State Parks has rolled out a new safety campaign ahead of Labor Day weekend.
"Safe Dunes Start with You" includes a billboard along southbound Highway 101 heading into San Luis Obispo, radio ads, a social media campaign and other signs at the park's entrance in an effort to provide visitors with more information and bring awareness to the important need for safety, said Kevin Pearce, interim superintendent for State Parks' Oceano Dunes district.
State Parks worked with another company on the approximately three-week-long campaign.
Pearce says the billboard has been up for about two weeks and will be coming down shortly after Labor Day. Radio advertisements encouraging people to be safe and visit Ridesafelyca.com will also stop but the social media messages and need for safety will stick around.
The Oceano Dunes was in the spotlight during the spring and early-summer months after six deaths were reported at the State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA).
Safety is also a focus of a new jr. ranger program being offered in the riding area.
Pearce says it appears their efforts behind the campaign are working as they've heard from people who area hearing and seeing the messages.
Passes for the holiday weekend at the dunes are sold out and day-use passes, which are available at the entry kiosks on a first-come, first-served basis, are also expected to sell out.
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State Parks warns against buying sold-out Oceano Dunes passes from third parties
