HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-06-18; City Council; 690-6; Letter/Ramona FinnilaPARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION - AGENDA BILL
DEPT.
TITLE:DEPT. HD.
LETTER/RAMONA FINNILA (ACTION) c|Ty ATTY
CITY MGR.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Review and discuss letter from Ramona Finnila. Take appropriate action.
ITEM EXPLANATION;
During the April Commission meeting, Ramona Finnila (Carlsbad Athletic and
Recreation Association, C.A.R.A., Chairman) addressed the Parks and Recreation
Commission and presented a letter (Exhibit 1) with several attachments from
various youth sports organizations throughout Carlsbad. The Commission
requested this item be placed on the agenda for the month of June for
discussion.
Staff review of Ramona Finnila's presentation and attached letter indicates
three (3) primary areas of concern:
1. Development timeline for future park sites.
2. Opportunities to create additional fields by swapping land and
closing some streets.
3. Development of interim fields at temporary park sites provided by
developers.
Staff will respond to each area of concern as identified below:
1. Development timeline for future park sites. (Exhibit 2)
Staff has presented future park development plans in Carlsbad through buildout
to the Carlsbad to the C.A.R.A. as well as other organizations. The purpose
of these presentations is to update and inform the citizens of development
plans to meet the field standards per population as approved by the
Commission. Based upon these plans, Carlsbad will meet those standards. The
development of these parks are predicated upon development approvals for
subdivisions and allocation of funding as identified in the Capital
Improvement Program (C.I.P.) budget. Staff will continue to implement future
park development plans as identified in the Growth Management Plan, Parks
Inventory, and C.I.P. budget.
2. Opportunities to create additional fields by swapping land and
closing off streets.
This issue primarily concerns property in the northwest quadrant, and as per
Council direction, a subcommittee of the Parks and Recreation Commission is
currently addressing park enhancement issues within the northwest quadrant.
The subcommittee has visually inspected all sites identified in the Citizens
Report and Parks and Recreation Commission's report to the City Council as
well as areas suggested at the March 28th, 1990, C.A.R.A. meeting (Exhibit 3).
One possibility to create additional activity fields in the northwest quadrant
is through the suggested acquisition of property adjacent to Valley Junior
High School. However, the reality of acquisition and development of this site
is still in very preliminary discussions at this time. The subcommittee is
not recommending to close streets to expand sites or to exchange, sell, or
trade pieces of land at this time.
"" °36
PAGE 2, AB #.
3. Development of interim fields at temporary park sites provided by
devel opers .
This issue, as stated during Ramona's presentation, deals primarily with
property in the southeast quadrant. Preliminary investigations have indicated
there may be a need to establish a temporary park site in the southeast
quadrant if the 35-acre Alga Norte Park site is not dedicated, constructed,
and operational by March 3, 1993, as the need has been identified in the
Growth Management Program.
Fieldstone, the major developer in the southeast quadrant recognizes their
requirement to provide an operational park site in that quadrant by 1993.
However, if access to the Alga Norte site is not available due to timely
processing and approvals of Local Facilities Management Plan Zone 10, they may
be required to provide a temporary operational park site which would be
constructed at private expense, and would house interim activity fields.
Under this scenario, Carlsbad would be responsible for maintenance and
temporary use would end upon completion of Alga Norte Park.
EXHIBITS;
1. Ramona Finnila's letter
2. Development Timeline
3. C.A.R.A. meeting information
037
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040
Leucadia Soccer Club
772O 'B' El Gamine Real
Suite 188
Carlsbad, CA 92009
March 28, 1990
Carlsbad Parks ?< Recreation Commission
Carlsbad, CA 92008 '
Dear Commission Members:
The Leucadia Soccer Club (LSC) provides youth soccer to
approximately 1000 children between the ages of 5 and 18.
Although the club was started in Leucadia 18 years ago, over 707.
of our players now come from the south Carlsbad area of La Costa.
With the new construction along Alga Road both east and west of
El Camino Real, the number of south Carlsbad youth wanting to
play recreational soccer will increase dramatically in the next
few years.
This projected player increase, will result in an even higher
demand for practice and game fields that are already in short
supply. Last year our Carlsbad fields at Levante Park, Fuerte
Park, and Stagecoach Park were fully booked for practices on
Monday through Friday and all day Saturday for games. In
addition, the full size (100 yard) field at Fuerte Park had to be
shortened 20 yards because of the additional classrooms installed
at the adjacent La Costa Meadows school. Asking our older
players to play games on this shortened field is like asking
baseball players to play using 70 instead of 90 foot base paths!
