HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-03-19; Parks & Recreation Commission; 301-1; Commissioner's ReportPARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION - AGENDA BILL
AB# 301 -1 TITLE : COMMISSIONER’S REPORT I INFO
MTG. DATE: 3/19/01 I
STAFF: PRICHARD I 0 ACTION
RECOMMENDED ACTION :
Accept and file.
ITEM EXPLANATION :
Attached is the Parks and Recreation Commissioner‘s Report for March 2001.
EXHIBITS:
1. Commissioner’s Report - March 2001
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSIONER’S REPORT
FEBRUARY 2001
ADULT SPORTS
92 softball teams, 38 basketball teams and 14
soccer teams have launched themselves into the
Spring of 2001 Adult Sports season. With 7
coed, 8 men’s and I women’s league in softball,
we were able to fill all available slots this season.
(Unfortunately we had to place 8 teams on the
waiting list). The basketball program had 5
teams on the waiting list and in soccer we had to
turn away 2 teams. This shows how popular our
leagues are in San Diego North County.
When we get this large of a number of registrations, we have to use the Priority System to de-
termirle which teams would be accepted first into the leagues. Registrations with all Carlsbad
residc.Qts, with proof of residency, would have first priority. We will then follow with second pri-
ority f.=arns, which consist of teams with a Carlsbad sponsor and at least five Carlsbad resi-
dents, The criteria for third priority teams are returning teams or a Carlsbad sponsor team with
above classifications (i.e.: non-resident new teams).
At the beginning of each season, all team managers of all sports must attend a managers
meeting before league play begins. At this meeting we discuss rules and regulations, sports-
manship expectations, league format, teams receive balls, scorebooks and rulebook specific to
their sport.
All teams in our softball and soccer leagues receive one practice game, ten league games and
the top four teams qualify for post-season play, which consists of a single elimination tourna-
ment. In our basketball program, all divisions will receive fourteen league games with no post-
season play.
The Adult Sports Office has added five new scorekeepers and one nighttime game supervisor
to enhance our customer service to our participants. Our game supervisor’s duties will consist
of communicating with team managers, supervising scorekeepers, ensuring fields and equip-
ment at-2 safe fot ;)lay, enforcing sportsmanship and overall smooth running of our programs.
Team a,-.-::: ds for ?-st and second place league champions will be t-shirts and sweatshirts with a
new design for the Spring 2001 season.
- at leas‘ fifty percent of the original roster and fourth priority are teams that do not fit any of the
CALAVERA HILLS PARK
Calavera Hills Center hosted a variety of activities in February, serving over 29,000 participants!
12,996 people attended activities in the community center, while 16,230 utilized our 3 ballfields
and picnic area!
- The ever-popular Open Play Basketball Program brought in over $400.00 this month with 5-6
teams waiting to play on Sundays!
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Senior Recreation Leader, Chris Harmon and Recreation Supervisor 11, Gail Watts were invited
to speak at the Career Exploration Class at Mira Costa College on February 15th. Over 30 stu-
dents were introduced to the profession of Municipal Recreation and staff recruited for part-time
positions which are currently available.
Calavera will be the host site for the San Diego County Municipal Athletic Federation Youth
Basketball Tournament March 17 and 18th. This is a co-op tournament with our own Youth
Sports Office and other-San Diego County Cities. City teams from all over San Diego County
will compete and qualify for the State Tournament. Good Luck to the Carlsbad Teams!
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CALAVERA HILLS PRESCHOOL AND
TODDLER PROGRAMS
In February, the preschool class at Calavera Hills
enjoyed a two-week unit with two Dr. Seuss
books, The Cat in fhe Hat and Green Eggs and
Ham. It was very exciting to see the children’s
delight in making those hilarious character hats
and, of course, we had to paint cat faces on all
the children. After reading Green Eggs and Ham
we did some cooking with both the parents and
children being treated to lots of green scrambled
eggs and ham. The class kicked off March with
an Earth Studies unit turning the classroom into a minimuseum. The children were fascinated
as they created their own salt dough volcanoes and now the kids are anxiously anticipating the
annual Easter Egg Hunt held at our small playground. Following spring break, the class will be
looking forward to a unit on metamorphosis and a re-creation of Eric Carles’ book The Very
Hungry Caterpillar.
