Community Link Newsletter: June 26–July 2, 2025

Celebrate the Fourth of July at Great Park

Join the City of Irvine for a free, family-friendly Fourth of July Celebration at the Great Park Friday, July 4, from 4 to 10 p.m.

The event kicks off at 4 p.m. with live music in Hangar 244, followed by a Community Parade at 5 p.m. along the Historical Timeline. Families are encouraged to decorate bikes, scooters, wagons, or strollers and join the fun.

Enjoy games and activities throughout the park, including:

• Lawn games and tournaments
• Water balloon toss and hula hoop contests
• Carousel and Balloon rides
• Bubble Zone and inflatables at The Layover
• Crafts, face painting, cake walk, and sand volleyball

Inside Hangar 244, enjoy live music, dancing, and a silent DJ experience.

The night ends with a drone show at 8:45 p.m. and a fireworks finale at 9:45 p.m.

Food will be available for purchase from food trucks and vendors. Bring lawn chairs and blankets.

Admission and parking are free. Guests are encouraged to walk, bike, carpool, or ride-share.

For more information, including parking and directions, visit cityofirvine.org/fourthofjuly.

Explore Irvine Parks with the Park & Recreation Month Challenge

Celebrate National Park and Recreation Month this July by exploring Irvine parks and earning fun prizes along the way.

Starting July 1, visit 12 participating parks and facilities across the City. Each location features two simple activities for all ages. After completing an activity, check in with City staff to receive a stamp in your Park & Recreation Month passport.

Pick up a passport at any participating community center, the Great Park Visitors Center, Turtle Rock Nature Center, Adventure Playground, or download one at cityofirvine.org/parks.

Bonus stamps are available at Pop-Up Library events Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. at Heritage Community Park, and during Wilderness Access Day at Bommer Canyon Cattle Camp on Saturday, July 19.

Collect six stamps to receive a sticker sheet. Complete all 12 to earn a limited-edition water bottle. Prizes available while supplies last.

The challenge highlights Irvine’s top-ranked parks. In May, the City was named No. 2 in the nation and No. 1 in California by the Trust for Public Land’s ParkScore Index.

For full details, visit cityofirvine.org/parks and follow the City on social media for updates.

City Hosts Free Small Business Events

The City of Irvine, in partnership with the Orange County Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (SBDC), is offering two free events to support local businesses.

Small Business Capital and Growth Conference
Friday, June 27
8 a.m.–1 p.m.
Irvine City Hall, 1 Civic Center Plaza

View the flier

This half-day event includes expert panels, lender matchmaking, and one-on-one consultations to help businesses grow and access funding.
Register for free with code IrvineFree. Sign up online

Small Business Clinic
Thursday, August 21
5–8 p.m.
University Community Center, 1 Beech Tree Lane

View the flier

Business owners can meet one-on-one with an SBDC advisor for help with marketing, operations, or finance.
Schedule an appointment online

Learn more at cityofirvine.org/economicdevelopment.

Super Swim Lesson Returns June 27

Make a splash this summer at the City of Irvine’s Super Swim Lesson Friday, June 27, at William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center.

Check-in begins at 5:30 p.m., with the group swim lesson starting at 6 p.m. Swimmers ages 3 and older of all skill levels are invited to take part in Irvine’s largest swim lesson promoting water safety and drowning prevention.

After the lesson, enjoy open swim with a water slide, giant inflatable, diving boards, and activities. At dusk, enjoy "Moana 2" on the big screen. Lifeguards will be on duty.

Children ages 6 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required.

Learn more at cityofirvine.org/superswim.

Jamboree & Michelson Pedestrian Bridge Construction Starts

Construction has begun on the Jamboree & Michelson Pedestrian Bridge, marking a major step toward enhanced pedestrian safety, reduced traffic congestion, and improved connectivity in the Irvine Business Complex.

The 175-foot bridge will span Jamboree Road and feature a modern stainless-steel design with Corian cladding, translucent panels, and programmable LED lighting.

As part of the City’s commitment to sustainable mobility, the bridge will include stairs with a bike runnel and energy-efficient, cable-supported elevators.

The first phase of construction will take place through October and will require temporary lane closures along Jamboree Road and Michelson Drive. The bridge is expected to be complete in 2027.

Learn more at cityofirvine.org/pedestrianbridge.

Honor Service Members at the Field of Valor

The City of Irvine and the Irvine 2/11 Marine Adoption Committee invite the community to visit the Field of Valor — a patriotic flag display honoring veterans, active duty service members, and those who gave their lives in service.

The display will be open July 1–13 on the Irvine Civic Center Lawn.

Learn more, visit cityofirvine.org/fieldofvalor. 

This Week in DE&I

There are many cultural and religious holidays celebrated and recognized throughout our community this month. Learn about some of the significant dates being observed in Irvine below and on our DE&I calendar.

June 26: Hijri New Year — Hijri New Year marks the start of the Islamic lunar calendar. This year, it falls on July 7 in the Gregorian calendar. The calendar begins with the migration (Hijra) of Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in 622 AD, a significant moment in Islamic history.

July 1: Canada Day — Canada Day celebrates the formation of Canada on July 1, 1867. The holiday marks the unification of three British colonies into one nation. Canadians celebrate with events across the country and around the world.

July 2: Thurgood Marshall’s Birthday — Born July 2, 1908, Thurgood Marshall was a civil rights lawyer and the first African American U.S. Supreme Court Justice. He played a key role in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case, which ended segregation in public schools.

Upcoming Meetings & Events

Road Construction and Capital Improvement Projects