HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-01-14; City Council; 17023; Alga Norte Community Park Master PlanCITY OF CARLSBAD -- AGENDA BILL
AB# 17,023
MASTER PLAN DEPT. RECREATION
ALGA NORTE COMMUNITY PARK MTG. 12/17/02
m:
RECOMMENDED ACTION :
Staff recommends the City Council ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2002-371 approving in
concept the Master Plan for Alga Norte Community Park and directing staff to proceed with
processing the necessary and appropriate entitlements.
ITEM EXPLANATION :
A Growth Management priority project, within the fiscal 2002 - 2003 Capital Improvement
Program budget the Carlsbad City Council appropriated funds for the development of the Master
Plan for Alga Norte Community Park. In January of 2002, the San Diego based landscape
architecture firm of Wimmer, Yamada, and Caughey ("WAC") was retained by the City to
prepare the Master Plan. The firm's scope of work included a series of public workshops
designed to gather community input and to synthesize that input into a final Master Plan. The
Master Plan thereafter becomes the basis of design for the City's 33-acre community park,
located within the Southeast Quadrant, east of El Camino Real and adjacent the future extension
of Poinsettia Lane and Alicante Road.
On January 29, 2002, staff began meeting with WYAC and outlining the proposed park program
which would ultimately include the City's second aquatics complex as well as a combination of
active ball fields balanced by passive use amenities. The consultants then used the park
program, site inventory data, and preliminary geotechnical information, along with other City
Recreation Department information to create several schematic plans which were presented to
the City staff project team for comment and refinement.
On June 12, 2002, the first public workshop and open house was held at the City's Faraday
Center facility. Three (3) park concepts based upon the schematic plans previously presented to
staff were displayed for public comment. Attendees were given questionnaires to identify a
preferred plan and provide input and comments on individual park amenities. A substantial
amount of input was received regarding the future aquatics center proposed for the park to be
developed in a later phase.
On October 12, 2002, a second public workshop was held at Poinsettia Park. This workshop
was specifically designed to focus on attracting children within the community and gathering their
input for park design. Stations relating to various amenities proposed for Alga Norte Community
Park were assembled in a child-friendly setting. Some of the stations included: general park
layout, aquatics, skate park design, public art opportunities, and dog park layout. Each station
featured an activity to inspire a child's interest and questionnaires were created to gather their
input for the park. This workshop was attended by over 250 people, again mostly children, and
was a tremendous community I City success.
In addition to public workshops, Park Development staff arranged several inter-departmental
meetings and Recreation Department staff meetings to gain complete input for the park. Several
meetings with Aquatics Design Group, the WYAC sub-consultants, focused upon the conceptual
layout of the aquatics center.
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AB# 17,023
Page 2
The recommended Master Plan for Alga Norte Community Park has been fashioned in great
measure by public input and needs of the City-wide recreation program. The plan is intended to
provide a balance of both active and passive uses including:
. .
a 50-meter competitive pool with supporting buildings and facilities;
3 lighted baseball / softball fields with snackbar, restrooms, batting cages, etc.;
3 age-specific tot-lots;
4 lighted half-court basketball courts;
a 15,000 square foot lighted skateboard park;
a large dog park with support facilities;
3 individual picnic areas with tables, benches, barbeques, and related equipment;
a substantial internal and external trail I walkway system throughout the entire park;
a large group picnic area designed to serve also as an informal amphitheater for future
City events and activities;
3 combination restroom and storage facilities;
2 large parking lots with a total of 504 parking spaces.
Staff has previously provided to the City Council members a colored exhibit of the
recommended Master Plan along with a bound report containing support documentation
chronicling the development of the Master Plan. The report also includes a discussion of public
art opportunities and conceptual architectural styling for the buildings. These components will
be further developed during the subsequent preliminary design phase. Copies of these exhibits
have been placed with the City Clerks office and both City Librarys and are available for public
review.
Staff recommends the City Council give its conceptual approval to the proposed Master Plan for
Alga Norte Community Park.
PUBLIC ART:
The City has previously retained noted San Diego area artist Paul Hobson to work with the City
Project Team on this park. Mr. Hobson was present and actively participated in the October 12,
2002 Children’s Workshop soliciting input on several different possible public art concepts for
Alga Norte Community Park. Over the next several months, Mr. Hobson will continue to
develop various public art ideas and themes for this project which will subsequently be available
for public review and comment. Ultimately, the recommended public art component for the
project will be reviewed by the Arts Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, and City
Council before implementation.
