HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-03-21; Parks & Recreation Commission; 0311-2; DEPARTMENT REPORTPARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION - AGENDA BILL
AB#0311-2
MTG. DATE: 03/21/2011
STAFF: SPICKARD
DEPARTMENT REPORT
LJ INFO
fxl ACTION
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Receive a presentation from the Parks and Recreation staff.
ITEM EXPLANATION:
Sue Spickard, Recreation Services Manager, will report on recently completed and upcoming
Parks and Recreation activities, donations and grants, as well as other topics of local interest.
EXHIBITS:
1. Department Report
7
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1. Beaches and Lagoons -
Beaches - Sandag recently released the draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Regional
Beach Sand Project II (RBSP II). The project, which is similar to the 2001 RBSP, will pump
approximately 2 million cubic yards of sand from offshore sand deposits to 11 critically eroded
beaches in San Diego County. There are two beach sites within Carlsbad - the stretch in north
Carlsbad between Oak Ave and the Buena Vista Lagoon, and the segment in south Carlsbad directly
westward of Carlsbad Blvd and Palomar Airport Road. RBSP II is anticipated to begin in April 2012.
City staff from various departments reviewed the draft EIR, and submitted a comment letter.
Agua Hedionda Lagoon - Beginning in December 2010, Cabrillo Power began its every two year
maintenance dredging event within the western basin of the lagoon. The power company estimates
250,000 cubic yards of sand will be dredged from the outer basin and deposited on the beaches
north of the inlet channel, between the inlet and outlet channels, and south of the outlet channel.
The project has progressed well and should be completed by the end of March 2011.
Batiquitos Lagoon - The Batiquitos Lagoon working group met in late 2010 to discuss the scope of
work, deposition specifications, and resource agency permit requirements for the pending
maintenance dredging project. This group included representatives from the California Department
of Fish and Game (DFG), the California State Lands Commission, the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the United States Army Corp
of Engineers, and the City of Carlsbad. Based on recent communications, the DFG is currently
processing a consultant contract which is intended to provide engineering, biological surveys and
mapping services needed to finalize the resource agency permit requirements. Immediately
following the issuance of the contract, the DFG and the consultant will determine the needed
documentation and develop work tasks/strategies in order to respond to concerns raised by the
resource agencies. Once those tasks are developed, the DFG will schedule another Batiquitos Lagoon
working group meeting to update members on the status of the maintenance dredging program. The
DFG is still planning on conducting the maintenance dredging project within the western and middle
basins of the lagoon, beginning in September 2011.
Buena Vista Lagoon - Through state funding, primarily from Proposition 84, the California
Department of Fish and Game assembled a working group several years ago to prepare the Buena
Vista Lagoon Restoration Plan. The restoration plan is intended to evaluate the impacts from three
proposed water regime alternatives: remaining a fresh water lagoon, converting the lagoon to a salt
water regime (similar to the Batiquitos Lagoon), or creating a mixture of the two regimes, with salt
water west of 1-5, and fresh water east of 1-5. Due to the state's budget crisis, the governor
suspended the expenditure of Proposition 84 funds in December 2008, and no substantial activity on
the restoration project has been feasible. Throughout the process, however, the City of Carlsbad has
been a participant in the Buena Vista Lagoon restoration working group. This group continues to
meet periodically, even without project funding, to discuss the impacts and benefits of the different
water regimes. Once the governor re-authorizes the expenditure of Prop 84 funds, the project
should move forward.
2. Carrillo Ranch Barn Restoration Project -
Construction continues ahead of schedule on the barn restoration and theater project. The past
month's work included the staining of all new and old interior walls, new door construction, lighting
fixtures, electrical and plumbing work for the new restroom facility and visitor center staff office.
Work is expected to be completed at the end of April. Audio video equipment and interior
furnishings, under separate contract, will follow, and are expected to be completed at the end of
May. A grand opening to celebrate the completion of the barn restoration is being planned for some
time in June.
