Simpson Park Restoration Project

The City of Hemet is proud to announce the SIMPSON PARK RESTORATION PROJECT!

As many in our community know, the Fairview Fire ignited on September 5, 2022 near Bautista Road and Fairview Avenue in the unincorporated county area of Hemet. The fire rapidly expanded and consumed over 28,00 acres surrounding the City of Hemet. As a result of the Fairview fire, Simpson Park was significantly damaged. Most of the surrounding vegetation was lost, and 50 trees inside Simpson Park were badly burned.

The City of Hemet, in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Hemet, CR&R, and Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG), would like to invite you to join us April 29^th, 2023, at 7am, to help us restore Simpson Park.

Volunteers will be provided with all of the necessary equipment needed (gloves, safety vests, trash pickers, and trash bags) to help remove and trash and debris around the park. Volunteers are also encouraged to wear proper footwear to take a short hike along some of the park trails to clean up trash and debris there as well.

Volunteers who love to paint will be able to help re-paint the inside of the restroom facilities at the park. Paint, brushes, and rollers will be provided to those who participate.

In addition to removing trash and debris and painting facilities, the City of Hemet has selected 22 locations to plant new trees to restore and improve our park. Trees play an important role in our environment by helping to clean the air we breathe, filter the water we drink, and slow the crisis of climate change and biodiversity loss. Trees can also have an impact on our health, reducing stress and anxiety as we reconnect with nature or lounge under the shade. Planting new trees can even have a social impact as we bring our community together to remember the impact the Fire had on our City and work together to restore the park.

If you or your organization would like to donate a tree, here’s how it works:

1. Contact Southern Hill Nursery at 951-767-1011
2. Pick a Mesquite and/or Southern Live Oak Tree (Maximum 2 per donation)
3. Pay Southern Hill Nursey directly (The Public Works Department will transport the trees to Simpson Park)
4. Attend the event on April 29^th, 2023 @ 7am and help plant your tree!

It’s that simple! We only have 22 locations available, so place your order now! Trees will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. If you miss your opportunity to donate, don’t worry! The City of Hemet will have additional tree planting opportunities in the future.

The Rotary Club of Hemet and The Valley Community Pantry will be providing snacks and a light lunch to those who participate.

We would like to encourage everyone who attends to carpool with their family and friends, because parking is very limited in the park.

Gather your friends, family, clubs, organizations, and colleagues and help us  restore Simpson Park!

Event Details:
Location: Simpson Park - 28505 Rawlings Rd Hemet, CA 92544
Date: April 29, 2023
Time: 7:00 am

 *All volunteers who participate in the Simpson Park Restoration Project will be required to submit a completed waiver on the day of the event. 

Download the flyer HERE!

Download the waiver HERE!

STAY TUNED FOR PHASE 2 OF THE SIMPSON PARK RESTORATION PROJECT!