The field situation for youth soccer in south Carlsbad is already
serious and will only get worse in the next few years. We
therefore request that you consider the above information in your
planning for future recreational facilities. We will be glad to
meet with city representatives at any time to discuss specific
field size requirements.
Sincerely,
William C. Waggoner
President
Leucadia Soccer Club
041
LA COSTA YOUTH ORGANIZATION
February 21, 1990
Carlsbad Athletic and Recreation Association
C/0 Ramona Finnila
4615 Trieste Drive
Carlsbad, California 92009
Dear Members,
The contents of this letter is to inform you of the present use and future needs
of baseball/softball fields in south Carlsbad for the La Costa Youth Organization.
For the 1990 Season, LCYO with 1040 children has 85 teams, which represents 136 per cent
increase since the 1985 Season and an increase of 21 teams since last season. We
are utilizing all backstops at the following fields: Stagecoach Park, El Fuerte Park,
Levante Park and the Safety Center Field. Additionally, we have 18 T-Ball teams that
ire playing at the fields on Alga Road provided by St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church.
ijCYO has maximized its size with the present facilities. There can be a little growth
of our Sr. Boys at the Safety Center Field. Practice times have been reduced and.
include much with out use of dirt infields for some Divisions. Games during the week
are scheduled Monday-Friday and on Saturday from 8AM-6PM. Compounding this problem is
the fact that St. Elizabeth Seton will start construction of its church in 1991 or 1992,
leaving a minimum of 240 T-Ball players without a place to play.
We are presently using Safety Center Field for our new four team Senior Boys (1^-14 yr olds),
Anticipated growth, based on our birthday sort, for this division for 1991 would be to
increase to four teams.
When future fields are planned, special thought has to be given to regular hard ball
fields that can accomadate 90* bases and a pitching mound plus outfield fences or
permission given to utilize portable fences at league expense.. As the community grows,
the demand is there and this part of the population should be accomadated. Also, certain
fields should be set aside for 9-12 yr. olds where pitching mounds would be allowed.
The above requirements are for the months of February through June. As a league, we
are planning to launch a fall flag football league in 1990 with the first season being
played at the- Safety Center Field. Flag Football will be an alternative to Soccer
and Tackle Football and will probably cut into the increases of the local soccer clubs.
We realize that the crunch is on as we feel the growing pains of increased population
and regret that the 1991 Season will be the first that children are durned away.
042Since/ely your' ' **
p OBOX90QO. Carlsbad. CA 92009
Samuel V. Briedis, President (619) 438-0943
October 17, 1988
Larry Grandy
President, Carlsbad
Soccer Club
2738 Victoria Ave.
92008
Parks And Recreation Commission
City of Carlsbad
Dear Members,
The information contained in this letter and the enclosures is
provided for your use. If there are any questions in the future,
please call me and I will get the answer.
The Carlsbad Soccer Club (CSC) has seen tremendous growth during
the last four years. From 1983 to 1987 we have grown by 45%, with
1987 showing a 25% increase alone. We now have frZ teams and in ex-
cess of 800 players. I anticipate that next year we will approach
or exceed 1000 players. The increase in numbers of players has two
causes;
1. Increase in population in northern Carlsbad. (Leucadia
Soccer Club provides opportunity for children in La Costa.)
2. Success and reputation of the Carlsbad Soccer Club. Good
organization,good coaches, winning competitive teams.
During the 1990-1995 timeframe, I expect the CSC to grow to
1300-1500 players. The city will also see more requirements for
adult soccer fields due to increased interest in the sport by par-
ents and coaches.
Field requirements for 1989 and the out years 1990-1995 are list
ed on Enclosure 1. Ideal and minimum field sizes are depicted on
Enclosure 2 along with the names of the fields that we are current-
ly using. None of the fields are lighted.
The primary thought to keep in mind during your planning dis-
cus si ons~Ts~ThTI~The^SC^o_es_np_t make use of any city facilities
because there are none for us to use. All fields that we now uti-
lize belong to the School District and are scheduled through Parks
and Rec. Should this arrangement cease to exist or the School Dis-
trict find more important use for the land, (ie, expanding school
facilities), the CSC is out of luck. At that point our only option
would be to turn kids away. Thank you for your consideration.
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043
CARLSBAD NATIONAL
LITTLE LEAGUE, INC
February 13, 1990
Ramona Finn!la
CARE
4615 Triest Drive
Carlsbad, California 92008
Re: Carlsbad Fields Usage
Dear Ms. Finnila:
I am writing to describe for you what the Little League program
currently requires and anticipates for future field usage in the
coming years.