3. District 12 CPRS Citation Award -
Beth Dickinson, "Litter Buster" volunteer coordinator and trail captain was recognized by the
California Parks and Recreation Society, District 12 for her exemplary volunteer service to the
Carlsbad Community at the annual awards luncheon held at the City of San Marcos Community
Center on Wednesday March 2nd. Beth has been a volunteer with the City for approximately 5 years
and plays a vital role in organizing the litter buster group every month as they clean up the trails,
parks, preserve and beach areas of the city.
4. Recreation Program Highlights -
Sr. Center staff honors FY 09-10 volunteers on3/5/ll -
The Sr. Center staff honored 217 volunteers who worked over 17,628 hours this past fiscal year
during a special event held at the Sr. Center on Saturday, March 5, 2011. These volunteers
contributed to the Nutrition programs, computer lab, fitness room, recreational classes and
programs, wellness programs, art shows and entertainment as well as administrative support at the
front reception desk. This their support the city saved over $410,566.
5. Department Personnel Changes -
Effective today, March 21, 2011, Chris Hazeltine joins as the new Parks & Recreation Director. With
more than 20 years of experience in municipal government, Chris brings a wealth of experience to
the City of Carlsbad. As the director of parks and recreation for the City of Encinitas, his duties
included management of the city's parks, beaches and trails, landscaped medians and streetscapes,
all recreation programs and special events, and the Encinitas community and Senior Center
6. Completed Events / Donations-
7/1/10 -12/31/10 - Carrillo Ranch Trust Fund Donations - The Carlsbad Parks & Recreation
Department received and deposited a total of $5,068 in donations to the Carrillo Ranch Trust Fund, in
support of Leo Carrillo Ranch. Significant contributions were received from the following donors with
no single contribution over $500. Honorable mentions are; Great Western Tours, Ms. Vonnie Varner,
Cost Kids Preschool, Good Times Tours, Ms. Lisa Snyder, and Silverado Senior Living. Donations were
generated through private guided tours of the historic rancho led by docents and city staff. The
proceeds from concessions sales at the Carrillo Ranch Film Festival and sale of gift items at the park's
Visitor Center.
1/29/11 - Teen Scene -Teen Scene, the largest teen event hosted by the City of Carlsbad, took place
on January 29, 2011. Over 600 people supported this fun and expressive night all about teens.
Attendees had the chance to play video games in a plush mobile trailer that held 5 gaming units with
16 players playing at the same time. They also had the chance to learn hip hop dance routines and try
their skills out in the dance room. They could relax in the art cafe surround by the artwork of local
teens, or check out five minute film short produced by teens at the outdoor film festival. The
highlight of the event was the transformed gym featuring 11 teen bands competing for the title of
Carlsbad 2011 Battle of the Bands Champions along with prizes that include a professional recording
session, ski lift tickets, paid gigs, and more thanks to the many sponsors who supported this exciting
teen night. This year's winner "Finding Autmun" a group from Carlsbad. Sponsorship for this event
totaled $5,970 in in-kind donations.
3/5/11 - Community Play Date at Stagecoach Community Center - Enrichment hosted a community
play date. The community center was filled with fun and activity for two hours with more than 190
attendees. Each guest was able to participate in individual interactive stations offered by thirteen
instructors. Instructors participated from Arimaw Productions, Play Well Tecknologies, Coast to
Coast Soccer, JKF Karate, Leah Snead - Preschool karate classes, Debbie Reed - Beginning volleyball
classes, Mark Keefer-Youth tennis classes/camps, Fliptime, The Crossings at Carlsbad, Carlsbad
Parks and Recreation staff programs. In addition, participants were able to win great raffle prizes
provided by local businesses. Total donations received from location businesses were $450.
3/12/11 - Second Saturday Trail Volunteer Work @ Lake Calavera Preserve Trails - 40 volunteers
worked along with Vista's Buena Vista High School students. Improvements completed that day
included the installation of post-n-rail fencing, trail directional signage, removal of invasive weeds
and grasses, brushing and widening overgrown trails as well as numerous erosion repairs on trails
impacted by recent rains. A total of 104 volunteer hours were provided to the City for this trail
volunteer work event.
