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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-07-20; Parks & Recreation Commission; 792-5; Levante Park PetitionPARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION - AGENDA BILL EPT. TITLE: LEVANTE PARK PETITION (ACTION) RECOMMENDED ACTION: Review staffs report and make comment regarding the petition from Mr. Frey and the Levante Park Neighborhood Association (Exhibit 1). Direct staff to proceed with recommended action for each of -the concerns in an attempt to resolve these issues. ITEM EXPLANATION: A petition was sent to the Parks and Recreation Commission regarding the sporting activities at Levante Park. The Commission directed staff to work cooperatively with the neighborhood group and community sports organizations in an attempt to resolve these problems. The major emphasis was focused on the number of spectator events at the park, parking issues, establishing rules for the park, safety concerns and building a better relationship between the sports organization, nearby residents and the City. The enclosed report identifies the concerns that the residents have regarding Levante Park. Staff has identified the position of each organization regarding these concerns, an action plan as well as a recommendation to resolve each particular problem. At this time, City staff and the youth sports organizations have done everything possible to assist nearby residents in resolving these issues and concerns. FISCAL IMPACT: In order to help reduce the amount of pedestrian traffic at the east entrance of the park and to encourage the publics use of the school parking lot, staff is recommending that a fence be installed along the north boundary of the park, The estimated cost to install the fence is approximately $2500 of which Mr. Frey, Representative of the Neighborhood Association, has indicated that their group would help defray in cost of the fence. Funding is available in the Parks and Recreation budget to purchase the fence. Exhibit 1. - Recreation Superintendent's Memorandum of 6/3/92 19 June3,1992 TO: PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR FROM: Recreation Superintendent LEVANTE PARK PETITION • BACKGROUND A petition was sent to the Parks and Recreation Commission from Mr. Andrew Frey and the Levante Park Neighborhood Association regarding the sporting events at Levante Park/La Costa Heights Elementary School (Attachment 1). The residents who live near the park are upset with the number of spectator events that occur at the park and the problems that these events bring with them. Staff was directed to work cooperatively with the neighborhood group and community sports organizations in an attempt to address and resolve these concerns. RECOMMENDATION Enclosed is a specific listing of concerns that the homeowners had regarding Levante Park (Attachment 2). Staff has identified the position of each organization regarding the concerns, an action plan as well as a recommendation to resolve each particular problem. DISCUSSION In an attempt to help resolve these issues. Recreation staff spent a considerable amount of time reviewing each issue with representatives from the Levante Park Neighborhood Group, La Costa Youth Organization, La Costa/Leucadia Soccer Club and La Costa 35 Athletic Club. The major emphasis was focused on the number of spectator events at the park, parking issues, establishing rules for the park, safety concerns and building a better relationship between the sports organizations and the nearby residents. The issue regarding the number of spectator events at the park and hours of play during the weekend have been extremely challenging to resolve. The nearby residents feel there are an excessive number of games and the noise, especially from soccer, is difficult to deal with. According to the homeowners, the way to decrease the amount of activities at the park would be for youth groups to use Aviara and Mission Estancia Elementary Schools for some of their games. Both organizations have expressed an interest to use these fields and will be submitting applications to each of the school districts. There are concerns as to the safety of the playing conditions of the fields as well as the rental fee. 20 EXHIBIT 1 Staff is recommending that the youth organizations aggressively pursue using these school sites and that one of the two soccer fields be relocated from Levante to Stagecoach Park Field #1. Relocating the field, the soccer club would be able to accommodate the same number of games as it has in the past. For the homeowners, there would be a 50% reduction in the number of games, automobiles and amount of noise coming from the park. Staff also agrees that organized