• Irvine Insider
  • Posts
  • Eight Pickleball Courts Coming to Mike Ward Park by Spring 2026

Eight Pickleball Courts Coming to Mike Ward Park by Spring 2026

Issue # 0380

Author

Joshua Tjia
07 Apr

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh Of The Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🌳🏓 Eight Pickleball Courts Coming to Mike Ward Park by Spring 2026

☕️✋🏼 Volunteer Needed for April 25 Event – Join Irvine’s Senior Support Team

🚓🚨 Irvine Police to Conduct DUI Checkpoint on April 12

🚌🌎 Ride OC Bus for Free on April 22 in Celebration of Earth Day

🌼🍽️🌼 Easter Eats for the Whole Family

😷 Fast Relief for Skin Rashes Available Daily at FCCMG Urgent Care

🌅🥾 Evening Hike at Hicks Haul Road Set for April 8 – Scenic Views and Sunset Adventure Await

🪡🎨 Create Custom Buttons at All-Ages Craft Event – April 10 at Irvine Heritage Park Library

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐇 Helping Irvine’s Wildlife: What to Do If You Find a Nest of Baby Bunnies in the Wild

🏐 UC Irvine Men’s Volleyball Sweeps UC San Diego 3-0

🏀🏐🎾⚾ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏐 IVC Women’s Beach Volleyball Earns Two Big Wins, Moves to 8-4 in Conference

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚓💍 Irvine Police Seek Woman Wanted Nationwide for Jewelry Thefts

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

🌟🏪🎉Irvine’s Best Kept Secrets: Is Your Business One of Them?

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

What do you call a mischievous egg?

A practical yolker!

We hope this joke brings some laughter to your day! 😁

Eight Pickleball Courts Coming to Mike Ward Park by Spring 2026

Eight new pickleball courts are coming to Mike Ward Community Park — Woodbridge in spring 2026, along with added amenities like shade structures, new lighting, a restroom near Lakeview Senior Center, picnic tables, benches, and drinking fountains.

Volunteer Needed for April 25 Event – Join Irvine’s Senior Support Team

Irvine Older Adult Services is looking for volunteers to support local senior programs. They need event volunteers on April 25 from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. to help with appetizers, beverages, lunch, and clean-up during a recognition event.

Irvine Police to Conduct DUI Checkpoint on April 12


The Irvine Police Department will hold a DUI and driver’s license checkpoint on April 12, from 8:30 p.m. to 2 a.m., with clear signage at the location. This checkpoint is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety via the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The goal is to prevent injuries and fatalities caused by impaired driving. If you see a suspected drunk driver, call 9-1-1.

Ride OC Bus for Free on April 22 in Celebration of Earth Day

Ride OC Bus for free on April 22 in celebration of Earth Day! It’s a great chance to save on travel and enjoy convenient transportation across Orange County. No fare needed—just hop on and go!

Easter Eats for the Whole Family

From April 4–20, families can enjoy Easter dining across Irvine and Newport Beach with a variety of kid-friendly and family-focused spots perfect for celebrating together. Here are the featured restaurants by category:

Sweet Treats:

Family-Friendly Breakfast/Brunch:

Special Easter Dinner:

Fast Relief for Skin Rashes Available Daily at FCCMG Urgent Care

Dealing with itchy or irritated skin? FCCMG Urgent Care offers fast, expert treatment for all types of skin rashes at walk-in clinics in Irvine and Costa Mesa. Open daily, they provide personalized care, in-house labs for quick diagnoses, and accept most insurance.

  • From common winter rashes like atopic and contact dermatitis to childhood conditions like diaper rash and fifth disease, FCCMG evaluates and treats all rash types with tailored solutions.

  • If needed, specialist referrals are available.

  • Visit fccmg.com or stop by their Irvine Woodbridge or Costa Mesa locations.

Evening Hike at Hicks Haul Road Set for April 8 – Scenic Views and Sunset Adventure Await

Join OC Parks for an Evening Hike on Hicks Haul Road in the Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve on Tuesday, April 8, from 6:00–7:30 PM. This 3.5-mile, level-3 difficulty out-and-back hike takes you up to Loma Ridge through scenic rock formations and native plants. Bring a red-tinted flashlight for the post-sunset return.

Create Custom Buttons at All-Ages Craft Event – April 10 at Irvine Heritage Park Library

Join a fun, all-ages Button Craft event on Thursday, April 10, from 4:00–5:00 PM at Irvine Heritage Park Library. Get creative and make your own custom buttons at this hands-on Crafts & DIY program. All supplies provided—just bring your imagination!

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. Apr 12th, 1:00 PM: Friends of Jazz Performance, Lone Wolf Brewing Co., Yorba Linda

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://timbmusic.org/events/

Upcoming University High School's Choirs Calendar

  1. May 1-2, 7:00 PM: Broadway Rocks!, Big Theater

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.uhschoirs.org/2024-25-season.html

Upcoming Woodbridge High School's Music Calendar

  1. April 17, 7:00 PM: IUSD Honors Concert, Segerstrom Performing Arts Center

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.whs-music.org/

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

  1. April 17, 7:00 PM: IUSD Honors Concert, Segerstrom Concert Hall.

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://woodbridgechoirs.weebly.com/calendar.html

Upcoming Irvine High School's Music Calendar

  1. May 2, 7:30 PM: Music Under the Stars (MUTS), Irvine Amphitheater

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.vimb.info/calendar

Helping Irvine’s Wildlife: What to Do If You Find a Nest of Baby Bunnies in the Wild

If you come across a nest of baby bunnies while out and about, the best thing you can do is leave it be! Mama rabbits are doing their job—even if you don’t see them around. They only visit a couple of times a day to feed, then stay away to keep predators from finding the nest. It’s totally normal!

