Orange County Register
Pretend City, the real-life experience museum made just for children, was named 2025 Nonprofit of the Year for the 73rd Assembly District by Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris.
“Pretend City is more than a museum — it’s a cornerstone of early childhood development in our community,” said Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine). “Their commitment to nurturing young minds through imaginative play and educational programming has made a lasting impact on countless families. I’m proud to recognize their exceptional work and excited for their future expansion at the Great Park.”
Ellen Pais, Executive Director of Pretend City Children’s Museum, called the recognition “a meaningful validation of our mission to support early childhood development for all children through play-based learning.”
The children’s museum is about to launch a $56 million construction project for its larger Pretend City at Irvine’s Cultural Terrace in the Great Park. The new facility will include a 20,000-square-foot indoor and 20,000-square-foot outdoor facility, plus a restaurant and rentable space for partners Beyond Blindness and the Association of the Education of the Young Child.
The city is loaning $26.5 million for the project, to be repayable over 47 years.
Construction on the new museum begins in July with an opening tentatively scheduled for winter 2026.