At the present, we have our lower divisions, 8 through 12 year
olds playing on the three Chase Fields. American League and
National League divide time on those three fields during the
months of March through June.
Because of the shortage of fields, the lower divisions are
unable to practice on those fields. For that, we must utilize
some of the school fields, Kelly, Hope, Magnolia and Buena Vista.
Those practice fields have no infields and are in such poor
condition for baseball that it is not safe to allow the boys to
take infield practice.
Our upper divisions, 13 through 15 year olds play on Pine Field.
Again, we have barely enough field space to accommodate the
games. We are not quite sure how we will fit practices for the
teams in the upper divisions this year.
Between the American League and the National League, this year
Carlsbad Little League has registered over 600 players. This is
up 10% to 15% from last year. All indications are that our
registration will continue to grow.
With the completion of housing developments that are now being
started in south Carlsbad, we fully expect to be forced into a
third Little League in Carlsbad within five (5) years.
Unfortunately, as I understand it, Parks and Recreation have no
Little League fields planned for any place in Carlsbad. They are
building softball fields which could accommodate the lower
divisions (8 to 12 year olds) if the back stops were adapted.
There are absolutely no plans to build the larger fields that are
needed for the upper divisions.
044
POST OFFICE BOX 810 • CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA 92008
Page Two
February 13, 1990
Our problems with the upper divisions are compounded even further
by the fact that with the growth and popularity of girls
softball, the high school has given the field on which the boys'
freshman team had previously played, to the JV girls. I
understand this year the high school will also have a freshman
girls' softball team which will increase the demand for what high
school fields exist.
As a result, the boys' freshman baseball team practices at Pine
Field which limits our use of that field for Little League. The
adult softball leagues are also using Pine which limits the
amount of time our Little Leaguers can be on that field even
more.
The people we have worked with at Parks and Recreation have done
all possible to accommodate our needs with the limited resources
they have. The problem lies higher up in the planning,
allocation and acquisition of fields for this growing town.
Manny Valdez, President of Carlsbad American Little League and I
are both committed to working through whatever channels are
available to insure that our kids have fields on which to
continue the Little League program here in Carlsbad that has
enjoyed 35 years of success.
I would be more than happy and most interested to provide
whatever assistance I could toward that end.
Please feel free to call me at work, 729-7979 or at home,
434-0873.
Your courtesy and cooperation is greatly appreciated.
Yours Very Truly,c
ANDREW S. ALBERT
President
cc: Manny Valdez
045
COMMENTS
In review of other cities' standards and the N.R.P.A. Guidelines, it has been
determined that there are no specific standards for how much conservation/open
space land and how much natural resource areas a community ought to have. It
appears that the types and quantities of such amenities and/or areas should be
dependent on the availability and quality of natural resource areas within the
community. Therefore, staff recommends that those open space classifications
and standards be contingent upon what is available and what is realistic and
attainable.
Subtask II: Policies on active versus passive use and construction of facilities
In open space areas.
ACTIVE/PASSIVE AREAS - Park areas can be developed with either active or passive
park amenities or a combination of both. Active park areas typically provide
a form of organized, supervised, often extracurricular recreation. Park
amenities denoting active use may include gymnasiums, swim complexes, multi-
use ball fields, tot lots, hard court play surfaces, volleyball, horseshoe areas
or a combination thereof.
Passive park areas often provide minimal or no amenities associated with active
use. The very nature of passive use implies undemonstrative, nonparticipating,
complacent, subdued activity. Park amenities generally associated with passive
use include nature trails, walkways, picnic tables, benches, and small turf
and/or landscaped areas.
The next few pages will outline by quadrant the parks and related facilities that
will come on line through buildout, the estimated amount of money budgeted for
the particular project, and the year the project is scheduled in the City's
Capital Improvement Program.
