HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-10-21; Parks & Recreation Commission; ; 1019-2 DEPARTMENT REPORT
Meeting Date: October 21, 2019
To: Parks & Recreation Commission
From: Kyle Lancaster, Interim Parks & Recreation Director
Staff Contact: Mick Calarco, Special Projects Manager
Subject: Parks & Recreation Department Report
Recommended Action
Receive a presentation from the Parks & Recreation staff.
Executive Summary
Mick Calarco, Special Projects Manager and Kyle Lancaster, Parks & Recreation Director 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
October 21, 2019
GENERAL & RECREATION
Parks & Recreation Department Master Plan Update
The Carlsbad City Council recently awarded a professional services agreement to PROS Consulting, LLC for the
Parks & Recreation Department Master Plan Update – a document that will guide the department’s actions for
the next five years.
The update is a prerequisite of the Commission for the Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA)
professional accreditation process, and will take approximately eight months to complete.
The master and strategic plan update includes:
• Collection and review of demographics and trends
• Existing sites analysis; including the 10-minute walk to parks initiative, and the city’s Trust for Public
Land’s ParkScore criteria
• Programs and services analysis
• General recreation programming plan
• Senior recreation programming plan
• Prioritized, five-year strategic action plan tied to specific goals and objectives
• Extensive community and stakeholder input, community meetings, surveys, and commission feedback,
including Parks & Recreation Commission
Carlsbad Walk Like MADD
The Parks & Recreation Department permitted the annual Carlsbad Walk Like MADD from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. on
Oct. 5. The event, presented by the Shoppes at Carlsbad, is MADD's signature fundraising event to help raise
both awareness and funds to eliminate drunk and drugged driving.
Oktoberfest & Family Fall Festival
The Parks & Recreation Department permitted the 37th Annual Oktoberfest & Family Fall Festival from noon to
9 p.m. at Holiday Park. The event, presented by Carlsbad Rotary Clubs, featured an authentic German dinner,
costume contests and musical entertainment, including great dance music and the famed "Chicken Dance!"
Children enjoyed the pumpkin patch and pumpkin decorating, inflatable jumpers, face painting, an antique fire
truck and more!
ArtWalk Carlsbad
The Parks & Recreation Department permitted the second annual ArtWalk Carlsbad on Sept. 21, from 11 a.m. to
6 p.m. and on Sept. 22, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on scenic Armada Drive. The two-day fine art festival featured live
music, interactive art experiences, more than 175 artists showcasing all mediums of fine art, chalk artists
creating temporary masterpieces, food, and beer and wine gardens.
Native Plant Talk
On Oct. 4, Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park hosted a free native plant talk. Native plant expert, Susan Krywicki,
discussed the "new normal" concept of gardening, reviewed key gardening and maintenance strategies, and
appreciation of native plants in the garden, near wildland interface and in public places. Participants learned
about some of the most iconic California native plants that are easy to grow and love.
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Carlsbad Brewfest
The Parks & Recreation Department recently permitted the Carlsbad Hi-Noon Rotary’s 6th Annual Carlsbad
Brewfest on Saturday, Sept. 7, from 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Holiday Park. The event, presented by Carlsbad Hi-
Noon Rotary, featured over 40 craft breweries and cider houses, music, entertainment, games and food vendors.
Upcoming Events
• Candlelight Dinner and Hacienda Tours at Leo Carrillo Ranch:
Saturday, Nov. 2, Session 1: 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. & Session 2: 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.
• Pumpkin Plunge: Saturday, October 19, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Alga Norte Aquatics Center
• Epic Teen Night: November 2, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Pine Avenue Community Center
PARKS
Grand Opening of Poinsettia Community Park – Ph. III Improvements
On Thursday, Oc. 10, the Parks & Recreation Department held a Grand Opening Celebration at Poinsettia
Community Park for three new park components: pickleball courts, and expanded playground, and a multi-sport
arena. The six lighted pickleball courts are a much-welcomed addition to the park by the many avid pickleball
players in the community. The new playground - at more than twice the size of the old playground – features
unique play equipment in separate areas for kids aged 2-5 and 5-12. The playground is designed to encourage
‘inclusive play’ and create an environment that welcomes kids and families of all abilities to learn, play and grow
together. The synthetic turf multi-sport arena field, with warm-up areas, bleachers and picnic tables is sure to be
a popular destination for all ages to engage in a variety of sport activities.
Upcoming Grand Opening of Aviara Community Park – Ph. II Improvements
On Tuesday, Oct. 22, from 9:00- 10:30 AM, we will celebrate a Grand Opening for the new Aviara Community
Park Community outdoor gathering area. Located on a 1-acre site at the northwest corner of the park, the new
improvements are ideally positioned to take advantage of the outstanding views of the surrounding habitat
preserve on three sides. The improvements include a large passive gathering space with a stage, individual and
group picnic areas, and a community building that contains restrooms and a catering support room. The new
outdoor community gathering area will be ideal for hosting weddings, birthdays, small concerts, company or
family picnics, and other similar gatherings. It is also envisioned that the area will function as an observation
point where residents can come to watch the sunset, see summer fireworks, or spot private airplanes landing at
the McClellan-Palomar airport.
