IMPROVEMENTS ARE UNDERWAY at Lake Skinner that will provide the community with a new water play and splash pad recreation facility, an outdoor amphitheater, and expanded and enhanced multi-purpose trails and paths.

More than 145,000 people visit Lake Skinner – northeast of Murrieta and Temecula – each year. The changes will provide visitors with more recreational opportunities and amenities.

The water play recreation area, which replaces an aged wading pool, will offer an educational component as well as a venue for fun.

“As part of that, we wanted to integrate the story of water, especially as it’s becoming scarcer in Southern California,” County Parks and Recreation Director Scott Bangle said.

Another thing crucial to the project is the addition of a permanent amphitheater and entertainment stage.

With campers at Lake Skinner on the weekend, the amphitheater will be a perfect venue to offer movies in the park and other programs.

In addition, the amphitheater was designed to meet the needs of the Balloon & Wine Festival in June and will be used as a permanent stage for that event.

“I think it will be a better experience. This is a contoured amphitheater that will allow for better views. The sun won’t be in your eyes. The sound will be better,” Bangle said.

Trails promoting healthy lifestyles will be expanded and added, which will create a loop system for users’ enjoyment. The trails will also feature an educational element with interpretive signs describing the natural history of flora and fauna around the lake.

For more information regarding general parks information, questions about commissions or committees or upcoming events, please call 800.234.7275 or visit www.riversidecountyparks.org.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or resident camp host, please download our Interpretive & Day Use Volunteer Application or Camp Host & Resident Volunteer Application.