HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-07-17; City Council; 19092; Skatepark Expansion at the Safety CenterCITY OF CARLSBAD - AGENDA BILL 10
AB# 19,092
MTG. 7/17/07
DEPT. REG
SKATEPARK EXPANSION AT THE SAFETY CENTER
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Consider the Parks and Recreation Commission's request for an expansion to the existing Skate Park
facility located at the Carlsbad Safety Center and direct staff accordingly.
ITEM EXPLANATION:
On May 3, 2005 a group of citizens addressed the City Council and presented a petition to request a
skateboarding facility in the northern most area of Carlsbad. After the presentation, the group was
referred to the Recreation Department for further discussion. On May 31,2005, staff met with the
skateboarding group to entertain their thoughts. The group's reasons for wanting a skateboarding facility
in the Northwest quadrant centered around the number of skateboarders in the area and the lack of a
nearby or easily accessible facility.
On June 20, 2005, staff presented the issue to the Parks and Recreation Commission. The Commission
requested that staff research and prepare a report for considering viable options and alternatives to
provide skateboarding opportunities in the Northwest Quadrant. Further staff review, discussion, and
reports to the Commission followed, exploring opportunities as well as obstacles to pursuing additional
skateboarding facilities. Obstacles cited by staff included lack of available time to devote to this project in
light of other priorities as well as current funding shortfalls projected for future park projects. In
response to the staffing time issue, in November 2006, the Commission appointed Commissioners
Craig, Cooper, and Pachecq to serve on a subcommittee to explore potential sites for skateboarding in
the City with the understanding that staff involvement would be limited.
The Skate Park Subcommittee met and reviewed possible alternatives. Based on their review, it was
determined that there was not an immediate solution to take care of the current need to provide a skate
park facility in the Northwest Quadrant. While the group is still committed to review options and possible
future solutions for the Northwest Quadrant, it was determined that an alternative of expanding the City's
current Skate Park at the Safety Center would be a more achievable approach to help address the
immediate needs.
There is currently a planning effort underway to locate a new Pubic Works Operations and Police and
Fire Training Center at the property around the current Skate Park (Exhibit 1). Although some
preliminary planning has taken place, the limits of the proposed Public Works Center and Training
Center are not known at this time. At the February 12, 2006 Parks and Recreation Commission
meeting, Special Projects Director Hammann, Police Captain Shipley, and Fire Chief Crawford made a
presentation to the Commission to explain the status of the project and expressed some concerns
related to the long-term viability of the existing Skate Park at the Safety Center, depending on the final
outcome of the planning effort.
Due to the uncertain nature of the long-term future plans for the general area, the Subcommittee is
recommending using temporary skate structures, also known as modular systems, to expand the current
Park. The benefits of using the modular systems are as follows:
DEPARTMENT CONTACT: Mark Steyaert 760-434-2855 mstev@ci.carlsbad.ca.us
FOR CITY CLERKS USE ONLY.
COUNCIL ACTION: APPROVED D
DENIED D
CONTINUED O
WITHDRAWN D
AMENDED D
CONTINUED TO DATE SPECIFIC
CONTINUED TO DATE UNKNOWN
RETURNED TO STAFF
OTHER -SEE MINUTES
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1. Less expensive than building permanent structures
2. Modular units allow flexibility to add or change configuration easily if desired
3. The structures can easily be relocated at a later date
The Subcommittee's recommendation is to add approximately 16,000 square feet to the existing 10,500
square feet of existing skate area (Exhibit 2). This would include a concrete surface and modular units.
An example of the modular skating units are shown in Exhibit 3. The Committee estimated that over
double the amount of skateboarders currently using the Skate Park could be served by constructing the
proposed Skate Park expansion. No new parking is proposed and an analysis of parking impacts would
need to be made as part of the environmental review process.
Parks and Recreation Commission Recommendation
The subcommittee reported its findings and recommendations to the full Parks and Recreation
Commission on February 12, 2007. After hearing the report and reviewing the materials presented, the
Commission voted to make a recommendation to the City Council to expand the current Skate Park at
the Safety Center, as proposed.
