recreation

Column: Summer outdoor plan critical to COVID management

Ambiguity, uncertainty, and contradictions abound in this pandemic. Add time to the list of contradictions swirling around us. Morning and night sometimes seem a week apart. The first month of shelter‐in‐place dripped by for many of us. The second month was gone before we knew it. And now summer is fast approaching. We welcome the season because in ordinary times it can elevate our well‐being, but these are not ordinary times. With most of the attention and intensity now on reopening, the question that hangs in the balance is, are we ready? Is it the right time?

USFS lifts closures at recreation sites around Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The USFS Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) said the order to close Lake Tahoe recreation sites will expire Friday at midnight and won't be extended.

Regional developed recreation site and South Shore Recreation Corridor will be open starting May 16 according to Lisa Herron of LTBMU.

The closures were to keep in line with local, state and federal regulations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

All events on City of South Lake Tahoe property postponed through at least mid-July

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Events on City property through at least July 14 have been postponed, including the 4th of July Parade.

As South Lake Tahoe starts to reopen with guidelines from California Governor Newsom for Phase 2, the directives toward events won't be addressed until future phases so the City took action during their meeting Tuesday.

Parking on highway at closed Zephyr Cove Resort resembles summer weekend

ZEPHYR COVE, Nev. - The USFS Forest Service closed all of their recreation sites in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in an effort to keep in alignment with federal, state, and local guidance for social distancing, and to ensure the health and safety of its employees, visitors, and volunteers.

Local boaters to be first allowed on Lake Tahoe; Future phases to allow out-of-area boats

LAKE TAHOE, Nev./Calif. - Local boats will soon be able to get into Lake Tahoe, but boaters from out of the area will have to wait until COVID-19 reopening phases allow them.

On Friday the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) announced a phased approach to boating that discourages out-of-area visitation as part of state and local coordination on recreation guidelines for Lake Tahoe this season.

Governor outlines guidelines for reopening Nevada with phase one Saturday

Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak has unveiled his plan for the state to reopen under phase one starting May 9, 2020. Outdoor malls, restaurants, hair salons, and barber shops are among those able to reopen with new standards for safety.

"We must stay safe so we can stay open," said Sisolak of the ability to move into phase 2 by the end of May, or sooner.

"The beginning of the reopening of our economy is not the end of the coronavirus," said Sisolak during a press conference Thursday afternoon. "It's still with us, as strong as ever. It will not go away until there's a vaccine."

New City Manager Joe Irvin now on the job for South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - As of the City Council's special meeting Wednesday morning, the new South Lake Tahoe City Manager was on the job for 48 hours after being sworn in during a digital event that started off the week.

Edgewood Tahoe opens as Nevada lifts restrictions on some recreational activities

LAKE TAHOE, Nev. - When Governor Sisolak of Nevada said some outdoor recreation businesses can reopen, Edgewood Tahoe was ready to go after weeks of preparation to do so in a safe manner.

If Monday's opening day on the greens at Edgewood was any indication, golfers were ready to start swinging their clubs and start getting in rounds of golf. Open from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for now, all tee times through Thursday were already booked before the first round was played.

City of South Lake Tahoe special meeting to request Governor Newsom allow a phased reopening

Event Date: 
May 6, 2020 - 9:00am

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - City Council will hold a special meeting on Wednesday, May 6 at 9:00 a.m. with a single agenda item: Authorization of a letter signed by Mayor Jason Collin to California Governor Gavin Newsom to request approval for the City of South Lake Tahoe for its transition to Phase 2 of re-opening the County of El Dorado and City of South Lake Tahoe for individuals and businesses.

USFS beaches and sites around Lake Tahoe to remain closed through May 15

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A temporary closure order for USFS beaches and recreation sites around Lake Tahoe has been extended through at least May 15, 2020. The original order was set to expire May 1. To keep in alignment with current federal, state, and local guidance for social distancing, and to ensure the health and safety of its employees, visitors, and volunteers, it was extended.

Trailheads and trails outside of the orange areas of the attached maps, or the ones on the closure website, are not affected by this order but parking lots are closed.

