Residents complain about flooded lot near Menifee Lakes

One resident calls the flooded parking lot in La Paloma Park a health hazard. (Photo by Sherri Moore)

By Doug Spoon, Editor

Residents of the Menifee Lakes community are appealing to the homeowners association, City of Menifee and Valley-Wide Recreation and Park District for a solution to the flooded parking lot adjacent to the lake and La Paloma Park.

The lot often floods during rains and sometimes takes weeks for the water to evaporate. This winter’s increased rainstorms have created flooding that has remained as the warmer weather has arrived. In addition to eliminating parking spots for the adjacent HOA center, the flooding has created what one residents describes as a cesspool that has attracted a colony of mosquitos, as well as ducks that defacate in the stagnant water.

The result, says resident Sherri Moore, is a foul-smelling nuisance that forces residents walking or biking around the lake to wear mosquito masks.

“It's been more than an inconvenience for those of us who live near the flooded parking lot,” Moore said. “The mosquito problem has been terrible this year. We have been battling mosquitos since the parking lot flooded, as have my neighbors, and as you know, mosquitos can transmit diseases to both people and dogs.

“The flooded parking lot is a health hazard. We've all been bitten in my household and have not been able to enjoy our backyard as much as we would like. Since this isn't the first time the parking lot has flooded, I'm very disappointed that it continues to happen, and no entity has taken responsibility, at least had the water pumped out when it floods.”

Three entities share responsibility for or interest in the lake area: Menifee Master, the homeowners association; Valley-Wide, which owns and maintains the park; and the City of Menifee. Menifee Master did not respond to the request for an interview. Valley-Wide and the City of Menifee say the problem will be addressed this week.

“The City is aware of the issue and has followed up with both Valley-Wide and the HOA that owns and maintains the impacted parking lot,” said Phil Southard, public information officer for the City, last week. “The Public Works Department has thoroughly reviewed the storm drain systems in the immediate vicinity and they are all working correctly. It is believed the flooding issues are related to the pump system located at the park, which the City does not operate.

“However, Public Works is continuing to have ongoing conversations with the HOA to help them identify a solution and will be meeting with them again early next week.”

Craig Shultz, spokesman for Valley-Wide, said his organization has had discussions with the HOA as well.

“The District is aware of it and we are hopeful that the Menifee Lakes HOA can find a solution to rectify the issue since it is also starting to affect the District's property,” Shultz said.