 1-mile walk around the Rancho Santa Margarita Lake. I love that there are a few water fowl families that live at this park, although the pathways closer to the water can get a bit dirty with all the poop bombs that the geese leave. It seems like the City and County takes care of the mess every so often because there are times that I have come here and the sidewalks look almost spotless and other times not so much. It is quite peaceful hearing the water from the water features and the quacks of the ducks on your stroll as it is a little off the beaten path with only neighboring locals really coming here. Our dogs enjoy coming here as well as there are always lots of new smells to encounter. We will be back! read more

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What better way to spend Veterans Day than a visit to Veterans Park; very apropos... 'And to our Veterans, "Thank you for you service." Photo - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=emnP1mzkk4gUPaOfJxdPRw&userid=O6EBodP3Fgu_n67efSKnBQ The park isn't very big but it's big enough for a nice stroll with my HAPA Boy, The dog and I took a loop around the man-made pond, stopping and relaxing in the small bits of shade. It was a warm afternoon. (The trees are still relatively young but given time to grow, I'm sure they will provide visitors with ample amounts of shade.) Photo - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=gL0_YpQ2znwlB4Cre_ySbQ&userid=O6EBodP3Fgu_n67efSKnBQ It was about 1pm and the park was peppered with a few other people; not very crowded at all. Photo - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=jtGhRbHN86Kzo9bo-YMC2A&userid=O6EBodP3Fgu_n67efSKnBQ Veterans Park is a great neighborhood park and form what I saw, very well kept. However, just like any park; be aware of your surroundings. (There appeared to be a homeless man sleeping in the grass near the outer perimeter of the park.) Be vigilant! Photo - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=nR55EF214JL-ShnN6nQPyg&userid=O6EBodP3Fgu_n67efSKnBQ I've said it time and time again, Orange County has quite a number of great parks and Veterans Park can be added to that list! HAPA Boy approved - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=xIvTNCVSVM_dHgGz33aVlw&userid=O6EBodP3Fgu_n67efSKnBQ Make it Great! Big Aloha! Food: n/a Ambiance: 4 Service: 4 Value: 5+ (Priceless - Never underestimate the value of a good park.) read more

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We've driven by here quite a few times and finally had a chance to stop and check it out. Disclaimer: after reading some other Yelp reviews, apparently this park used to be something different, and I've never experienced what it was. This park is beautiful. There's a huge water feature in the middle, and a butterfly garden area on the left, next to the veteran memorials. There's a path that runs along the perimeter, and plenty of benches and tables to sit. I think it's designed very well. There are waterfowl that roam the area, and I think I saw a sign that said there's fish as well? Easy walk around, very small. There isn't a playground, so when I took my kids and said we were going to a park, they were disappointed (they're toddlers). That being said, it's a beautiful place to visit! Easy parking on the street. read more

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OK so here's my scoop. They remodeled this place and made it beautiful, however they took the heart away. I just saw a video clip of 10 years ago, and this place was bustling with people, feeding the ducks, fishing, checking out the turtles. And now it's just a regular ordinary place, they did play homage to the military. Which is needed I really do wish that they would allow the ducks back here. Because then the people will come back, we know this is the Lake Forest Village duckpond. Now it's a place where there's A nice park. Allow the ducks to come back. Then the children will come back laughing, Naming the ducks and geese. Hopefully someone from Lake Forest Bord will read this, And make amends. read more

Veterans Park - A beautiful park - Parks Near Me - Lake Forest, California

The park is beautiful and I love coming here but I saw a city official using a goose deterrent improperly and running it at the geese to scare them. Do not frighten or put these animals under stress. You're awful people for doing so. They're part of the world we live in. Practice a better regaining strategy. This isn't a golf course it's a park if you don't want wildlife shut it down. read more

If you can fish there then I highly recommend to check it out they redid the park so it's a lot cleaner but I would only go there if they had large mouth bass to fish for. read more

I'm so glad to see this park redone and open to the public, it turned out beautifully! Always nice to have a place to take a stroll or go out with the kids, very nicely done. Quite a bit of ducks also means quite a bit of poop, just a warning. read more

This park is mainly for neighbors in the community. So don't expect a restroom at this park. The park is not very green and the grass is dried up for the most part. There are a lot of geese, which have basically taken over the park. In fact, I was even chased by them and that alone was not a pleasant experience. The geese leave a lot of their droppings. The pond water is tinted and has a large amounts of feathers and dust. This park has so much potential. But it deserves no more than 2 stars. I was looking for a nice place to read and relax, I did not find that here. read more

Veterans Park - Parks Near Me - Lake Forest, California

I grew up and still live really close to this place, and before it was a little gross, but so fun. now its a good picnic spot. It was a good picnic spot before, but now that's all it is. I do miss the old one, but the new one is not horrible. its pretty, and you can have picnics on either a table or the ground. not really cottagecore, or much of a vibe, but it does pay homage to the military, which everyone should go see, that thing helped me in school, which is what matters read more