NORTHWEST QUADRANT
1. CANNON LAKE 6.7 ac $ 84,000 FY 95-2000
Development concept - passive/day use
a. Day use activities
b. Picnic area
c. Tot lot
d. Rest room
e. Parking area
13 EXHIBIT 2
046
2. HOLIDAY PARK IMPROVEMENTS 10 ac
Development concept - renovation
a. Adding surveillance lights
b. Replacement of play equipment
c. Constructing a dish washing area
d. Replacing picnic tables
3. MAXTON BROWN 1.5 ac
Development concept - renovation
a. Adding sidewalks
4. PARK SITE ACQUISITION 7±
Site to be determined
5. PARK SITE DEVELOPMENT 7±
Development concept - active/passive
a. Playfields
b. Picnic areas
c. Parking
d. Rest room
6. COMMUNITY CENTER/GYM
Site to be determined
7. VALLEY JUNIOR HIGH
Development concept - renovation
8. PARK RESTORATION/ACQUISITION
Development concept - to be determined
$130,000 FY 90-91
$210,000
$2,380,000
$805,000
$170,000
NORTHEAST QUADRANT
1. GOLF COURSE DEVELOPMENT 252 ac $7,500,000
Development concept - 18-hole regulation golf course
FY 90-91
FY 94-95
FY 95-2000
$2,250,000 FY 2000+
FY 90-91
$1,500,000 FY 2000+
FY 90-93
14
•- 047
2. LARWIN PARK 22.3 ac $2,790,000 FY 92-94
Development concept - active/passive
a. Playfields
b. Outdoor basketball courts
c. Tennis courts
d. Tot lot
e. Passive/picnic area
f. Parking/rest room
3. PARK RESTORATION/ACQUISITION $3,530,000 FY 2000+
Development concept - to be determined
SOUTHWEST QUADRANT
1. ALTA NIRA PARK ACQUISITION/DEVELOPMENT 42 ac. $11,500,000 FY 90-2000
Development concept - passive/active
a. Community Center/Gym
b. Multi-use playfields
c. Tennis center
d. Enclosed soccer facility
e. Tot lots
f. Picnic/passive area
g. Parking/rest rooms
h. Other to be determined amenities
2. ZONE 19 PARK DEVELOPMENT 24.25 ac $5,100,000 FY 95-2000
Development concept - passive/active
a. Community center only
b. Multi-use playfields
c. Tennis courts
d. Outdoor basketball courts
e. Tot lots
f. Passive/picnic areas
g. Parking lot/rest rooms
h. Other to be determined amenities
3. SPECIAL USE AREA ' 4-6 ac. $500,000 FY 2000+
Development concept - joint use of school grounds
15
048
SOUTHEAST QUADRANT
1. ALGA NORTE 35 ac.
Development concept - passive/active
a. Community center
b. 50-meter swim complex
c. Multi-use fields
d. Tot lots
e. Passive/picnic area
f. Outside hardcourt areas
g. Parking lot/rest rooms
h. Other to be determined amenities
$8,885,000
2. CARRILLO RANCH DEVELOPMENT
Development concept - to be determined
3. CARRILLO RANCH ACQUISITION/DEVELOPMENT
Development concept - passive
4. PARK RESTORATION/ACQUISITION
Development concept - to be determined
10.2 ac $2,250,000
8.5 ac $1,100,000
$1,900,000
FY 93-2000
FY 93-95
FY 2000+
FY 2000+
CITYWIDE & OTHER DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS
1. MACARIO CANYON CITYWIDE COMMUNITY PARK 380 ac $28,000,000
Development concept - passive/active
a. Boat launching facility
b. Interpretive center
c. Multi-use playfields
d. Botanical gardens
e. Tennis center
f. Conference center
g. Amphitheater
h. Cultural arts center
i. Camping
j. Trails
k. Picnic/passive areas
1. Parking rest rooms
m. Other to be determined amenities
FY 2000+
16
049
2. HOSP GROVE
Development concept - passive
a. Amenities to be determined.
3. BUENA VISTA LAGOON BEACH ACCESS
Development concept - passive
4. COMMUNITY GARDEN
Development concept - passive
74.52 ac. No funds Future
No funds Future
No funds Future
SUMMARY
In reviewing the City's active/passive development policies and standards as they
relate to open space areas and recreational uses, the following is summarized:
1
8.
The City has standards and definitions composed of three park classifications:
a. Community
b. Special Use Area
c. Special Resource Area
(C)
(SUA)
(SRA)
TOTAL
2.5/1000
.5/1000
2,5/1000
5.5/1000
The City requires the maximum amount of dedicated park land allowable (in the
City's current posture) under the State Quimby Act, AB1150 (3 acres/1,000
population). If a City has met its park standard, the maximum allowable can
be raised to five (5) acres per 1,000 population.
Carlsbad's present park development philosophy concentrates on providing larger
community parks and special use areas which incorporate a balance of both active
and passive recreational amenities.
The current park development master plan is financially feasible from an
acquisition, development, and maintenance and operation standpoint.
The City requires that the dedication of park land must meet stringent
conditions to assure that the land is developable.
