Lois J. Mangarelli (Canyonside) Recreation Center

History of the Center

The recreation center was dedicated on November 30, 1993, to serve the community’s residents. This 15,560 square foot facility includes a large gymnasium, one multipurpose room, two meeting rooms, an office, main lobby, and two upstairs office suites. This center offers a wide range of programs, including but not limited to a gymnastics program with the YMCA, a tiny tot program, art and painting classes, basketball leagues, and a creative writing class. Located in beautiful Los Peñasquitos Canyon, the recreation center anchors a large community park, which features multi-purpose sports fields, tennis courts, a cricket pitch, playground, and related amenities.

The center is named for Lois J. Mangarelli, who volunteered extensively in various capacities over a 25-year period with the Parks and Recreation Department, most notably as a member of the Rancho Peñasquitos Recreation Council between 1983 and 2008. During that time, she was instrumental in the development of parks, special events, programs, and multiple fundraising efforts in the Rancho Peñasquitos Community. Some of the parks planned and developed during her years of service include Canyonside Community Park, Hilltop Community Park, the Rancho Peñasquitos Linear Dog Park, and a variety of smaller neighborhood parks in the community. Ms. Mangarelli helped establish the Rancho Peñasquitos Tennis Center when she recognized a need for increased maintenance and upkeep of the existing tennis courts. She served as President of the Rancho Peñasquitos Tennis Center for two years. She also helped raise funds to build a concession stand in part through a “buy a brick” program.

On May 1, 2024, the Rancho Peñasquitos Planning Board approved the naming of the Canyonside Recreation Center to Lois J. Mangarelli Recreation Center. On November 21, 2024, the Rancho Peñasquitos Community Recreation Group approve the proposed renaming of Canyonside Recreation Center to Lois J. Mangarelli Recreation Center. On May 15, 2025, based on her extensive service to the Rancho Peñasquitos community, the Parks and Recreation Board approved naming the center after Ms. Mangarelli.

Directions and Bus Route

Map this location

From Interstate 15, exit Mercy Road and travel west. Turn right on Black Mountain Road. Turn left at the first light, Canyonside Park Road. The center is located next to the Rancho Peñasquitos Preserve, which offers trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding.

The center is not accessible by bus.