Temporary Closures
General Updates
Park Updates and Planned Closures
Public Meeting Reports

Temporary Closures

The following park areas are closed:  

• Our central offices are closed to the public, however, customers may make an appointment to visit our reservations desk. To make an appointment, click here to send us an email requesting an in-person appointment, and be sure to provide your contact information. We will contact you to make arrangements.
• The parking lot at Lamar County Park will be closed on Wednesday, Oct. 28 until 1 p.m. Walk-ins are permitted. 
• The Children's Pool at Agua Caliente County Park is closed for maintenance as of Oct. 16. The larger outdoor pool remains open with new guidelines in place due to COVID-19. Please check back for updates.
• We've closed some trails at Tijuana River Valley Regional Park for environmental reasons; please obey posted signs.
• Annie's Canyon Trail at San Elijo Ecological Reserve is temporarily closed due to public health guielines, and until further notice.
• Lakeside Baseball Park: Beginning Aug. 11, 2020 we will be replacing the turf at the ball park. For your safety, some areas are closed and one trail will be rerouted while construction is taking place. Anticipated completion for this project is December 2020. For more information, contact Region Manager Johanna Salomon at 858-966-1330.
• Whitaker Estate: Property repairs will be taking place on site Aug. 16 through November 2020. During this time, roads may be temporarily closed for resurfacing and other maintenance projects.  Trails may also be affected and the end destination of the Whitaker House may not be available. Please obey all posted signs as we work to improve your park experience. For more information, contact Region Manager Johanna Salomon at 858-966-1330. 

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General Updates

Hours: County Parks are open year-round, however, per policy C-7, parking lot gates, park offices and restrooms will be closed on Dec. 25. All sites remain open to foot, horse and bike traffic. In addition, campgrounds remain open and will be in full operation with available parking, restrooms and staffed park offices on Dec. 25. 

Pesticide Application: The following parks will be closed in May 2021 for pesticide spraying to counter the effects of the Gold-spotted Oak Borer, an invasive species that harms our tree canopy: Dos Picos (5/12-13), Live Oak (5/5-6), Lake Morena (5/25-26), El Monte (5/20), Flinn Springs (5/10-11), Oakoasis (5/24), Felicita (5/3-4), Stelzer (5/17), Heise (5/18-19), Santa Ysabel East, Los Penasquitos (5/4), Pine Valley (5/13) and Potrero (4/27-28).

Rodenticides: Rodenticides are a mitigation measure. Certain rodents, namely gophers and ground squirrels, present a risk to park infrastructure and users in developed areas , such as active recreational sites, picnic areas and campgrounds. Tunnels and holes created by rodents can undermine improvements such as sidewalks, trails and pathways, and holes and mounds of dirt created as a result of tunneling activity present a tripping hazard for park users, rendering areas unsafe. The use of rodenticides by County Parks is conducted following all County, State and Federal policies, rules, regulations, laws, labels and administrative procedures. The work is performed by private trained pest control businesses/licensed applicators. Applicators seek to minimize potential exposure to other species. The treatment for gophers is applied underground in their tunnels and the treatment for squirrels uses enclosed bait stations. Both methods minimize the potential for access from other animals. County Parks does not use rodenticides in non-public use areas of parks or in open space areas.

Showers: In conjunction with the County’s water-conservation measures, coin-operated shower fixtures have been installed at the following campgrounds: Agua Caliente, Vallecito, Dos Picos, William Heise, Guajome Regional, Potrero and Lake Morena. Fixtures take quarters and cost 50 cents for 4 minutes of shower time. Quarters are available at the Ranger stations. 

The showers at Sweewtater Summit are different in that they take tokens - not quarters - but the rate is the same, with four tokens per dollar. Tokens are available at the Ranger Station. 

Electronic Bikes: The Department has restricted the use of e-bikes on various bicycle paths and trails at County parks/preserves. Click here to learn more information.

