Newport-Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD) officials have partnered with the City of Costa Mesa to open the school’s fields adjacent to Harper Park, located at 1768 Tustin Ave, Costa Mesa. Public access to the fields is available after school hours, which is 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and weekends for families to recreate and enjoy the outdoors.

NMUSD and the City of Costa Mesa are committed to providing the community with access to open space at Harper Park while ensuring student safety during school hours. The District and the City have been working collaboratively to better serve students and the community.

The City hired a park ranger to monitor the field and park during school hours and educate community members about the open space opportunities beyond Harper Park on weekdays after school hours and weekends from 8 a.m. to dusk.

The District and City are pleased to provide access to the larger school fields adjacent to Harper Park during non-school hours for recreational opportunities for students and residents, while the fields will continue to host school and city-sponsored programs and youth sports organizations permitted by the City.

The District and City will work closely in the coordination of activities and field use permits at Harper Park and adjacent fields. Please contact the City’s Parks & Community Services Department at (714) 754-5300 to learn more about the use of facilities after school hours or visit the NMUSD Use of School Facilities Webpage.

NMUSD and the City of Costa Mesa will continue to prioritize school and city programming while offering open space opportunities to residents. For the safety of students and residents visiting Harper Park, it is important that everyone uses this space responsibly to help ensure continued access to the school fields during non-school hours.

Community members and organizations play an important role in ensuring the safety, cleanliness, and enjoyment of the park and adjacent fields by keeping pets on a leash and using City-supplied waste bags and trash receptacles at the park to remove pet waste and litter. 

NMUSD and the City of Costa Mesa thank you for your support in our commitment to balance and better serve the needs of students and the community.