Yucaipa Regional Park is prepared for Memorial Day weekend

The pool and waterslide have been cleaned and the beach area surrounding the pool has a thick bed of soft sand - perfect for little and big feet to play in. The paddleboats and aqua cycles are ready to be rented. And the grass is thick, green, lush and trimmed. Shade trees cover much of the picnic and camping area, and the three lakes have been stocked with catfish - some of record size.

"We just stocked them today (Thursday)," Angeli said. "This is typically the opening of catfish season. There are a lot of huge cats in the lakes and the stocking will get things stirred up competing for food."

Which means the cats should be biting, Angeli said, adding that the largest catfish taken from the lakes was in 1998 when a 39 1/2 pounder was caught.

Don't like to fish? Don't like to swim? Then perhaps a hike through the trails in the hills overlooking the park might do. The view of the valley below is spectacular. Or perhaps walking, jogging, or riding bicycles around the miles of paths and roads that wind up and down and around the park might interest others.

Recreational vehicle and camping spots have been filling up all week. Robert and Frances Tessandore of Indio arrived on Wednesday to claim a site on a grassy, tree-covered hillside overlooking the park. Each year the Tessandore's celebrate Memorial Day at the park.

"We've been coming here for 10 years with a group of 20 friends," said Robert Tessandore. "We come for the weather, the atmosphere, and to escape the hustle and bustle and unwind. With all the shade and the lakes it's cool here, relaxing and safe."

However, the park can become crowded on busy major holidays. Angeli said that RV spots can be difficult to reserve at this late date. Call the park first, he advises, to find out if there have been cancellations.

For those wishing to picnic in one of the covered areas that has picnic tables and a barbeque, they do so on a first come, first serve bases, he said. However, the park has a vast open area to lay down blankets and gather lawn chairs around.

"I think it will be relatively busy," Angeli said.

For more information about reservations and fees, call the park at (909) 790-3127, or visit www.co.san-bernardino.ca.us/PARKS/yucaipa.htm.

Yucaipa Regional Park
33900 Oak Glen Road
Yucaipa, CA 92399
(909) 790-3127

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