  • Avoid touching or moving the nest as nest relocation is considered illegal, and just keep an eye on it from a distance.

  • If the babies look hurt, give Irvine Animal Services a call at 949-724-7092.

UC Irvine Men’s Volleyball Sweeps UC San Diego 3-0

No. 4 UC Irvine swept No. 10 UC San Diego 3-0 (27-25, 25-21, 25-16) at the Bren Events Center, improving to 16-6 overall and 2-4 in Big West play. Senior outside hitter Hilir Henno led with 15 kills and 3 aces, hitting .520, and moved into second all-time in NCAA history with 236 career aces. Nolan Flexen added 13 kills, while William D’Arcy had 9. Beck Weber came off the bench with a perfect 4-for-4 hitting performance. UCI dominated the final set with a .609 hitting percentage. The Anteaters now prepare to face UC Santa Barbara on Thursday, April 10 at 6:00 p.m.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Baseball

  • Tue, Apr 15 – vs LMU, 6:00 PM

Men's Volleyball

  • Sat, Apr 12 – vs UC Santa Barbara, 6:00 PM

Men's Tennis

  • Wed, Apr 9 – vs UC San Diego, 2:00 PM

  • Sat, Apr 12 – vs UC Santa Barbara, 12:00 PM

Women's Golf

  • Mon, Apr 14 – vs Big West Championships (Las Vegas, NV – Spanish Trail CC)

IVC Women’s Beach Volleyball Earns Two Big Wins, Moves to 8-4 in Conference

Irvine Valley College secured two Orange Empire Conference wins on Friday at home, despite Saddleback being the designated host. The Lasers beat Saddleback 4-1 and swept Santiago Canyon 5-0, improving their overall record to 8-12 and 8-4 in conference play. Standout performances included undefeated No. 1 pair Audrey Fowler and Avery Bennett, and a gritty comeback win from the freshman duo Maia Garcia and Jheazrell May Quindoza. IVC next competes on Friday against Golden West and Riverside, starting at 9 a.m.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Baseball

  • Thu, Apr 10 – vs Fullerton, 2:00 PM

  • Thu, Apr 17 – vs Riverside, 2:00 PM

Men's Volleyball

  • Wed, Apr 9 - Orange Coast 6:00 PM

  • Fri, Apr 11 Santiago Canyon 6:00 PM

Women's Beach Volleyball

  • Fri, Apr 11 - Golden West 9:00 AM

  • Fri, Apr 11 - Riverside 10:00 AM

Women's Flag Football

  • Wed, Apr 9 Redlands TBA

High School Athletics Calendar

** Updated With April Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

April 2025

Monday, April 7

  • 3:15 PM – Tennis (Boys, VR) vs Valencia/Placentia at Irvine High School Heritage Park

  • 3:30 PM – Softball (VR) vs University at Irvine High School Softball Field

  • 4:00 PM – Lacrosse (Boys, VR) vs University at Irvine High School Stadium

Tuesday, April 8

  • 3:15 PM – Tennis (Boys, VR) vs University at Irvine High School Heritage Park

  • 5:15 PM – Volleyball (Boys, VR) vs University at Irvine High School Game Gym

Wednesday, April 9

  • 3:00 PM – Beach Volleyball (Girls, VR) vs Bell Gardens at Deerfield Park Beach Courts

Irvine Police Seek Woman Wanted Nationwide for Jewelry Thefts

Irvine Police are searching for 45-year-old Sirbu Lacramioara, wanted nationwide for stealing jewelry through distraction tactics—like kissing her victims while swiping valuables. In one case, she stole a Rolex and left behind DNA evidence. If you have info, email [email protected].

Irvine’s Best Kept Secrets: Is Your Business One of Them?

We know our community is brimming with businesses that have fascinating stories and big hearts. If you’re a local business owner making waves, crafting unique experiences, or simply putting a smile on our faces, we want to chat with you! “Irvine Insider” is eager to shine a light on the unsung heroes of our city. Let’s collaborate and let the community know what makes your business special.

Click the link below and fill out the Local Business Spotlight Application Form to be featured and let’s celebrate the spirit of Irvine together!

Irvine Insider is sent to a local audience of Irvine residence Monday through Friday with 50% - 60% open rate. Our newsletter is a great way to reach Irvine residents.

  • Kaiser Permanente Irvine Farmers Market

  • Saturday Farmers Market at Mariners Church Irvine

    • When: Saturday, 8 AM - 12 PM

    • Where: 5428 Bonita Canyon Dr, Irvine, CA 92603

  • Great Park Certified Farmers Market

  • Manassero Farmers

    • When: Daily, 9 AM - 4:30 PM

    • Where: 33 Irvine Valley, Irvine, CA 92604

  • Tanaka Farms

    • When: Daily, 9 AM - 5 PM

    • Where: 5380 3/4 University Dr, Irvine, CA 92612

    • More Info:Tanaka Farms

We could use your help

We’ve got big plans as we get up to speed! But we need your help!

One huge way that you can help us is to spread the word for us.

Know somebody who lives in the Irvine and surrounding areas and would benefit from being kept in the know?

Please share Irvine Insider with them! It’s simple!