California - Border Field State Park - is it EVER open to vehicles?

Hi everyone!

I hope I am posting in the correct forum. I was considering posting in TS&S given the topic, but we shall see.

I visited Border Field State Park (http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=664) yesterday. This state park is located at the extreme southwestern corner of the continental USA, directly next to the Mexican border fence, about 20 minutes from San Diego and 10 minutes from the San Ysidro border crossing.

I have visited several times in the past year. It's a beautiful spot--Monument Mesa has a breathtaking view over the Pacific Ocean and Tijuana River Estuary, with Imperial Beach and San Diego in the background. And of course, to the south, you can look across the fence to the Tijuana bull ring, lighthouse, and beach activity! Border Field has nice, well-landscaped picnic areas, complete with BBQ setups, and clean restrooms with running water. And it's probably the safest park in all of CA thanks to the extremely intense and visible federal law enforcement presence! (Border Patrol)

Sadly, Border Field State Park seems to have been all but abandoned by the general public. When I visited in December, I was the only visitor in the entire park (in the middle of the day on a Saturday), and yesterday I was one of two visitors (the other being a small, adventurous family). I'm pretty sure the reason for this abandonment is that the entrance gate is almost always closed to vehicles. As a result, it takes about a 20-minute hike (walking at a brisk pace) to reach Monument Mesa from the dirt parking area. It is a paved road most of the way, but that's still quite a hike, especially for young children, seniors, or adults not in the best of shape. Not something you'd want to do lugging a cooler or BBQ supplies.

Every time I have visited, the entrance has been closed to vehicles. There is a sign saying "open Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays" but I've been there on a Saturday and it was still closed. Yesterday, I walked past the small glass-walled cubicle/building where they supposedly accept the $5 vehicle entrance fee. The building looked boarded up, with dust on the floor inside, indicating that nobody had been there in a long time. (Definitely not the previous Sunday!)

A little farther down the road, I came upon a sign saying that the road is "temporarily closed due to flooding," and directing me to a dirt path. Well, I kept walking down the road and saw no flooding. In fact, the entire park was dry as a bone--very dusty along the road and trails!

The above observation about the very dry conditions leads me to my major question. The official reason given for closing the main entrance road is that heavy rains can cause flooding in the area from the (very, very polluted) Tijuana River. I totally understand, as I have lived in Mexico and I know how disgusting all rivers near major human settlement are in that country. But again, it was BONE DRY and very dusty on the trails and road, clear evidence that flooding had not occurred in quite a while!

So, what is going on? Why is the park closed to traffic that really could help generate support for California's state park system? I think there are only two possible explanations:

1) State Parks budget cuts - nobody to staff the booth, pick up garbage, clean the bathrooms, etc. - possible, but only 2 days a week anyhow!

Or.....IMHO more likely:

2) DHS has ordered that the road stay closed to vehicles in order to keep the number of visitors to a minimum for security reasons, given the proximity to the border fence.


I think #2 is more likely, and it frustrates me. Why make it so difficult for people to visit a VERY special place--the confluence of two countries and the Pacific Ocean--just to make the Border Patrol's job easier?

NB: Of course, I respect the officers of the Border Patrol and appreciate that they have a difficult job. But I also think that members of the general public, especially local residents, are being prevented from enjoying the fruits of their tax dollars because of this seemingly constant closure of the main road to this state park! Most state parks tend to be in remote areas, while Border Field is right there, near many communities where people live, work, and do business! (the park is about 5-7 minutes from the huge outlet mall near the border) It is shocking to me that the park isn't packed full of local residents enjoying the view and the beach. But it is just so inaccessible for all but the most adventurous...

Okay, rant off. I'm eager for your thoughts!

The official reason given for closing the main entrance road is that heavy rains can cause flooding in the area from the (very, very polluted) Tijuana River.

From the link you provided, looks like their is a more pedestrian (har) reason for the gate's being closed, something seen all over California these days:

Why is the Entrance Gate Closed?

California State Parks is implementing service reductions in order to meet Department budget cuts this fiscal year. Service reductions implemented in Fall 2009 include limiting vehicle access to the park; however, the park remains accessible to pedestrians, bicyclists, and equestrians.

From the link you provided, looks like their is a more pedestrian (har) reason for the gate's being closed, something seen all over California these days:

Thanks for replying. I saw that point as well, but what I'm saying is that I'm not sure I believe it. Presumably there are other state parks in CA that DO get staffed, and I suspect that most of them are out in the middle of nowhere, instead of right next to a heavily populated are where potentially many, many people could enjoy the park on a regular basis if given the opportunity to bring their vehicles.

I'm not saying that keeping the gate closed doesn't save money. It certainly does. But I'm just saying that I think that can't be the REAL reason.

The proposed closure of California State Parks due to budgetary shortfalls is very real, to the tune of 70 out of 278 parks. The Border Fields State Park, however, is not on that list. I don't know why you have been finding it closed but that is not the reason.