The bad news is that one of the nicest picnic areas in Lathrop is currently enveloped by the floodwater of the San Joaquin River.
When Dos Reis Regional Park isn’t dealing with record levels of snowfall in the Sierra that lead to an abnormally high amount of water flowing into the Sacrament-Stockton River Delta, it’s one of the nicer secluded places in the South County to have a picnic.
It’s quiet, tucked away, serene and open – perfect for long walks along the levee or a quaint afternoon with the family at the playground and picnic area.
But if you’re still wanting to get outside and enjoy some of the sunshine before the Central Valley tule fog makes its spring appearance, here are some places in the Lathrop area that are still suitable alternatives:
uMossdale Landing Community Park – Portions of this neighborhood park aren’t without their impacts from the high water from the San Joaquin River – seepage that flows beneath the levees – but that doesn’t mean that it still isn’t one of the better options for packing a lunch, getting outside and enjoying the sunshine.
Easily the largest park in Lathrop, Mossdale offers all the amenities you’d expect to find at a large community gathering place – playground, walking trails, dog park, open expanses of grass – with the added perk of being tucked right along the San Joaquin RiverBring a blanket or two – the grass may be wet – but you can’t go wrong here.
uMichael Vega Park – The crown jewel of the first phase of River Islands, this park – named after a Lathrop solider killed in Iraq – is the quintessential picnic location. Tucked along one of the manmade lakes that have turned the once-open farmland into one of the hottest communities in the Northern San Joaquin Valley, this part has everything a family would want for a day out in the sun – from picnic tables and grassy areas to volleyball courts and even barbecue areas. It can be popular depending on the time of year, but it’s one of the best places to be if you’re looking at getting away.