Douglas County commissioners and residents deliver letter to Sisolak asking for phased reopening

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - Douglas County Board of County Commissioners held a special meeting on April 29, 2020, regarding recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and economic impacts to local businesses in the county. The Board decided unanimously to deliver a letter to Governor Sisolak in support of reopening Douglas County and hand-delivered the letter in unison with community members and the Sheriff's Office at 8:30 a.m. Thursday.

El Dorado County Supervisors send letter to Newsom asking for phased reopening

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - During their special meeting on Tuesday, the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved sending a letter to Governor Newsom to allow a phased opening of some businesses and loosening restrictions on the public in El Dorado County.

Residents have responded to the closures by abiding by stay-in-place orders enacted to stop the spread of COVID-19.

$11.5M project to restore the Upper Truckee Marsh now underway

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The largest wetland restoration project in the history of the Lake Tahoe Basin is now underway in the Upper Truckee River Marsh. The major project to restore the marsh in South Lake Tahoe has been years in the making to fix the environmental damage done by the creation of the Tahoe Keys.

Humboldt-Toiyabe: No camping in Alpine County, updates on forest use during pandemic

At the request of Alpine County in California, all Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest lands within the boundaries of the county will be temporarily closed to overnight camping starting on Saturday, April 25, 2020.

“We recognize that this overnight camping restriction comes at a time when many are seeking respite in natural areas,” said Forest Supervisor Bill Dunkelberger. “However, this temporary closure is to support state, county, and local authorities in controlling COVID-19 pandemic.”

Column: Enjoy outdoor recreation wisely

Beautiful weather and a case of cabin fever from shelter in place directives have many of us yearning to get outside. Being in nature provides many wellness benefits. When we leave home to enjoy the bounty of outdoor activities, parks, and trails around us, we can honor those working on the front-line of the coronavirus pandemic by doing our part to stay healthy and keep each other safe.

Column: 50 years of progress for Lake Tahoe and the nation

Celebrations have taken on many new forms since the start of social distancing. Birthday parties have become processions of cars parading past a celebrant’s home—people honking and waving, tossing candy and small gifts (for later disinfecting, then enjoying). And huge international celebrations like the 50th anniversary of Earth Day this week have moved online, giving room for individuals to celebrate and explore the conservation movement in new ways.

Bread & Broth thanks community as need and program expands

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The commitment of Bread & Broth over the last thirty years has solely focused on the mission to ease hunger in the South Lake Tahoe community. That mission took on new meaning beginning in mid-March with the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak when record numbers of individuals seeking food assistance from the various programs and services provided by B & B.

Tahoe Paradise virtual meeting to include status of park during pandemic

Event Date: 
April 23, 2020 - 6:00pm

MEYERS, Calif. - The board of the Tahoe Paradise Park Recreation & Park District will hold their monthly meeting on Thursday, April 23 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. via ZOOM to discuss plans for the park.

On the agenda includes discussion on how to handle to park now that it is the season it normally opens, but with COVID-19 they will decide if it should be a soft closure or hard closure, or if it should open.

Other agenda topics:

Park maintenance update
Park Aid Position and update

Reopening plans underway for South Lake Tahoe once given the state and county go ahead

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - In less than 90 days life has changed in South Lake Tahoe, California and the United States. The West caught up quickly to the novel coronavirus pandemic that was first contracted by a human in China on November 17, 2019.

Scientists and doctors pled for the public to stay home to keep the virus from spreading, and that plea worked better in some areas than others.

USFS closures at spots around Lake Tahoe, not just SR89 corridor

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Earlier this week the USFS Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit announced all national forest recreation areas and sites in the South Shore Recreation Corridors were closed to the public with fines for individuals or groups disobeying the order.

They said the closures were to keep in alignment with current federal, state and local guidance for social distancing and to ensure the health and safety of its employees, visitors, and volunteers.

Events Center approved by Douglas County Commissioners

STATELINE, Nev. - In what has been a hotly debated topic for months between the five Douglas County Board of Commissioners and members of the public, the Tahoe South Events Center passed the final hurdle Thursday. In a 3-2 vote, the commissioners approved bond issuance, the final step in the approval process. The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) had previously unanimously approved it.