CITY COUNCIL POLICY NO. 34, NAMING OF THE PARK:
The City Council has established an official City process for naming public park facilities, Le.,
City Council Policy No. 34. This process will be implemented during the subsequent entitlement
and design phases of the parks development in 2003. Staff will return with a list of potential
park names later in 2003 for the City Council’s review.
REVIEW BY THE CARLSBAD PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION:
On November 18, 2002, the Carlsbad Parks and Recreation Commission unanimously (6 - 0)
endorsed the Master Plan for Alga Norte Park and recommended approval by the Carlsbad City
Council. A copy of the Commission’s Summary Report, along with the Commission’s
recommendations regarding the aquatics component of the park, is attached as Exhibit 3.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The Planning Director has determined that approval of the Alga Norte Community Park Master
Plan in concept is exempt from environmental review at this stage of the park planning process
per Section 15262 of the CEQA Guidelines (re: feasibility and planning studies). Local agency
environmental review of this project will occur concurrent with the Planning Commission’s
review and action on the required Conditional Use Permit and other applicable entitlements.
This is expected to occur within the next 6 to 12 months.
2002 PROPOSITION “Cy’ AND THE PROPOSED AQUATICS COMPLEX:
On November 5, 2002, the citizens of Carlsbad approved Proposition “C” authorizing the
expenditure of City funds toward the development of four (4) key City projects. The
development of the City’s next aquatics complex is one of the Proposition “C“ projects. Prior
City Council action has designated Alga Norte Community Park as the site for this aquatics
complex.
The proposed Master Plan for Alga Norte Community Park has been prepared based upon the
current City Council adopted Capital Improvement Program budget which defines the future
development of a single 50-meter pool with accompanying support buildings and facilities. The
proposed Master Plan has also been prepared with the flexibility to enable the potential future
development of a wide range of single and multiple pool configurations. Staff, and the City’s
consultants, will discuss this site design flexibility in more detail. during the City Council
presentation.
In response to the recent citizen approved Proposition “C” measure and with the City Council’s
approval, City staff and our project consultants are prepared to initiate a focused study
analyzing the operational, maintenance, and economic issues associated with the development
of the City’s next aquatics center. It would be our intent to undertake the study beginning in
January, 2003 with the goal of preparing a final report with recommendations to be reviewed by
the Parks and Recreation Commission at their March 17, 2003 regularly scheduled meeting.
The study, along with any accompanying input and recommendations from the Commission,
would then be scheduled for the next available City Council meeting in early April, 2003. This
schedule would enable City Council action on the definition and timing of the aquatics complex
to fall within the fiscal 2003 - 2004 calendar for the City’s Capital Improvement Program budget
hearings. Both the March, 2003 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting as well as the
April, 2003 City Council meetings would provide additional public input opportunities on this
topic.
3
AB# 17,023
Page 4
Fortunately, there has been a considerable amount of public swimming pool construction in
California, and in the San Diego area, within the last several years. Staff would propose to
include in the study an identification of comparable projects, undertake a limited number of site
visits, gather data, and complete an analysis of the operational, maintenance, and economic
challenges and opportunities of these public facilities for comparison purposes. With the City
Councils’ concurrence, staff recommends initiation of this focused study to be undertaken within
the timeframe discussed above.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding for the construction of this park is defined in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
Budget. The current FY 2002 - 2003 CIP Budget sets forth the following funding and schedule.
FY 2003 - 2004: $8,250,000
Phase 1 : Construct entire park site and all amenities excluding the aquatics center.
FY 2007 - 2012: $5.936.000
Phase 2: Construct a 50 meter pool with all support facilities.
Staff is currently evaluating and updating estimates of development costs for all future park
projects in preparation for submission to the FY 2003 - 2004 CIP budget process. Substantial
development cost increases are expected for large scale projects such as Alga Norte
Community Park. Recent preliminary estimates for the development of Phase 1 of Alga Norte
Community Park, with all components described within the proposed Master Plan, are expected
to rise from $8,250,000 to approximately $12,000,000. Staff wishes to advise that the Master
Plan for this major City facility as proposed brings with it a companion cost increase in the
development of the first phase. This may effect other similarly funded PFF projects in the
future.
