Fairmount Park's Lake Evans Draws Anglers

Lake Evans remains one of the most visible draws inside Riverside’s Fairmount Park, where anglers, boaters and walkers share a historic public space along the Santa Ana River. City of Riverside planning materials describe Fairmount Park as a park of more than 200 acres, while tourism listings highlight fishing on Lake Evans, boat rentals, golf, tennis and access to the Santa Ana River Trail. A May 13 travel feature in The Press-Enterprise also pointed readers to the park as a local recreation stop centered on fishing and lakeside activity. The park’s mix of water access and land-based amenities helps explain why Lake Evans functions as both a fishing spot and a broader neighborhood destination. ### What can people actually do at Lake Evans and around Fairmount Park? Fairmount Park offers fishing and sailing on Lake Evans, boat rentals, a golf course, two tennis courts, public barbecues, a playground and exercise classes, according to Visit Riverside. The same listing says visitors can run, jog and walk on the Santa Ana River Trail from the park. (riversideca.gov) The City of Riverside also links Lake Evans to organized sailing activity. Riverside’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department says the Riverside Community Sailing Program operates on Lake Evans in Fairmount Park and focuses on introductory sailing skills, especially for youth. Pedal boats are part of the park’s current public-facing offerings as well. (visitriverside.com) A city recreation page lists pedal boats at Fairmount Park, while a 2024 city news release said the park includes a boat launch, fishing pier, rose garden, lawn bowling and open space in addition to its lakes. ### How big is the park, and where does the river trail fit in? (riversideca.gov) The City of Riverside’s Fairmount Park Master Plan page says the park spans “over 200 acres” along the Santa Ana River. The city describes the site as one of Riverside’s most beloved historic parks and says the master plan process is aimed at improving access and infrastructure while preserving the park’s legacy. (riversideca.gov) A city trail map shows Fairmount Park as a stop on the Santa Ana River Trail and Parkway system. Riverside’s trails page separately lists the Santa Ana River Trail among the city’s signature trails, reinforcing the park’s role as an access point for people arriving on foot or by bicycle. ### Why does Lake Evans stand out inside a park with so many amenities? (riversideca.gov) Lake Evans is the park feature most consistently named across city and visitor materials. Visit Riverside calls out sailing and fishing on Lake Evans, while RiversideCVB describes the lake as the park’s centerpiece and says it offers boating and fishing opportunities. (riversideca.gov) A city release on boating improvements adds historical detail. Riverside said Fairmount Lake was created in 1904 and that the larger Lake Evans and smaller Brown Lake were developed in 1924. That same release said the lakes are part of a stormwater drainage network serving the northeastern part of the city. ### What does the park’s history add to the story? (visitriverside.com) Fairmount Park has been the subject of a city-led planning effort that stresses both preservation and future upgrades. The master plan page says the park has served generations of families, artists, athletes and nature lovers and frames the current work as a community-driven process. (riversideca.gov) A city cultural-resources document says the park grew from an original 35 acres to about 200 acres. That record helps explain why Fairmount today reads less like a single-use park and more like a layered civic landscape built up over decades around its lakes, recreation areas and riverfront location. (riversideca.gov) ### What comes next for Fairmount Park? On June 26, 2025, Riverside scheduled a “Fairmount Forward” workshop focused on the future of Fairmount Park. The city said the event would gather residents’ ideas and priorities for the Fairmount Park Master Plan under the theme “Preserving What Matters, Planning What’s Next.” The City of Riverside’s master plan page remains the main place to track that process. (riversideca.gov) As of this week, the city continues to present Fairmount Park as a more than 200-acre riverfront park where Lake Evans anchors fishing, boating and other public recreation. (riversideca.gov) (riversideca.gov)