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Big futures at play

AN EXCLUSIVE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

The only one of its kind in Orange County, Pretend City answers children’s natural impulses to learn and explore through play. Every meaningful play experience gives parents and caregivers an opportunity to create joyful memories that will continue to bind families long after their child is grown.

We’re growing
so kids can too

We’ve exceeded the capacity of our current space, and need your help to meet the demand of these growing minds. We’re expanding from our cramped 28,000 sq. ft. to an expansive 72,000-sq.-ft. space, including 33 learning spaces (up from 19), plus an all-new outdoor area and a full-service restaurant.

Pretend City 1

A transformative
opportunity

The City of Irvine has invited Pretend City to build its permanent home on a 45-acre parcel in Irvine’s celebrated Great Park. Alongside our partners, Orange County Music & Dance and the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum, we’re creating a home base for early childhood development and intergenerational connection.

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community hub for events & learning

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times the nonprofit partnerships

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times the square footage including 14 new learning areas

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times the number of school children visiting annually

The path to success is paved in play

Play is essential to the healthy development of children. It nurtures their social, emotional, physical and cognitive growth. Emotionally, play is plain fun; it’s a safe zone to imagine, investigate, explore, wonder and just do what children do.

Kid&Water
Kid&Lens

Rooted in child development

From conducting assessments and providing connections to resources to growing our pipeline of esteemed professionals, we’re involved advocates for early childhood development on all fronts. We also work with parents and caregivers to identify engaging strategies they can implement at home.

Kimberly Goll

“Play isn’t just for kids. Engaging parents, caregivers and the community in play is fundamental to the healthy development of every child. The new Pretend City will make that possible.”

Kimberly Goll
President/CEO,
First 5 Orange County

Learning Spaces - Interior

Pretend City at the Great Park will be home for beloved learning experiences—like the amphitheater, post office, doctor’s office, café and home—reimagined from the ground up. They’ll be designed with everything we’ve learned over the past 14 years in our current space. And new experiences will reflect modern life and be welcoming for all.

The City
Distribution Center
Auto Service Station
Airplane
Theater
Rotating Learning Space
Mind Body Studio
Mezzanine
Media Studio
Library
Infant Park
Grocery Store
Fire Station
Dispatch
Dentist Office
Café
Health and Wellness Center
Tech Innovation Lab
Apartment Home
Doctor Office
Civic Center
Art Studio
Underground
Art Alley
Pet Center
Town Center
Skyscraper Climber
Home
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Learning Spaces - Exterior

A most exciting element of Pretend City at the Great Park is an all-new outdoor space that connects kids with our beautiful natural environment. So, our current “outdoor” indoor learning spaces will become even more inspiring when they’re outside.
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Beach
board
shack
Fire Station Exercise Area
Climbing Tree
Stream and Waterfall
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Meditation Garden
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tree
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Be part of a lasting legacy

Our innovative learning spaces foster creativity, critical thinking and social development in young children. These re-creations of the real world lend themselves to perfect sponsorship opportunities.

Progress Updates

The Cultural Terrace will be home to Pretend City Children’s Museum 

The Cultural Terrace will be home to Pretend City Children’s Museum On March 26, 2024, the Great Park Board and City Council voted to approve lease agreements for Pretend City and Orange County Music & Dance. These agreements will pave the way for the development
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The Cultural Terrace will be home to Pretend City Children’s Museum 

The Cultural Terrace will be home to Pretend City Children’s Museum (click here for video)

On March 26, 2024, the Great Park Board and City Council voted to approve lease agreements for Pretend City and Orange County Music & Dance. These agreements will pave the way for the development of the Cultural Terrace at the Great Park into one of Southern California’s most dynamic cultural, historical, educational, and arts centers.   

The development at the Cultural Terrace will feature expanded new homes for the two premier nonprofit organizations. Working together to create a pioneering project on a unified campus that maximizes sustainable buildings and landscapes, the duo and forthcoming partners will begin welcoming visitors in the winter of 2026.   

“The addition of two well-respected organizations at the Great Park will help continue the City’s commitment to fostering youth development and providing top-tier educational programs,” said Mayor Farrah N. Khan. “Further, these nonprofits will contribute to the City’s economic development and ensure the Great Park truly is a park for all.”  

Once completed, the pioneering project will provide interactive, one-of-a-kind early childhood learning and development, artistic, and educational programs. 

“Pretend City is looking forward to bringing our early learning and child development programs to even more families, helping them ensure their children are growing up healthy and ready to succeed in school,” said Ellen Pais, Executive Director of Pretend City. “We are especially excited by the opportunity to be a part of this incredible community resource and help make Great Park a destination for all Southern California. We thank the City for its partnership and support and look forward to providing engaging educational experiences for years to come.”   

State of the Great Park

Pretend City community! You’re invited to join the City of Irvine for a free one-of-a-kind interactive experience at the State of the Great Park on May 6, 4 -7 p.m. at Great Park Live. Celebrate with us as we envision the exciting future for Pretend

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State of the Great Park
Pretend City community! You’re invited to join the City of Irvine for a free one-of-a-kind interactive experience at the State of the Great Park on May 6, 4 -7 p.m. at Great Park Live. Celebrate with us as we envision the exciting future for Pretend City at one of the nation’s most ambitious public projects. Food, live entertainment, immersive exhibits, and more! 

