City officialls have finally announced a date for the opening of the newly expanded parking lot at the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park. City Manager Tony Ramos announced that the north lot will officially open Friday, March 22.

However, in order to prepare for the opening, the Wilderness Park will have to close first. The city will shut off access to the park entirely on Wednesday and Thursday, March 20 and 21 as construction is finalized. In addition to park closure, Mills Road north of Mt. Baldy and the Wilderness Park’s south lot at Mills and Mt. Baldy will also be closed to traffic. 

Parking restrictions on Mills and Mt. Baldy along with enforcement of the new parking lot permits and metered parking will begin on April 1, according to the city. Annual permits are now available at Claremont City Hall and the Alexander Hughes Community Center for $75 each. Claremont residents may obtain a maximum of 2 free passes, for use in the park’s south lot, by presenting an id or utility bill. City Hall is located at 207 Harvard Ave. The Hughes Center is at 1700 Danbury Rd. For more information, call the city at 399-5460.