play should be restricted prior to 9:00 a.m. on the weekends however, based on the limited number of athletic fields and high participation of boys and girls participating in the youth organizations program, staff can not support a 2:00 p.m. restriction, however, staff can support a 5:00 p.m. cutoff time. Parking and traffic issues have also been a concern. The only way to reduce the number of automobiles parking on the street is to either eliminate activities at the park or educate the spectators and coaches to utilize the school parking lot first. Taking into consideration that eliminating the activities at the park is not realistic, the LCYO has sent out newsletters to the parents and posted flyers on windshields of cars enlisting their support. Based on staffs investigation, there has been a great improvement in this area and it appears there is a sense of cooperation from the youth groups. It was also agreed that another incentive to get the cars in the school parking lot was to close off the east entrance of the park and extend a fence along that north portion of the park. In order to proceed with this, staff is awaiting written approval from the Encinitas Union School. Currently, Levante Park does not have written rules posted at the park. Staff is recommending the following rules for the park site: No hardball on upper field. No golfing. No loudspeakers or amplified music. Please do not litter. Do not kick or hit athletic balls against fences. No organized play prior to 9:00 a.m. or after 5:00 p.m. on weekends. Concerns were brought to our department regarding hardballs going into yards of nearby residents. Staff investigated this problem and found that the majority of problems are coming from individuals who are utilizing the fields on a walk on type basis and playing hardball. These kids were deliberately hitting the ba* toward the neighbors homes. Staff is working with the youth in asking their cooperation to play on the lower field and to hit the balls in the opposite direction. FISCAL IMPACT In order to help reduce the amount of pedestrian traffic at the east entrance of the park and to encourage the publics use of the school parking lot, staff is recommending that a fence be installed along the north boundary of the park. The estimated cost to install the fence is approximately $2500 of which Mr. Frey, Representative of the Neighborhood Association, has indicated that 21 their group would help defray in cost of the fence. Funding is available in the Parks and Recreation budget to purchase the fence. CONCLUSION In summary, the City staff and the youth sports organizations have done everything possible to assist the nearby residents in resolving their issues and concerns. The La Costa Youth Organization and La Costa/Leucadia Soccer Club have assured our department they will make every effort to look for alternative sites to play their games/practices and to the best of their ability will work with the residents regarding Levante Park. KEN PRICE /re Attachment 1 - Petition - Levante Park Homeowners Association Attachment 2 - Levante Park Issues and Concerns c: Recreation Supervisor II - Robin Bettin Traffic Engineer 22 Parks & Recreation Commission February 28,1992 City of Carlsbad Subject: Residents' Complaints about Activities at Levante Park / ( . /Dear Commissioner, During these beautiful and tranquil days in February when groups of kids and sometimes adults play peacefully in the three fields of Levante Park, it is difficult to believe the conditions to which we, the residents around Levante Park are subjected during the months long spectator events of the soccer and baseball seasons. During these events the noise, the traffic-and endless on-streetkparking often continues relentlessly from 8 AM till dark, and the swimming pool and backyard of some residences collect various objects from golf balls, frisbees to model airplanes. Some residents see their pools targeted by some to see who could hit the water with dirt clods. Often there are two or three concurrent games attended by^hundreds of spectators, generating a volume of noise, dangerous traffic conditions and dust in some areas, which often forces residents to become prisoners of their houses with the doors and windows shut during day time. We have enclosed a copy of a small portion of the tape recorded in the backyard of a nearby residence in December 1991 during the soccer games. The original tape is available to those who care to listen to it all day long. We do not object to kids and orderly groups enjoying the park, or to limited spectator events, but we protest the limitless and loosely regulated use of the park for spectator events. The continuous noise generated by the spectators'cheers