A celebration is planned in Riverside on Friday to herald completion of an extensive signage project along the Santa Ana River Trail, covering most points on the segment that traverses Riverside County with guideposts that feature maps and monument markers.
The Riverside County Parks & Open Space District, in partnership with the city, will host the public ribbon-cutting event at 2 p.m. Friday in Martha McLean-Anza Narrows Park, 5759 Jurupa Ave.
“The city is proud to partner in this project, which will use creative signage to enhance the experience, help users navigate the trail with ease and share the rich history of our region,” Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson said. “We are fortunate to have this natural treasure in our community, offering both recreation and a deeper connection to our region, and these signs will make that great experience even better.”
Nearly 250 “wayfinding signs” were installed, canvassing 20 miles, over a roughly six-month span, according to county officials.
“The signage includes interpretive panels, kiosks with maps, monuments, directional markers and safety signs — all designed to enhance the trail user experience, improve navigation and celebrate the natural and cultural history of the region,” the Regional Parks & Open Space District said in a statement.
In November, the Board of Supervisors authorized the district to utilize $941,406 in 2021 American Rescue Plan Act funding for the Santa Ana River Trail Wayfinding Signage Project. Two months earlier, the county had hired Los Angeles-based Monarka Development Corp., also known as Express Sign & Neon, to handle the project.
“The signage program project is to enhance the quality of life for Riverside County residents and Santa Ana River Trail users by maintaining clean, safe and equitable outdoor recreational opportunities,” according to documents submitted to the board in November.
The total length of the trail, also dubbed “Crest to Coast,” is 110 miles, spanning the upper tier of the San Bernardino National Forest to Huntington Beach in Orange County. The path, which is still under development, crosses Riverside County via the Santa Ana River bottom, from the northeastern edge of Jurupa Valley to the Corona (71) Expressway at the OC line.
Along with Jurupa Valley, the cities of Corona, Eastvale, Norco and Riverside have portions of the trail within their jurisdictions. They’ve been involved in the signage effort, along with the California State Coastal Conservancy and National Park Service.
Some sections of the trail have paved surfaces for bicyclists.
The county received about $480 million in ARPA funds, all of which had to be spent by last Dec. 31 on infrastructure, social assistance and related programs.