HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-09-17; Parks & Recreation Commission; 0912-2; Department ReportPARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION - AGENDA BILL
AB# 0912-2
DEPARTMENT REPORT
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MTG. DATE: 09/18/12 DEPARTMENT REPORT
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DEPARTMENT REPORT
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STAFF: SPICKARD
DEPARTMENT REPORT
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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
PARKS & RECREATION
^ CITY OF ^ * r^. ^m. * DEPARTMENT REPORT CARLSBAD
Parks & Recreation September 17, 2012
1. Alga Norte Community Park
The last few weeks have been a flurry of activity as the park construction is in full swing. Recent
construction activities included the excavation for all the pools, including Carlsbad's "big dig" for the
competition pool. Staff is also busily completing review of the final plans along with PEM's Municipal
Manager, Patrick McGarry leading the way. Much of the storm drainage work, temporary power and
the underground utility work are also currently underway. The site changes dramatically on a daily
basis as all of the heavy equipment begins to sculpt the dog park, skate park and other areas of the park
site. The total budget for 32 acre park site is $40 million. T.B. Penick & Sons is the general contractor.
Kitchell is handling construction management and Wimmer, Yamada and Caughey is overseeing design
compliance.
Also exciting and new at the construction site: Residents who want to check the construction progress
can watch for themselves via three new webcams that went live last week. Visit
http://news.carlsbadca.gov/pr/ca/watch-carlsbad-s-newest-park-take-238513.aspx The Web photos will
eventually be used to create a time lapse showing the park's construction, start to finish.
2. The Crossings at Carlsbad
Erosion Control - Concrete flatwork for drainage improvements and for a new access path were
completed at the end of June. The new concrete access path for emergency and maintenance use is
located between holes 2 & 3. New concrete curbing and a drainage structure along the cart path
between holes 8 & 9 was installed to deter erosion along the cart path and adjacent habitat areas.
Resource Agency Permit Sign Off- Site visits with city staff, Dudek Environmental, California Department
of Fish and Game, (CDFG), Army Corp of Engineers (ACOE) and California Coastal Commission (CCC) took
place in the month of July. These tours of the golf course's native habitat with the resource agencies
were required as part of the sign-off process for the golf course environmental permits. Overall the
resource agencies were pleased with the restorations and conditions of the habitat resulting with CDFG
and ACOE "Letters of Completion" signing off the habitat as successful in accordance with criteria
outlined in the golf course permits. Staff is awaiting a sign off letter from CCC to complete all resource
agency permit sign offs for the construction of the golf course.
3. Beaches, Lagoons, and Open Space
Sandag Regional Beach Sand Proiect II - The project will begin in Imperial Beach and sand is projected to
be pumping onto the shoreline by early September. Carlsbad is expected to receive approximately
330,000 cubic yards of sand from the project in mid-November.
Buena Vista Lagoon - The Sandag Board of Directors approved taking the lead role in the development
of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Buena Vista Lagoon Restoration Plan. Sandag, the
Department of Fish and Game, and the cities of Oceanside and Carlsbad commenced preparing a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlining agency responsibilities. A public scoping meeting for
the EIR is tentatively scheduled for October/November.
Agua Hedionda Lagoon - The Planning Commission approved an extension of the existing Special Use
Permit (SUP) for maintenance dredging activities within the western basin of the lagoon. NRG is
planning on performing their next maintenance project in September 2013.
Agua Hedionda lagoon has been an extremely busy place this summer. With the sports of kayaking and
paddle boarding gaining in popularity there has been quite an increase in the sales of permits and an
increase of activity on the water. Passive recreation, jet skis and motor boats are not always compatible
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activities, especially when some don't follow the rules. So our department, along with the Police
Department has increased patrols as well as marketing regarding the rules of the lagoon and
surrounding areas.
Open Space - Staff met with the Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation to initiate discussion on the potential for
an open space acquisition that would allow for the completion of the trail along the lagoon's north
shore. Parks staff worked with the communications office to complete two videos: one describes the
city's efforts on preservation of existing open space, and the other highlights the city's Habitat
Management Plan.
4. Recreation
Summer Camps - Attendance for this year's summer camps had its largest number of participants in
years. Camp attendance included: Pee Wee Camp at 100% capacity, Kidz Camp at 100% capacity.