History of Skate Parks in Carlsbad
In 1996, the City conducted a Skate Park study, which included a series of meetings and workshops to
gather public input. The study was an analysis of several options for skate park locations. It concluded
with a decision to build a skate park at the Safety Center, which was subsequently developed in 1998.
The City currently operates the 10,000 square foot facility, which is highly used on a daily basis. It is the
only public skate park facility operating within the City of Carlsbad.
Pine Avenue Park
During the public input process for Pine Avenue Park, the suggestion was made by several individuals to
include a skate park in the design. Consequently, one was included in the Master Plan and was
recommended for approval by the Parks and Recreation Commission. However, upon presentation of
the Master Plan to the City Council, some opposition was voiced by the public, stating that the skate
park was too close to the Senior Center. The City Council subsequently approved the Master Plan,
omitting the skate park.
Alga Norte Community Park
During the design process for Alga Norte Community Park, the public requested there be a skate park
included in the Park Master Plan. A skate park has been included in the Master Plan design and it is
presumed will be approved and constructed. Construction of the entire park is scheduled to be complete
in late 2009. For reference, the site for Alga Norte Community Park is located south of the Safety Center
Skate Park (Exhibit 4).
FISCAL IMPACT:
There are no plans currently prepared on which to develop cost estimates. However, based on the
features being proposed, staff puts a range of cost between $550,000 (without lighting) and $770,000
(with lighting). Staff recommends lighting be included due to concern that because the existing Skate
Park is lit, that users will expect to use the proposed expansion area at night as well. It could be fenced
off at night, but currently, the park is not staffed and this would require staff time to lock and un-lock
gates. Staff is not recommending this solution and therefore the higher range cost that includes lighting
is anticipated.
It is important to note that there may be limited funding for this project. Most park projects are funded
out of the Public Facilities Fees and the Park in Lieu Fees. Currently both of these fee sources are
projected to be insufficient to fund the current park projects planned. In fact, the Public Facilities Fees
Fund is currently projecting a deficit at build out of approximately $12.5 million (depending on if remedial
measures outlined in the proposed FY 07-08 Capital improvement Program are implemented). There
may be funding available in either the General Capital Construction Fund or the General Fund Reserve if
this is identified as a high priority project.
Page 3
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The recommended staff action in this Agenda Bill does not involve approval of a specific project but
rather direction for staff to either proceed or not with developing specific project proposals. As a result,
no environmental review is required.
It should be noted that the Planning Department has determined that this expansion project would
require a Conditional Use Permit Amendment, which can take 6-8 months to process once a plan is
developed. If Council were to direct staff to proceed with this project, the time from initial design to
project completion is estimated to take a year and a half depending on the priority assigned to the
project.
EXHIBITS:
1) Preliminary Police/Fire/Public Works Center project
2) Site Plan of existing Skate Park and proposed expansion area
3) Examples of modular skate park system
4) Skate Park Inventory Map showing existing and proposed skate parks for the City
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modular skatepark Systems
CARLSBAD SKATEPARK
Existing Skatepark
ALGA NORTE (32.9 Acres)
Proposed Skatepark
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Cities Tackle Problems Posed by Homelessness
May 2007
www.nrpa.org
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE NATIONAL RECRRATION AND PARK A5SDCIATIOM
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At-risk youth find
solace in skateparks.
By Heidi Lemmon and Terrence Nowlin
./
~ tivgL is intelligent and a tal-
ented skateboarder. He is
sponsored by major skate
companies and, at 17 years
.._._. aid, he is a rising star in. the
skate world. But Jorge is considered "at
risk," like many skateboarders his age.
He lives in Rampart, known to many as
the mast dangerous community in Las
Angeles for its gang activity and police
corruption. His family has been in-
volved with gangs and he has witnessed
domestic violence firsthand. Bui Inrge
is staying out of trouble,
"If 1 didn't have skateboarding,, I
would probably be in a gang or on
drugs " Jorge says "But 1 am better than
that."