and shouting encouragements to the players all day long violate our rights to privacy and tranquility in our homes; the endless line of cars on the streets which block visibility of the oncoming traffic from our driveways, day in and day out, endangers our safety; the crowd and armada of cars descending upon an area which has no parking facilities and was not designed to accommodate them converts Levante Street into a haphazard parking lot, and letter-is left behind on the front yards. In addition, in some residences the layer of dust which coats the furniture by the end of the day, the various .objects~iWhich_Jland-*dn—pools, the ^damage to entrance gates by inconsiderate individuals attempting to retrieve their fTying objects is a direct insult to the residents. These conditions also have an adverse effect on nearby property values. The current Use Regulations state, that "Groups are responsible for controlling noise that could be disturbing to other activities or to the surrounding oeighborhood" . This requirement is not enforced, which leaves the neighborhood in direct confrontation with the spectator crowd - a clearly impossible situation. The residents understand that growth brings with it inconveniences. What has evolved around Levante park, however, cannot be justified by growth alone. Not when there are other areas which are eminently more suitable for the kind of "heavy" activities now allowed at Levante Park. When many of us are forced to flee our homes during the spectator events, we cannot but notice that the park behind the Mission Estancia School and the new Aviara School, both of which are well separated from residential housing, stand empty and unused. We believe that providing recreational space is important. However, the nearby residents, many of whom purchased their homes long before the park was even planned, should not be expected to bear the burden alone. Therefore we, whose homes are in the proximity of Levante Park, petition the Parks and Recreation Commission to establish appropriate restrictions for the use of Levante Park for spectator events. ATTACHMENT 1 Parks & Recreation Con 'ssion Pebruar 78,1992 City of Carlsbad Residents' Complaints about Activities at Levante Park continued from Page 1 We propose the following burden-sharing measures: / (a) No more than 3 spectator events per week, maximum 3 hours each (b) No spectator events on weekends and holidays before 9 AM (c) No spectator events on weekends and holidays after 2 PM (d) No loudspeakers and radios (e) Restrict parking at the traffic side of residential driveways to residents only, or provide parking space within the park land (f) Post signs stating the above rules (g) Close East entrance to encourage use of school parking lot (h) Extend tall fence to protect all surrounding homes (i) Rule that objects lost in backyards can only be retrieved through the recreation supervisor (.i) Stop wanton destruction of slope near the East baseball diamond As a frame of reference, we are attaching a newspaper article which describes the outcome of a similar situation in Solana Beach, where the commissioners set strict restrictions on the time, frequency and duration of spectator events, and disallowed on-street parking. We hope that the Commission will help us restore the quality of life and dignity of our neighborhood. Sincerely, Prey Levante Park Neighborhood Association 3103 Levante Street Carlsbad, CA 92009 Tel: 753 - 2292 encl: - Petition - Newspaper article - Cassette tape (commissioners' copy only) copy: P&R Commissioners P&R Director P&R Recreation Superintendent P&R Recreation Supervisor Traffic Engineer If 10 r. Victory for Soccer Players as County Adjusts Zonin By NANCY RAY TIMES STAFF WRITER In the good old days, a bunch of kids could go across the street to a vacant lot and play a little ball, whooping and hollering and kick- ing up the dust. But nowadays, with the disap- pearance of vacant lots and the increase in zoning regulations, takjs a county major use permit to play legally on a vacant schooljite. County planning commissioners^ voted to ^change, that restriction Friday"" by approving an amend- ment that will allow future school sites to be used for recreational purposes. Commissioners, hqwev.? erj inserted a number of safeguard^ to protect nearbyjjroperty owners from excessive noise^ traffic and^ the other urban ills 'tfia't crowdsj issue is the future Sojana B^ elementary school site at the, coniero'f El Apa|oandean BiggifliQj Kbad in the exclusive community of Fairbanks Ranch. pommissioners voted Friday to allow recreational uses on the * vacantu^acre site ana 6*n all other vacant school sites in the unincor- porated areas of the county without obtaining