Explorer Camp at 88% capacity, and Counselors in Training (CIT) at 99% capacity. Programing included
activities for kids ages 3 to 15 years old. Participants enjoyed team building activities, sports, arts and
crafts, field trips, and a variety of other activities. Highlights included campers attending a Padres game,
and a trip to the Wave Waterpark in Vista. Throughout the summer campers were able to participate in
dress-up days with themes that ranged from crazy hair day to a wild west day. This year's summer camp
ended with our Parks 8i Recreation Commissioners hosting and serving our campers at an ice cream
social at Stagecoach Community Park on August 20. Staff has received many positive survey ratings and
requests to expand this program to accommodate the waiting lists and consider adding a winter camp
option.
New Camps - Youth Sports - For the first time this August the sports division hosted two skateboard
camps at the Carlsbad Skate Park. Both camps were sold out and extremely successful. There were 30
youth participants in each camp. Another popular addition was an Outdoor Laser Tag camp held at
Valley Middle School with 25 kids participating this year. Kids loved it and parents enjoyed the
opportunity to have a variety of non-traditional sports camps.
Adult Sports - Adult Softball and Basketball league started in August. Staff reports 107 Coed, Men's, and
Women's softball teams participating in the fall season, with 20 Adult men's basketball teams. Season is
off and running - people playing and staying fit.
Stagecoach Community Park -During the month of August, Stagecoach Park played host to The Coastal
Classic and Carlsbad Cup Youth Soccer Tournaments put on by Carlsbad Wave and Lightning Soccer
Clubs. These soccer tournaments also used many other Carlsbad City and School fields. Stagecoach also
experienced a surge in rentals in the month of August, from outdoor ballfield and picnic rentals, to
indoor room and gymnasium use. Revenues and users have increased from this time last year.
Stagecoach Community Center and Park looks forward to carrying this summer momentum into the fall.
5. Parks and Tree Maintenance
Laguna Riviera Park - The tennis courts were recently resurfaced. The basketball court surface was
removed and replaced with a new asphalt court.
El Fuerte Park - Staff recently met with La Costa Youth Baseball regarding making upgrades to the two
ball fields. Our special projects/repairs crew installed two new dugouts and upgraded the electrical
system. With the installation of the dugouts it provides opportunity for the youth groups to screen in
the roof sections for shade.
Aviara Park - The division retrofitted the area around the restrooms at Aviara Park, specifically, a
contractor added concrete a walk/access around the back of the building. Staff retrofitted the irrigation
system, installed replacement plant material, and mulched the surrounding area.
Natural-Turf Sports Fields - Staff and contractors completed natural turf renovations for all parks and
school athletic fields.
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Synthetic Turf Fields - All synthetic turf athletic fields received an extensive grooming, detailed
inspection and testing by the turf manufacturer's representatives. This should allow our fields to remain
safe for all of our sports participants.
Downtown Village - At the request of the city's consultant. Urban Place Planning, staff relocated several
concrete planters and benches in the Downtown Village. Proactive pruning of trees within the
Downtown Village streets recently took place.
Tree Pruning - In addition to the Downtown Village street trees being pruned, tree pruning continued in
the Northwest quadrant by staff, as well as scheduled supplemental pruning of selective trees at Leo
Carrillo Ranch that was handled by our contractor.
Medians - Staff worked on segments of the Alga Road medians retrofitting and adjusting the irrigation
system in preparation to the contractor's installation of refurbishment plantings.
Maintenance- Before, during and after the Labor Day holiday extra staffing was assigned to the beach
area to ensure that all of the trash cans were maintained. Additional time was also devoted to monitor
and restock the northern beach restroom during this holiday period.
6. Completed Event(s) / Donation(s)
Fiscal Year 2011-2012 - Opportunity Grants - Twenty-three individuals and families, and three
organizations contributed to the Opportunity Grants fund when registering for a program or renting a
facility for a total of $1,592.
That Pizza Place hosted a "Pizza for a Cause" fundraising event for Opportunity Grants on June 18**^.
They donated $253.60, which was 20% of the food and drink sale proceeds made between 5:00 to
10:00pm on that day.
