Laguna Niguel, Lake Forest parks turn spooky for Halloween
Brian Chen, right, takes a photo of Mandy Wu, center, and Madison, 4, all of Irvine, at the Halloween Snap and Treat held at Crown Valley Park in Laguna Niguel on Saturday, October 7, 2023. The event included: pumpkin decorating, trick or treat stations, and various photo opportunities. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Venessa Rowan, right, stands with her son, Bentley, 6, as she takes a photo of her daughter, Hannah, 3, along with other princesses at the Halloween Snap and Treat held at Crown Valley Park in Laguna Niguel on Saturday, October 7, 2023. The event included: pumpkin decorating, trick or treat stations, and various photo opportunities. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Parents and their children arrive at the entrance to the Halloween Snap and Treat held at Crown Valley Park in Laguna Niguel on Saturday, October 7, 2023. The event included: pumpkin decorating, trick or treat stations, and various photo opportunities. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Children stop to grab some candy at the Halloween Snap and Treat held at Crown Valley Park in Laguna Niguel on Saturday, October 7, 2023. The event included: pumpkin decorating, trick or treat stations, and various photo opportunities. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A decorated pumpkin sits on a table at the Halloween Snap and Treat held at Crown Valley Park in Laguna Niguel on Saturday, October 7, 2023. The event included: pumpkin decorating, trick or treat stations, and various photo opportunities. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
One of the many decorations at the Halloween Snap and Treat held at Crown Valley Park in Laguna Niguel on Saturday, October 7, 2023. The event included: pumpkin decorating, trick or treat stations, and various photo opportunities. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Parents and their children make their way to the various stations at Halloween Snap and Treat held at Crown Valley Park in Laguna Niguel on Saturday, October 7, 2023. The event included: pumpkin decorating, trick or treat stations, and various photo opportunities. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Isla Garcia, 20 months, of San Juan Capistrano concentrates as she decorates her pumpkin at the Halloween Snap and Treat held at Crown Valley Park in Laguna Niguel on Saturday, October 7, 2023. The event included: pumpkin decorating, trick or treat stations, and various photo opportunities. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Pumpkins wait to be decorated at the Halloween Snap and Treat held at Crown Valley Park in Laguna Niguel on Saturday, October 7, 2023. The event included: pumpkin decorating, trick or treat stations, and various photo opportunities. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Brian Chen, right, takes a photo of Mandy Wu, center, and Madison, 4, all of Irvine, at the Halloween Snap and Treat held at Crown Valley Park in Laguna Niguel on Saturday, October 7, 2023. The event included: pumpkin decorating, trick or treat stations, and various photo opportunities. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Families wandered the trail at Crown Valley Park over the weekend, snapping Halloween photos and munching on treats.
Halloween Snap & Treat hosted by Laguna Niguel’s Park and Recreation Department was the first of several fun family events planned by south Orange County communities early in the season.
Over the next two weekends, Heritage Hill Historical Park in Lake Forest will be decked out for Fall-O-Ween.
This is the third year OC Parks has hosted the free event, which gives visitors – who are encouraged to wear costumes – a chance to see the historical grounds decorated for the season and take pictures at various photo opp stations.
Guests can also walk through a hay maze, complete a scavenger hunt and more. Hours are 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 13-15 and Oct. 20-22.
And, Haunted Trails opens in Laguna Niguel Thursday, Oct. 12, for four spooky days.
The trails of Crown Valley Park will be turned into a sort of outdoor haunted house, with monsters to scare you.
Tickets for those brave enough to walk the trails are $15 onsite. The hauntings happen from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Thursday and Sunday and 6:30 to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
The event is not recommended for children younger than 12, organizers said.