Pretend City is on the Move: Big Changes, Bigger Possibilities!

Exciting progress is underway at the Cultural Terrace! With demolition complete and rough grading and environmental remediation nearly finished, the site at the corner of Skyhawk and Marine Way is transforming rapidly.
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Pretend City is on the Move: Big Changes, Bigger Possibilities!

Pretend City is on the Move: Big Changes, Bigger Possibilities!

Exciting progress is underway at the Cultural Terrace! With demolition complete and rough grading and environmental remediation nearly finished, the site at the corner of Skyhawk and Marine Way is transforming rapidly. Soon, the City of Irvine will prepare our building pad, paving the way for Pretend City to break ground this spring. This phase also includes the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum, Orange County Music and Dance, and the conversion of the historic airplane hangar into a vibrant City event center. A new era of creativity, learning, and community engagement is just around the corner!

Great Park’s Heart of the Park

On September 17th, Pretend City was honored to attend the Great Park's Heart of the Park event. We joined City Manager Oliver Chi, Mayor Farrah Khan, Vice Mayor Larry Agran, and the City Council
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Great Park’s Heart of the Park

Great Park’s Heart of the Park

On September 17th, Pretend City was honored to attend the Great Park’s Heart of the Park event. We joined City Manager Oliver Chi, Mayor Farrah Khan, Vice Mayor Larry Agran, and the City Council in celebrating the exciting future of the park. As we prepare for our next phase at the Great Park, we’re thrilled to witness the growth of this vibrant community destination. With new museums, parks, and more on the horizon, the future looks bright for Pretend City and the Great Park!

Pretend City Joins City of Irvine’s Cultural Terrace Groundbreaking

The future of Pretend City is groundbreaking…literally! Tuesday, May 7th marked an exciting milestone in Pretend City’s journey to the Great Park. Hundreds joined us at the City of Irvine’s Groundbreaking at the Cultural Terrace, the site of our new home set to open by
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Pretend City Joins City of Irvine’s Cultural Terrace Groundbreaking

Pretend City Joins City of Irvine’s Cultural Terrace Groundbreaking 

The future of Pretend City is groundbreaking…literally! Tuesday, May 7th marked an exciting milestone in Pretend City’s journey to the Great Park.  

Hundreds joined us at the City of Irvine’s Groundbreaking at the Cultural Terrace, the site of our new home set to open by year-end 2026.  

When complete, the Cultural Terrace will include 200,000 square feet of cutting-edge museum, educational, and performing arts facilities. Pretend City will be part of one of Southern California’s most dynamic cultural, historical, and educational community gathering spaces, along with the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum, Orange County Music & Dance, and an Asian American History museum. 

We can’t wait to bring the community this unique early learning hub to a new, expanded space at the Great Park. 

Check out the fun photos from the groundbreaking and the open house!

Please share our project with your friends, family, and colleagues. Together, we’re building on a 25-year vision of children experiencing the joys of discovery and learning through imaginative play. 

Campaign Committee

We’re proud to announce our Boundless! Campaign Committee: Travis Boyd, Co-Chair, Boundless Campaign.
Bill H. Lyon, Co-Chair, Boundless Campaign.
Erin Boyl, Board Chair.
Daniel Campos.
Casey McCracken.
Sandy Stone, Co-Founder.
Carl Tong.
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Campaign Committee

We’re proud to announce our
Boundless! Campaign Committee:

Pretend City Staff

Ellen Pais, Executive Director
Linda Hunter, Senior Project Director
Sue Harrison, Chief Development Officer
Barbara Powers, Major Gifts Officer

“We can’t achieve our goal of making learning joyful for all children without a generous investment from our community. This is truly an opportunity to make a lifetime of difference.”

– Bill H. Lyon

Progress Archive / Media Archive

Pretend City at the Great Park

Project Overview by Ellen Pais, Executive Director
Learning Space Fly Through
Bill H. Lyon

“We can’t achieve our goal of making learning joyful for all children without a generous investment from our community. This is truly an opportunity to make a lifetime of difference.”

Bill H. Lyon
Executive Chairman, William Lyon Homes | Pretend City Board Member | Capital Campaign Advisory Board Chair
Ellen Pais

“High-quality early childhood is the best investment strategy for increasing the number of children graduating from high school, pursuing meaningful careers and having the tools to problem-solve for a lifetime.”

Ellen Pais
Executive Director | Pretend City Children’s Museum

“Children who are allowed to play are faster learners, more creative and more socially competent.”

Dr. Stuart Brown
Founder | National Institute for Play
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Childhood only
happens once

With your help, we can amplify impact. We can meet all children, from all walks of life, at this critical moment in their lives and continue to inspire futures shaped by rich creative experiences.
Want to Play? Contact Sue Harrison, Chief Development Officer, to learn more!
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