USFS closes South Shore Recreation areas: Up to $10,000 fine for violation of order

(Since publishing, LTBMU has corrected the date their order expires.)

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - All national forest recreation areas and sites in the South Shore Recreation Corridors are now closed. In an announcement Wednesday, the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) said the closures are to keep in alignment with current federal, state and local guidance for social distancing and to ensure health and safety of its employees, visitors and volunteers.

City of South Lake Tahoe seeks community members for its transformational change committee

The City of South Lake Tahoe is currently accepting applications for community
members to join the newly formed transformational change sub-committee. This committee is focused on developing second and third economies for Tahoe in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis.

The committee is proposing to bring together a diverse and innovative group of community stakeholders, thought leaders, and experts to implement policies, programs, and projects today that will have long term beneficial impacts for South Lake Tahoe over the next 50 years.

Letter: Lake Tahoe Event Center- Your support needed

With coronavirus impacts being our community's major priority, we hope you're staying safe and encourage everyone to stay at home and follow directions from health organizations so we can return to our jobs, schools, and normal lives safely, and as soon as possible. While health wellbeing is the leading concern, the reality of long-term economic impacts from this terrible virus makes the need to plan for a secure future a priority now more than ever.

Special South Lake Tahoe City Council meeting Wednesday

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - City Council has two items on their special meeting agenda for Wednesday, April 8 at 1:00 p.m. The meeting is live-streamed on Channel 21 and on the City’s website at www.cityofslt.us.

There will be no formal action on the first item. They will be discussing their newly appointed Transformational Change Committee which is comprised of Councilmembers Cody Bass and Devin Middlebrook.

At their meeting last week, the council created two other committees as well that will address the response and recovery to the COVID-19 crisis:

South Lake Tahoe parks to remain closed during pandemic

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Parks run by the City of South Lake Tahoe that were closed for the season will remain closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We aren’t discouraging public access to the parks, we want our residents to get outside during this crisis,” said Public Works Director Ray Jarvis. “We are going to keep the parks closed to vehicle access though to discourage large gatherings and to continue to encourage people to follow state and federal guidelines.”

Warm Room expands and relocates to assist South Lake Tahoe homeless

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless (TCH) as relocated its Warm Room operations to the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Center in order to provide a 24/7 shelter for the most vulnerable residents until at least April 30.

In addition to their expanded operations they have also made the following changes:

● Set up 8 isolation bays for people experiencing non-COVID-19 symptoms.
● Providing 22 private motel rooms for our vulnerable seniors and those experiencing complex underlying health conditions.

Alpine County has first confirmed case of COVID-19

ALPINE COUNTY, Calif. - Today the Alpine County Health Department was notified of the first laboratory-confirmed case of the new coronavirus COVID-19 infection in an Alpine County resident. The individual is recovering at home and was never hospitalized.

Alpine County is located south of Lake Tahoe, has a population of 1,120 and is 743 square miles in size and includes Markleeville and Bear Valley.

An investigation has determined the person was exposed and acquired the infection in a location distant from Alpine County. This person and their household "have

Forest Service to close developed recreation facilities but keep forest trails open

USDA Forest Service (USFS) has closed its developed recreation facilities on National Forest land in California in order to assist people in abiding by Governor Newsom's recent statewide shelter-in-place order.

They will be closed until at least April 30 in an attempt to avoid groups of people and promote social distancing of staying more than six feet apart during the COVID-19 crisis.

In a press release, USFS officials said that while they appreciated the public's interest in outdoor recreation they needed to close to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Rental of a South Lake Tahoe vacation home or motel could result in fines

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - During their emergency meeting Wednesday, the South Lake Tahoe City Council voted to support the temporary use of the City's recreation center for the homeless population during the coronavirus pandemic and to follow the State of Calfornia's lead not halting commercial evictions at the time.

El Dorado County backs Governor's 'Stay at Home' order - Do not visit to recreate or vacation

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - Hotels, motels, vacation rentals, and campgrounds are to be used only to house homeless, COVID-19 emergency workers or continue to house residents according to an El Dorado County directive issued on Tuesday. Staying in one of these types of temporary housing is not considered "essential" by Governor Newsom's March 18th "Stay at Home" order.