Paradise Pizza is also hosting a "Pizza for a Cause" fundraising campaign for Opportunity Grants by giving
10% of their proceeds from the first Monday of each month. So far they have contributed $207.06 for
the months of July and August.
The Opportunity Grant program contributes to the future growth, well-being, and development of
Carlsbad youth, ages 17 years and younger, from low-income families. By awarding grants to Carlsbad
families, the Paries and Recreation Department aims to encourage the development of positive self-
esteem and social responsibility, decrease juvenile crimes, and promote physical fitness and health, thus
creating a safe community. Because of your generosity, we can continue to "Create Community through
People, Parks and Programs."
1/1 to 7/1/12 - Leo Carrillo Ranch Donation Revenue -_The department has received and deposited a
total of $3,981.23 in donation revenue to the Carrillo Ranch Trust Fund. The donations are in support of
Leo Carrillo Ranch and were in part due to significant contributions from the following donors: Good
Times Travel, Mr. Tom Budner, Mr. Robert Nickerson, Ms. Elizabeth Lockhart. Donations were generated
through the sale of gift items and private docent led tours of the historic rancho. No single donation was
in excess of $500.
7/7 - 7/8/12 - Wellness Expo and 31** Annual Carlsbad Triathlon - On Saturday, July 7*^ kicked off the
first of two large events that made up the Carlsbad Triathlon & Wellness Weekend. The Carlsbad
Community Wellness Expo, located at Westfield Plaza Camino Real, was scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3
p.m. With 70 participating vendors, approximately 1,500 attendees who participated throughout the
day with activities and information focusing on fitness, nutrition, and ideas for establishing healthier life
habits. Children and adults alike participated in demonstrations, wellness seminars, health screenings,
and a fitness activity circuit.
On Sunday, July 8 at Tamarack State Beach from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. the 31^* annual Carlsbad Triathlon
was held. One of the longest running triathlons in the country, an estimated 3,000 spectators and
participants came out to enjoy the event taking place along the beautiful Carlsbad coast with the back
drop of the Pacific Ocean, lagoons, and scenic rolling hills. Over 200 volunteers assisted in providing
safety and excellent customer service during the weekend event. The Carlsbad Triathlon was
sponsored by several local businesses with in-kind and cash donations totaling $15,500.
7/14 - Hosp Grove Trail Clean Up -Trail volunteers took advantage of the "made in the shade" trail
volunteer opportunity at Hosp Grove and contributed approximately 50 hours of trail volunteer service
at this Saturday morning event. Improvements for the trails included installation of 96 linear feet of
post-n-rail fencing, a new pet station, trail directional signage, litter and trash pick-up and erosion
repairs. With the support of such volunteer efforts, Carlsbad's first volunteer built trail system,
constructed in 1999, with just over 3 miles of trails, continues to be in tip top shape for all to enjoy.
8/4- Batiquitos Lagoon Trail Clean Up- On Saturday August 4, city parks maintenance staff and trail
volunteers partnered with Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation (BLF) volunteers for a trail clean-up of the
Batiquitos Lagoon north shore trail. The dog days of summer didn't deter the 42 volunteers who got to
enjoy this unique outdoor setting as they contributed approximately 120 hours of volunteer service
sprucing up the mile and half trail. Work included removal of invasive weeds and vegetation
encroaching the trail as well as trail restoration near a recently constructed foot bridge.
8/11 to 8/12 - Snores n S'mores - No event brings families and the community together quite like
annual Snores & S'mores which took place at the Aviara Community Park in the City of Carlsbad on
August 11, 2012. This year's theme. Despicable Me, sent multiple families on an adventure throughout
the park that included activities such as assembling "Gru and Vector" giant puzzle boxes, delivering Miss
Hattie's cookies, a trip to the Super Silly Fun Land with "Space Killer", Minion bowling and pin the horn
on the Unicorn, Minion cupcake crafts, and the "Anti-gravity Serum" trampoline bounce. Families took
home a souvenir photo capturing the moon along with glow-in-the-dark minion beach balls. The
evening included dinner along with popcorn, s 'mores, and an outdoor viewing of Despicable Me. The
night concluded with families settling into their tents on the ball field. Campers woke up to a continental
breakfast, coffee donated by Peet's Coffee &. Tea (valued at $200), and hike along a scenic Carlsbad trail.
