Lake Elsinore Touts Boat Launch Improvements Ahead of July 4 Weekend

A series of improvements at Lake Elsinore's Seaport Boat Launch will be complete just in time for the Fourth of July holiday weekend, city officials said Tuesday.

Among the efforts is the installation of two new "durable" boat docks to replace the wooden ones from 1996, according to the city's management analyst, Nicole Dailey.

"Built with concrete pavers for the decking, the City expects the docks to be low maintenance and have a useable life of at least 20 years," Dailey said.  

Along with the 8-foot wide by 100-foot long docks, a new monument sign was installed, the parking lot was re-striped and concrete walkways were repaired.

“The lake is our biggest asset,” said City Councilmember Daryl Hickman. “These improvements will ensure our facilities can meet the needs of the more than 60,000 boaters who visit our lake each year for recreation and leisure.” 

The new docks cost a total of $158,600, but most of the money-- $149,999-- was funded through a grant from the California Department of Boating & Waterways, according to Dailey.  The city paid the remaining $8,601 via the purchase of one aluminum gangplank.

As for the old, wooden docks-- they won't go to waste, according to the city representative.  Dailey says they'll be used as fishing docks at the city's other launch, La Laguna Resort and Boat Launch.

“While the old boat docks were no longer adequate for boaters,” said Pat Kilroy, Director of Lake, Parks and Recreation. “They are perfect for fishing.” 

From the city: 

The Seaport Boat Launch is open daily from sunrise to sunset. The daily lake use fee is $15 per day per vessel and the launch fee is $10 per day per trailer. Parking is free with the launch fee. In addition, the City offers annual lake use passes valid for the entire calendar year.   

The City invites residents and guests to spend their 4th of July weekend enjoying Lake Elsinore.

In celebration of its 125th year, the City of Lake Elsinore is planning its biggest and best 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular over the lake, which will include a 30-minute pyrotechnic display with more than 1,600 fireworks.

Free public viewing locations include Lakepoint Park, Elm Grove Beach, Davis Fishing Beach, Whiskers Fishing Beach, Storm Stadium Parking Lot, Swick-Matich Park and a portion of the levee system. Paid viewing is available at the local campgrounds including the new La Laguna Resort & Boat Launch on the north end of the lake. Residents and visitors can find these beaches and facilities on the City’s Lake Map. To view by boat, boaters must purchase an additional nighttime lake pass for $10 to remain on the lake after sunset. The passes are limited to 350 boats and can be purchased from qualifying commercial boat launch facilities, which includes Seaport Boat Launch and La Laguna Resort.