Using current projections, there will not be sufficient Public Facilities Fee funds available if
similar cost increases occur in other projects If there are insufficient PFF funds, it may require
that this project, and other future PFF based projects, be phased or that alternative revenue
sources be found to pay for them. More information will be available for the City Council
during the review of the Capital Improvement Program budget in May of this year.
Staff recommends the City Council adopt the recommended Master Plan for Alga Norte
Community Park.
EXHIBITS:
1. Resolution No. 2002-371 approving in concept the Master Plan for Alga Norte
2. Alga Norte Community Park Master Plan Map.
3. November 12, 2002 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Summary.
4. Master Plan Report on file in City Clerks Office and at the Georgina Cole Library and the
Community Park.
Dove Library.
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RESOLUTION NO. 2002-371
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING THE
PROPOSED MASTER PLAN FOR ALGA NORTE
COMMUNITY PARK IN CONCEPT AND AUTHORIZING
STAFF TO PROCEED WITH SECURING NECESSARY
PROJECT ENTITLEMENTS AND PERMITS
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, has previously
entered into a consulting agreement with Wimmer, Yamada, and Caughey to prepare a
proposed Master Plan for Alga Norte Community Park; and
WHEREAS, two public workshops have been completed soliciting public input on
the proposed park development; and
WHEREAS, said Master Plan has been completed and presented to the Parks
and Recreation Commission in which the Commission unanimously endorsed the
Master Plan and recommended its approval in concept by the City Council; and
WHEREAS, the City Council does hereby find it necessary, desirable, and in the
public interest to adopt the proposed Master Plan in concept for Alga Norte Community
Park and direct staff to proceed with securing necessary project entitlements and
permits.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of
Carlsbad, California, as follows:
1. That the above recitations are true and correct.
2. That the proposed Master Plan for Alga Norte Community Park is hereby
approved in concept and staff is directed to proceed with the subsequent
entitlement and design phases of the project.
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PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Carlsbad City
Council held on the 14th day of JANUARY , zoo3 by the
following vote, to wit:
ATTEST:
RES0 NO. 2002-371 -2-
(SEAL)
EXHIBIT 2
November 19,2002
EXHIBIT 3 TO: MAYOR LEWIS
MAYOR PRO TEM KULCHIN
COUNCIL MEMBERS FINNILA, HALL, NYGAARD
FROM: SENIOR MANAGEMENT ANALYST
SUMMARY REPORT OF THE NOVEMBER 18,2002 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
MEETING
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. AB #1102-1 SUMMARY REPORT - The Commission unanimously accepted and approved
the Summary Report of the October 28,2002 Meeting.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
2. AB #1102-2 ALGA NORTE COMMUNITY PARK MASTER PLAN - The Commission
unanimously endorsed the Alga Norte Community Park Master Plan as presented. In addition,
the Commission recommended the following issues be considered by the City Council in their
review and approval of the Master Plan: . In light of approval of Proposition C, construct the entire park complex in one phase,
including the aquatic component.
9 That the City Council evaluate the benefits and opportunities of constructing a "multi-
pool" aquatic facility prior to approving the design considerations of the aquatic
component.
That adequate shade features exist in the early stages of the park; that the trail/walkway
surfaces include a decomposed granite surface in addition to concrete; that the
landscape buffer along Alicante Drive be enhanced, and; that some architectural
consistency be maintained with respect to the neighboring Carrillo Ranch Park.
3. AB #1102-3 NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR YOUTH SPORTS (NAYS) UPDATE
PRESENTATION - By a 5-1 vote, the Commission accepted staffs report and recommended
that staff look at developing a timeline for implementation of the NAYS Sportsmanship
Program as a mandatory requirement of the Facility Rules and Regulations. The dissenting
vote (Schulberg) did not feel that developing an implementation timeline was necessary.'
Resp ctfully Submitted, 'i
C: City Manager
Assistant City Manager
Department Heads
Commission Staff Liaisons
PRC File
LandscapeArchitecture
Environmental Planning
i\1~IER YAMADA AND LAUC.HEY
JosephY.Yamada,FASLA
Patrick W.Caughey,ASLA
Principals
3067 Fifth Avenue
San Diego,CA 92103.5840
619.232.4004
November 6,2002 Fax619.232.0640
CA Reg#528,2895
AZ Reg#22729
NV Reg#280
Mr.John Cahill
Municipal Projects Manager
City of Carlsbad
1635 Faraday Avenue
Carlsbad,CA 92008
PROJECT:Alga Norte Community Park
RE:Submission of Master Plan
Dear John:
It has been our pleasure over the last eleven months to work with you,City staff,
and the residents of Carlsbad to evolve the enclosed design for Alga Norte
Community Park.We feel that the master plan you see in this report represents
the best combination of facilities and amenities for this site to meet the need for
an active use park in the Southeastern quadrant of the City.
