HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-04-15; Parks & Recreation Commission; ; 0419-1 PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT REPORT Meeting Date: April 15, 2019
To: Parks & Recreation Commission
From: Chris Hazeltine, Parks & Recreation Director
Staff Contact: Mike Pacheco, Recreation Services Manager
Kyle Lancaster, Parks Services Manager
Subject: Parks & Recreation Department Report
Recommended Action
Receive a presentation from the Parks & Recreation staff.
Executive Summary
Mike Pacheco, Recreation Services Manager and Kyle Lancaster, Parks 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
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PARKS & RECREATION
DEPARTMENT REPORT
April 15, 2019
GENERAL & RECREATION
National Garden Month
April is National Garden Month. To celebrate, the Senior and Pine Avenue Community Centers are collaborating
to form intergenerational Garden Clubs and Green Teams at the community garden. The teams work together to
plant crops and share produce, and are supported by volunteers and Master Gardener, Jano Nightingale. Beyond
the environmental benefits of growing local, gardening provides numerous health benefits, including natural
Vitamin D production, movement and exercise, bone development, and immune system strengthening.
Special Events Permitting
The Parks & Recreation Department has been busy permitting several events including the LPGA Kia Classic
parking management plan. The event took place at Park Hyatt Aviara Resort from March 25 through March 31.
The Kia Classic features 144 of the best women golfers playing for a $1.8 million purse. Nearly 2,500 spectators
daily are expected to be there to watch the action. Anticipate traffic impacts and delays in the area.
On March 27, an Amazing Race-style team building event was permitted in the Village area. Approximately 80
participants started at Magee Park and walked a square mile via Beech Avenue, Ocean Street, Carlsbad Village
Drive and Washington Street to hunt for answers in their challenge booklet, take pictures and complete four
challenge stations along the way.
On March 30, the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association (CMTA) hosted the San Diego Walk 4 CMT, a volunteer led
fundraiser to help create awareness, fund patient programs and treatment research initiatives for those living
with CMT.
A parking management plan was permitted for the Eclectic Lawn Concert Series hosted by the Carlsbad Music
Festival from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sundays: March 31, April 28 and May 19 at St. Michael's by-the-Sea. The free
“adventurous music” concerts feature four bands performing on the outdoor lawn stage, a beer garden and food
trucks.
Pirate Plunge Receives Innovative Programming Award
The City of Carlsbad received an Award of Excellence from the California Park & Recreation Society for its Pirate
Plunge event. The city’s recognition in the category of Innovative Programming will be honored at the California
Parks & Recreation Society Conference, held in Sacramento, March 19 – 22. The Pirate Plunge event offers pirate
themed pool activities and games at Alga Norte Aquatic Center. Community members of all ages enjoy fun water
activities which include diving for treasure, cannonball crush, ship raider race and more, in the warm water pool.
Activities and games on dry land include a treasure hunt, pirate ship slide, a tropical bounce house and photo
opportunities with the Captain Jack Sparrow look alike. As the sun goes down, participants can relax while
watching a pirate-themed movie on the giant outdoor movie screen while hanging in the pool or relaxing on the
deck. The CPRS awards program is the highest recognition our agency can receive and our award is a credit to
the aquatic and special event staff that made this happen. We are honored to receive this award on behalf of
our residents.
The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch
The Parks & Recreation Department permitted a traffic control plan for the Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch to
help address the overwhelming parking demand for the 8,000-10,000-people expected to visit each weekend
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through the month of May. Visitors come to enjoy 50 spectacular acres of Giant Telecote Ranuculus, which
typically bloom for six to eight weeks.
North County Intergenerational Council for San Diego County
On March 13, the Parks & Recreation Department hosted the North County Intergenerational Council for San
Diego County at the Pine Avenue Community Center. The North County Intergenerational Council was founded
in 2013 and focuses on the role youth and older adults can play in making communities healthy for all ages.
Intergenerational strategies are a key component in the north county community leadership team’s community
health improvement plan.
