Mammoth Lakes Recreation This Week: August 18, 2023

News StaffAugust 18, 2023

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News this Week…

BE PREPARED – National Weather Service Reno has issued a Special Weather Statement and Flood Watch for Mammoth Lakes from Sunday afternoon (8/20) through late Monday night (8/21).
SAVE THE DATE – Mammoth Parks and Recreation Fall Programming goes on sale August 28!
Summer Town Parcels Fuels Reduction Program begins August 24
Enjoy this weekend’s events including the Mammoth Shakespeare Festival’s production of Hamlet at The Woodsite, Mammoth Wine Walk, Mammoth 50K MTB Pedalpalooza and the Alpha Win June Lake Triathlon.
The Town is recruiting for Parks & Recreation and Public Works Temporary Positions – apply today!

Registration for Youth Fall Programming OPENS August 28!

Parks and Recreation fall programs include: Bike Squad, Skate Squad, Gymnastics, Adventure Squad and Art Class.
Program information is available online with registration on DaySmart Recreation next week.

Summer Adult Program Update

Drop-in Water Polo at the Whitmore Pool every Thursday evening at 6:45pm – only $10!
Whitmore Pool Lap Swim schedule: Mon-Fri: 6:30-8:30am, Mon/Wed/Fri: 5:30-7:30pm.
The Whitmore Pool is scheduled to close for public swimming on Sunday, September 3.
Congratulations to B-Town for winning the Adult Men’s Softball League and Black Tie for winning the hotly contested Adult Coed Softball League.

Park and Recreation Facilities Update

Parks and Facilities currently open include: Whitmore Pool (lap swim and public swim/lessons), Whitmore Recreation Area (all ball fields and the Synthetic Sports Field & Track), Shady Rest Park (playground, restrooms, ball fields, soccer fields and DiscGolfPark®), Volcom Brothers Skatepark & Little Brothers Skatepark, Trails End Park, Mammoth Creek East restrooms, Community Center Tennis Courts 1-4, Pickleball Court (Court 1), restrooms and playground.
Click here to view the updated status of Town parks, trails, and facilities.

Tennis Court Rehabilitation Project is Underway!

On March 1, 2023, Town Council approved a $275,000 Agreement with AllSport America, Inc. for the installation of a Sport Court Modular Overlay Surface on Community Tennis Courts 5/6 and the installation of 6 regulation Pickleball Courts on the existing ice rink site.
After public input, review of the material by staff/players, and approval from the Parks and Recreation Commission, staff selected the new SportGame™ Pickleball for the tennis courts.
Sport tiles eliminate cracks, offer excellent traction, ball response and superior shock absorption, along with lateral forgiveness technology that lessens impact compared to any other traditional outdoor surfaces. The Sport Court modular system suspends over the existing cracked tennis court surface so cracks cannot telegraph through. This system also provides the opportunity to make repairs to the existing asphalt tennis court if needed in the future. The tiles are 100% recyclable, are made in the USA and come with a 15-year warranty.
In addition to the new tennis court surface, new net posts will also be installed on courts 5/6, one fixed height tempered-glass basketball system will be installed on court 1, and an additional Pickleball court will be striped on court 2.
Work commenced on August 18 and is scheduled to be completed by September 4.
Work at the new Pickleball Complex (old ice rink) is scheduled to resume on August 30, with an opening after the Labor Day weekend.

Recreation This Week is Moving!

Recreation This Week will be migrating to a new format. If you want to continue to receive community recreation news, activities and events directly to your inbox, you must create a Profile on DaySmart, our new online Reservation Platform.
If you already have a profile you are good to go!
Don’t miss a week – click here to create your personal profile.

Work for Parks and Rec!

Parks and Recreation is currently recruiting for awesome people to join our team:
Parks & Recreation and Public Works Temporary Positions
To be considered for an open recruitment, all applicants must submit an online application.

Community Recreation

Mammoth Shakespeare Festival presents the TRAGEDY of all TRAGEDIES…Hamlet from August 17 – September 3 at The Woodsite, Thursday – Sunday at 7pm, with a 6pm pre-show introduction. Seats are first come first serve. Drinks and merchandise for sale. Suggested $20 donation at the venue but nobody is turned away for lack of funds.
Registration for AYSO Fall Soccer U5 & U6 closes on August 26.
Register for the Crowley Lake Fun Run on September 24. All proceeds benefit the local community with active classes, special workshops, and neighborhood improvements.
Eastern Sierra Interpretative Association offers year-round interpretive walks, hikes, and talks. This summer’s offerings include Mono Lakes Bird Walks, Panum Crater Tours, Wildflower Walks and Summer Evening Naturalist Talks. For more information, please click here.
Mammoth Youth Hockey registration is OPEN for the 2023-24 season. Register before August 15 and receive a 10% early bird discount. For more information, or to register, please click here.

