Lake Los Carneros is a piece of paradise where anyone can marvel at the ducks, gaze at the red-tailed hawks, watch the dragonflies dart near your face, and enjoy a pleasant stroll alongside rabbits and squirrels.

It’s a piece of wild heaven tucked in a residential neighborhood alongside Highway 101 in Goleta. For decades, walkers and hikers of all ages and abilities could circle the lake and its trails by crossing a wooden footbridge and admiring the turtles huddling underneath in the wetlands.

Since 2020, however, the bridge has been blocked off by the City of Goleta, with a steel fence barricading both sides. A seismic report “found that the level of deterioration was beyond repair considering American with Disabilities Act requirements for accessibility and updated building code requirements.”

Five years later, the bridge over the water remains inaccessible.

To make a loop now, people have to walk all the way around, past Stow House and on the edge of Covington Way. The closure of the bridge essentially makes large swaths of trails nearly inaccessible or difficult to find.

The City of Goleta has no immediate plans to repair the bridge, citing the millions of dollars in cost as well as a need to remove the bridge in its entirety while not disturbing the habitat below.

Goleta resident Steve Greig said he walks the lake almost every day and that Lake Los Carneros is one of the largest open spaces in Goleta.

“The surrounding wetlands are not just picturesque; they are a vital habitat for diverse wildlife,” Greig said. “The bridge played a crucial role in allowing people to experience this unique environment up close, with minimal impact on the natural inhabitants.”

He said the bridge is more than just a structure.

“It’s a symbol of our community’s connection to nature, history and each other,” he said. “I hope that with the leadership of the council and with help from the community, we can rebuild the bridge to support the conservation and protection of this open space, ensuring that it continues to thrive and be a source of wonder for generations to come.”

Greig is working with other residents to possibly raise money to help pay for a new bridge.

“I understand the difficult budget decisions before the City Council,” Greig said. “My hope is that with some help from the community, it eases that financial burden and demonstrates the importance of this project to the community.”

Lisa Potter, director of operations at the Stow House, and a resident of the caretaker’s cottage, said she walks the park frequently.

“The bridge provided a quiet alternative to see the lake’s backside, and removed some of the foot traffic over the dam,” Potter said. “Locals miss the bridge and ask us when and if it will ever be repaired. I understand the cost to be astronomical, but worthwhile.”

City Councilwoman Luz Reyes-Martin said she is committed to prioritizing the project and moving the project forward.

“Although it may appear like a simple project, the reality is that it is complex and entails coordination and permitting with state and federal regulatory agencies in order to protect the sensitive habitat,” she said. “The key issue remains funding. While staff has been diligent about seeking available grants for this project, the bulk of the funding will need to come from the general fund. This is a multimillion-dollar project.”

Reyes-Martin said she sincerely appreciates the willingness of the public to try to find a funding solution to get the project done.

She added that the Lake Los Carneros bridge replacement remains a top-ranked priority to fund once the projects already underway are completed. She said it is not only a community priority for residents of District 1, but for residents throughout the city overall.

“I remain committed to working with staff and my council colleagues to identify general fund monies to complete this project,” Reyes-Martin said.