HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-06-16; Parks & Recreation Commission; 398-1; Commissioners' ReportMarch IO, 1998
TO: PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION IC
FROM: Recreation Supervisor I
COMMISSIONER’S REPORT FOR FEBRUARYlMARCH 1998
DAYTRIPPERS
A trip to the Crystal C dral in Los Angeles is planned for April 5 to see the “Glory of Easter”
program. An excursion to the annual Ramona Pageant for the outdoor play is scheduled for
April 26. Recent Getty Museum visits have seen more than 500 Carlsbad participants enjoy the
brilliant, histori
AQUATl CS
Spring Pre-Beginner and Learn to Swim lessons begin March 1 I and continue through June,
with five classes offered each day. The North Coast Lifeguard academy continues through
March 21. The Academy provides the pre-employment training to over thirty young people each
year. The first applicant testing for summer employment is at 9 am on Saturday, April 1 I, and
includes written exams, timed swim tests and CPR skills demonstration.
lays this outstanding venue has to offer.
The Swim Complex will have extended recreation and lap swim hours during Spring Break,
April 6 through April IO.
rc The Carlsbad High School swim and diving team began practice at the pool February 23 and
has more than 65 swimmers. There are four home meets before April 15, with the starting
blocks newly anchored in the deep end of the pool. The new anchors were installed by the City
for the high school at a cost of well over $1,000.
During the month of February, the swim complex had total attendance of 4,556. Revenue was
$6,584. And the pool was used for 2,129 lane/hours, all showing the value of having a year-
round aquatic facility (even during El Rain-0).
FUNDRAISER 6
INSTRUCTIONAL CLASSES P
On February 28, the 2nd Annual Carlsbad ‘Clean Sweep’ event was held. This is a joint fund
raising venture between the Carlsbad Youth Baseball League and the Recreation Department’s
Scholarship Fund. Approximately 500 players, coaches and parents volunteered to complete a
variety of projects including: trash pick up at beaches, lagoons and park sites, and weeding of
embankments and maintenance at various facilities. Upon completion of the projects, everyone
met at Holiday Park for a hot dog barbecue.
In September, Enrichment Class Spanish Instructor, Don Clifford, was asked to teach City
firemen the rudiments of Spanish so that they would be able to pass a Spanish Proficiency test. Thirty of our employees took advantage of Don’s offer during a ten week course offered by Mr.
Clifford. Culinary Wizardry, a cooking class for adults with developmental challenges, has
gotten off to a strong start. All of the students take a bus to attend the class and a number of
students require some assistance once at the class. Staff is very pleased to offer this class and
believe this service will bode well for a continuing strong attendance at each session. The main
drive behind the class is to equip student with the tools to be creative and independent when in
the kitchen.
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SPECIAL EVENTS
Stay n’ Play is the HOTTEST program in town right now. The program is hosting over 120 kids
daily. Staff recently went before the Community Development Block Grant Committee for
funding for the fiscal year 1998/99. The committee made the recommendation to City Council
that the program receive $8,400.
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April is a big month for the Special Events Section as the Spring Camp is filling up quickly. The
kids will enjoy Arts & Crafts, a trip to the Steven Birch Aquarium in La Jolla and an excursion to
Knotts Berry Farm. Staff is expecting 80 kids to participate in this year’s camp which will be
held at Calavera Hills, April 6 -10.
Egg Hunts are back and staff is working with Coldwell Banker and the North County Times to
host the most successful Egg Hunts in the County. In addition to the Egg Hunt‘s staff will be
conducting a coloring contest for youth ages 3 - 11.
SENIORS 4:
We sneaked under the clouds on February 12th to view the whales. 25 seniors enjoyed the
boat trip; the whales, the porpoises, and no one got sea sick!
Again, the weather cooperated on February 19 for our tour of the Gas Lamp District. A full bus
was entertained by the docent from the historical society who presented the tour for us. We
lunched at the Spaghetti Factory and shopped at Seaport Village before heading home.
80 active seniors traveled to Pechanga Casino for the day - February 25. Some of us won -
some of us lost - but, all had a wonderful day. The food was great and the staff of the casino
treated every participant with a T-shirt when we left to come home. rc-
The Friendship Tea on 2/25 turned out to be a huge success! 20 ladies turned out, some
wearing hats and all looking quite spiffy! The homemade scones (courtesy of one of our
wonderful volunteers) were downed quickly and many of the participants were already asking
when the next tea was scheduled.
The audio-visual show of “The Pacific Coast - San Francisco to Seatf/e,”was enjoyed by 28
people. The program was very good and the crowd was quite impressed by the high tech
presentation.
