California State Parks announces temporary park access restrictions in Montaña de Oro State Park associated with the AT&T Asia-America Gateway Project

 Los Osos , CA : The California Department of Parks & Recreation (CDPR) is notifying the public that limited short-term and temporary closures of portions of Montana de Oro State Park will occur in the month of April as a result of a telecommunications project. The two areas of the park affected will be segments of the multi-use trail known as Rim Trail and the Sandspit Beach parking lot. AT&T contractors will begin work in the park on Saturday, March 28, 2009 and complete work by Sunday, April 26, 2009.

Rim Trail and Horse Trail: Beginning on March 28, 2009, portions of Rim Trail and Horse Trail will be closed for approximately 4 weeks while AT&T installs cables into their existing conduit system and repairs erosion control devices along the trails. In addition, equipment and AT&T contractors may be intermittently present in the vicinity of Horse Camp.

Sandspit Beach parking lot : AT&T contractors will occupy a portion of the Sandspit parking lot for approximately one week beginning on April 1 st, 2009 to set up equipment and prepare for the cable landing. The restroom and the majority of the parking lot will remain open to the public from April 1 s, 2009 through April 10, 2009. However, the Sandspit parking lot will be completely closed for approximately two days from April 13 through April 14, 2009 while AT&T pulls a new marine telecommunications cable into their existing utility vault located in the parking lot.

Alternate Visitor Sites and Parking Available: This project will not impact areas to the south of the Sandspit parking lot and Horse Trail. Visitors will have access to Spooner Cove, the Bluff Trail, Oates Peak Trail, Hazard Trail, Coon Creek Trail and the trails accessible from the vicinity of Spooner’s Ranch. Parking will be available at the Coon Creek parking area and at Spooner’s Ranch.

We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the presence of equipment or personnel in the project area. For additional information contact the Coastal Sector Office for California State Parks at (805) 534-2801 or Bob Wargo, AT&T representative, at (908) 234-3280.

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