As the process continues through the requisite Commission and Council
meetings,and indeed on into the documents and creation of the first phases,
Wimmer Yamada and Caughey will continue to strive to provide you the highest
quality of design and client service and to work with you to realize this
cornerstone project in your City park system.
SLA
,',
EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY
uALGAN GRIECO MMU N ITYPA RK G
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This master plan represents the culmination of eleven months of design and
coordination between the consulting team,key City personnel,and Carlsbad
citizens who took part in the public workshops.It is prepared to provide a
summary of the site conditions,the design process through which the plan was
created,the master plan itself,and to enable the City staff to present the project to
the Parks and Recreation Commission and City Council.
The City of Carlsbad's General
Plan contains a Parks and
Recreation Element that
identifies four quadrants within
the City.Alga Norte
Community Park will be an
active use park,sited on thirty-
three acres in the Southeastern
quadrant of the City.The park
will be bounded on two sides
by preserved habitat and will
serve the community's growing
need for active outdoor
recreation amenities.Lighted
ball fields,courts,and a skatepark,as well as an aquatics facility will be balanced
by expanses of green and places for quiet play and picnicking.With the
development of The Vi Ilages of La Costa,the park wi II be a central amen ity for the
residents of the La Costa Greens neighborhood and will provide a social and
cultural hub for adult and youth activities for the area.
W I M MER YAM ;it,,,»,A AND C A UGH f Y
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THE TEAM
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Wimmer Yamada and Caughey wishes to express their thanks to John Cahill
(Municipal Projects Manager),Scott Bradstreet (Park Planner)and Mark Steyaert
(Park Development Manager)for their help and support in this master planning
effort.We would also like to thank the adults and children who participated in
the workshops and responded to our questionnaires in an effort to develop the
most appropriate park.We look forward to our continued relationship with the
City of Carlsbad.
THE CONSULTING TEAM
Wimmer Yamada and Caughey,Landscape Architecture/Environmental Planning
.Pat Caughey,President and Principal-in-Review
.Stephanie Hatton,Senior Associate
.Monica Mroz,Associate
Tucker Sadler Noble Castro,Architects
.RogerHill,ProjectArchitect
REB Engineering,Civil Engineering
.Rick Berg,President and Principal
Aquatic Design Group,Aquatics Consultant
.Randy Mendioroz,Principal
Paul Hobson,Artist
Ninyo &Moore,Geotechnical Engineering
.Mike Bemis,Principal
.Frank Moreland,Senior Project Geologist
.ErikOlsen,ChiefGeotechnicalEngineer
LSW Engineers,Electrical Engineering
.John Lamb,Sr.,Principal
Campbell Anderson &Associates,Construction Cost Management
.Graham Anderson,Principal
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PROJECTBACKGROUND
Alga Norte Community Park will be located at the northwestern intersection of
Poinsettia Lane and Alicante Road.Improvement plans for both new streets are
MCCLELLAN
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currently in various review processes.The site is approximately thirty-three acres
and is part of a north-south trending valley that was previously used for
agriculture.The site is bounded to the north and west by preserved habitat,to the
south by Poinsettia Lane and to the east by Alicante Road.Generally the site
slopes down from north to south and is
vegetated by a mix of native and non-native
material.Along the northwestern side of the
project site,the elevation is
approximately 175 feet above Mean
Sea Level and drops to
approximately 105 feet MSL at the
southeastern corner.An early field
investigation of the site,as well as a review of relevant planning documents was
conducted to review existing conditions.The following summarizes the findings:
Soils
A preliminary geotechnical report was prepared by the consulting team and
indicates that the site is predominantly alluvium ranging in depth over the site.
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VEGETATION
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the development of the park as it is
designed.There is currently a finger of 100-
year flood line that will be removed with
the grading of the roadways and subsequent
onsite grading for the park.The geologic
borings taken onsite encountered ground-
water in two instances at seventeen feet and
should not pose a major constraint to the
site development.
