2026 - Irvine Community News and Views

Great Park Soccer Stadium Selected for U.S. Men’s Team World Cup Training Base Camp

The City of Irvine has announced that the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team has selected the Great...

New Transportation Program for Irvine Seniors

More than a year before New York City made news for a plan to no longer charge residents for riding the bus, Irvine established its own program that provides residents with free transportation to parks, schools, hospitals, and shopping centers through the Irvine CONNECT shuttle bus service.

The Irvine CONNECT program has proven to be especially helpful for students traveling to and from school and for residents who want to leave their cars at home while running errands around town.

The City is now launching a new transportation program for Irvine seniors 60 years of age and older with its WeRide program, which is a same-day, on-demand transportation service powered by volunteer drivers.

Irvine is One of the Greenest Cities in America

Thanks to its abundance of parks, bikeways, open spaces and trees, last year Irvine was ranked the greenest city in Southern California and the fourth greenest city in the entire nation. And the Trust for Public Land recognized Irvine’s park system as the second-best in America.

The City’s high percentage of green space and its environmental leadership has been part of Irvine’s foundation since its earliest planning. The City’s Master Plan called for parks, open space, walking trails, and bike paths to be woven throughout neighborhoods.

An impressive 28% of Irvine’s land is dedicated to parks and green spaces, which is nearly double the national average. And 96% of Irvine residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park.