The development and maintenance of neighborhood or mini-parks are the
responsibility of the planned unit developments.
The Parks and Recreation Department keeps a miscellaneous landscape and open
space inventory under their jurisdiction.
The City has an open space standard of 15% which is administered by the Planning
Department.
The City has no trail standard.
17
050
10. The City utilizes adopted facility/activity standards, general department
guidelines as well as the N.R.P.A. standards in their park planning process.
11. Surveys indicate that other cities all have park acreage standards but very few
have activity/facility standards. They either refer to the N.R.P.A. or rely
on existing community resources and/or needs.
12. The City does have a policy as it relates to passive/active areas.
13. The City has an adopted park and facility master plan that identifies the
project, depicts the location, estimates project cost, identifies the financing
mechanisms, and ear marks the year the projects come on line.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that after reviewing the report data, that the Open Space
Subcommittee consider staff's proposed parks/facility standards and that the type,
quantity, and quality of open space, based on community needs and the availability
of natural resources, be considered during the preparation of the Open Space
Conservation Resource Management Plan that is a part of Task 7, item 7A.
DAVID BRADSTREET
dm
c: Assistant City Manager
Planning Director
Attachments:
1. Parks Inventory
2. N.R.P.A. Standards and Guidelines
3. City of Encinitas Activity Standards
Dave3:Memos:OS
051
March 30, 1990
TO: SENIOR MANAGEMENT ANALYST
FROM: Parks and Recreation Director
C.A.R.A. MEETING INFORMATION
On March 28, 1990 at 7:30 PM I attended the Carlsbad Athletic Recreation
Association (C.A.R.A.) meeting held at Stagecoach Park. My objective was to
update the C.A.R.A. officials on our future park development plans; status of
the Carlsbad Recreational Facility Financing Committee's recommendation and
inform them the results of the Mayor's Town Hall meeting relating to Chase Field
and scheduling issues.
During this meeting the committee members suggested that the following be
considered during the Parks and Recreation Commission Sub-Committee evaluation
and recommendation, relating to the park enhancement study for the Northwest
Quadrant:
1. Light existing fields; City or School District property (expand existing
use).
2. Check the availability of the property north of Denny's Restaurant for a
sport field complex.
3. Check to see if the Robertson property northeast of El Camino Real is for
sale and can be used for park purposes.
4. Check to see if the Wimpy property is for sale and can be used for park
purposes.
5. Check to see if Valley Street adjacent to Valley Jr. High School can be
closed off and expanded for recreational purposes.
6. Can the Community Garden parcel be sold and money used to purchase other
park areas.
7. Evaluate the availability of other areas for park purposes around the
Valley Jr. High School area.
8. Evaluate the feasibility to purchase property along James Avenue for park
expansion purposes.
DAVID BRADSTREET
bs
c: Assistant City Manager
Recreation Superintendent
EXHIBIT 3
ISSUE NO. 4:
To improve upon the number of existing areas for recreational use in the
northwest quadrant, the following sites have been identified for possible
~ buy/sell/Jease/trade/develop or rehabilitate.
FINDINGS:
After listing a number of sites for consideration to increase the Recreation
opportunities in the Northwest Quadrant, committee members prioritized the
following sites in order of preference (Attachment 3). (Items listed under each
priority are not listed in order of preference.)
Priority II
Establishment of a trail system.
Priority 12
A. Acquisition and development of property north of Denny's Restaurant.
B. Hosp Grove potential for park.
Priority 13
A. Property in vicinity of Civic Center (i.e. Community Garden, Parks
and Recreation Administration and Maintenance Facility).*
B. Future community park (i.e. Pine School).
C. Acquisition and development of property adjacent to Valley Jr. High
School.
Priority 14
A. Acquisition and development of property north of Holiday Park.
B. Acquisition and development of property adjacent to Chase Field.
C. Acquire Buena Vista reservoir site.
D. Cannon Lake Development.
of bike trails around lagoons.
B. Acquire and develop t.H.C.A. property.
C Acquire and develop 405 Oak.
0. Develop «axton Bro«n extension ^
Cove, was also suggested. 053
TABLE II
Northwest Quadrant
New Potential Park Sites
1. ZoneS 9.07 Ac
2. Laguna Drive Community Gardens - .38
3'. Stratford Lane Community Gardens .76
4. Park & Rec Administration &
Maintenance Yard 1.30
5. Parking Lot - by Fire Station #1 0.65
6. Buena Vista Reservoir 3.16
7. 405 Oak Street < 1.33
16.65 Ac.
12
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