The city of Rialto intends to complete this upgrade in October, 2011. Fergusson Park is at 2395 W. Sunrise, near West Casa Grande Avenue and North Alder Street.

“We will be more than doubling the usable area of Fergusson Park,” said Recreation and Community Services Department Director Larry Thornburg. “Eight acres of this 18-acre park were previously developed. This project develops the remaining 10 acres.”

Besides the football fields, new amenities for Fergusson Park include a skateboard area, playground, picnic areas, additional parking lot, an additional outdoor basketball court, walking paths, and a snack bar/restroom building.

Rialto contractor Robert Clapper Construction submitted the successful bid for this project.

“We at R.C. Construction are very excited at the opportunity to provide construction services for our ‘home town’ here in the City of Rialto,” said Company President Robert Clapper.  “Our corporate headquarters are located less then a mile from the park so that gives us a great chance to pay special attention to the project. We hope residents will enjoy this park for years to come.”

Funds for this park are from a $6.3 million community improvement bond the Rialto Redevelopment Agency obtained in 2008.

Fergusson Park is one of nine city parks in Rialto. Besides the new amenities the developed 8 acres of the park include an existing basketball court, a quarter-mile walking track, a picnic area, two tennis courts, horseshoe pits, a tot playground, and a softball field. The new restroom building will add to one serving the eight acres already developed.

The other Rialto City Parks are:

Although the City of Rialto is located in the middle of one of the nation’s fastest growing regions, it has retained a small town atmosphere and similar quality of life. Rialto is an ethnically diverse and progressive community, which boasts several unique community assets including its own police and fire departments, a city-owned racquet and fitness center, performing arts theater, a community center and senior center. Rialto is near mountains, beaches, deserts and other recreational areas.

Rialto’s housing mix and home costs are some of the most affordable in the southern California region. First-time homebuyers find Rialto more affordable than almost any other comparable community in the region. Executives and those seeking high-end homes also find they can purchase much more home for their money in Rialto. This lower cost of living in Rialto also translates into more discretionary income for residents, thus benefiting retailers and service providers.

For more information about Rialto, go to www.ci.rialto.ca.us <http://www.ci.rialto.ca.us> or call (909) 820-2525.

Fontana, California -

The “Lifeguard Training” course teaches participants the knowledge and skills needed to prevent and respond to aquatic emergencies. Participants who successfully complete this course will receive a Lifeguard Training and First Aid certificate (valid three years) and a CPR for the Professional Rescuer certificate (valid one year).

“CPR for the Professional Rescuer” is a course designed for professional rescuers about developing skills needed to respond to breathing and cardiac emergencies. This includes the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) to care for a victim of cardiac arrest. Successful participants will receive CPR for the Professional Rescuer and AED certificates (valid for one year).

The “Water Safety Instructor” course is specifically for advanced and experienced swimmers looking to become an Authorized American Red Cross Instructor. Those successful in this course will receive a Water Safety Instructor Certificate and Fundamentals of Instructor Training certificate (valid one year).

“Community CPR and First Aid” is a basic course teaching participants what to do in case of breathing, cardiac or general emergencies in need of first aid. By the end of the course participants will also know how to identify victims of a heart attack. Successful participants will receive Adult, Child, and Infant CPR with First Aid certificates upon completion.

“Babysitter’s Training” is a beneficial course for youth ages 10 and older. This course provides information and skills necessary to provide a safe and responsible care for children in the absence of adults. A Babysitter’s Training certificate will be issued upon successful completion of this course.

For more information, including dates, times and pricing on these upcoming courses, please contact the Fontana Park Aquatics Center at (909) 854-5111 or visit aquatics.fontana.org.

Silverwood Lake was formed by the 249-foot Cedar Springs Dam. At 3,350 feet, it is the highest reservoir in the State Water Project. The park features hiking trails, swimming beaches and designated areas for boating, water-skiing and fishing. The lake has trout, large-mouth bass, catfish and bluegill. There is a marina with a launching ramp, boat and equipment rentals, and a store. The park has picnic areas, including three that can only be reached by boat. The lakes attracts waterfowl, raptors and songbirds. Canada Geese and an occasional bald eagle can be seen in the area. Silverwood Lake is also part of the Pacific Crest Trail

Located in San Bernardino National Forest. -Directions

The park is located via Highway 138, 11 miles east of I-15; or 20 miles north of San Bernardino via Highways 18 & 138.

For more information on Silverwood Lake

Mount San Jacinto stands 10,804 feet above sea level, the highest point in the San Jacinto Range and second highest in Southern California. It is the southern section of the San Bernardino National Forest. The mountain’s magnificent granite peaks, forests, and fern-bordered mountain meadows offer high-country exploreation and a scenic, high-country wilderness area. Most of the park is a designated wilderness area enjoyed by hikers and backpackers.

Unlike other wilderness adventures Mount San Jacinto is also accessible by the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Starting in Chino Canyon near Palm Springs, the tram takes passengers from Valley Station at 2,643 feet elevation to Mountain Station on the edge of the wilderness, elevation 8,516 feet.

At the top of the tram, is a restaurant, gift shop, snack bar, and the state park visitor center. In Long Valley, a short walk from the station, you will find the Long Valley Ranger Station, a picnic area with barbecue stoves and restrooms, a ski center, a self-guiding nature trail, and Desert View Trail which offers panoramas of the high country including several peaks over 10,000 feet in elevation.The tram operates year-round, except for a maintenance closure in August.

Pacific Crest Trail

The Pacific Crest Trail is of America’s great scenic trail systems, spanning 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada through three western states. The trail passes through five California State Parks: Castle Crags and McArthur-Burney Falls in Northern California; and Silverwood Lake, Anza Borrego Desert and Mt San Jacinto in Southern California.

More information on the Pacific Crest Trail

Location-Directions

From Riverside, take Interstate 10 East to Hwy 243 South to the park. From San Diego, take Interstate 15 North to 215 North, exit Hwy 74 east to Hwy 243 north to the park

More on Mount San Jacinto from California State Parks