Poinsettia Community Park Dog Park
On Aug. 21, 2019, the Planning Commission approved a Conditional Use Permit Amendment and Coastal
Development Permit for the proposed off-leash dog park at Poinsettia Community Park. The next step is for the
City Council to consider an amendment to the Poinsettia Community Park Master Plan, authorizing the location
of the dog park. That item is tentatively scheduled to be presented to the City Council later this fall.
The dog park is to be located on the east side of Poinsettia Community Park on a vacant split-level pad of
approximately 1.07 ac. Most of the site will be re-graded into a large, gently sloped pad. The dog park design
includes an entry plaza with shade structure and separate enclosures for large dogs and for small dogs. An area
of approx. 7,700 sf is provided for small dogs, while the area for large dogs encompasses about 20,000 sf. Both
areas will be enclosed and separated by a 6 ft. high vinyl-coated chain-link fence with dual gate access. Both
areas will contain similar features, such as dog agility equipment, drinking fountains, site furniture (benches,
picnic tables, trash receptacles, etc.) and perimeter lighting.
Village H Property Status
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On April 23, 2019, staff advised the City Council that the terms of a restrictive, conservation easement over the
northern section of the Village H property had been fulfilled. This fulfillment allowed staff to proceed with the
recording of the property’s deed, consistent with the City Council previous direction. Staff expected the
recording of the deed to be completed within two weeks.
On May 7, 2019, staff performed the following activities: completed the recording of the property’s deed,
posted ‘Temporary Closure/Maintenance Work Underway’ signs along the perimeter of the southern section,
installed supplemental construction fencing and locks at the southern section entries, and initiated the required
maintenance work to the southern section.
On August 2, 2019 the required maintenance work was completed, and trail was officially opened to the public.
A small ceremony was attended by Council Member Cori Schumacher, city staff and many members of the public
- accompanied by their dogs (on-leash). As a concurrent task to the above, staff also followed City Council
direction in conducting a public engagement process to develop options to integrate an off-leash dog run as part
of the southern section of the Village H property. The workshop was held on June 29, 2019, at the Calavera Hills
Community Center, with approximately 100 participants. The online survey was posted to the city’s website on
July 5, 2019 and was open until July 28, 2019. Staff is in the process of developing conceptual plan options,
based on the input received, to be presented to the City Council later this fall.
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,
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 park site. The themes from the survey are consistent with those
gathered at the workshop. The full Public Input Report is now available for viewing on the city’s website.
The project team used the public input, as well as other sources of information including the physical
characteristics and location of the site, the core values of the Carlsbad community, and the city’s parks and
recreation needs assessment, to prepare two draft conceptual plans for the Veterans Memorial Park site. Those
draft conceptual plans were then shared with the public at a second community workshop on Saturday, Sept. 21,
2019 at the Faraday Administration Center. Participants had an opportunity to provide input on the array of
elements included in the concept plans by rotating through four facilitated stations. Later that day, the draft
conceptual plans were posted on the city’s website and the public was invited to provide further input via an
online survey. The survey closed on Oct. 6 and staff is now compiling the data for review by the design team.
Buena Vista Reservoir Site Park Planning
The site of the former Buena Vista Reservoir will be turned into a small park as part of a set of agreements
approved by the Carlsbad City Council in March 2017. The property was previously considered to be sold for the
construction of up to 14 new homes. The agreements, which stemmed from a lawsuit against the city over its
updated General Plan and Climate Action Plan, will also ensure the completion of the missing link of Poinsettia
Lane, the creation of new trails and the addition of protected habitat in Carlsbad. The new park will be
approximately three acres and will include the following amenities: the existing water tank, children's play area,
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loop trail around park, picnic areas with shade, enhanced landscaping, benches throughout the park and 11 new
parallel parking spaces.
The city asked for input on the vision for the new park and three draft conceptual park designs through a
neighborhood workshop and an online survey in June 2018. The design was revised based on the input received.
A second public meeting was held in September 2018 to share the revised designs and the public provided
comments to city staff via email. After presentations to the Parks & Recreation Commission and the City
Council, Lennar Homes - in partnership with the city - submitted an application for a Conditional Use Permit
(CUP) for the project on Dec. 13, 2018. On Oct. 2, 2019, the Planning Commission unanimously approved that
CUP. The design team has is now preparing construction plans and specifications for the project. Once those
documents are approved, the project will be bid and a contractor will be hired for the construction phase. The
park is anticipated to be open to the public by the end of January 2021.
Stagecoach Community Park Synthetic Turf Replacement
On July 23, 2019, the City Council approved the plans and specifications and authorized staff to advertise for bids
the replacement of the synthetic turf at Stagecoach Community Park. The existing synthetic turf on the two
multi-purpose fields is nearly 14 years old and has well surpassed its eight-year warranty period and expected
useful life. Bids were received on Sept. 12, 2019 and the second low bid was determined to be responsive,
responsible and within the project budget. Staff will return to the City Council with a recommendation to award
a construction contract on Oct. 22, 2019. The project is expected to be conducted during the winter months.
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