City ponders future of popular swimming spot
Santa Ana River could see expanded recreational opportunities
Jurupa Valley officials are trying to balance a growing community’s desire to play and cool off on 100-degree days against the headaches routinely created for neighbors when people flock to a popular area along the Santa Ana River.
The Jurupa Valley City Council recently reviewed a conceptual plan that suggested creating a formal park and expanding recreational opportunities at that river access point off 64th and Downey streets, near Limonite Avenue and Van Buren Boulevard.
At the moment, the access point is closed. And, in a study session on the topic in early August, some council members were cool to the idea of developing a formal park at the 26-acre site, saying such problems as illegal parking, littering, noise, public intoxication and conflicts with horseback riders in the equestrian-oriented community have long been a concern for nearby residents and would increase.
Other council members said the city needs to consider ways to provide more recreational opportunities for its residents.
Assistant City Manager Michael Flad said Monday that the city will examine ideas for recreation and habitat restoration along the entire 14-mile stretch of the Santa Ana River through Jurupa Valley.
“We want to make sure that we look at this holistically,” he said.
Flad said that, following that study, he plans to present options to the council in spring, around the time the city develops its new budget.
At the same time, the city has been trying to curb problems at the 64th-and-Downey site by stepping up enforcement against violations. Those efforts have seen some success lately, Flad said.
“It’s improved, but it’s not perfect,” he said.
The council will hear an update on these efforts in fall and discuss whether additional measures are needed, Flad said.
The area long has been a magnet for recreation seekers. And, when Riverside County park officials closed a nearby access point off Etiwanda Avenue in 2015, the number of visitors to the then-countyowned property soared, a city report states.
“If you push in one area, it’s going to push out in another area,” Flad said.
That prompted the city
to acquire the 26 acres in 2016 and take steps to curb problems associated with the crowds.
As for the conceptual plan for 64th and Downey, it was developed with a National Park Service grant, officials said. The plan suggests such amenities as a permanent parking area, drop-off zone, restrooms, drinking fountains, day-use shelters, a nature-based playground, equestrian facilities, trails, a demonstration garden and a riparian woodland restoration project, among other things.
Meanwhile, Jurupa Valley’s large neighbor to the south, Riverside, is developing an ambitious blueprint for expanding existing recreational opportunities at its several parks along the river.
Jurupa Valley Mayor Lorena Barajas said she opposes creating a park at 64th and Downey.
“It’s a beautiful concept … but in the end I think it will bring a lot more problems to our city and we’re not equipped to handle them,” Barajas said, according to a meeting videotape.
The mayor said she receives many complaints about people illegally parking in front of homes and other issues. It seems every year the problems get worse, she said.
Councilmember Chris Barajas said he, too, didn’t think the area should be a park.
“I think an equestrian center would be better,” he said, citing the many people who live nearby and keep horses.
But Chris Barajas said the city should evaluate what should happen there as part of a strategy for the city overall.
“I think the best course of action for us right now, in my opinion, is that we step back and look at the entirety of the river bottom that is on our border and figure out what is the best use,” he said.
Council Member Brian Berkson said officials need to consider the needs and desires of Jurupa Valley residents.
“There are people that are going to go to that park regardless of whether we open or close the parking lot, regardless of whether we have park rangers or not,” he said. “They use that access and they will continue to use that access, so long as there is a public way to get there.”
At the same time, Berkson said the city should carefully manage visitation by installing, for example, parking meters such as those at Southern California beaches.
“I’ve been down there. I think it’s really pretty cool,” he said at the meeting. “Watching water and sitting is a very natural and enjoyable thing. It just takes all the stress away. And I think we can all agree, here in Southern California there is nothing but stress.”