Memorial Park open for camping

Low water levels and algae blooms canceled camping for the entire summer season last year at the Loma Mar park near the coast.

The 90-year-old park is open now but camp showers are not available due to the ongoing drought.

“One of the many benefits of off-season camping is readily available spaces in the 39-site Azalea campground for those with tents and camper vans,” parks Director Marlene Finley wrote in a statement Thursday.

Each site can accommodate eight campers and are close to restrooms and an office where firewood can be purchased. The camp store, however, is closed in winter.

Pescadero Creek is the only water source to the park and last year’s hot weather caused its level to drop significantly. The hotter temperatures also caused algae to bloom. Both prompted the mid-June shut off of water to drinking fountains, showers and toilets.

A winter highlight at the park is when Steelhead Trout can be seen making their return to Pescadero Creek from the ocean to spawn, Finley wrote.

Reservations for the offseason, which ends the first week of May, can be made online at www.smcoparks.org or by calling (650) 363-4021, Monday through Thursday.