Title
Receive an update on the reopening of Lake San Antonio.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Parks Committee receive an update on the reopening of Lake San Antonio.
SUMMARY:
On March 6, 2017, staff informed the Parks Committee of efforts to reopen Lake San Antonio. Staff reported that we could be ready for a “soft opening” of the Lake San Antonio (LSA) South Shore facilities beginning with Easter weekend (4/14-16). The intent was to open only on weekends in order to be able to assess and continue work on the infrastructure, and then fully open June 14th. We also reported that we were working with Lightening in a Bottle for their event Memorial Weekend and then North Shore would open June 9th. The committee supported staff’s phased approach to reopen both the North and South Shore facilities this season.
Over the past couple months, County and Cal Parks staff worked diligently to make repairs, clear storm debris, and prepare the facilities for the public to enjoy. On April 14th, South Shore was opened for the weekend. Over the course of the weekend, the park saw attendance of approximately 2,000 visitors in 546 vehicles. Of the 546 vehicles, 278 were day use, 89 brought boats for fishing, and 179 were campers. Sunday saw significantly lower attendance, which we attribute to a rainstorm that afternoon.
DISCUSSION:
South Shore will continue to be open on weekends only through May 14th. The following will be available for use until that time:
• The South Shore gates will open Friday 7:00 a.m. to Sunday 8:00 p.m.
• The boat launch ramp at Harris Creek will be open 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday and 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday.
• Camping will be available at Harris Creek, Loops A through D, and Redonda Vista, Loops A through D, first-come, first-serve. No reservations.
• Redonda Vista Loop E will be available for group camping only with a minimum of five paid sites per group to reserve.
• Lodging units at Lynch will be available, two-bedroom/one-bath units to three-bedroom/three-bath units.
• The General Store at Lynch will be open.
• There will be no lifeguards at the beaches. Swimming and boating will be “at your own risk.”
On May 19th, South Shore park and lake area will open seven days a week, the Lynch Launch Ramp and Campgrounds, Loops A though D will open and campsite reservations will be accepted. Finally, on June 9th, North Shore Park will open for camping and boating, including the very popular lakeside camping and all the lake’s launch ramps.
FINANCING:
The Parks Department FY 2016-17 Adopted Budget was created prior to RMA managing Parks operations and did not anticipate (include funding) the reopening of LSA operations. RMA has performed this work, based on Board direction, with the intent to attempt to absorb current fiscal year costs in the current adopted budget. RMA received assistance from the Agricultural Commissioner’s Office for spraying weeds at the lakes as well as around the Tidball store. Historically, annual Lakes operations expenditures have exceeded revenues. As such, costs for next fiscal year are not included in the draft recommended budget. RMA will be analyzing costs and revenues as we get data from the current fiscal year opening and will report back the results to the Committee. We will also use this data to work with the Budget Office regarding potential augmentation of the budget to cover operational costs going into FY 2017-18. Additionally, staff will be working with the CAO’s office to go through a process for entering into a long-term agreement with an outside group to manage the Lakes operations.
Prepared by: John Guertin, RMA - Interim Director of Land Use and Community Development
Approved by: Carl P. Holm, AICP, Resource Management Agency Director