a costly and time-con- suming permit. in doing so, the commission also imposed restrictions on the players, their families and friends. .d speakers. No qn-street problems. No mre" tha o loud- parking events a week. No Utter. ^OLvan- e Fairbanks Ranch field h*» been used as a soccer ground! by fhore than 200y$uth league player1 'tor yean; but protests by rieilroj yeajdenta 18 rndnths ago prompted officials to order a halt to me frames. JTne. games, noweVei. uufl- used for non-educational purposes. At Friday's hearing, Al Frowiss, chairman of the San Dieguito Plan- rung Group, protested that the ["unofficially, ggur _ ruled thatjfte gchgfl district was feouired to obtain a major use permit-^al a cost of Sb.OUO or" more—before the field could be county planning: staff and commis-~ sjpners^were proposing a codnty-" wide "zoning change without pupire notice, environmental "" ' ireanngs.tQ aeternune te impagTpf uie action. "Tn" totally flabbergasted," Frowiss said. • Supt Ray Edman of the Solana Beach School District said there are "hundreds if not thousands" of supporters for the use of vacant school property for temporary rec- reational uses because of the short- age of parks and playgrounds that can be used for games. Edman said the zoning change would allow the district to step in and regulate the use of the future school site. Now, he said, the school property is being used without any supervision. By charging a fee for the use of the property, funds can be raised to pay for cleanup, toilet facilities and. proper supervision of the site, he said. Residents whose estate homes ring the hills around the soccer field have protested the noise, litter, traffic congestion, parking and safety problems that the use of the soccer field generates. ' "It's not the voices of 'the chil- dren." nearby homeowner Barbara Bouzan explained. "It's the trash and the beer bottles. It's the crowds that cause the problem." The county Board of Supervi- sors, who sent the issue back to the commission for a decisi pected to take action on amendment Nov. 29. TO REVISR FACILITY USE POLICIES AT LEVANT" PARK February 1992 WHEREAS, the existing Facility Use Regulations of the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Carlsbad apply to all facilities without regard to the impact on the neighboring community and, WHEREAS, the manner and extent in which Levante Park is often used particularly during the long baseball and soccer seasons seriously affected the quality of life in the surrounding residential neighborhood. We, the undersigned residents of Carlsbad whose homes are in the near proximity of Levante Park, petition the Parks and Recreation Commission to direct the Parks and Recreation Department to revise the facility use policies and establish additional use regulations which are commensurate with how Levante Park is situated in the midst of residential housing. A more detailed description of the problems and the specific requests of the residents are included in the cover letter. NAME ADDRESS fi . TY</*>t/lJ Print Sign V Print Or- a. /' a Print Sign Print Sign Page / of O 26 PETITION TO REV] FACILITY USE POLICIES AT LEVAN PARK February 1992 WHEREAS, the existing Facility Use Regulations of the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Carlsbad apply to all facilities without regard to the impact on the neighboring community and, WHEREAS, the manner and extent in which Levante Park is often used particularly during the long baseball and soccer seasons seriously affected the quality of life in the surrounding residential neighborhood. We, the undersigned residents of Carlsbad whose homes are in the near proximity of Levante Park, petition the Parks and Recreation Commission to direct the Parks and Recreation Department to revise the facility use policies and establish additional use regulations which are commensurate with how Levante Park is situated in the midst of residential housing. A more detailed description of the problems and the specific requests of the residents are included in the cover letter. NAME ADDRESS Sign Print . —- CP0 K*=? "T Sign UL Print Siga <\ risn //)-^=sf ' Printrn /St Print -i i Sign Print Sign o f 97Page L of (0 ft * PETITION TO REV1 FACILITY USE POLICIES AT LEVAN. February 1992 PARK WHEREAS, the existing Facility Use Regulations of the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Carlsbad apply to all facilities without regard to the impact on the neighboring community and, WHEREAS, the manner and extent in which Levante Park is often used particularly during the long baseball and soccer seasons seriously affected the quality of life in the surrounding residential neighborhood, We, the undersigned residents of Carlsbad whose homes