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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-04-18; Parks & Recreation Commission; 0411-2; DEPARTMENT REPORTPARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION - AGENDA BILL AB#0411-2 MTG. DATE: 04/18/2011 STAFF: SPICKARD DEPARTMENT REPORT INFO 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 >,<* PARKS & RECREATION CARLSBAD DEPARTMENT REPORT I'.irks & Re<ii-\!lion April 18, 2011 1. Alga Norte Park - On March 29th, the City Council held a workshop to discuss Alga Norte Park. After a presentation by staff, hearing public comment, and considerable discussion amongst themselves, the Council asked staff to return on April 26th at another Council workshop to discuss moving forward with Phase I and/or pursuing a partnership with a third party to operate the park. (This is in response to a proposal from the Ecke YMCA). The workshop will be held at 4:00, April 26th, at the Faraday Administration Center. 2. L John Simons Twin Inns Gazebo - The L John Simons Twin Inns Gazebo relocation project has been completed and the gazebo is now available for public use at Magee Park. Recently, the Hi-Noon Rotarians finished their craftsmen-like carpentry on the gazebo's support columns and roofing fascia, and a local contractor installed the engraved granite pavers on the gazebo's floor. The City's electrical contractor installed the accent lighting fixtures and service outlets as planned. In addition, City staff transformed the former shuffleboard court into a grass seating area for special occasions, and fully refurbished the surrounding planters/amenities. The combined efforts of the Carlsbad Hi-Noon Rotary Club and the City's Parks and Recreation Department culminated in an enhancement to this park that will be enjoyed by the community for decades to come. 3. Carrillo Ranch Barn Restoration Project - Construction will be winding down in April for the barn restoration. The past month's work included new exterior paint, completion of the restroom, new data and phone cabling and wiring as well as starting the installation of a new audio visual system that will be used to showcase movies of Leo Carrillo in the newly renovated barn theater space. Work in May will include the final grading around the barn and replenishment of the decomposed granite surfacing. A grand opening to celebrate the completion of the barn restoration is being planned for some time in June. 4. Parks & Recreation Department awarded Merit Award by California Trails Foundation - The department received a Merit Award for a trail event held in September 2010 during the National Public Lands Day event at Lake Calavera. This award was presented to Liz Ketabian, Park Planner, during the California Trails and Greenways Conference Award Luncheon held on April 12, 2011. This award is given in recognition of a special and successful trail/greenway volunteer event held in 2010. 5. Recreation Program Highlights - Kidz Camp - The theme for this spring break was Disney Adventure. We incorporated activities from Disney movies into crafts, activities, and field trips. This spring all 30 spaced available were filled with children ages 5-13 years old. The week culminated with a trip to Disneyland. Campers viewed the movie HOP, a story about a young bunny becoming the Easter Bunnies' new replacement. Some of the activity highlights were making backpacks, Mulan fans, and our annual ice cream social. Despite some bad weather this spring, staff did an outstanding job at adjusting plans to accommodate the conditions. Making giant forts with blankets, always fun on rainy days. Pee Wee Camp - This year at Pee Wee Camp Spring break, each camp day highlighted a weekly theme that will be offering campers during the summer camp session. In the Spring session many participants (ages 3-5 years) are also considering summer camp as an option, so we want the kids to get a preview of multiple themes. Music, dinosaurs, cooking, pirates, and spring fun made up the upcoming summer camp themes. Highlights during spring session was dress up time, cooking, music and dance time. We offered exciting music games through the Wii gaming system that incorporated dance and singing. This is an extremely popular program during both spring and summer. Camps are extremely popular and are beginning to sell out early or with a few spots available. Teens - On February 26th the L.I.T.E. Afterschool Program participated in a North County Youth Summit meeting. This meeting was put together by youth from Carlsbad, Encinitas, Oceanside, San Marcos, and Vista's teen programs. They discussed fundraising, future goals, community service, public relations, and more. They