Tri-City Park

The inspiration

Tri-City Regional Park sits on the site of the old Tuffree Reservoir, built in the 1870s to irrigate local farms¹ . As postwar urban development shrank the area's agriculture and the reservoir became unnecessary, the cities of Placentia, Brea and Fullerton stepped in during the mid-1970s to turn the land into a public park rather than let it be built over^1,2 . Today it is a 40-acre park with an 8-acre lake, run by the County's OC Parks department since 2013^3,4,2 .

Who's behind it

The park came about through a joint powers agreement among the three cities, with the Tri-City Park Authority formed in March 1974 to acquire land and build the park² . According to the Los Angeles Times, Placentia mayor Bob Finnell was instrumental in bringing Fullerton and Brea into the deal when developers eyed the land for condominiums in 1972² . The county's OC Parks Department has operated the park since January 2013¹ .

What to order

• Fishing: the lake is allowed for fishing, and OC Parks says it is stocked with trout and catfish; a state license is required for ages 16 and up .^5,6,4
• Birdwatching: the park serves as a wildlife sanctuary for migratory waterfowl .⁴
• Picnic shelters: three covered shelters with tables and charcoal barbecues can be reserved for groups .^5,4
• Playground time: swings, slides and climbing structures on a soft recycled rubber surface suit toddlers and younger kids .⁴

What people are saying

Visitors and local guides keep coming back to the calm of the lake, with its waterfowl and easy walking loop⁴ . The park also draws community crowds for events, including the annual Placentia Heritage Festival parade and car show⁷ .

Why you should try it

It also has an ADA-accessible fishing platform, added by OC Parks, making the lakefront easier to enjoy for everyone⁶ .