are in the near proximity of Levante Park, petition the Parks and Recreation Commission to direct the Parks and Recreation Department to revise the facility use policies and establish additional use regulations which are commensurate with how Levante Park is situated in the midst of residential housing. A more detailed description of the problems and the specific requests of the residents are included in the cover letter. NAME ADDRESS Prin ,fj& Si Stt^/^t-^- Sign Pri L^Urg^QO. i o Print Print Sign A. 3Page of 28 PETITION TO REVIf FACILITY USE POLICIES AT LEVANT PARK February 1992 WHEREAS, the existing Facility Use Regulations of the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Carlsbad apply to all facilities without regard to the impact on the neighboring community and, WHEREAS, the manner and extent in which Levante Park is often used particularly during the long baseball and soccer seasons seriously affected the quality of life in the surrounding residential neighborhood. We, the undersigned residents of Carlsbad whose homes are in the near proximity of Levante Park, petition the Parks and Recreation Commission to direct the Parks and Recreation Department to revise the facility use policies and establish additional use regulations which are commensurate with how Levante Park is situated in the midst of residential housing. A more detailed description of the problems and the specific requests of the residents are included in the cover letter. NAME j| ADDRESS Print . « g iT Sign/ ' . , J Print Sign Sign Print Sign P0nt ,A X.ATJiC> ^ ^ Sign Print Sign - - - ^ ' «/ Page PETITION TO REVT' FACILITY USE POLICIES AT LEVAF PARK February 1992 WHEREAS, the existing Facility Use Regulations of the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Carlsbad apply to all facilities without regard to the impact on the neighboring community and, WHEREAS, the manner and extent in which Levante Park is often used particularly during the long baseball and soccer seasons seriously affected the quality of life in the surrounding residential neighborhood. We, the undersigned residents of Carlsbad whose homes are in the near proximity of Levante Park, petition the Parks and Recreation Commission to direct the Parks and Recreation Department to revise the facility use policies and establish additional use regulations which are commensurate with how Levante Park is situated in the midst of residential housing. A more detailed description of the problems and the specific requests of the residents are included in the cover letter. NAME ^ ADDRESS Print Sign Print Sign Print -ut. Sign Print Sign Print Sign Print Sign Page 5 of b 30. o^ PETITION TO REVISE FACILITY USE POLICIES AT LEVANTE PARK March 1992 WHEREAS, the existing Facility Use Regulations of the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Carlsbad apply to all facilities without regard to the impact on the neighboring community and, VTCEREAS. the manner and extent in which Levante Park is often used particularly during the long baseball and soccer seasons seriously affected the quality of life in the surrounding residential neighborhood. Wo, the undersigned residents of Carlsbad whose homes are in the near proximity of Levante Park, petition the Parks and Recreation Commission to direct the Parks and Recreation Department to revise the facility use policies and establish additional use regulations which are commensurate with how Levante Park is situated in the midst of residential housing. A more detailed description of the problems and the specific requests of the residents are included in the cover letter. NAME ADDRESS Print Print Sign Print Sign M . *a-o L V"! / 0 3 UXAJ Print Print Sign Print Sign Print Print Sign f*\0\. Print Lt-t*. Sign 6 .(.6 31 LEVANTE PARK ISSUES AND CONCERNS A No more than 3 spectator events per week, maximum 3 hours each. B. No spectator events on weekends and holidays before 9 a.m. C. No spectator events on weekends and holidays after 2 p.m. D. No loudspeakers and radios. E. Restrict parking at the traffic side of residential driveways to residents only, or provide parking space within the park land. F. Post signs stating the above rules. G. Close east entrance to encourage use of school parking lot. H. Extend tall fence to protect all surrounding homes. I. Rule that objects lost in backyards can only be retrieved through the Recreation Supervisor. J. Stop want on destruction of slope near the east baseball diamond. K. Safety of the residents. 