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Park Updates and Planned Closures

Don Dussault County Park: The County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation continues to improve Don Dussault County Park, with construction phases 2 and 3 launching October 2020 and ending March 2021. Area closures are in place; please obey posted signage. For details, contact Park Project Manager Jen Spencer at jen.spencer@sandiegocounty.ca.gov. 

Lakeside River Trail: The Lakeside River Park organization is making improvements to the Lakeside River Trail. While equipment is on site, and crews are working, the trail may be limited to pedestrian traffic. Safety is a priority at County Parks - please obey all posted signs.

Lindo Lake County Park: 

• Lindo Lake is the only natural lake in the County, and with that comes complications – things like limited well water, stormwater runoff, and prolonged drought. Two water quality control measures have already been implemented to filter run-off that enters the lake from the west and south sides: One is a bio-swale and underground sediment retention basin and the other is a modular wetland system that filters the water before it enters the lake. We are also being proactive by spraying a non-toxic solution on the water in the west basin that is designed to alleviate odors associated with naturally decomposing vegetation. If you see a ranger in a boat, that is likely what they’re working on. These efforts are part of a long-term restoration project at Lindo Lake. Over the next few years, we will be dredging the east and west basin, adding water, installing a temporary then permanent aeration system and water movement system, and completing additional run-off control measures. These changes will increase water depth, curb algae growth, and improve the health and safety of the lake and its inhabitants.
• Toxins from algae are present in the water of Lindo Lake. Per County Ordinance 41.132, swimming, bathing and boating are prohibited. For your safety, and for the safety of your pets, please do not let pets go into or drink the water, eat fish from the water, or use water for drinking or cooking. Thank you for your cooperation. For more information, call 858-966-1330.

San Elijo Lagoon and Ecological Reserve: The I-5 East Trail and Pole Road Trail will be closed during a multi-year, phased construction project. For more information, call the park at 760-634-3026.   

Sweetwater Summit Regional Park: We recently completed work on the Sweetwater Loop and River Trail, thanks to a collaborative effort between the County of San Diego, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Sweetwater Authority. This portion of the trail (approximately 1.3 miles) was rerouted to protect sensitive habitats while maintaining access and recreation opportunities. Please obey all posted signs so we can continue to keep this trail open for your enjoyment. For more information, please call the park at (619) 472-7572.

Sycamore Canyon/Goodan Ranch: Improving the County’s 350+ mile trail system is a priority for the San Diego County Department of Parks and Recreation, and efforts to expand trail access are balanced by efforts to preserve sensitive habitats and culturally significant areas. Over the years, a number of unauthorized trails have appeared in Sycamore Canyon/Goodan Ranch County Preserve. These trails negatively affect these areas and can cause harm to plants, animals and other resources. You may notice signs and other barricades blocking access to these unauthorized trails. Please stay on trail and only in authorized areas as we work to protect this urban oasis.

Vallecito County Park: The water system at Vallecito County Park is currently under restrictions. All water-related facilities (sinks, showers, toilets, etc.) are functioning, however, you should not drink the water unless it is boiled. We recommend bringing your own drinking water. Staff are working on the issue. For more information, call the park at 760-765-1188.  

Woodhaven Park: Woodhaven Park is an 8-acre park located in Rancho San Diego that offers a 6-acre lawn area surrounded by landscaping with benches and tables. We are currently working on projects to reduce reliance on potable water, cut operational costs and expand recreational services. The irrigation system will be converted from municipal water to well water (reducing annual water usage by approximately 1.8 million gallons or 30%). Other upgrades include replacing some of the turf grass with drought-tolerant landscaping, and building an ADA-compliant walking path and outdoor fitness stations. Construction began late May 2020 and is scheduled for completion in October. For more information, contact Judy Tjiong-Pietrzak, Park Project Manager, at 858-966-1340 or Judy.Tjiong-Pietrzak@sdcounty.ca.gov. 

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