Budget cuts force reduced hours at County swim beaches, nature centers

Los Angeles County Parks                                                                                       and Recreation Department

July 2, 2009

                                                                                                                                                 Media Contacts:

 Joyce Fitzpatrick,

 Public Information Assistant                                                                                                  (626) 821-4645

 Or

 Imee Perius

 Public Information Officer

 (213) 738-2963

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation Announces Modified Summer Hours for County Nature Centers and Three Public Lakes’ Swim Beaches Beginning Monday, July 6, 2009

 

The County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation will modify its summer hours for public lake swim beaches and close three of its public lakes for swimming on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays beginning July 6, 2009 until September 7, 2009.  There will not be any lifeguards on duty at the swim beaches on the days the lake swim beaches will be closed.  Signs will be posted at park entrances and various locations near the lakes advising the public of the swim beach closures.  Hours for the County of Los Angeles Nature Center buildings and displays will also be modified and the buildings and displays will close on non-holiday Mondays beginning July 6, 2009.  The Nature Center facilities will remain open for all other access such as hiking and picnicking.

 

County of Los Angeles lakes that will be closed for swimming are Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area, 15501 East Arrow Highway in Irwindale, California; Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park, 120 Via Verde Drive, San Dimas, California and Castaic Lake State Recreation Area, 32132 Castaic Lake Drive, Castaic, CA.  Although swimming will be restricted, the lakes and the surrounding resort areas will remain open for picnicking, boating, fishing and all other recreational activities.

 

The County Nature Center buildings and displays will be open Tuesdays – Sundays from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.  Although the Nature Center buildings will be closed on non-holiday Mondays, the Natural Areas will still be open for hiking and picnicking.  The Nature Center buildings that will be closed on non-holiday Mondays are:

 

Deane Dana Friendship Community Regional Park & Nature Center

1805 W. 9^th Street
San Pedro, CA 90732
(310) 519-6115

 

Devil’s Punchbowl Natural Area
28000 Devil’s Punchbowl Road
Pearblossom, CA 93553
(661) 944-2743

 

Eaton Canyon Nature Center
1750 N. Altadena Dr.
Pasadena, CA 91107
(626) 398-5420

 

Placerita Canyon Natural Area & Nature Center
19152 Placerita Canyon Road
Newhall, CA 91321
(661) 259-7721

 

San Dimas Canyon Community Regional Park & Nature Center
1628 N. Sycamore Canyon Road
San Dimas, CA 91773
(909) 599-7512

 

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area & Nature Center
10700 W. Escondido Canyon Road
Agua Dulce, CA 91390
(661) 268-0840

 

Whittier Narrows Nature Center
1000 N. Durfee Ave.
South El Monte, CA 91733
(626) 575-5523

 

The closure of these County Regional lakes and Nature Centers on certain days is due to the reduction in staffing hours because of County budget curtailments.  There will not be any lifeguards on duty at the swim beaches on the days the public lake swim beaches will be closed.  The County of Los Angeles appreciates the public’s cooperation and compliance to these restrictions.

 

For information regarding all County of Los Angeles community and regional parks, museums, nature centers and more please visit the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation website at  www.lacountyparks.org.

 

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