Lake Forest did an awesome job of re-doing this area! They are also maintaining it well. Somebody is out there everyday landscaping or cleaning. This park is great to walk your dogs around, has a water fountain for you and puppers, it's about 1/3 mile if you take the bigger loop. There is no poop on side walks or grass. Thankfully the geese have stayed away from the area and there is now only ducks and random birds. Parking is easy and neighbors are friendly. There is no restrooms. Beautiful butterfly garden and bird houses, picnic tables scattered around and random benches to sit on. Bonus: catch an awesome sunset from the park ! read more

Village Pond Park is a serene little park located on the corner of Ridge Route and Elrond. Snuggled between houses on 3 of it's 4 sides, it serves as a community green belt as well as a public park. The park has a small lake at its center and although fishing is allowed I cannot comment on the quality of this location for that. Waterfowl abound here. Geese, ducks, seagulls and a plethora of smaller birds make this their home around the lake. As a matter of fact today as I arrived there was a wildlife photographer taking pictures of the birds. Around the perimeter of the park there are several tables for picnicking, though not enough that I would recommend coming here specifically for a family party or gathering. There are also a number of benches around the lake to relax in and feed the birds. Gently sloping upward away from center are gentle inclines with plenty of trees to enjoy a nice quiet time during the afternoon. I really liked this location and to me its best suited for quiet times of meditation and relaxing, as well as reading. Taking a nice stroll during sunset could be nice as well, though the park is rather small and would take less than 5 minutes to circumnavigate. Overall rating: This is a very tidy, nicely kept park deserving of a very solid 4 Stars. read more

Veterans Park - Parks Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Formerly know as Village Pond Park, Veteran's Park is finally open to the public. The park was recently transformed with "...meandering sidewalks, an updated lake shore, a butterfly garden and a veterans monument to honor members of each branch of the armed forces," according to the City of Lake Forest. The transformation took quite some time to complete. The City enlisted the help of experts and is following advice from the Humane Society to discourage waterfowl from taking up residence at Veteran's Park. Fortunately their efforts were in vain, despite the inordinate amount of time the city spent on the transformation. Plenty of the waterfowl have returned to the spot, which I personally view as a good thing. We have many parks throughout Orange County. In fact, Lake Forest boasts one of the largest Sports Parks in Orange County with over 57 acres devoted to sports fields and recreation at the Sports Park and Recreation Center. The waterfowl are what made this park unique! So I'm glad they've returned. Yes, their presence does mean that you'll have to step around their droppings, but at least that should reduce foot traffic through the park. If you want a run-of-the-mill park, you've got plenty of options to choose from! read more

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Looking forward to the remodel... it's just taking longer than I expected. I miss taking the dogs for a walk around the park read more

Veterans Park - Look at those teeth!! - Parks Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Rude workers don't make it a fun time, I was just walking and one of the workers started yelling at me Not okay! read more

People obviously must be blind to not see the signs "DO NOT FEED DUCKS" Witnessed a family of 4 come with 3 big loafs of bread *___* & to make matters worse, they threw the bread near the street causing a duck to be ran over :/ read more

Since the renovation, the park is actually less attractive; mainly because it is less attractive to wildlife. Now, I'm not a big fan of critter litter, however, the utter sterility of the park now renders it downright boring. In the several visits I've made to it, I can count on one hand the one waterfowl, and the one turtle I've seen. Has the water been rendered toxic as well? read more

This is a cute little park with an attractive pond that many locals wouldn't mind seeing gone. It's fun to take your kids there to feed the ducks, but the duck droppings are naturally all over the place. This is the gross factor, but I still like the park and the ducks. Every once in a while they visit my house and hang out in the pool for hours, or until my labs jump in and try to retrieve them. read more

Cute little park. Not the cleanest on account of all the waterfowl there, but still a fun place to sit at a bench and draw or read. The fishing there isn't great (meaning you won't catch more than the few inch long fish) but the little fish are always biting! read more

The duck pond. Not the greatest park for kids to roll around in the grass, but fun seeing the ducks. This is a good park with enough tables and seating for a quiet lunch, or to simply take your dog for a walk if they don't go crazy over the water fowl. Every once in a while I see someone fishing there, but have never seen any fish. Don't drive too fast past the park, or you might hit one of the ducks. There are squashed ones there on a pretty regular basis. read more

The City-of Lake Forest did a wonderful job restoring the park and pond. A very peaceful place. Beautiful tribute to our Armed Forces!

This park is absolutely disgusting. We got out of the car and the sidewalk and grass are COVERED in goose feces. So much so that you couldn't take a single step without looking at the ground. Awful! read more

I live within walking distance to this park and would love to take my two small boys there, but I can't due to the excessive water fowl droppings. I have been to other parks with water fowl, but nothing comes close to the amount of droppings I see at this park. I don't feel comfortable with my sons accidentally touching the ground anywhere in this park. It's a shame because it is in a nice location and looks quite nice from a distance. There are some picnic benches and lots of green areas to play in. I suspect that part of the blame for the droppings falls on the people that regularly ignore the clearly visible do not feed the ducks sign. I'm sure it's also health issue for the animals. Please stop feeding the ducks people!!! read more