LAKE CASITAS : Park Rangers Not Afraid of Crowds

A temporary city more than five times the size of Ojai sprouted at Lake Casitas on Memorial Day weekend, and six park rangers become police, firefighters and medics for the 40,000 campers and fishermen.

The rangers patrol 10 miles of roads, 800 campsites and the waters of one of Southern California’s largest lakes at the Lake Casitas Recreation Area, five miles southwest of Ojai on California 150.

Ranger Chuck Chrisman has worked at the park for 28 years, almost since the reservoir was built in 1959.

“It’s a big asset having people work here with such long roots in the community,” said Assistant Park Supervisor Doug Ralph, now in his 10th year at the lake.

“For the most part, big holidays run pretty smoothly,” said Brent Doan, 30, who has worked at the park 12 years. “People usually do things out of ignorance, like trying to swim in the water.” The reservoir holds drinking water and, although boating and fishing are encouraged, no swimming is allowed.

Under state law, park rangers are peace officers inside the 6,200-acre park. They train at the Sheriff and Police Reserve Academy and can write citations, make arrests and carry guns. But Doan said the rangers keep their .357 magnums locked away. They prefer to educate people to park rules rather than spend time writing tickets, he said.

The park has 450 developed campsites. After view sites near the lake are filled, campers are directed to 350 overflow sites without picnic tables or fire pits.

Last year, during the fourth year of the drought, 32,208 visitors were recorded over the Memorial Day weekend.

This year, more people are expected. Runoff raised the water level of the lake to 60% capacity, made the shoreline green and provided habitat for bass and trout. More than 2,000 rainbow trout were planted in the lake this month, and several coves were recently roped off for bass spawning areas.

Two large events to be held at the lake for the first time should help boost annual attendance figures, Ralph said.

The Ojai Valley Wine Festival on June 9 and the Ojai Optimist Barbecue on June 29 are expected to attract thousands. Organizers switched to the lake after the Ventura County Parks Department raised fees at Soule Park in Ojai.