375 campers had an amazing time.
8/17 - Dinner and a Movie @ Leo Carrillo Ranch & The Leo Carrillo Film Festival will be reported out
in next month's department report.
6/21 - Eagle Scout Project- La Costa Valley Trail Improvements-Michael Schnese/Donation Michael
Schnese, Troop 750, completed his Eagle Scout community service project for trail improvements at the
La Costa Valley trail. Michael used creative fund raising projects including, a rummage sale, root beer
float sale and water stand at a talent show which resulted in $3,141.23 raised to purchase signage and
decomposed granite surfacing for the trail improvements. In addition, Michael and his troop donated
approximately 570 hours of volunteer service to complete the trail improvements.
8/24- Eagle Scout Project- Lake Calavera Trailhead Stairs at Lake Blvd.- Jordan Andersen/Donation
Jordan Anderson, Troop 732, completed his Eagle Scout community service project in August and built a
new set of stairs at the Lake Blvd. trailhead access to the Lake Calavera preserve. Jordan fundraised for
his project resulting in $1,253 used to purchase all the timber stairs, decomposed granite, railing,
concrete and equipment rentals. Jordan and his troop contributed 260 volunteer hours to complete this
much needed improvement to the Lake Calavera trails.
9/7 - Leo Carrillo Ranch Donation - Staff received a $2,000 donation from Joan and Alan Kindle to be
used as funding for the purchase of additional archival and curatorial supplies at the park. This donation
will assist with the necessary equipment, supplies, and materials used to properly accession, store, and
display artifacts at Carrillo Ranch, including the pieces recently donated by the Friends of Carrillo Ranch,
Inc. The funds were deposited into the Carrillo Ranch Trust Fund.
9/8 - Community Play Date - Held at Calavera Community Center hundreds of participants turned out to
enjoy a day of fun and interactive demonstrations at this year's Community Play Date at Calavera
Community Center. Guests were able to sample and get a taste of the department's various enrichment
classes, including gymnastics. Wonders! Science, Zumba, arts and crafts. Preschool and youth sports
staff was on site as well providing hands on activities for kids. All-in-all it was a successful day; more than
10 new family accounts were opened and $1,000 in day of event program registration was generated.
7. Upcoming Events
Thursday, 9/20- Quarterly Trail Volunteer Meeting-Thursday, Senior Center- 5-6:30p.m. Trail
volunteers come together to share their volunteer service and reconnect with city staff and other trail
volunteers to learn about trail development and trail events throughout the city.
Friday, 9/21 - Leo Carrillo Film Festival @ Leo Carrillo Ranch - The last of a five part film festival from
Hollywood's Golden Era starring Leo Carrillo, screened outdoors under the stars at the legendary
actor's rancho. The movie will begin promptly at sunset. Grounds open at 5:00 p.m. for picnics. Tours
of the hacienda will be available for one hour before sunset. Bring a low back chair, flashlight, warm
clothes and blanket. Refreshments available for sale or bring your own picnic. The last featured film
from 1945 with a run time of 83 minutes will be "Mexicana".
Saturday, 9/29 - National Public Lands Day - Lake Calavera Preserve- 8:30a.m.-ll:30a.m. Parks and
Recreation has planned some special activities as people all across America celebrate this day, "helping
hands for America's lands". Activities include the participation of local cub and boy scouts who will be
hosting educational stops along the trails. The scouts will be providing information on how to use a
compass," leave no trace" hiking, protecting watersheds, native plants, the geology of Mt. Calavera and
even pet safety while hiking. Volunteers are also needed to help plant 250 native plants and to improve
trails. For more information on this event, a flier and more information is available on the city's website
at www.carlsbadca.gov/trails.
Saturday, October 20 - Teen Open Studio @ Dove Library from 11 to 3p.m.
Saturday, October 27 - Halloween on Elm @ Carlsbad Village from 1 to 6p.m.
Saturday, December 1 - Holiday at the Rancho @ Leo Carrillo Ranch from 5 to 8p.m.
Saturday, January 26 - Teen Scene @ Calavera Community Center from 5 to 9p.m.
For additional events please visit the City web site @ www.carlsbadca. gov
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