BE PREPARED – Flood Watch Issued for Mono County

National Weather Service Reno has issued a Special Weather Statement and Flood Watch for Mono County and Mammoth Lakes from Sunday afternoon (8/20) through late Monday night (8/21).
Remnant tropical moisture, from what is currently Hurricane Hilary, will surge into the southwest US Sunday through Tuesday. Keep in mind, this will not be a hurricane when it makes landfall. This moisture will bring additional rounds of showers and thunderstorms Sunday through Tuesday, with rainfall totals trending upwards. Much of the region will receive at least a half inch of rain over the multi-day period. The best chances for higher liquid totals will be south of US-50, where there is a 30-50% chance for at least 2 inches of rainfall. Flash flood concerns are highest for Mono County Sunday into Monday.
Increased risks for flash flooding and debris flows in areas of steep terrain or in recent burn scar areas. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Area creeks and streams could flood with heavy rain. High temperatures will also be cooler, 10-20 degrees below normal.
Sandbags are available from the Town Yard (299 Commerce Drive). The bags are ready for collection and can be found in the Cinder Shed, adjacent to the Fuel Pumps. The Town asks that you only take what you need (max. 20) and be respectful of others.

Storm Resources

NWS website: https://www.weather.gov/rev/
ReadyMono (Winter Storm Information): https://ready.mono.ca.gov/
Caltrans Quickmap site: https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/
Caltrans District 9 Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Caltrans9
SCE Outages: (800) 611-1911 or https://www.sce.com/outage-center

Residents Urged to Prepare for Wildfire Season to Safeguard Lives and Communities

As wildfire season approaches, the Mono County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is committed to empowering individuals and communities with essential information and proactive steps to mitigate the risks associated with wildfires. This winter’s extreme weather has resulted in dramatic vegetation growth, further contributing to wildfire fuel concerns as the vegetation dries out.
With a strong focus on safety and preparedness, the Mono County OEM is launching a comprehensive campaign to ensure that residents are well-equipped to protect themselves, their families, and their homes.
Click here to review guidelines and resources to help residents be proactive in safeguarding against the potential devastation caused by wildfires.
For more information about wildfire preparedness and upcoming events, please visit READY Mono or contact the Mono County OEM at (760) 924-4633.

Summer Town Parcels Fuels Reduction Program Begins August 24

From August 24 through September 29, sections of the multi-use path (MUP) will be closed between the Waterford Bridge and Juniper Springs Lodge for fuels reduction. Please review the project maps for scheduled closures and detours. In the interest of public safety, please stay out of the project area for your safety and the safety of the crews.
The planned fuels reduction work managed by the Whitebark Institute is a program of the Eastern Sierra Climate and Communities Resilience Project (ESCCRP), also known as the “Mammoth Donut Project.”
Treatment work includes the removal of live, dead, and infested trees that will help us maintain this beautiful place for years to come. While things may look different the next time you visit this area, this is important work for the health, safety and resilience of our forest. Throughout the rest of the fall, fuel reduction efforts will also take place on two other parcels in Mammoth Lakes so stay tuned for more information.
Click here to find more information on the project.

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect on the Inyo National Forest

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions on the Inyo National Forest are now in effect (August 4) to protect natural resources and provide for public safety. The following acts are prohibited within Inyo National Forest:
1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire except in Forest Service-provided campfire ring or in a standing grill within a Developed Recreation Site listed in Exhibit A. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(a).
2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, within the Developed Recreation Sites listed in Exhibit A, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(d).
3. Welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(i).
Persons with a California Campfire Permit are not exempt from the prohibitions above, however they may use a portable campfire ring/pit, stove, or lantern outside of a Developed Recreation Site, at least five feet from any flammable materials, provided that the portable campfire ring/pit, stove, or lantern only burns gas, kerosene, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel, and has a shut-off valve.
For the official forest order and the complete list of developed recreation sites, visit the Inyo National Forest website’s Alerts and Notices page.

Mammoth Mountain Summer Activities

Discovery Chair (11), Panorama Lower, and Panorama Upper are open for mountain biking from 9AM-5PM. The last ride up to McCoy for mountain bikers is at 5PM and the last ride from McCoy to the Summit is at 4:30PM.
We are now open for biking from the Summit. Off the Top, Beach Cruiser from Off the Top to Eliminator, Eliminator, Shock Treatment, and White Bark are open for the season. Ricochet will open Friday 8/18. Big Ring, Shotgun, Smooth Operator are only open Saturday and Sunday due to construction on Canyon Express (16). These closures will be in place for everyone’s safety as large rock trucks will be hauling dirt in the area for a yet to be determined time. These are hard closures so anyone caught breaking them will lose their pass. For lift and trail status, click here.
Main Lodge Trail from McCoy Station and the Lakes Basin Overlook are now open for hiking. We will open more trails as the snow melts.
Scenic rides are available from 9AM-5PM daily with the last ride from the bottom at 4:30PM for a ride around only. Last ticket is sold at 4:25PM.
Sierra Eastside Mountain Bike Association (SEMBA) presents the Mammoth 50K MTB PedalPalooza on 8/19.
There are still tickets available for Mammoth Wine Weekend 8/19. Winemakers Dinners are still available from 8/17-8/19 at select restaurants.