The Lindo Lake That Reopens Around the End of 2027 Will Be Walked Differently

"In 2019, we started phase one, which restored the area around the East Basin," Jennifer Spencer, a senior park project manager with San Diego County Parks and Recreation, told 10News in late August. "Now that we're complete with that phase, we're moving on to the West Basin."

That second half is now underway. It explains the six-foot fence and detour signs around the lake this fall. The plans presented to the Lakeside Community Planning Group describe protected wetland and riparian habitat along about 90% of the lakeshore perimeter, with "limited public access except at designated fishing and access openings." When Lindo Lake reopens in full, people will mostly reach the water from set points. Today's closures are the first part of that redesign.

What the fence closes this fall

The County's Pedestrian and Vehicular Access Plan for Phase 2 marks the north-side path along Lakeshore Drive as having no pedestrian access. It shows Boathouse Island closed to the public and Peninsula Road closed to public vehicles. At the planning group's July 1 meeting, County staff called the Lakeshore Drive closure the most significant reroute, since both the footpath and the small bridge there will close.

Parking is the part most likely to affect a normal visit. The VFW lot is far enough from the work to stay usable. Planning group members still raised concerns that losing Peninsula Road parking would strain parking across the park. Contractor crews will park on the closed levee road and use a designated access route. Flaggers will be on hand when heavy equipment is running, and short closures of a few days at a time may happen. The County says parking impacts will be posted as they come up and wayfinding maps will point walkers to other routes.

If you have a reservation at the park or the Community Center, County guidance says most bookings and Community Center activities will go ahead. Staff will contact anyone whose reserved area is affected about moving it, rescheduling or a refund.

How long, and why the dates differ

At the July meeting, staff said the contract had been awarded for about $14.5 million. They expected the contractor to begin mobilizing as early as August, fencing to go up in late August and crews to start work around mid-September. The job was estimated at about 15 months, weather permitting. Fifteen months from mid-September lands around December 2027. The County's project page says completion by Winter 2027, and its FAQ says work runs through 2027, finishing by year's end. All three point to roughly the end of next year, so plan on two holiday seasons with the fence up.

The plan calls for draining the West Basin and then regrading the lakebed. The County FAQ lists $21.5 million in total funding: $19.5 million in capital funds and a $2 million grant from the San Diego River Conservancy.

Why the lake is being rebuilt this way

Spencer told 10News that Lindo Lake now gets most of its water from stormwater, which can hurt water quality and the lake's overall health. The outlet also recalled that complaints about a foul smell at the lake in 2018 helped prompt County action. The design goes after that problem directly. One of the Phase 2 features is a sediment basin that captures stormwater before it reaches the lake.

For a preview, walk the East Basin. Phase 1, finished in August 2022, dug that basin to a depth of 10 feet and added aerators, Sacramento Perch, decomposed granite footpaths, a sediment basin, two overlook points and two bird-watching stations. Phase 2 follows the same plan. The West Basin will be dug to varying depths of up to 10 feet, giving it a more natural shape that suits fish better.

What the finished West Basin adds

These are the improvements staff described to the planning group:

1. A new footbridge from Boathouse Island to the back of the Community Center
2. Three picnic areas: one behind the teen center, one beside the pickleball courts and skate park, and a larger one with two 20-by-20-foot shade structures, picnic tables, barbecue pits and fishing pads that reach the water through openings in the fence
3. A sediment basin to capture stormwater
4. A new spillway bridge to replace the current one
5. A fishing pier near Peninsula Park
6. Two bird-watching stations
7. Two boat ramps for maintenance and emergencies
8. Protected wetland and riparian habitat along about 90% of the shoreline

The County FAQ confirms that boating still won't be allowed and that both basin ramps are only for maintenance and emergency use. The trees will change too. The County plans to protect 114 trees, remove 28 and plant 168 new ones.

Fishing is where this new layout pays off. The West Basin will be stocked with Sacramento Perch in coordination with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and anglers will need a fishing license. Once the perch population is established, staff said the lake could be added to the catfish and trout stocking schedule used at other reservoirs. Fishing in the West Basin resumes at designated spots only after restoration is done and the fish have settled in. So the County may finish construction a while before West Basin fishing reopens.

After construction, Peninsula Road and its parking reopen, the levee road goes back to maintenance and emergency use only, and the closed footpaths will be replaced with upgraded ones. Paths around a habitat-lined lake work the way the East Basin's do now. You get views and overlooks from the path, and you reach the water at specific spots.

One more thing to check before letting a dog near the water this fall. County Parks has posted a notice that algae toxins are present in Lindo Lake. Under County Ordinance 41.132, swimming, bathing and boating are prohibited there, and the notice asks visitors not to let pets go into or drink the water and not to eat fish from it. Look at the County Parks notices page for the current status before you go.

Where the lake's usual roles go until then

The East Basin fishing spots stay open throughout construction. For a full day on the water, Lake Jennings is the nearby choice as its season changes over. Trout stocking runs from about November into early April, and night fishing for catfish usually ends in late October. For walking, the San Diego River Park Foundation describes Lakeside's River Park as a two-mile trail from Riverside Drive to Channel Road, listed at 10354 Channel Road. County Parks has also posted that crews and equipment may limit the Lakeside River Trail to pedestrians at times, so check the notices page before biking or riding a horse there.

Lakeside's fall events are mostly away from the lake. The Lakeside Historical Society is marking the town's 140th anniversary this year, and its events are held at the History Center at 9906 Maine Ave unless noted otherwise. Here's what's coming up:

• Oct. 23–25: Spooky Campoween at Lake Jennings, for campers only, with campground trick-or-treating, campsite decorating and a haunted trail
• Oct. 24, 5 to 7 p.m.: Lakeside American Little League Trick or Treat
• Oct. 24, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.: Trunk or Treat at the Lakeside Rodeo
• Oct. 25, 5 to 8 p.m.: Día de los Muertos with the Historical Society
• Oct. 31: Trick or Treat on Maine Ave
• Nov. 7: New Moon Fishing at Lake Jennings, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Nov. 11: Veterans Day at Lake Jennings, with free entry for veterans and active-duty personnel
• Nov. 20–22: Trout Opener at Lake Jennings
• Dec. 5, 3 to 7:30 p.m.: The Lakeside Chamber's Spirit of Christmas on Maine Ave, with free admission, a 5 p.m. tree lighting and Santa's arrival. One part of the Chamber's page lists Dec. 6, so check the date before you go.

Spirit of Christmas this year and next will both happen with the fence still up at Lindo Lake. The upgraded paths, the fishing pier near Peninsula Park and the footbridge to the Community Center are scheduled to open around the end of 2027.

I'm keeping an eye on the Lindo Lake work because it changes how people around here spend a Saturday, and that matters whether you've lived near the lake for twenty years or are thinking about moving close to it. If you'd like to talk about the streets around the park or anything else in Lakeside, Zac Thayer is a call away. Let's Connect.