- end of the month when we will be making our volcanoes erupt. April will bring Easter and our
The parent-toddler classes at Calavera Park are carrying on undaunted by the February rainy
day schedule - well, maybe a little daunted, but carrying on nevertheless. By this time of year,
the 1 and 2 year olds and their parents are fixed in the routine of the class. We move from free
play with a variety of toys and puzzles, to discussion, to art time, to snack, to the gym, outside
to the playground and back in for circle time. If you were to drop in on the classes, you would
be impressed with the energy and enthusiasm that toddlers exude. The classes provide lots of
opportunities for toddlers to be successful and lots of support and friendships for parents. The
Calavera staff has been especially supportive and deserves much of the credit for the success
of these most enjoyable classes.
ENRICHMENT CLASSES
The true diehard tennis and golf fan would never let a little inclement weather stand in their
way. Come rain or shine our programs are still going strong. The trick, this particular time of
year, is finding the day and time to make up that rained out class. We always schedule a break
week in between sessions to make up a class but what to do if that class is rained out? Invite
them to join another class of equal level and that class gets rained out. . .need I say more! (Our
instructors didn’t know that one of their qualifications was to be a magician).
lessons and social play throughout the city.
- We are very fortunate to have 22 tennis courts, with 8 more planned, available to the public for
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Enriching lives early in life is an important part of the role that recreation programs can play in a
child's young years. The city offers dozens of life enriching programs that teach children worth-
while skills to carry throughout their lives. We hear accolades continually from the parents on
how needed and appreciated they are.
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DAYTRIPPERS
In March, excursions are scheduled to provide travel to the Getty Museum, Palm Springs
"Fabulous Follies", Anza Borrego desert, Viejas Casino and Tijuana. Carmen Lopez, the Day-
trippers coordinator, was slightly injured on a bus trip to Laughlin, Nevada in February and is
home recouping. Carmen says she will be back to work in a week or two. Get well soon Car-
men!
HARDING CENTER FACILITIES
The Harding Community Center has had a facelift! The Recreation Hall kitchen has been re-
modeled. The kitchen received new counter tops, cabinets, tile work, oven and range,
sinwgarbage disposal and a new paint job. A special thank you goes out to Building Mainte-
nance Staff: Greg Clavier, Bob Richardson, Rick Lopez, Robert' Ferris and job foreman Joe
Feuling.
When you come to see the kitchen, take a listen to the new sound system in the Auditorium.
The system has the capability of playing CD's and tapes and even recording seminars. Six new
speakers were added to make the sound more crisp and clear.
Along with the remodeling, staff continues to meet the needs of the community with top-notch
customer service. Facility requests for Harding Center continue to be at a high level. Keep up
the good job guys!
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BALLFIELD STAFF
Ballfield staff has been performing a very daunt-
ing task of trying to groom the fields so that they
are in "playing condition" despite all the rain.
The toughest task of ballfield maintenance is the
day after a rainy one. With 16 infields to prep
and every field needing extra attention, it is very
difficult to tell a youth organization that the field is
"closed" because there wasn't enough time or
sun to prepare it. Sometimes you have to sacri-
fice one field to get three to four other fields
ready. You do get a "thank you" when you can
get a field ready for play the next day. A great example of this effort: working each hour of clear
sky they could find, the staff was successful in making Opening Day for Carlsbad Youth Base-
ball a dry and exciting day for our Carlsbad youth despite 3 days of rain prior to Saturday.
Keep it up sunny skies are around the corner.
KlDZ CAMP
Spring Break is almost here and the Recreation Department is preparing to host yet another
worth of fun. Each day is filled with fun games, competitions, exciting crafts, and this year we
- unforgettable week of fun at Kidz Camp! Monday, April 9*, kicks off the first day of a week's
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will be going on two field trips. The first field trip will be to San Maccos Stadium Theatres to see
Walt Disney's newest release, Spy Kids. And for the ultimate highlight, we will be ending the
week at Universal Studios Hollywood.
POlNSElTlA COMMUNITY PARK
The Carlsbad Youth Baseball, La Costa Youth Organization, Carlsbad Softball Association and
City Softball Leagues are in full swing at Poinsettia Park. The soccer field reopened for com-
munity use on March 4 after giving the field a rest and permitting the Parks Division to seed
portions of the field that had become worn out. It is the continuous.teamwork and extra effort
by 'the Recreation Department and Public Works staff that make our fields playable even with
the high demands our youth and adult programs put on this very popular park.
SENIORS
Seniors got some handy hints on how to organize
their belongings and their lives during the month
of February. Wileen Hasler spent the hour
discussing the benefits of organization and
offered examples on how best to achieve it. This
is always a popular seminar.
