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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 tt/ah &&hot)l P/zyin* fie.fcl Overt loco bows baseba CT I/. b u5 f V Fall V. h » Cross Coun4v-Li Ga(*.(/ero- 4 OC tvI u I 03s EXHIBIT 1 Apr 1 1 3, and Council (? D/r-ecfor- Brad street and tfn OcCi4ni ^ot/on primarily -fcir (j a h Ig v a d f a ^fs ^5 a~ 4ctcl l'iia-J-ar 4o /I / ; o-p our ch'»/ dean's i n •for healthy orqar\\'2ed ^creat/bn due +o /me, ^f "^"^^ <5 parent of bof^> p^r^vifs (Uih +o LUOT\<. -fo Support -f/ie A?f*//y', ^ '-i d (3j |in^ of 'pf a£ (jj\ -\V\ \ n he t? bcr ^ occ/ s . Enclosed ^K^ (cL/4c?rS -r-ro/n 5" or cur you "Hi of participants and cotnstrxints of rov 'id "v-^^ of R*- f? tfic, timeline* ~r Ucomin parks -Pic: Ids-Can bd. \ an 6 and closing halted &nd M-w ranted ate, o-f Su.v-f 6-f carS S^cic er carn^ rviM P -The -Wrnanaent L^5ed 5~oc> oc^f d and brou^kt" a pproxi madefy ^ too, 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. (\10fc: number <$•£ is- 6£i d&flsbtd Socctv Club IS 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 n_.U54