Jorgf-1 is not alone. Many young peo-
ple do not have the parents, money,
transportation, inclination or means
Lo jnin soccer leagues, Little League or
football teams, but they can gel a skate-
board o.r a BMX bike ivncl belong to one
of thf fastest growing sports in the
world. Skateparks are reducing the
fiunib^1' of youths on the streets who
are being drawn into crime and a legal
system that is increasingly difficult to
exit.
TVcrrty-one-year-uld )or,e is also the
survivor of a Los Angeles gang neigh-
borhood. He began skating ai age 15
and is now a professional skateboarder
who preaches that skateparks keep kids
Ltisl nan'"'-* Iwivc been oiuincrl for riic
of minors imerYic.wcctfor T/m
i; i (.-'
or/ic/c'-
out of gangs. "WiLhotit skateboarding, J
would be in trouble by now"he says.
For many young people, the. skate-
park is the first place they experience
success. Whether the)' ride a BMX bike,
a skateboard or inline skates, They can
find a safe place to belong at the local
park. By being in control of what they
are doing, they can progress at their
own rate without being held back or
receiving criticism, Success at the skate-
park is contagious; other youth see jt
and join in, often mirroring the positive
behavior in other areas of their life.
This kind of popularity lias resulted
in many cities building .multiple skate-
parks to keep up with the demand,
which has even spread to an older gen-
eration. The city of Santa Monica,
Calif, culls its concrete bowl the "senior
citizens" program because so man)- of
the regular users are over 40 years old
and many are well into their 50s. But
the Santa Monica bow! is an exception.
Youths tend to gravitate lo the facilities
and at-risk kids find them safe havens.
Construction of skatcparks is an
innovative approach to giving youth a
safe and supportive environment. Un-
fortunately, laws in most states have
been passed to make public skateboard-
ing anct BMX activity a crime. Youth art1
often charged with the serious offenses
of vandalism, trespassing, destruction
of public property, contributing to the
delinquency of a minor or causing a
public nuisance. The tickets visually 111:11
from ll'.SO to $500 each and it Is not un-
common for a skater or BMX rider to
accrue more than $],000 in unpaid
RECREATION MAY 2007 4!
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tickets and i\ warrant for his arrest-
They can quickly become part Q(:
the "system" liven though they have
not intentionally committed any real
crimes.
lames Lee, recrention director for
Gilbert Lindsay Slcatepiirk in south Los
Angelas, understands the need to pro-
vide o place for at-risk youth. "Every
child mutters to rue, whether they are
Los Angelas js an example of fi city whose youth h-we benefited from skatepark
programs and facilities.
Skater Profile:
Jorje
In his 17 short years, Jorge has had a
rough life. Whan he lived with his mother,
his home life involved fighting and physi-
cal abuse among him, his mother, her
boyfriend and Jorge's older brother.
Jorge was 11 when his-.mother went to
jail and an aunt took him and three
brothers and sisters in, But the family
already had six children and they lived in
s very dangerous neighborhood in Los
Angeles, Statistically speaking, Jorge had
a better chance of becoming a gang
member than a successful product of an
area known for its homicides and nar-
cotics problems.
But Jorge found his opportunity to rise
above his surroundings with skating.
Skateparks USA opened a skatepark
after-school program at Berendo Middle
School in Jorge's neighborhood and Jorge
dove in headfirst.
"I was skating street and found the
school skatepark. There were ramps and
rails and a box.! made a lot of friends
and I was happy," Jorge says.
His talent got him quickly sponsored by
a local skate shop in competjtieris. He
started to skate with professionals and
improved his skills. Jorge was recently
picked up by a major sponsor and was
featured in a television special on up-
and-coming skaters.
Jorge is on his own and he has been stay-
ing with skateboarder friends, looking for
work. To survive, graduate high school
and skate are Jorge's goals right now. His
future looks brighter than his past.
"Skateparks keep kids out of trouble,"
Jorge says. "A skatepark is pretty much
another home for us. If you are a skater
and you love it, it is a place you can relax,
chill and feel safe."
