1,500-Acre Park In Riverside County Gets $4.3 Million Renovation

RIVERSIDE, CA — A $4.3 million modernization project at Hidden Valley Nature Center in Riverside is now complete, and the facility — set on 1,500 acres — has reopened.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony and "Wonders of the Watershed" event were held Saturday, Feb. 7, to celebrate the reopening.

The facility's renovations included a new restroom, septic systems, parking spaces, an outdoor classroom with shade structures, an amphitheater upgrade that includes a new stage overlooking the San Gabriel Mountains, ADA-accessible walking paths, new landscaping, and a monument entry. Interior improvements included new flooring and paint.

Hidden Valley Nature Center and Wildlife Area at 11401 Arlington Avenue is located along the Santa Ana River, east of Norco, 1 mile west of La Sierra Avenue. Set on 1,500 scenic acres, it provides access to 25 miles of hiking and equestrian trails.

The facility offers a variety of activities for children, including reconstructed wildlife scenes. Educational programs offered (by appointment) include presentations about the wetlands, Native Americans, geology, and the Santa Ana River Watershed. Programs may include a hike, hands-on activities, a craft, a game, and/or live animal presentations.

The renovation project "highlights the County’s commitment to providing our residents with accessible, high-quality outdoor education and recreation opportunities," said Riverside County Board of Supervisors Chair Karen Spiegel, who represents the Second District.

The renovation was funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and the California Department of Parks and Recreation’s 2002 Resources Bond Act for Outdoor Environmental Education Facilities.

For more information about county parks, visit RivCoParks.org or call (800) 234-PARK (7275).