Access to lake is threatened

Access to lake is threatened

By John Gregory

Public access to Miramar Lake for recreational purposes would be reduced from seven days a week to two days a week – Saturdays and Sundays – if efforts to adjust the plan were not succesful. The reduction was part of San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2026. The cutbacks to lake access were still on the budget at press time.

The plan to cut access to Lake Miramar was not the only threat to city services. Reductions to library hours, recreation center hours and closure of some public rest-rooms were also on the list. The proposed budget would reduce the days the library is open from six days to five days – with open days being Tuesdays through Saturdays. Recreation center hours would be reduced from 60 hours a week to 40 hours.

The City must prepare a new budget each year and approves the final budget in June. The process is nothing new, and each year there is much uproar about which city services face the chopping block. This year’s process is still underway.

Proposed cuts this year are more extensive due to a $258 million budget deficit. The failure to pass Measure E last November is being blamed as part of the problem. The measure would have increased the City sales tax by 1 percent, adding City funds.

Lake Miramar, also popularly called Miramar Lake, is a city-owned water reservoir officially named Miramar Reservoir. It is more than 60 years old and has been open for recreational use for decades. 

Scripps Ranch locals con-sider this body of water and its surroundings as more than a reservoir. They visit Miramar Lake for picnicking, fishing, jogging, walking, cycling, or simply meeting friends or contemplating nature. The lake is stocked with freshwater fish, and an abundance of wild birds visit the area throughout the year. There is a 5-mile paved path around the reservoir. 

Rocky Mountain Recreation Center has a 20-year contract with the City to operate the concessions and a rental business not only at Lake Miramar, but at six other lakes throughout San Diego. The company provides rentals such as kayaks, bikes and boats at Miramar Lake on Wednesdays through Sundays. It is not clear where the reduction of days would leave this contract.

In addition, Miramar Lake is used for a handful of other purposes. The Scripps Ranch High School cross country team often uses it for training runs. The Scripps Ranch Old Pros utilize it for its annual Run & Ride events on the morning of the Fourth of July each summer. A couple of new events held at Miramar Lake include the Thanksgiving Turkey Trot, and Miramar Ranch Elementary School FFA’s Frosty Fun Run & 5K held in December.

Access to other lakes, such as Lake Murray in District 7, is also threatened.

“Maintaining full access to Lake Murray and Miramar Reservoir is essential to the wellbeing of our residents who use both for recreation, and health and wellness,” said District 7 City Councilmember Raul Campillo. “That is why I am fighting alongside my City Council colleague Marni von Wilpert to restore the budget cuts proposed by Mayor Gloria. Both lakes are treasures to our great city and should continue to be open and available seven days a week.”

The Miramar Lake budget cut is possibly the biggest challenge yet for District 6 City Councilmember Marni von Wilpert who represents Scripps Ranch.

“Lake Miramar is a treasured community resource that supports recreation, public health and environmental stewardship. The proposed cuts led me to meet with city staff to explore alternatives, where I am advocating to preserve access and to identify potential funding alternatives to maintain current service levels. Our neighborhoods deserve safe, accessible open space – and I will continue fighting to ensure Lake Miramar remains open to all,” von Wilpert said in a statement.

In order to save regular access to the lake, either budget cuts from another area must be found, or another stream of revenue must be uncovered. The Mayor’s revised budget was presented May 14 and reviewed by the Council on May 19. City Council approval of the FY 2026 budget with any final budget modifications is slated for June 10. The budget adoption is required by charter no later than June 15.