3/19/11 - Trail Hike @ Rancho La Costa Preserve held at 8:30am - A City sponsored hike at Rancho
La Costa Preserve, led by Jessie Vinjie of the Center for Natural Lands Management- Jessie will lead a
2.5 hour hike that begins at Cadencia Park. This trail affords some of the best native flower blooms in
March as hillsides of California poppies and lupines bloom.
7. Upcoming Events -
4/7/11 (Thur) - Welcome Reception for P&R Director, Chris Hazeltine @ Sr. Center -Activity Room
- from 4:30pm - 6:00pm. Event is free and open to the public, and all Commissioners are invited and
encouraged to attend. Light refreshments will be served. This will be an opportunity for you to meet
Chris and welcome him to the City of Carlsbad. We look forward to seeing you there.
4/9/11 (Sat) - Rancho Carrillo Trail Volunteer Opportunity - Event begins at 8:30am. Please contact
Liz Ketabian for additional information at 760-434-2978.
4/14/11 {Thur) - Hosp Grove Trail Volunteer Opportunity - Event begins at 8:30am. Please contact
Liz Ketabian for additional information at 760-434-2978.
4/23/11 (Sat) - EGGstravangza - @ Poinsettia Park from 10:00am to l:00pm. Come celebrate the
spring with music, fun games, arts and crafts and a Fun Zone with bounce houses, a giant slide,
obstacle courses and a chance to "soak the bunny." Collect eggs in the ongoing "Egg Scramble"
activity between 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Children race to collect assorted eggs on the baseball fields,
grouped by age. This activity sends groups of approximately 20 children into the outfield to collect as
many eggs as they can. There will also be samplings from the Parks & Recreation Summer Camps
program. Instructors will be onsite to perform demonstrations and answer questions about their
programs. Activity card ($5) must be purchased to participate in "Egg Scramble," crafts, Fun Zone or
Bunny Balloon Soak. Unlimited Fun Zone wristbands are also available for $5. Food, beverages, and
merchandise will be available for an additional cost.
5/14/11 (Sat) -Wild West Fest - @ Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park from ll:00am - 2:00pm. Parking
is available at Carrillo Elementary with entry into Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park through the school
field. Leo Carrillo Ranch is the stage for a re-creation of the days of the "wild west," when cowboys
ruled. Shop at the trading post, ride the bucking bronco in the Fun Zone, and create a cowboy hat to
take home. Real cowboys will demonstrate shoot outs, rope tricks and much more. Plus - pony
rides! Enter the salsa-making contest to win prizes, or just come to taste the entries. There is no
entry fee; however, pre-registration is required. Salsa tasting cards can be purchased at the event for
$3 and includes a bowl of house chili. Activity cards are required for some activities and can be
purchased for $5 each. Food, beverages, and merchandise will be available for an additional cost.
6/4/11 (Sat) - Carlsbad Beach Fest - The California Department of Parks and Recreation, along with
support from the Carlsbad Beach Preservation Committee, the Carlsbad Village Athletic Club, and the
Friends of Cardiff and Carlsbad State Beaches, is hosting the 4th annual Carlsbad Beach Fest Event.
The main focus is to increase awareness of and promote stewardship of the coastal environment by
providing interactive educational booths and recreational demonstrations, which encourage the
community to learn while having fun at the beach. The event activities include a beach clean-up both
on the sand and underwater, interactive and educational activities, green organizations sharing their
environmentally friendly products, information booths by various non-profit groups (including all 3
lagoon foundations) and city divisions (including Parks, Recreation, and Storm Water), a IK fun run,
live entertainment, and a professional sand sculpture. The sand sculptors will create an exhibit which
emphasizes the coastal environment. The event is free to the public.
For additional events please visit the City web site @ www.carlsbadca.gov