A full bus departed on March 5 for our Carlsbad ‘Nature Day’. We enjoyed a light nature walk at
Bafiquifos Lagoon, a visit to Aqua Farm (an oyster and mussel farm) and then a tour of the fish
hatchery. Lunch was served at the Tip Top Deli. Our afternoon was topped off with a tour of
the Gemology lnsfifufe. This trip is so popular (we have 30 names on the wait list) that we will
do another trip in the fall.
Palm Springs Follies and the Carlsbad Senior Center on March 19 ..... What could be better for
the full bus headed for a wonderful day of theater and fun!
We’ll be offering another Qi Gong class starting on 3/19 and we now have two levels of
Hawaiian dance, beginning as well as intermediate, offered during the week.
The travel video of Ireland, with green punch and cookies for St. Patrick‘s day (3/17), will take
the place of our regular monthly movie. r
March 26 signals the arrival of another nature day in Carlsbad. We visit Samia Rose Topiaty to
watch the creative artists at work. On to Weidner’s for a Begonia and Fuschia tour. Brown
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paper bag lunch while we watch a demo on preparing hanging baskets. Our afternoon will be
complete with a visit to the Monarch Program ( a butterfly farm in Encinitas). Drive by the
Flower Fields on our way home.
There will be a presentation by a Master Gardener on 3/19. He’ll discuss how to have fun and
improve your health while growing your own fruits and vegetables.
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Prudential Senior Care will provide a panel of experts of discuss spinal health, eye and dental
care, health care services for seniors, changes in Medicare benefits and more on 3/26.
April’s calendar includes . . ...
Scheduled opera will be Romeo and Juliet by Gunod (4/2).
A world premiere musical, “What the World Needs Now”, showcases the songs of Burt
Bacharach & Hal David and will entertain the Carlsbad Seniors at the Olde Globe Theatre on
April 4. Our matinee performance follows our lunch in the park.
Ballroom Dance class will focus on the Cha Cha.
We travel to the Queen Mary on April 7. Our tour includes highlights from its history, We lunch
on the Promenade Deck and listen and dance to Big Band and Swing Music.
A “Health & Fiscal Fitness” program (4/8) will include free health screenings, lunch, prizes and
lots of great information. We’ll learn about “The Secrets of Healthy Aging,” the 1997 Tax
Reform Act, who’s at risk for memory loss, and “Healthy Cooking Made Easy.”
Broadway comes to us at the Spreckles Theater. “Guys and Dolls”, a musical comedy will
entertain the Seniors on April 18. This is a special matinee performance of this production.
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Up early, we travel to Temecula for the Balloon and Wine Festival. Over 50 colorful hot air
balloons, artisan booths filled with hand-crafted items to explore. Then to Thornton Winery for a
tour and lunch at the Cafe Champagne. A great way to welcome in Spring on Saturday,
Ami1 25.
ADULT SPORTS
Adult Basketball is in its second week. Our office had an overwhelming response to the spring
season, with 50 teams applying for 30 available sports. Games began February 17 and are
now in full swing!!
Adult Softball began this week in all of Carlsbad. Once again, our office had an astounding
response for our leagues. We had a record number of teams apply for softball. Games are
being played at Calavera, Stagecoach and Poinsettia Parks, Monday through Friday.
Soccer Registration: February 16 - March 6, 1998.
Games begin: March 17 at Poinsettia Park.
AGUA HEDIONDA LAGOON
Reduced fees for lagoon users approved by the City Council in December 1997 became
effective on January 15 when 1998 permits went on sale. These reductions were for: rc
0 Annual fees for Carlsbad residents
0 Resident daily fee for passive vessels
0 A second annual permit for the same type of vessel in household.
In an effort to encourage their boaters to register their vessels and obtain lagoon permits, the
Bristol Cove Property Owner’s Association held their 3rd Annual “Boat Registration Saturday” on
January 31. Our lagoon permits office was again invited to participate, and received thanks
from many appreciative boaters for helping to make the procedure so convenient.
KRUGER HOUSE
March means sea life adventures at Kruger House as we prepare for our all school annual field
trip to Sea World. Classrooms transform into underwater aquariums that delight and dazzle
parents and children alike. The Shamu Shimmy becomes the popular song of the month, and
fish painting the popular activity. Holiday Raffle Update: Thanks to all the parents again for all
your support in our annual holiday raffle fund raiser, and special kudos to Laura Case for all her
hard work with the raffle. This year was our most successful yet - bringing in a whopping $1,450
profit for our school. This money goes directly to benefit our programs here at Kruger House.
CALAVERA HILLS
Calavera Hills Community Center has been very busy with all kinds of activity. Heavy rains did
not dampen participation in recreational programs. February saw over 10,000 people using the
facility. Staff was considering stocking the tot lot with fish for a kids fishing derby, but crews did
an excellent job pumping out the pond and rototilling the sand. Park crews also did a great job
putting new flowering plants at the south entrance planter boxes. -
The facility finally has new carpeting in the hallway, lobby and offices. It looks fabulous!
