JACLYN “JACK” HERNANDEZ & MICAH BLEVINS

Parks Make Life Better!

Campaign

Relax showcases our

18 recreational lakes

County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation

Relax shows an image of park visitors enjoying the recreational water sport of kayaking at Santa Fe Dam

Recreation Area, one of our 18 recreational lakes. Imagine sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic along a busy

freeway or waiting at a bus stop on a hot day, then seeing one of our promotional posters for relax. It will

evoke the urge to plan a visit to one of our recreational lakes where you can get away from it all to enjoy

boating, fishing, swimming, or other recreational water sports.

Special thanks to Jaclyn Hernandez and Micah Blevins for appearing in our promotional materials.

LIST OF LAKES The Department of Parks and Recreation proudly operates 18 recreational lakes at parks throughout the

County. Here is the list of parks with recreational lake facilities and profiles of a few of our beautiful lakes:

FRANK G. BONELLI REGIONAL PARK

Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park’s 1,800 acres include

a 250-acre lake, which offers a wide variety of

recreational activities, including boating, jet skiing,

fishing, and swimming. Throughout the year, annual

special events are conducted, including fishing

tournaments and water sports.

SANTA FE DAM RECREATION AREA

Santa Fe Dam Recreational Area is nestled at the

foot of the San Gabriel Mountains and is considered

one of the many hidden jewels of Southern

California. This 836-acre facility boasts a serene 70-

acre lake with year-round fishing and non-motorized

watercraft usage. During the summer months, the

recreational area highlights a five-acre chlorinated

swim beach and the unique water play area.

CASTAIC LAKE STATE

RECREATION AREA

Castaic Lake State Recreation Area is one of the

largest and most spectacular state water reservoirs

in California. It not only provides fresh water to local

communities, but this 12,658-acre northern oasis

also features two lakes: the Upper Lake, which offers

two launch ramps for boating with various waterways

and coves for exploring, and the Lower Lake, which

includes picnic areas, launch areas for kayaks, float

tubes and other non-gasoline boating, and a swim

beach. During summer months, kids can participate

in the Junior Lake Lifeguard Program and fishing

enthusiasts can enjoy world class fishing. The park is

also known for wake boarding and jet skiing.

Alondra Community Regional Park

Apollo Community Regional Park (3)

Belvedere Community Regional Park

Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park

Castaic Lake State Recreation Area (2)

Cerritos Community Regional Park

Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area

Earvin “Magic” Johnson Park (2)

La Mirada Community Regional Park

Peck Road Water Conservation Park

Santa Fe Dam Recreational Area

Whittier Narrows Recreation Area (3)

LAKE ACTIVITIES

FISHING

The Department has a variety of fishing lakes that are

stocked with different types of fish and many parks hold

fishing derbies throughout the year.

QUAGGA MUSSEL INSPECTION AND

EDUCATION OUTREACH PROGRAM

The Department maintains a comprehensive Quagga

Mussel Inspection and Education Outreach Program

designed to prevent the introduction of invasive, non-

native quagga mussels through infested boats and

other watercraft vessels that recreate at Castaic Lake

and Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park. Introduction and

proliferation of quagga mussels can pose a serious

threat to freshwater lakes and rivers, significantly

disrupting freshwater ecosystems and negatively

impacting recreational aspects of these bodies of

water. Under the program, any vessel attempting to

launch at Castaic Lake must pass an inspection prior to

entering the water. Boats must be 100 percent dry to

pass the inspection, and any watercraft not passing the

inspection will not be allowed to launch for 7 days

following.

BOATING

Recreational boating is a favorite pastime in Southern

California and Los Angeles County. The Department

offers three recreational lakes (Bonelli, Castaic, and

Santa Fe Dam) for great year-round fun! Boaters can

enjoy a serene, sunny day on the water or make a

splash with a variety of activities! Boating safety is

strictly enforced.

SWIM BEACHES

Our swim beaches provide a fun way to cool off during

the warm summer months. Many beaches have

accessible picnic areas and barbecue pits for visitors to

enjoy. Swim beaches are open only during certain

times of the year on designated days. Trained

lifeguards are on site when swim beaches are open

during the summer months until Labor Day.

Parks Make Life Better! and this campaign will help us

show our many facilities and programs that each of you

work so hard to make available for all to enjoy every day!

NORM PHILLIPS

Regional Park Superintendent III,

Castaic Lake State Recreation Area

DAVE CAMPBELL

Regional Park Superintendent III,

Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park

MEET OUR LAKES TEAM LOS ANGELES COUNTY LAKE LIFEGUARDS

TOM LORIA

Superintendent,

Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area

CHRIS GRAHAM, Chief Lake Lifeguard

The Los Angeles County Lake Lifeguards had an

extremely successful 2016 summer season. Prolonged

heat waves drew large crowds to Castaic Lake, Frank G.

