Historic Downtown Lake Elsinore Gets Added Attraction

As Lake Elsinore officials work to brighten the city’s downtown appeal, a new attraction has been unveiled.

Set against a light breeze and partly sunny skies, Saturday morning saw the dedication and grand opening ceremony of Lake Elsinore’s historic downtown Riverwalk and Nature Trail.

More than 100 people from across the city were on hand for the ceremony at Heald Avenue and Riley Street.

Lake Elsinore’s elected officials, including all city council members and Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries, took part in a ribbon cutting and Riverwalk plaque unveiling.

Lake Elsinore city staff, police, fire and school district board members were also at the event.

The new Riverwalk Trail is a more than 2-mile concrete path that follows Alberhill Creek from Riverside Drive to downtown. The trail is open to walkers, runners and bicyclists, but is off limits to motorized vehicles.

During the ceremony, Lake Elsinore Mayor Amy Bhutta thanked city staff for bringing the trail to fruition, and she complimented Assemblyman Jeffries' dedication to the project.

A Lakeland Village resident, the assemblyman collaborated with the city to help secure an $800,000 state grant to finance the walkway’s construction.

The mayor also expressed gratitude for cleanup work done by Lake Elsinore-area Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints congregations. In early March, church members donated their time to spruce up wrought-iron fencing along the pathway. Several church members were on hand Saturday morning.

Following the dedication ceremony, residents and city officials joined in an inaugural Riverwalk cruise.

Judy Stewart is the “fearless leader” of Lake Elsinore Senior Center’s Smart Walkers Club. She and a dozen club members blazed the new trail together.

Outfitted in matching bright blue Smart Walker T-shirts, the group said the path is a welcome downtown addition.

“We feel safe here and this is another place for us to walk,” Stewart said. “I’m glad the city did this.”