42.: I IV! A Y 3007
JUL if cuf iuc.nil neriiage oecurity I" HA NU. Did r1. Ub
on ii BMXbikr, skateboard or the soc-
cer field," hi:1 explains. "The)1 arc all
valuable and we have to do whatever we.
can to make it safe for them and help
them achieve their dreams."
However, the number of at-risk Id els
who do not have dreams to achieve is
disconcerting. The United States has
the hig.he.51 rate of incarceration of any
count]')1. California's prison system
hold:; more prisoners than Japan, the
Netherlands, German}1, Prance and
Britain combined. According to the
]nhn P. and Catherine T. AdacArilrur
Foundation, adolescents processed in
adult courts for felonies art nearly twice,
as likely to be real-rested for a violent
offen.se within six years. Of all young
people incarcerated, more than 80 per-
cent go on frt commit crimes as adults.
The foundation contends that jailing
young people is counterproductive.
It is also expensive. The cost to jail an
inmate for one year in the United States
is about $160,000. BOOT camp can cost
several tens of thousands of clolhirs.
The New York City Department of
luvenile justice reported in 2005 that it
cost $'110 per da}' tci incarcerate a youth
offender. These figures dwarf the costs
of building, a skatepark with The poten-
tial to keep dozens of youths out of
trouble. The Skate Park Association
of the LISA MVS the sinning cosl for a
skatepark is about $350,000—about the
cost of inairc era tiny two kids for a year,
And talking, to at-risk skaters may
make the effort worthwhile.
Herbert, also _J years old, says,
"Skateparks make A difference." These
are powerful words coming from some-
one who has lost two friends and a
brother to shootings and gang activity.
"There is more danger in the street
than in the park)" Jorge says. "On the
street you have to run from the gangs
and the cops. They are both after you,"
Herbert, Jorge and many other at-
risk youth have found a safe place in
their local skateprrks and are good ex-
incarcoration is significantly morn
than the- pi'eventative measure; of building a
skatepark.
arnples of how skateparks allow young
people to grow up with more direction
than the gangs around them. P;r-fR
for more nifonnririan an fknt.cpnrks mill
m-risl; yomli, 1'isii Skn'tc Ptirk Asf
of the USA rt/"V\'Vv7\v.spausa.org.
The Plaza style
the urban environment that delivers
the feeling of the street
« We received
outstanding \
assistance for the- ,
setting up of our >
skatepark. '<'
There ware so /
many elements
to he taken into
consideration at
the site, ana1 the people at Solo
wore dble to guide us efifeef/Ve/y
through the whole process and
made it so simple for us. »
Francois Landry
Park Director
:.rrss5Bi^
ON PRODUCT INFORMATION CARD OR VISIT WWW. I
!> A R K £, & R I- ' I', f -1 T I O H MAY 2007 43
skateboard park expansiona proposal by the parks and recreation commission
existing safety center site planexisting skate park
proposed area of expansionexpansion areas
examples of modular skate park units
estimated cost / timing• $550 - $770 k• 18 – 24 months
•QUESTIONS ?
background• May ’05 • Citizen group approached Council– lack of facilities in the north part of the city– hard to get to Safety CenterCouncil sent question to Parks and Rec. Com. for study
background• June ‘05 • Parks and Rec. Com. received report from staffDirected staff to prepare report on options
background• Nov. ‘06Parks and Rec. Com. received update.Staff recommended that an item be included in the ’07-08 for a feasibility study.Commission formed sub-committee to assist staff in studying issue
background• Staff met with subcommittee• Preliminarily reviewed potential sites and issuesSubcommittee decided to recommend to Commission to expansion of existing Skatepark
background• Feb. ‘07Sub-committee reported recommendations to Parks and Rec. Com. Commission voted to make a recommendation to Council to expand the Safety Center Skatepark
background• May ’05 • Citizen group approached Council– lack of facilities in the north part of the city– hard to get to Safety CenterCouncil sent question to Parks and Rec Com. for study
background• May ’05 • Citizen group approached Council– lack of facilities in the north part of the city– hard to get to Safety CenterCouncil sent question to Parks and Rec Com. for study