Special South Lake Tahoe meeting to address emergency housing, evictions and vacation homes

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The South Lake Tahoe City Council is holding a special meeting on Wednesday, March 25 to discuss three topics related to community needs surrounding the current coronavirus pandemic.

The meeting starts at 1:00 p.m. and remote attendance instructions are available below.

City of South Lake Tahoe asks lodging industry to not rent to visitors during "Stay at Home" order

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Interim Police Chief Shannon Laney sent out a letter to vacation homeowners and lodging properties on Monday, telling them to cease renting to non-exempt short-term visitors. California Governor Newsom issued a state-wide Stay at Home Order on March 19, 2020, which bans all non-essential travel, including staying in accommodations in Lake Tahoe.

Stay-at-home FAQs from California Department of Health

The California State Public Health Officer and Director of the California Department of Public Health have ordered all individuals living in the State of California to stay home or at their place of residence, except as needed to maintain continuity of operation of the federal critical infrastructure sectors.

Some people may be confused and hear different messages and wonder exactly what are "essential services". To list what the State order covered they have come out with a guideline to help navigate these unchartered waters.

What does this mean?

South Lake Tahoe Senior and Recreation Centers closing in response to COVID-19

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - All public activities at the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Center and Senior Center have been suspended for the time being. The City of South Lake Tahoe is closing those activities per recommendations from Governor Newson's response to the threat of coronavirus-COVID 19.

At this time, the County Meals on Wheels program that operates out of the Senior Center will continue but the senior's in-person lunch program will cease for the time being.

The City of South Lake Tahoe has partnered with Barton Hospital, El Dorado County

Updated closures in South Lake Tahoe due to threat of coronavirus COVID 19

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The threat of the coronavirus COVID-19 has prompted more events and activities to be postponed or canceled in the South Lake Tahoe area. At this time there are no confirmed cases in El Dorado, Douglas, or Carson City counties.

Lake Tahoe Unified School District

Both concerts scheduled for this week have been canceled.
All upcoming kindergarten tours have been canceled.
Contact individual schools for on-site meetings.
All high school athletic games and meets have been canceled until further notice.

Census letters to be mailed out this week in South Lake Tahoe and around the country

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Starting Thursday, residents will begin to receive an initial invitation to respond to the 2020 Census.

Depending on how likely the area is to respond online, households will receive either an invitation encouraging them to respond online, by phone or on a paper questionnaire.

New digital billboard up to help combat trash in Lake Tahoe

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – The "Take Care Bear" spent the recent holiday weekend helping spread the message of keeping Lake Tahoe sled hills clear of trash and sled debris.

While hundred of visitors snapped selfies with the bear, others mingled with him as he reminded all to throw away their broken sleds, rather than leaving them littered on the snow.

To coincide with the bear visits, a new billboard went up in Folsom, California with the same message.

Column: Reaching a new generation through environmental education and outreach

After a gangbuster start to the winter season, a lot of us in Tahoe are wondering where all the snow has gone. Sitting here at the end of February with snowpack numbers dwindling, snow lovers are chomping at the bit, waiting to see the storm track shift back our way.

Still, the mountains have been buzzing with activity as skiers and snowboarders race to the mountains to enjoy what natural snow we’ve received and are ever thankful for the assist from local resorts’ snowmaking operations.

Presentation on Lake Tahoe Events Center February 27

Event Date: 
February 27, 2020 - 1:30pm

STATELINE, Neve - The Douglas County Board of County Commissioners will hear a presentation from the Tahoe Douglas Visitors Authority (TDVA) on the Tahoe South Events Center Project during their February 27 board meeting which starts at 1:30 p.m.

The presentation will include project updates, status and all project-related studies, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) approval process and related transportation funding requirements, financing package from all funding sources, and the proposed pledge by the Douglas County Redevelopment Area No. 2 (RDA #2).

