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!