The owner of the Village Natural Pharmacy in
Carlsbad addressed a group of seniors interested
in natural ways to regulate their problematic
digestive and elimination systems. Louise Man-
gella offered hints and suggestions on the best
way to both solve and avoid intestinal problems.
Another fun day at Viejas Casino. We traveled between storms to eat, play bingo and try our
luck at the new machines. No big winners, but a fun day was had by all.
On Feb. 9 we were razzed and dazzled at the Palm Springs Follies. A fabulous luncheon at the
Spa Casino and Resort prior to our afternoon theatre was certainly the talk of the day.
Our Spring Escapade to Laughlin on Feb. 13 - 15 was a little iffy due to weather conditions, but
we put all of our trust in the rains gods and ventured forth. We were glad we did, as it turned
out to be just beautiful in Nevada. The show was good, the food fantastic and we had several
BIG winners!
We went looking for whales on Feb. 22, but none were to be seen. A lot of dolphins performed
for us, but not the big guys. After the cruise we lunched at Rockin' Baja Lobster. Next year we
are going to go out the day before and float some rubber whales, and then we know we will see
something.
PARKS
The tree crew is getting ready to transplant two apple trees that came from Charles Ledger-
wood, AKA: "The Seed Man", and moving them to Magee Park, thanks to the efforts of Marge
Howard Jones.
Morgan Rockdale was promoted from Tree Trimmer II to Tree Lead Worker. Larry Ferris
moved from Parks Maintenance Worker to a Tree Trimmer I. -
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KRUGER HOUSE PRESCHOOL
Classes have been very busy here at Kruger House. We just finished our Sea Life unit by tak-
ing a very exciting trip to Sea World with over 200 parents and children attending. Classrooms
were turned into underwater sea life aquariums that delighted both children and adults.
As we head into March and April, we will be contemplating the stars with our outer space unit
and dressing up as kings and queens for our fairy tale adventures. We also look forward to
learning about the metamorphic cycle of the Monarch butterfly with a visit to the Butterfly
Vivarium in Encinitas.
Teachers are looking forward to attending two days of continuing education workshops pre-
sented by the National Association of Education for Young Children. There is never a dull mo-
ment here at Kruger House. . . but always lots and lots of fun.
"
YOUTH SPORTS
The final day of Youth Basketball was March
3rd at Calavera. It was exciting to see the kids
hyped up for their play-off and championship
games. Overall, the consensus from the
parents, players and coaches is that this
season was a great success! So, I think we'll
do it'again next year!
The SCMAF County Basketball Tournament will
be held on March 17 & 18. Calavera will host
the "C" Division Boys Tournament on the 17th.
It is guaranteed to be an exciting day. Admis-
sion is free if you're wearing green! All
championship games will be held in San Marcos
on Sunday March 18th.
March will be clean up time in the office,
regrouping and gearing up for spring and
summer camps. We've also begun to work on
next year's Youth Basketball program. You can
never start too early!
On March 31, 2001 we will be offering a Track
& Field Clinic at La Costa Canyon High School.
Greg Simmons will be the Instructor. The clinic
is free for all kids born in the years 1985-1993.
STAGECOACH
The youth basketball leagues have completed their regular season and playoffs. During Febru-
ary, various community groups rented out rooms to conduct meetings at the center including 8
scout groups, 9 youth sports organizations and 8 community homeowners associations. The
La Costa Youth Organization and City softball begins league play in March on all three ball-
fields.
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”- STAGECOACH PRESCHOOL
February has been a blast for all the children, parents and teachers. We have just finished our
whale unit and are getting ready for our whale watching field trip. The classroom has been very
busy learning and enjoying the change of seasons. We planted our own cucumbers. We have
spent a lot of time talking about how plants grow and what happens to a seed when you give it
sun and water. The children have enjoyed all the projects.
In April we will be performing a play for the parents. We will be discussing the life cycle of the
butterfly and visit the Butterfly Vivarium in Encinitas.
Recess. The field trip was a success, and has again been viewed by the students as incentive
to complete their homework daily. On March 2gth the entire Stay n Play program, 201 students,
will be walking over to Holiday Park for a special treat. Lizard Wizard Entertainment Co. will be
joining us for a hands on educational experience with some exotic reptiles and insects, includ-
ing a 12 foot Burmese Python, a 2 W foot Monitor Dragon from Africa, and many more. The
climatic Disneyland trip in June has student’s brains stirring and the anticipation is helping to
keep their focus on homework.
JILL PRICHARD
c: Recreation Director
City Manager
Assistant City Manager
All Department Heads
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