Bonelli, and Santa Fe Dam Recreational Area for

swimming, boating, and fishing.

The Los Angeles County Lake Lifeguard Division consists

of 26 full-time and 160 part-time lifeguards to cover the

aquatics operations at all three facilities. The Lifeguard

Division also provides medical and aquatic coverage to

events that take place in the Department’s 180 parks. A 13-person Dive Team trains monthly to extend safety

operations at each facility and all full-time lifeguards are certified as Emergency Medical Technicians. In 2015,

THE UNITED STATES

LIFESAVING ASSOCIATION’S

TOP TEN SAFETY TIPS

1. Learn to swim.

2. Swim near a lifeguard.

3. Swim with a buddy.

4. Check with the lifeguards.

5. Use sunscreen and drink water.

6. Obey posted signs and flags.

7. Keep the beach and water clean.

8. Learn current safety.

9. Enter the water feet first.

10. Wear a life jacket.

attendance exceeded 1.5 million patrons and Lake Lifeguards rescued 310

swimmers in distress, provided 702 boat rescues, and administered 634

medical aides.

The ever-popular Junior Lifeguard Program, which is also run by

Los Angeles County Lake Lifeguards, continued its mission of teaching

young adults skills and knowledge that will be with them for life, including

water safety, physical fitness, first aid, and CPR. This year, the program had

an impressive 900 participants, some of whom may go on to become

seasonal lake lifeguards.

One of the Department’s top priorities is recruiting qualified candidates to

join the Lake Lifeguards. There are two swim tryouts scheduled: December

3 and 11, 2016. For more information go to: http://hr.lacounty.gov.

Hope to see you on the beach or on the lakes whether you are working as a

lifeguard or recreating with your family.

LEARN L AKE LINGO Want to learn some lake lingo?

the aft is the rear of the boat

the bow is the forward portion of a boat

to capsize means to flip a boat over

to cast off means to unfasten all lines in preparation for

departure

dead ahead means directly ahead of the bow

a fender is a cylindrical or round cushion used to protect

the hull sides of a boat, typically used when tied up at

dock

the hull is the structural body of the boat that rests in the

water

the lee side is the side of an object that is sheltered from

the wind

a personal floatation device (PFD) is a safety vest or

jacket capable of keeping an individual afloat

a personal watercraft (PWC) is a small, lightweight craft

designed to be either sat on or stood on with motorcycle-

like handlebars and squeeze throttle, usually jet-

propelled

to swamp means to fill a boat with water

wake refers to waves created by a moving boat

Please encourage your park visitors to follow the Department on Twitter at @lacountyparks and on Facebook at

facebook.com/parks.lacounty.gov.

http://instagram.com/lacountyparks http://twitter.com/lacountyparks http://facebook.com/parks.lacounty.gov

BOATING SAFETY TIPS

Just a few of the boating tips

Never drink while boating. It’s dangerous to operate a

boat when drinking, and operating a boat under the

influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal in all states.

A U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device is

required for every person on board and must be worn by

children under 13 years of age. The National Safe

Boating Council reports that according to the most recent

U.S. Coast Guard statistics, over two-thirds of fatal

accident victims drowned. Out of those who drowned,

approximately 90 percent were not wearing a life jacket.

Follow speed limits and all other lake rules at all times.

Read all information on lake operations, including

directional requirements for lake and for other water craft,

before launching. Some lakes have special use areas for

jet skis and separate areas for other vessels. When in

doubt, ask a lifeguard. They are more than happy to help!

Take a safe boating course. 70 percent of recreational

boating accidents are caused by operator factors, such

as failure to pay attention, carelessness, recklessness,

inexperience, excessive speed, and failure to watch for

hazards.

Knowing the nautical rules is important for all boaters.

Knowing what to do when meeting, crossing or overtaking

another boat can prevent costly damage to your boat,

personal injury, or even loss of life. Whenever you believe

there is a threat of collision, slow down, stop, or steer

away from the situation in question. Maintaining a proper

lookout and a safe speed are all part of the navigation

rules and an important part of boat operation.

Vessel operators must be at least 16 years of age.

Be aware that all boat engines produce Carbon Monoxide

(CO), an odorless, colorless, poisonous gas that can kill

you in a matter of minutes. Boaters have died from

exposure on the swim platforms of their boats and in

other areas where CO exhaust may accumulate or be

emitted.

Thanks to DPR's Derek Elleri and

the National Safe Boating Council for providing these tips!