By Aleta Walther
Adjacent to Marblehead Elementary School, Marblehead Park is popular with children ready to burn off pent-up energy from sitting in class all day. Located at the intersection of Via Turqueza and Avenida Vista Hermosa, Marblehead Park also offers athletic and relaxation amenities for adults, including two-lighted tennis courts, lighted basketball courts, an exercise course and a walking and jogging loop.
With its peek-a-boo ocean view and breezes, shade trees and grassy expanse, Marblehead Park is perfect for a family picnic, relaxing or even napping. Open from dawn to dusk, Marblehead Park also offers four picnic tables, barbecues, a drinking fountain, benches, restrooms, a small covered amphitheater and two tot lots with swings, slides, a jungle gym and sand play area.
“The kids just love the swings and slides, and I like the play equipment because it is kid safe,” Ryan Fisher said while supervising his two toddlers as they ran back and forth between the park’s two play areas. Although Fisher grew up in San Clemente, he now lives in Rancho Santa Margarita. His wife, however, still frequents a San Clemente hair stylist and while she is getting her hair done, Fisher keeps 4-year-old Caden and 3-year-old Makena entertained with a visit to Marblehead Park. “It’s nice that the restrooms are so close to the playgrounds and that they are always so clean.”
No dogs are allowed in Marblehead Park. The city also bans alcohol, golfing, skateboarding or roller skating and blading. Park amenities are available on a first-come, first-served basis; however, park amenities can be reserved by acquiring a permit through the City of San Clemente.
“Marblehead Park is a good park for birthday parties,” Aronid Madeline wrote in his essay for the City of San Clemente’s essay contest: Which San Clemente City Park is Your Favorite? A fourth-grade student at Las Palmas Elementary School in San Clemente, Madeline says his family often visits the park to play basketball, tennis and soccer. “Marblehead Park is a beautiful park,” he added. “It is a big park. It has a lot of things to do.”
This is the 19th in a weekly series highlighting San Clemente’s parks. The article is provided by the city through its Beaches, Parks and Recreation Department.
