Parking lots at recreational parks in Orange County to reopen
(Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP)
ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. - Parking lots at wilderness parks in Orange County are set to open this week.
On Tuesday, the Orange County Board of Supervisors voted to reopen parking lots at all county regional and wilderness parks.
Parking lots and restrooms will reopen to the public on Saturday, May 16.
The parking lots reopening are at the following regional parks: Carbon Canyon, Clark, Craig, Irvine, Laguna Niguel, Mason, Mile Square, O’Neill, Peters Canyon, Santiago Oaks, Tri-City, Wieder and Yorba regional parks.
Parking is also opening at Aliso and Wood Canyons, Caspers, Laguna Coast, Riley, Whiting Ranch wilderness parks and Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve. Irvine Lake is also reopening for fishing.
Parking lots have been closed since March 25 after Gov. Newsom issued the state’s Stay at Home order.
“By opening up our regional and wilderness park parking lots, residents will be able to enter county parks directly and have easy access to healthy family activities,” said Chairwoman Michelle Steel, Second District Supervisor.
The county says campsites at Caspers Wilderness Park and O’Neill Regional Park will also reopen but with reduced capacity. They say it will be available on a first-come, first-served basis with no advance reservations accepted.
“The physical and mental health of the Orange County community is important to me, and I believe it's time we start to get back to normal,” said Supervisor Donald Wagner in a written statement.
Orange County has over 60,000 acres of parks and open space.
Visit OCParks.com for the latest information regarding park closures and operations.