Youth Basketball League drew many participants this winter. Adult 5-Man Basketball League
got a great start in February and is going strong in March.
April’s calendar is full of activities, starting off with the Pal Karate Tournament on April 4.
Spring Kids Camp starts April 6 and ends April IO. The Spring Egg Hunt will be held at all three
ballfields on April 1 1.
LEO CARRILLO RANCH MASTER PLAN
The City Council, at their January 13‘h meeting, approved the draft Carrillo Ranch Master Plan.
The Planning Department is currently processing the document for environmental approvals
and permits.
Last month, the Master Plan won an award from the California Preservation Foundation in the
category of Cultural Resource Studies and Reports. This state-wide award will be presented in
a ceremony on February 22, 1998 at the historic Los Angeles Library.
SKATEBOARD PARK
At their January 1 3‘h meeting, the City Council approved the Concept Plan for the Skateboard
Park. The plan delineates approximately 15,000 square feet of skating surface which includes a
variety of low hazard props (under 4 feet in height) for all levels of skateboarding skills,
perimeter landscape, drinking fountain, portable toilets, and an art component. The plans are
currently being reviewed by the Planning Department for environmental approvals and permits.
Construction is scheduled to begin this summer with completion this fall.
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YOUTH SPORTS 0 - Youth Basketball’s 850 Kids Wrap-up Playoffs on March 14-15, followed by county-wide
competition on March 21 -22. The Department‘s Annual Brad Holland ‘Spring Break’ Basketball
Camp is slated for the week of April 6-10.
ENRICHMENT CLASSES
Enrichment Classes are excited to offer a KIDS COMPUTER CAMP, April 6 - IO. In this five-
day computer camp, kids will learn important computer terms and concepts, how to use
Windows, simple work processing and basic Internet skills.
PARKS AND TREES DIVISION
In addition to the regularly scheduled maintenance activities, the Parks Division has been
involved with two Eagle Scout projects this past month. The projects were 1) Improving the
stream bed at Hosp Grove Park and 2) Landscape renovations at Car Country Park. The Hosp
Grove Project involved strengthening and deepening the stream bed at Hosp Grove Park. Over
70 tons of additional rock material was placed into the stream bed area by hand. Prior to its
installation the existing old rock was taken out and the stream was deepened and slightly
redirected. This process has strengthened the creek sides which were subject to erosion. Once
all the rock was replaced dry mortar mix was spread throughout the rocks to help stabilize the
rock work. This Eagle Scout project involved 10 young adults working for two Saturdays. They
were assisted by two or three parents and one Parks Maintenance staff member. I’m pleased
to report the stream flowed quite well during the recent heavy rains. The other project which is
still underway is planting gazania ground cover and approximately 2,000 square feet of new turf
at Car Country Park. This project also involved volunteer scouts to assist.
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New upgraded irrigation controllers have recently been installed at Calavera and Stagecoach
Parks. The new software has greatly improved our central irrigation control capabilities.
The Tree Division continues to respond to citizen requests for trimming, and is looking forward
to working with the new boom truck which was delivered to Fleet Maintenance in early
February. This vehicle should help increase our productivity as it is a chipper/boom truck all in
one unit. The Tree crew has also been involved in cleaning up illegal encampments at both
Hosp Grove and Veterans Memorial Park. Median/Right-of Way staff are assisting with the
irrigation improvements along the Spinnaker Hills Park Property (right-of-way). This new
landscape should be completed by early March.
Brookfield Homes which is developing adjacent to the Spinnaker Hills property.
It was a project which was partially funded by
The Parks/Trees Division has been kept busy this past month trying to stay ahead of Mother
Nature. The rain has been good for the turf, shrubs and trees but has had the crews playing
catch-up. Many of the areas could not be mowed for several weeks because of heavy wet
soils. We’ve been busy addressing drainage problems at tot-lots, Stagecoach Park creek area,
erosion onto tennis courts and general storm clean up projects.
The heavy downpour and winds of 2/23/98 did result in six city trees coming down and several
limbdtree debris throughout the city. The worst situation was a large Cypress tree on the north
side boundary of Magee Park which fell into a building on the Army/Navy Academy. It appears only limited damage to a chain link fence resulted from this most recent series of storms. Tree
crew staff were out working until 11 :30 pm on the night of the biggest storm.
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The Parks Superintendent has been working with a representative of the Lightning Soccer Club
to enhance the level of service provided at the athletic fields, particularly the school fields.
Meetings with school principals and maintenance staff have or are being conducted.
A new Parks Division budget was submitted which reflects a slight increase (.02%) over the
allotted base budget. Several new requests for additional resources are also being submitted
and they will be subject to the Budget Review process.
c
JI DSHAW
c: P Recreation & Parks Planning Manager
City Manager
Assistant City Manager
All Department Heads
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