Laguna Grande Regional Park Plans 12.8 Acres of Understory Thinning Near Monterey and Seaside Homes

DEL MONTE GROVE–LAGUNA GRANDE, Monterey County — October 28, 2026. The Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District has documented a wildfire-risk reduction project for 12.8 acres of Laguna Grande Regional Park, an urban open-space area between Monterey and Seaside. The district filed a Notice of Exemption on September 16, 2026, under California State Clearinghouse record 2026090635.

What is planned near homes and businesses?

The project would use primarily manual understory thinning to reduce dense shrubs and so-called ladder fuels that can carry a ground fire toward tree canopies. The district’s plan describes treating brush and small stems measuring up to six inches in trunk diameter, while retaining larger trees and pruning selected lower limbs to create vertical separation. Dead, diseased and invasive material would receive priority.

How will the park’s habitat be protected?

The district says treatments should leave a mosaic of vegetation instead of clearing the entire understory. Sensitive plants and habitat areas are to be avoided or receive reduced treatment, including wetlands where manual work would be limited to dry periods. Some low vegetation would remain for erosion control. Cut material would be chipped or left in carefully limited layers; large fallen logs can be retained as habitat.

Are major bulldozing or new roads proposed?

According to the state record, no new roads or significant ground disturbance are proposed. Equipment would be limited to hand tools, small powered tools and light vehicles using existing park roads and trails. The stated goal is to reduce wildfire intensity, protect access routes and limit the potential for a fire to spread between the park and neighboring development.

Is the work complete?

A filed environmental notice documents the project and the agency’s determination. It does not confirm that crews have finished all 12.8 acres, that individual trails are currently closed, or that wildfire risk can be eliminated. People planning a park visit should check current trail notices rather than assume a closure from an older project filing.

Where is the project and whom can residents contact?

The state record places the work near Canyon Del Rey Boulevard and Fremont Boulevard, on the Monterey–Seaside boundary. Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District project contact Jake Smith is listed at (831) 372-3196, ext. 116. The filing includes project maps and treatment details.

Official source: California State Clearinghouse — Laguna Grande Understory Thinning Project, filed September 16, 2026. This local environmental and safety report does not assert a new fire, evacuation or completed treatment.

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