7/7/92 38 ATTACHMENT 2 Proposal A - No more than 3 spectator events per week, maximum 3 hours each Action Plan : Staff is investigating the possibility of putting an additional soccer field in at Stagecoach Community Center. This field would be located on field #1. The area should accommodate divisions 6 and 7 teams. The estimated cost of purchasing goals for this field is about $ 1,000 to $ 1,200. This option would help to divert some games off of Levante field during soccer season. Staff is also coordinating a meeting with the La Costa/Leucadia Soccer Club to evaluate playing conditions at Aviara Elementary School (Scheduled meeting for April 21st). Staff also obtained Facility Use Application forms along with the rules and regulations for both youth groups to apply for field use at Mission Estancia Elementary School. The school charges a fee for youth groups to use the field. Both groups are evaluating. La Costa Youth - 97 teams, 1200 participants Unable to achieve for 1992 season due to large number of participants in league. Two (2) fields have been installed at the future Junior High School site adjacent to Aviara Elementary School. Due to the condition of the playing surface (all dirt) these fields are suitable for practice only. League has diverted some of the teams that are practicing at Levante over to these practice fields. League is evaluating whether to use Mission Estancia Elementary School fields for 1993 season. La Costa/Leucadia Soccer -1,100 kids Can not accommodate this request, however, the organization will possibly be able to relocate some games for the upcoming soccer season (August - December) thus relieving pressure off of Levante. They are requesting use of Mission Estancia and Aviara for next season. Soccer representatives have reviewed the Aviara site and determined it is usable for practice only. La Costa 35 La Costa 35 expects no growth in football leagues. They are attempting to secure insurance so that they can move to Stagecoach for their games. The football league runs Labor Day/March each year. Recommended Action: Staff recommends that the City put a small soccer field on the outfield grass at Stagecoach Park, Field #1 and relocate the spectator games from one of the two fields at Levante to Stagecoach. By doing so the Soccer League can accommodate the same number of teams, the City would save an estimated $1,200 in having to purchase new soccer goals and the homeowners would have a 50% reduction in the number of spectator events that would be held at Levante Park. --* 33 Proposal B - No spectator events on weekends and holidays before 9a.m. Action Plan: Staff will attempt to prohibit scheduling of fields prior to 9 a.m. The La Costa Youth Baseball Program will be having a board meeting on Thursday, April 16th, to finalize the possibility of relocating the early game from Levante to another site. Supervisor Robin Bettin will do follow up. Lq Costa Youth LCYO does not schedule games on holidays. The Board of Directors indicated that the playing conditions at the Aviara site are not suitable for the 1992 season. Mission Estancia was not considered because there was a fee charged by the Encinitas School District. It was also felt that Levante was their field and they had every right to use it. LCYO has evaluated the possibility of relocating their games from Levante and has indicated that they are not able to do so this season. La Cost/Leucadia Soccer 9 a.m. start time will be used for next season - no problem accommodating. Also, attempting to use field #1 - Stagecoach Community Center for division 6 and 7 games; to reduce use of Levante. La Costa 35 Football games are scheduled 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. on Sundays. Upon consensus rules will be put in writing and be posted. Recommended Action: Restrict organized league play from using Levante Field prior to 9 a.m. on weekends and or holidays. 34 Proposal C - No spectator events on weekends and holidays after 2 p.m. Very important to Levante Park neighbors. Action Plan: Staff is currently researching the possibility of putting a field at Stagecoach Community Field #1 to divert some of the soccer action. A small field will fit. Estimated cost of a set of goals $ 1,000 - $ 1,200. In order to decrease the number of spectator events at Levante the youth groups will have to apply for field usage with the Encinitas School District (Mission Estancia Elementary School) and Carlsbad School District (Aviara Elementary School). La Costa Youth Not possible for the 1992 season due to the large number of participants. League does not schedule games on holidays. La Costa/Leucadia Soccer 2 p.m. is not possible. Will attempt a 6 p.m. finish time. League will not schedule County Cup Tournament games at Levante field. Will be working with city staff to use Field #1 at Stagecoach Community Park to divert some Division 6 and 7 games. La Costa 35 Games finish at approximately 11 a.m. Not a problem. Recommended Action: It is recommended that spectator events are not allowed after 5 p.m. on weekends. Currently the youth organizations do not play games on holidays. Requests to use the fields on holidays would be carefully critiqued by staff prior to approval. Staff recommends that Soccer Tournaments not be allowed on the Levante fields. 