Riverside, CA – November 15, 2024 – The Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District (RivCoParks) hosted the official groundbreaking ceremony of the Santa Ana River Bottom Maintenance Facility on Friday, November 15th, 2024. The facility is designed to support the work of RivCoParks’ Santa Ana River Bottom (SARB) Unit and partners alike. This facility includes a fully equipped maintenance shop, modern office space, and a versatile meeting room to serve as a hub for the team’s operations and collaborations.
The SARB Unit works alongside critical county and municipal stakeholders to directly link individuals to services and housing, reinforcing RivCoParks’ commitment to enhancing public safety and conservation management while providing essential resources to some of the most vulnerable members of the community.
"The creation of the SARB Unit reflects RivCoParks' dedication to safeguarding both our parks and the people within them,” said Riverside County Second District Supervisor Karen Spiegel.
The project, funded by a $6 million allocation through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), is a critical investment aimed at addressing community challenges and providing wrap-around services to unsheltered individuals residing near the Santa Ana River. This funding has allowed for the construction of the facility, which will be instrumental in RivCoParks’ efforts to serve both the community and the environment.
The facility will be the central base of operations for SARB Unit Park Rangers, Park Maintenance Workers, and partners as they perform daily patrols, engage with unsheltered individuals to offer assistance, and help protect critical habitats within the Santa Ana River.
The groundbreaking ceremony featured remarks from local leaders, recognition of the California Trails and Greenways Award presented to the RivCoParks SARB Unit and the Riverside Auto-Theft Interdiction Detail (RAID) task force, with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, followed by the ceremonial turning of soil to mark the start of construction.
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Jacquelyn Muller
Public Information Specialist
Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District
Phone: (951) 295-2034
Email: [email protected]