Upcoming meetings to update public on Lake Tahoe's SR89 West Shore plan

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – The public is invited to explore the future of Lake Tahoe's West Shore during one of three public opportunities offered by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, and Tahoe Transportation District. The State Route 89 Recreation Corridor Management Plan outlines the projects needed to improve the visitor experience, reduce traffic congestion, and preserve the environment from South Lake Tahoe to Tahoma.

Forest Service hosts off-highway vehicle grant open house in South Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
February 20, 2020 - 4:00pm

The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) will host an open house in South Lake Tahoe on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020, to provide information and seek public input on their annual California Department of Parks and Recreation Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division grant applications. The OHMVR applications request funding for trail maintenance and operation of facilities for off-highway vehicle access in the Tahoe Basin.

Vail awards $2.8 million in grant support to 76 Lake Tahoe area nonprofits

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Vail Resorts EpicPromise has selected 76 local nonprofits in the Lake Tahoe area to receive one of their 2019-20 community grants, totaling $2.8 million in grant support.

Heavenly Mountain Resort and Kirkwood recently held a breakfast to honor the recipients. The followed with a similar celebration at Northstar, the third area Vail resort.

Outdoor Education Night at Lake Tahoe Aleworx LTEF fundraiser

Event Date: 
February 20, 2020 - 5:30pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - On the 20th of each month in 2020, the Lake Tahoe Educational Foundation (LTEF) is teaming up with Lake Tahoe AleWorx for a fundraising series where all proceeds during the evening will go to the special projects of LTEF.

Each month LTEF and South Tahoe Now will spotlight the event and feature information about a different area of the local education programs offered through Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) and supported by LTEF.

Day of the Young Child to be held in South Lake Tahoe -Canceled

CANCELED - SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Choices for Children is once again hosting "Day of the Young Child" on Saturday, March 28 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Center.

There will be booths, kids' activities, games and child information provided by several groups. Other sponsors for the fun-filled day are First 5, Kiwanis, South Tahoe Refuse, and EDCOE.

Free lunch will be served to children.

The Recreation Center is located at 1180 Rufus Allen Blvd., South Lake Tahoe.

USFS seeks public input on Off-Highway-Vehicle recreation grants

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The public is invited to an open house hosted by the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) on Thurdsay, February 20 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. They will be providing information and seeking public input on their annual California Department of Parks and Recreation Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division grant applications.

The OHMVR applications request funding for trail maintenance and operation of facilities for off-highway vehicle access in the Tahoe Basin.

Strolo Tahoe CF Winterfest

Event Date: 
March 6, 2020 (All day)

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif, - The Cystic Fibrosis Lifestyle Foundation (CFLF) is hosting its inaugural STROLO Tahoe CF Winterfest event on the slopes at Heavenly Mountain Resort in South Lake Tahoe March 6-8, 2020.

CFLF help people with cystic fibrosis live STROnger and LOnger (STROLO).

Location

Heavenly Resort
United States

Funding for reimagination and renovation of Spooner State Park now in place

LAKE TAHOE, Nev. - Construction is set to begin in May 2020 on the renovation and reimagination of facilities at Spooner Lake State Park. A collaboration between Nevada State Parks, Nevada State Lands and the Tahoe Fund has been successful in securing funding and donations to complete plans for the 35-year-old park.

El Dorado County to handle most residential, multi-family and commercial permits for TRPA

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - In a move to help property and business owners save time and money, El Dorado County will begin processing additional permits on behalf of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) starting January 28, 2020.

Protecting Lake Tahoe’s environment is the paramount goal of the TRPA and in meeting that goal, a TRPA permit is required for most construction projects inside the Lake Tahoe Basin. This runs the gamut from the addition of a new deck to a sign for a new business.

New agreement in the works for 56-acre South Lake Tahoe downtown project

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The long-discussed 56-acre parcel in the middle of South Lake Tahoe is finally seeing movement again, and both the South Lake Tahoe City Council and El Dorado County Board of Supervisors (BOS) supporting further conversation. A formal agreement between the two is expected later in 2020 with another one-two years of public meetings, consultant review, and planning before plans are implemented. The California Tahoe Conservancy is funding the cost of the consultant, just as they did 30 years ago.

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