County official warns that Salt Creek Trail is not yet open

This entrance to the Salt Creek Trail at Antelope Road and the 215 Freeway should not be open to the public, a county official said. Staff photo

By Doug Spoon, Editor

The word is out among Menifee hikers about a section of the new Salt Creek Trail that is almost completed and will offer a great recreational path for hikers, bicyclists and equestrians.

Riverside County officials urge residents to note the word almost in the previous sentence, however. Some have vandalized and/or removed "trail closed" signs and barricades and the trail is being used while it still is technically a construction zone.

As such, there is no protection for trail users where they have to cross Bradley Road, Murrieta Road and Normandy Road while traveling the trail along the north border of Salt Creek from Antelope Road to Goetz Road. Crosswalks and pedestrian-activated traffic signals at those points have not yet been installed, said Kyla Brown, County Parks Director.

"The project won't be completed for two months, so the trail is still a construction zone," Brown wrote to Menifee 24/7 in an email. "The traffic signals will be the last item to go in. There has been a delay in shipping of the traffic signals due to coronavirus impacts.

"Many other safety features such as crosswalks, signs and pavement markings have also not been installed yet. In fact, there is still a one-mile segment in Menifee that has not been paved. As happy as everyone is to use the trail, it is not ready for use. We want the trail users to be safe, so they should wait until all the safety features such as traffic signals, crosswalks, signs and cleanup is performed before using the trail. We don't want the trail users to unnecessarily put themselves at risk by entering a construction zone. There will be a grand opening ceremony announcing when the trail opens to the public."

Menifee 24/7 will have a thorough look at the trail and the history behind when it officially opens to the public.