Service reductions, weekday closures announced for Inland Empire state parks

Inland Empire hikers, bird enthusiasts, campers and anglers will be disappointed to learn that five popular state parks in the Southern California region will experience considerable service reductions and even weekday closures beginning Sunday.

The reductions are part of a statewide effort to save money and prevent the total closure of perhaps more than 100 parks. The Inland Empire district announced its reductions Monday. They are:

--Lake Perris State Recreation Area: Park closed to public and vehicle entry for day use and camping Tuesday and Wednesday until March 31, 2010.  Park will be open for day use and camping Thursday through Monday and any holidays until March 31, 2010.  Day-use hours changed to 7 a.m.- 6 p.m. Starting April 1 to June 30, 2010, park will be open seven days a week with day-use hours changed to 6 a.m.-8 p.m.

--Silverwood Lake SRA: Park closed to public and vehicle entry for day use and camping every Wednesday and Thursday until March 31, 2010.  The park will be open for day use and camping Friday through Tuesday and any holidays until March 31, 2010. Day-use hours changed to 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Starting April 1  to June 30, 2010, park returns to being open seven days a week with day-use hours changed to 6 a.m.-9 p.m.

--California Citrus State Historical Park: Park closed to general public and vehicle entry for day use Monday though Thursday until June 30, 2010.  Park will be open Friday, Saturday, Sunday and any holidays until June 30, 2010. Day-use hours changed to 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Weddings and Sunkist Building rentals will still be available seven days a week through the California Citrus Non-Profit Management Corp.  School tours will also still be accommodated by park volunteers on a case-by-case basis. The main park sector office located at the Citrus Park will be completely closed to the public until June 30, 2010. Business and phone operations will temporarily be transferred to Lake Perris SRA.

--Chino Hills State Park: Park closed to public and vehicle entry for day use and camping Monday though Thursday each week until June 30, 2010.  Park will be open Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holidays until June 30, 2010. Day-use hours changed to 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

--Mt. San Jacinto SP: Idyllwild Campground, day use and sector office will be closed every Monday through Wednesday until May 14, 2010. This facility will be open Thursday through Sunday each week during this off-peak time.  Starting May 15, 2010, these park facilities revert to being open seven days a week. Stone Creek Campground near Idyllwild is normally closed for the season during this time.  It will also open May 15, 2010, seven days a week. Mt. San Jacinto Wilderness Area and Long Valley Ranger Station (Palm Springs Tram area) will remain open year-round.

Park-goers in other California regions can expect similar announcements. And it remains unclear what will happen at the end of the fiscal year on June 30, 2010.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Families picnic under the shade of trees at Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area in the summer of 2008. Credit: Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[SG]

Hello all,
If you don't like the idea of what is happening to your State Parks the vote for the $15.00 vehicle access pass in 2010! If you live in California and register your vehicle in California, your $15.00 added to your registration fees gives you full day use access to almost all State Parks for the whole year! For $15.00. Not only does this help keep State Parks operating at full boar...it is a funding source that is consitent. That means that visitors can rely on the fact that their favorite State Park will always be there for them. They won't have to worry about closures, partial closures and reduced services when they do visit. With the access pass funding, State Parks will not only stay open, but will be able to get to all of the business that has been put on the backburner for a long, long time. This is nothing but good news for visitors! The visitor and the resource are the ones who really benefit. All for $15.00!