The Council serves as an avenue to promote and encourage intergenerational strategies in senior and youth
programs, discuss new solutions and programs to improve health and wellness across the generations and
prioritize key projects and priority issues for North County. The meeting included San Diego County
epidemiologist, Maria Pena, who spoke about online access to key San Diego data collection and website. Parks
& Recreation staff reviewed the development of new intergenerational programs in the City of Carlsbad and
provided a tour of the new Pine Avenue Community Center, Senior Center and Pine community gardens.
Upcoming Events
•EGGstravaganza: Saturday, April 20, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Poinsettia Community Park
•Hot Rods & Cool Treats: Saturday, May 18, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pine Community Park
PARKS
Aviara Community Park Ph. II & Poinsettia Community Park Ph. III Construction Projects
In September 2017, the City Council rejected all bids received for the Aviara Community Park Ph. II and
Poinsettia Community Park Ph. III Construction Projects and directed staff to revise the plans and specifications
to remove the dog park from the previously planned location and project scope at Poinsettia Community Park.
At that time, the City Council also directed staff to explore relocating the dog park to the area in Poinsettia
Community Park previously envisioned for a multigenerational community center. In November 2017, city staff
requested community input on this possible relocation of the dog park at Poinsettia Community Park. Park users
and neighbors provided input through an online survey, emails, social media and temporary on-site information
centers. City staff completed review of the community's input on this topic, and found it to be overwhelmingly
supportive of a dog park at the alternate location. In February 2018, the City Council approved staff’s
recommendation to pursue plans to place the dog park at the alternate location, as a separate project.
At that time, the City Council also approved the revised plans/specifications and authorized staff to advertise for
bids on the remaining planned improvements to both Aviara Community Park and Poinsettia Community Park.
The projects were then advertised to the public, with a bid opening in April 2018. The award of a construction
contract to the lowest responsive bid was approved by the City Council in June 2018, and construction
commenced on the projects in August 2018. Steady progress continues on the outdoor gathering space and
support structures at Aviara Community Park, as well as on the expanded playground, arena sports field, and
pickleball courts at Poinsettia Community Park. All amenities are expected to be completed and opened to the
public this summer.
Veterans Memorial Park Master Plan Public Outreach
On March 9, over 70 individuals - represented by all age groups - participated in the first community workshop
for the Veterans Memorial Park Master Plan. The primary purpose of the workshop was to get input on the
community’s values, needs and priorities for the park. The themes that emerged leaned towards a desire for
passive uses/amenities that would take advantage of the outstanding views and natural setting of the site,
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including trails. In addition, paying homage to veterans in meaningful ways and in multiple locations was
frequently expressed. Also articulated was the need for ADA accessibility to various uses and areas of the park
site. Participants generally recognized the park site isn’t suitable for athletic fields or other activities associated
with mass grading, high impact lighting and significant noise. Directly after the workshop, staff led a tour of the
site that was attended by about half of the workshop participants. Staff described the site’s current features at
the various planned stopping points, listened to comments, and answered questions along the way.
Following the workshop and tour, an online survey was available - where community members were able to
provide (additional) input regarding planning this unique park site - until March 23. The city’s Communications
Division is in the process of compiling a summary report of the survey results. Upon initial review, the themes
from the survey appear to be consistent with those gathered at the workshop, but also include an interest in
expanded mountain biking opportunities, including a pump track and/or a skills track. The results of the public
engagement (both at the workshop, and via the online survey) will be used by staff and the consulting design
firm to prepare conceptual renderings of the park, which are anticipated to be ready for review in the summer.
National Arbor Day Event at The Coastal Rail Trail
The City Council will proclaim the week of April 21-27 as Arbor Week, at its meeting on April 23 at 6.pm. in the
Council Chambers. This years’ National Arbor Day Event will be held on Saturday, April 27, from 8:30a.m. to
10:30a.m. It will include tree planting along the Coastal Rail Trail, beginning at its intersection with Oak Avenue.
Volunteer registration begins at 8a.m., followed by a tree planting demonstration. The Arbor Week
Proclamation, and the Arbor Day Event, are two of the criteria required for Carlsbad to retain its designation as a
Tree City USA, for the 15th consecutive year. This designation is provided by the National Arbor Day Foundation
and acknowledges the city’s ongoing commitment to tree care and urban forest sustainability.
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