Lake Elsinore, Calif., inherited its city-owned campground by the lake from the state parks department in the 1990s. Little has been done to improve the site since, the Press-Enterprise reported.
That should change.
A bold plan fashioned by city officials — with the aid of a consultant — is expected to transform the anachronistic facility into a modern recreational vehicle park. But it will take some time.
“The goal is to get the campground into an acceptable condition,” City Councilwoman Natasha Johnson said in an interview Thursday (April 14). ‘Right now, it’s not up to standards. We need to get it at least up to par. Then, we can add extra elements to it as we go.”
Earlier in the week, Johnson and her council colleagues received a presentation on a conceptual plan for the renovation of the campground, which now has 160 campsites lacking full RV hookups. The camping area occupies about half of the 85-acre La Laguna Resort and Boat Launch.
To bring the campground into the 21st century, the council agreed April 12 to hire STK Architecture for $399,000. The Temecula-based firm will provide a design for what is expected to be an estimated $10 million overhaul.
The conceptual plan calls for 236 RV spaces with full-utility hookups, plus cabins, tent and yurt areas, new restroom buildings with showers, a clubhouse, snack and concessions bar, gazebos, barbecues, recreational activity areas and possibly an amphitheater. The plan also proposes creating a new entrance to the park from Riverside Drive opposite the foot of Lincoln Street.
“The campground has been a source of public embarrassment ever since I was a kid and this quite frankly is a chance to restore it to public pride,” Councilman Steve Manos said.
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