Instagram Account for Park Site

Comment:

I wanted to propose the idea of creating an official Instagram page for our park (Rancho Jurupa) as a way to better communicate with the community and promote what we already do here.

The page could be used to:

• Share fishing stock updates (dates, species, reminders)

• Promote park events and programs

• Post park rules, safety reminders, and closures

• Highlight the park’s natural features and success stories

An Instagram presence would help us reach families, anglers, and younger visitors who already use social media for local updates. It would also reduce repetitive questions to staff by giving the public one reliable source for information.

Content could remain simple and professional, with posts approved by management and comments moderated or limited if preferred. Many nearby parks use social media successfully as a low-cost way to increase awareness and attendance.

I’d be happy to help manage the page or assist with content ideas if this is something you’d like to explore. Thank you for considering the idea.

Best regards,

Andy

Response:

Thank you for your interest in this topic, Andy. I engaged Robert Williams, Assistant Parks Director to assist with responding to this great suggestion.

Over the past few months, the marketing team has been preparing updates to how we market our sites, events, and activities, including enhancements to social media, website content, and newsletters. At this time, we're taking a centralized approach to social media to better tell the story of RivCoParks as a whole rather than focusing on individual locations. As a diverse park district, it is important that we present a unified voice. That said, we recognize there may be gaps that leave guests wanting more information. We are actively addressing those needs and appreciate your offer to assist.

To better support our customers and ensure all sites can shine, we are implementing the following standards, which I believe align well with what you are working to accomplish at Rancho Jurupa Regional Park.

Social Media Calendar

In the coming weeks, our marketing team will launch a new social media calendar focused on promoting all aspects of RivCoParks. This will include site and amenity highlights, special events, camping promotions, interpretive programming, natural resources, and more. Our success depends on our experts in the field (or subject-matter experts) providing content to Marketing so we can more effectively tell our story. Of course, we'll include site names, hashtags if appropriate, and key words to help reach our target customers.

Increased User Access

We have identified that many customer questions such as park hours, event details, and fish stocking dates are asked through Instagram and Facebook. The marketing team is working with guest services, safety, open-space, and Bureau Chiefs to train additional staff to support social media engagement. Given the District’s diversity, it is important that subject-matter experts can respond accurately and effectively. Implementation is expected in February.

Website Updates and Newsletters

While your question focused on Instagram, it’s important to note that the website remains one of our most critical communication tools. Closures, project updates, and key park information live on RivCoParks.org. Our Marketing Team will continue linking social media content back to the website to provide a complete RivCoParks experience, with additional improvements planned in the coming months. In addition, the website and campground reservation system will soon include an opt-in feature for customers who wish to receive updates on park activities, special events, and promotions. A District newsletter will further strengthen communication and transparency by providing a consistent platform beyond social media to share updates on projects, programs, events, fee changes, and operational impacts.

Overall, a centralized RivCoParks social media account reenforced with additional marketing tools will help deliver consistent and credible messaging. With your help, along with additional team members, we will be able to strengthen our brand while improving communication with our visitors. Staff are encouraged to share their knowledge and ideas by attending monthly marketing meetings or communicating directly with the marketing team.

Keep the great ideas coming!

Respectfully,

Robert & Kyla

A New Year’s Reflection on Responsibility and Respect

Question:

Are all park staff subject to park rules? I heard your family stayed at Lake Skinner and had to be reminded several times of quiet time and also that they set off poppers leaving confetti all over the area. I was just wondering if this is the best example to set.

Answer:

Thanks for the question. It’s a fair one, and I appreciate the opportunity to address it.

Yes, everyone in the park, including staff and their families, is expected to follow the same rules, including quiet hours and keeping sites clean.

A long-standing tradition for my friends and their families is to welcome the New Year by camping together. This year, we chose Lake Skinner, and it was genuinely rewarding to share the experience with eight other families, some of whom had never visited the park before. Despite the rain, everyone left with great memories and a deeper appreciation for the park and what it offers, which is exactly why we do the work we do.

Regarding the situation being referenced: during our four-day stay, our group was reminded of quiet hours once. As sometimes happens with larger groups enjoying each other’s company around the campfire, we lost track of time. A ranger stopped by shortly after quiet hours and asked us to lower the volume, which we did. No further reminders were needed.

Before leaving the park, we made sure the area was fully cleaned up from our activities, including the confetti.

If you haven’t had the chance to camp in one of our parks yet, I truly encourage you to try it. Rain or shine. It’s one of the best ways to experience firsthand what we work so hard to protect and share.

My family and many of our friends visit our RivCoParks often and always strive to respect the park, its rules, and the experience of everyone around us. Thank you for allowing me the chance to clarify our experience from this past week...and Happy New Year!

Anonymous Complaint Submitted 12/18/25

Recently, a complaint was submitted to the Ask the GM blog, alleging a “rude, unprofessional, and discriminatory” interaction with a Riverside County Regional Park & Open-Space (RivCoParks) Employee. RivCoParks takes all allegations of misconduct seriously and is committed to ensuring a respectful and inclusive environment for employees, volunteers, and members of the public.

Under normal circumstances, this type of allegation would be promptly reviewed and investigated. However, the information provided within the submission is insufficient to conduct a meaningful investigation. Additionally, because the complaint was submitted anonymously, we are unable to request the additional details necessary to move forward, such as the employee’s full name, work location, date and time of interaction, and specific circumstances surrounding the incident.

RivCoParks employees are required to comply with all County policies, as well as state and federal laws prohibiting discrimination and harassment. Individuals who believe they have experienced discrimination or unfair treatment have several options for submitting a formal complaint, including but not limited to the following:

• Board Policy A-73 – Title VI Nondiscrimination Policy & Complaint Form (for members of the public)

• Board Policy C-25 Harassment Policy and Complain Procedure and Interactive Form (for employees and volunteers)

Employees or volunteers who believe they have been subjected to discrimination or harassment are encouraged to report the matter promptly to any of the following:

• Their immediate supervisor

• Any supervisor or management employee/officer within RivCoParks or the County

• General Manager or Assistant Parks Director

• The Human Resources Department, Employee Relations Division

Members of the public who believe they have experienced discrimination or harassment may:

• Submit a complaint using the form provided under Policy A-73

• Provide additional information through the Contact Us Form

• Contact the General Manager, Assistant Parks Director, or HR investigations team directly.  

We reiterate that RivCoParks takes allegations of inappropriate conduct seriously and encourage the individual who submitted the complaint to follow up through one of the options listed above so that the matter may be properly reviewed and addressed.

Respectfully,

Kyla Brown