Placer County is urging the public to stay out of Squaw Valley Park, emphasizing that walkers and bicyclists put themselves at risk when they enter the park while dead and dying trees are being cut down.
The Placer County Parks and Grounds Division has closed the 28-acre park at Highway 89 and Squaw Valley Road for the winter and will reopen it next spring when weather permits.
The dead and dying trees are being cut down and removed as part of a fuel load reduction project designed to help protect the community from wildfires.
“Some walkers and bicyclists continue to ignore the signs and barricades we posted to let the public know the park is closed for the winter and to stay away during the tree-removal work,” Placer County Parks Administrator John Ramirez said. “We need people to understand that they place themselves in danger when they enter the park while trees are being cut down.”
Work on the fuel-reduction project will continue through the winter. Next spring, the county will complete the project by coordinating a Community Volunteer Work Day, which will provide an opportunity for the public to help remove the remaining brush and debris.
Ramirez emphasized the fuel load reduction project will help protect the area from a catastrophic wildfire, protect the Truckee River and Squaw Creek watersheds, and improve overall forest health.
“The project is progressing well and the park is looking beautiful,” he explained.
The project is a joint effort by Placer County, the Sierra Nevada Conservancy and community volunteers.