35 Proposal D - Restrict parking at the traffic side of residential driveways to residents only, or provide parking space within the park land. Action Plan: 1. Staff recommends that the organizations pass out flyers to all teams using the Levante site to educate them about parking concerns. - On-going 2.. Residents would also like to reevaluate 15 mile per hour speed limit on Levante Street as well as parking issues. Bob Johnson, Traffic Engineer, is assisting. As per April 14th meeting with Mr. Tysenn, he would be writing a letter to Traffic Engineer and specifically identify speed limit concerns. 3. Red curb by fire hydrant at 3101 Levante is being repainted by city staff. - Completed April 1992 a Costa Youth Addressed and reinforcing with coaches, team mothers, parents and players are to park in the school lot first and then use non-residential side of street. Issues discussed at all board meetings and coaches meetings. La Costa/Leucadia Soccer Talking with parents, coaches and team moms to educate. Putting article requesting compliance in newsletter. La Costa 35 Have discussed among participants and will instruct all to park in the school lot first and then to use the non-residential side of street. Recommended Action: Restricting parking on the traffic side of residential driveways to residents only is not recommended by the Traffic Engineer. The only way to reduce the number of automobiles on the street is to inform the public by the use of flyers and newsletters that there is a parking lot adjacent to the fields and it would be appreciated if they could use the lot first. Providing additional parking spaces within the existing park land is not possible due to the school using the fields for playground and recess activities. NOTE: Item G also pertains to this solution. ••• 36 Proposal E - No loudspeakers and radios Action Plan: This may be placed on a rules/regulations sign at park once those rules/regulations have been determined and approved. La Costa Youth LCYO does not use loud speakers at their games La Costa/Leucadia Soccer Agree La Costa 35 Will attempt to tone down noise, refrain from using loud speakers to announce play off games and try to move them to Stagecoach Community Center. Recommended Action: Recommend that no loudspeakers or amplified music be allowed at park. i.. 37 Proposal F - Post signs stating the above rules Action Plan: City staff will be having signs posted stating rules and regulations at the entry way to the park and around the general play areas contingent upon final review and approval by City. La Costa Youth LCYO has no problem with this once final rules and regulations are discussed and decided upon. La Costa/Leucadia Soccer No problem once final rules/regulations are discussed and decided upon. La Costa 35 LC 35 has no problem with this once final rules and regulations are discussed and decided upon. Recommended Action: Recommended Rules for Levante Park No hardball on upper field. No golfing. No loudspeakers or amplified music. Please do not litter. Do not kick or hit athletic balls against fences. No organized play prior to 9:00 a.m. or after 5 p.m.on weekends. For scheduling information please call 434-2894. 38 Proposal G - Close east entrance to encourage use of school parking lot Action Plan: The City is in the process of obtaining several bids for fencing the north side of the park site. Bids obtained on extending the fence along the east entrance of park. Cost approximately $2,500. Neighborhood Association would like 6 foot fence. • Approval from Park and Recreation Director required. - Completed • Approval from the school district is necessary. Letter sent May 1992. • Funding sources need to be identified. • Look at possibility of removing wooden stair cases adjacent to ballfield. La Costa Youth OK - if done, not a preferred option. La Costa/Leucadia Soccer OK - if done, not a preferred option. Would like to see east staircase closed and middle one left open. La Costa 35 OK - if done, not a preferred option Recommended Action: It is recommended that a 6 foot fence be installed at lower field which is adjacent to Levante Avenue. The department has received approval from the Encinitas Union School District to install the fence. Mr. Frey has Indicated that the neighborhood association would share in the expense for the fence. 