Santa Rosa Plateau Renovations to be Celebrated Friday

One of Murrieta's favorite outdoor spots has gotten a new look over the last nine months.

The recent improvements at Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve will be celebrated Friday with guided tours, entertainment and activities.

Approximately $525,000 worth of enhancements have been made to the site, including a new entry and monument sign, an expanded deck space to host outdoor classes and events, a shade structure, installation of trails and signs, parking lot improvements and improved landscaping.

Santa Rosa Plateau also features many interpretive pieces and artifacts on display at the newly revamped center, said Maureen Gayk of the Riverside County Regional Park and Open Space District, which manages the reserve.

"The improvements create an enhanced experience for visitors and allow for improved interpretive activities," Gayk said in a news release.

The public is invited to join First District Supervisor Bob Buster, District Advisory Commissioner Bill Hartford and Park District General Manager Scott Bangle in unveiling the improvements at 2 p.m. Friday at the Visitor's Center.

The plateau is located at 39400 Clinton Keith Road in Murrieta. The Plateau and Ecological Reserve are open to the public daily from sunrise to sunset. The Visitor’s Center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

Through a partnership with the Santa Rosa Plateau Foundation, the site is a popular location for educational field trips offering a unique hands-on experience for youth.

For more information about Friday's event, contact Maureen Gayk at 951-955-4398.