Hidden gem in La Quinta shines ahead of Nov. 8 ribbon-cutting celebration

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park will officially celebrate its grand reopening on November 8, following months of construction and nearly a decade of planning.

After months of construction, parts of Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park have reopened to the public, giving visitors their first glimpse of a $12 million enhancement project led by the Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District.

The project has been years in the making. So far, visitors can see the modernized RV pads, shaded picnic areas, and new landscaping that are already complete.

The upgrades to the park and pool are also apparent, even at a distance.

"What we've done here, part of the construction documents is basically a modernization," Kevin Wiecamp, Construction Superintendent with the company KYA, overseeing the work. "So we've upgraded all the facilities, restrooms, playground, the irrigation systems, the pools been totally rehabbed and redone. It's been out of service for I believe ten years."

The new pool also includes a heat resistant coating placed around the walking area of the pool to protect kids feet from burning, Wiecamp explained.

"All the restrooms have been ripped out and all redone, refurbished new roofing. As we move around the park to the other side, we added a basketball court, a pickleball court, all the, the exterior lighting. And then the big one is the amphitheater over here. It's all concrete with the shade structure and electrical outlets for events, and that's all brand new."

Officials say more work still ahead, including the park’s first pool and splash pad in nearly a decade expected to open in early 2026.

Supervisor V. Manuel Perez, whose district includes La Quinta, announced a Nov. 8 ribbon-cutting celebration of Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park. You can find that information included below.