39 Proposal H - Extend tall fence to protect all surrounding homes. Action Plan: Mr. Frey and Mr. Tysenn will research and obtain quotes. La Costa Youth Not a problem with organization. They suggest a tree buffer be planted to help noise. Organization can not afford to pay for fencing. La Costa /Leucadia Soccer Decision up to city officials. Organization can not afford to pay for fencing. La Costa 35 Not a problem with organization. Organization can not afford to pay for fencing. Recommended Action: If homeowners want to extend and pay for height extension of fence and if authorized by Encinitas School District, it would be staffs recommendation to approve. (Refer to Proposal K for related information.) 40 Proposal I - Rule that objects lost in backyards can only be retrieved through the recreation supervisor Action Plan: Staff recommends that organized group designate a liaison to retrieve personal articles. La Costa Youth Announced to all coaches, team mothers and participants that they are not to retrieve items individually. A representative of the league will collect items later or they are happy to have Parks and Recreation staff collect and they retrieve from Parks and Recreation Department. Hot line phone # is 438-0299. La Costa/Leucadia Soccer President willing to give hotline phone # 632-0109 to neighbors for ball collection or any problems. He will arrange mass collection of items. La Costa 35 Football league has little to no impact on this proposal. Not a problem. Recommended Action: It is recommended that the youth organizations and school representatives work with homeowners to retrieve lost articles and not the Recreation Supervisor. 41 Proposal J - Stop wanton destruction of slope near the east baseball diamond Action Plan: • City staff have brought in additional dirt to reinforce the slope and will be planting ground cover during the first two weeks of April. A temporary barrier around the new plants will be set up after planting is completed. Irrigation is being installed. • Signs are being made and will be put into the hillside to educate children and parents to stay off the hillside. • Quotes are being obtained to close off the hillside area just east of the staircase near 3101 Levante. The quote also entails fencing parallel to Mrs. Mays property at 3101 Levante. • City staff will remove old Scoreboard from property. Completed May 1992 La Costa Youth Enforcing with coaches, team mothers, players and spectators to keep children off the hillside, spreading the word and continuing to reinforce. La Costa/Leucadia Soccer Instructing coaches, parents, participants and spectators to stay off hill. Will have team mothers help enforce. Educate children and parents. La Costa 35 Willing to work together with neighbors. LC 35 is an adult group so they do not impact this problem much. Recommended Action: • Plant ground cover - Completed April! 992 • Post signs educating public to stay off hillside - Completed May 1992 42 Proposal K - Concerns were brought to the Parks and Recreation Commission regarding hardballs going into the yards of nearby residents and potentially causing physical and property damage. Staff has investigated this problem and have concluded that the baseballs that are being hit into the neighbors property are not from the LCYO Baseball Program. As identified below, the only organized youth sports teams that are using the Levante fields are youngsters ages 5-11 years. LCYO Age Type Field Division Group of Ball Location^ . Tee-Ball 5-6 Rag Ball Back Field Petite 5-6 Softball Back Field Minors 9-10 Hardball Front Field Jr. Girls 10-11 Softball Front Field Pee-Wee 7-9 Softball Back Field Taking into consideration their age, the type of baseball they are using and in watching some of their games, it is obvious that this is not the root of the problem. It appears that the problem is coming from individuals (older youngsters) who are utilizing the fields on a walk-on type basis and playing hardball. These kids are either deliberately hitting the ball at the neighbors homes or inadvertently hitting foul balls on their property. Staff investigation has shown that kids are deliberately hitting balls in neighbors yards. Staff is working with youth and asking their cooperation in hitting baseballs in the opposite direction. There was also a question as to an ordinance or possibly a guideline in regards to the distance that a playing field must be from homes. Staff contacted the Planning Department as well as the Park Planner and both informed us that they are unaware of any restrictions. Staff Recommendation: • Restrict hardball play from Back Field and post signs. • Limiting the age for hardball play on Front Field. Recommended age would be 12 years and younger. Post sign stating restriction. 43