The day could not have been more beautiful. A few clouds danced through an otherwise brilliant sky, a light wind ruffled the lake surface, several kites flew nearby and people clustered around picnic tables as an expectant crowd of mostly young swimmers waited to be the first to swim in the lake.
Top brass of The California Parks Company, managers of Lake Hemet Campground and Market, handed out life vests to a long line of intrepid swimmers not discouraged by lake temperatures estimated to be in the high 50 to low 60 degree range.
Photo by Marshall Smith
Adults, toes in water, did not evince the same enthusiasm as the kids for charging into the lake, inasmuch as swimming out to deeper water is how one gets to the floating inflatables that make up the new recreational attraction. But all waited expectantly eyeing the floating water park structures as the countdown to the ribbon cutting began just before 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 6.
Kelly Lam, California Parks Marketing Director, estimated 250 to 300 waited for the signal to be first in the water. He explained that 30 swimmers can be in the water for 20 minute shifts and are then rotated out so that a new group can be admitted. Two lifeguards were stationed in raised chairs to monitor the cordoned off area of the lake that hosts the water park and to regulate the number of swimmers.
Photo by Marshall Smith
Promptly at 11 a.m. California Parks’ officials cut the ribbon formally opening Lake Hemet Water Park. The first group of 30 eager swimmers charged into the water. Soon they were occupying the water park attractions that include a floating trampoline, a climbing “mountain” and a water slide. The park will remain in place until Labor Day as a new recreational venue at the popular campground. It joins an expanding list of park recreational opportunities including camping, bike, boat and kayak rentals, fishing, horseshoes, outdoor summer movies, tetherball and bocce ball.
Shuttles ran from the market parking lot to the water park located north of the campground’s main entrance. By 12:15 p.m. Campground Site Manager Jonathan Patterson estimated over 1500 were in the campground, with many headed to the water park and swimming area.
Marshall Pike, California Parks senior vice president for business development said his company would maintain a water testing regimen, and submit results to the Lake Hemet Municipal Water District, owners of the lake and campground complex. Pike said water testing will continue until Labor Day to determine if the water park adversely affects lake water quality. Pike said his company would also monitor how the water park and its user traffic impact lake campers and long term renters over the summer. Pike indicated subsequent water park seasons would depend upon the results of these studies.
After festivities at the water park, California Parks officers and LHMWD board members gathered on the deck of the Lake Hemet Market for a celebratory lunch, cake and champagne toast to the campground’s newest attraction. California Parks CEO and President John Koeberer said he was pleased with the deck on the front of the market, facing Highway 74. He noted that hot food service would begin soon. Equipment has been purchased and is awaiting county approval for startup. “Motorists will see people dining on the new deck and the market will become a pleasant place to stop for a meal,” he said. Inside, market operations manager Sylvia Atondo showed where hot food would be available once the county issues its approval.
California Parks currently provides a variety of services for parks and campgrounds in California and Oregon. Those in Southern California include Lake Gregory, Lake Hemet, Diamond Lake and Vail Lake near Temecula.
For more information about the water park see www.lakehemetrecreation.com.