had the opportunity to lead discussion and get practice public speaking. This was a great experience for our teens to collaborate and share ideas that might be beneficial for our communities. Sister City Visit - A member of a delegation from Futtsu, Japan had the opportunity to shadow our Recreation Supervisor, Michael Bodman on March 24th. Maya met participants, parents, teachers at Kruger and Scott House Preschool. She interacted with participants during story time, free play, and snack time. She also visited the L.I.T.E. (Leadership in Training and Education) program participants. Maya was excited to learn about differences and similarities in teens and camp programs in Carlsbad versus at home in Japan. 6. Completed Event(s) / Donation(s) - 4/9/11 - Second Saturday Trail Volunteer Work -17 trail volunteers worked on the Rancho Carrillo trails installing trailhead identification signage, replenishing decomposed granite and repairing erosion. A total of 59.5 volunteer hours were provided for this trail volunteer work resulting in a cost savings to the City for trail maintenance work in the amount of $1,404. 7. Upcoming Events - 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 Department 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. 4/26/11 (Tues) - Arbor Week Proclamation - @ The City Council Chambers, 6:00pm, by Mayor Hall and the City Council Members. A member of the U.S. Department of Forestry Service will also be in attendance to present the city with its seventh annual Tree City USA' designation. 4/30/11 (Sat) - Arbor Day Event - at Poinsettia Community Park from 8:30am - 10:30am. Informational displays and booths will be set up near the upper parking lot where representatives from the U.S. Department of Forestry Service, Anderson's La Costa Nursery, West Coast Arborists, Davey Tree Expert Company, and SDG&E's Vegetation Management Department will be on hand. Participants will be asked to plant about two dozen new trees, restore irrigation basins around existing trees, and pick up litter, within the central area of this beautiful park. The event is free to the public. 5/10/11 (Tues) - L. John Simons Twin Inns Gazebo Ribbon Cutting - @ Magee Park, Time TBD. The City will, with support from the Carlsbad Hi-Noon Rotary Club, host a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the L. John Simons Twin Inns Gazebo at Magee Park. The ceremony is tentatively scheduled to be held on May 10, 2011, with the time still to be determined. Carlsbad City Council Members, Parks and Recreation Commissioners, and Rotarians are all invited to attend the ceremony. 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. 5/14/11 (Sat) - Second Saturday Trail Volunteer Work @ Hosp Grove Trail - Clean Up at 8:30am - Members of the North Coast Calvary Chapel will join City trail volunteers for a morning of trail work that will include, new trail head signage, re-establishment of trail tread, including erosion repairs and weed removals as well as litter removal. 5/21/11 (Sat) - North San Diego County Commission Summit in San Marcos from 8:30am - l:00pm 6/4/11 (Sat) - Carlsbad Beach Fest - 8:00am - 3:00pm - 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. 6/4/11 (Sat)- National Trail Day-Trail Clean-up -@ Agua Hedionda from 8:30am-ll:30am. National Trail Day, an annual event celebrated the first Saturday in June, will be commemorated this year with a trail clean up along the north shore of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon. City of Carlsbad trail volunteers and the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation will partner to remove invasive plants, pick up litter and complete general trail clean up. Tools, gloves, snacks and water will be provided for all who come out to volunteer. This particular trail location was selected to compliment the public outreach opportunities provided at Beach Fest to increase awareness of and promote stewardship of the coastal environment. 6/13/11 (Mon) -Opportunity Grants Fundraiser @ That Pizza Place from 5pm - 10pm -That Pizza Place has partnered with the Parks & Recreation Department to provide an opportunity to raise funds by offering to donate 20% of all dining proceeds on June 13th to the Opportunity Grants Program. This includes all dine in or carry out orders of food and beverages. Please make June 13th your pizza night at That Pizza Place and come out and support a great cause. The more sales that are generated the more opportunity we are able to assist kids in attending swim lessons, camps, classes and other fun activities that the Parks & Recreation Department offers. For additional events please visit the City web site @ www.carlsbadca.gov 10