Vegetation
The existing vegetation on the project
property is a mix of native and non-native
species in areas of grassland and floodplain
scrub.While the areas of preserved habitat
to the west have in the past shown indicator
species for Coastal Sage Scrub and Maritime
Chapparal,there has not been shown to be
any species within the boundaries of the
-----------------------------
0
The deepest areas are those found at
the southeastern portion of the site
due to the natural drainage course
across the project property and
some historic filling activities.It is
s:.anticipated that with the
~development of the park,the north-
western portion of the site will be
cut areas suitable for large building
development,while the southeastern
portion will be fill area more suited
to the siting of sports fields and
ancillary uses.There are no major
fault lines present that should limit
GEOLOGY AND SOILS
Vi t MM E -R.\'A eMc i\f9 A A -N 0 -C All G""HE \-
CITY O-FC A~-l S!FA-0 ""'-w'::w.ad g a n~r 'e-:p a r'k .c om
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UTILITIES
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proposed park that wi II adversely affect the
project.Indeed it is the intent of the master
plan to capture opportunities for interpretive
signage along the project perimeter to point
out areas of interest in the surrounding habitat.
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Utilities
There are several utilities that transect the
existing site.There is an abandoned Pacific
Bell telephone line that runs from the north-
west corner of the site to the southeast that
wi II be removed with the construction of the
park.The remainder of the utility concerns are
at the southernmost portion of the project.
Both the City of
Carlsbad and the
/Vallecitos Water
District have VEGETATION
utility lines that run through the project from west to
east.There are several easements which shall be
i maintained with the construction of the park.The
development of Poinsettia Lane will see the vacation
of several easement areas as the new utilities are
moved into the street.Similarly,any water that has
traditionally flowed onto the site from the north and
down to the southeastern corner will be captured
immediately north of the project site and diverted to
the proposed storm main that is slated for
INFRASTRUCTURE construction in Alicante Road.
Precedent Research and Programming
In advance of designing the master plan for Alga Norte
Community Park,members of the consulting team
visited several surrounding examples both within the
City of Carlsbad and without.Informal conversations
with users and in one instance with an incumbent
maintenance supervisor formed the basis for our
exploration of sample parks.
In March of 2002,Wimmer
Yamada and Caughey visited
and photographed Stagecoach
Park and Poinsettia Park in
Carlsbad,and Carmel Valley
Community Park in San
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PROGRAMMING
ELEMENTS."
Diego.Later in the process,tours were also conducted
of the EckeYMCAin Encinitas and the Joan Kroc
Salvation Army facility in EastSan Diego.Each of
these facilities had one or more of the constituent
components being considered for inclusion in the Alga
Norte master plan.
A series of programming meetings with City staff ran concurrently with the above
noted collection of background and precedent information.The result was the
development of three options for master plan layout that were presented to both
City staff and to the general public at the first of two workshops.Overall the
general program and layout for these three options remained essentially the same.
The site topography and geology has dictated from the outset that the major
building/aquatics facility be located in the northwestern corner of the park,with
ball fields and parking and ancillary amenities located over the remainder of the
site.Several assumptions and program elements have been considered common
through all options and indeed are present in the master plan itself.
Common Programming Elements
The aquatics facility currently planned for inclusion at Alga Norte Community
Park includes a competition swimming pool and provision for supporting facilities.
As Wimmer Yamada and Caughey and the design team developed the options for
consideration,the plans included provision of adequate space for future
expansion.While not currently budgeted for inclusion,the City staff and the
design team felt it appropriate to respond to strong community concern that
provision be made for future options.Working with Aquatic Design Group,the
pool consultant on the team,the decision was made to include 3.3 acres of space
in each proposed option to address this need.As such the current master plan
also makes provision for this amount of area.
Parking was another item of great concern for the design team.The City indicated
that ample on-site parking be included in the master plan program.As such,the
team worked with City staff to establish a pro-forma for parking stall requirements
per activity venue and then to include this amount in the layout of the park.The
number of parking spaces has thus fluctuated little and has seen provision for 490-
520 spaces depending upon layout and amenities included.
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Three Options
Option A for the park included three
baseball fields -two 275 foot practice
fields and one 300 foot full size
adult/youth field.It also included an
infield practice area and support areas for
storage and warm-up and spectator
viewing.The 3.3 acre aquatics complex
included a 50 meter swimming pool and
ample space for supporting facilities.This
option included a half-acre area at the
southern corner of the site for an off-leash
dog park,a central,quarter-acre area for a
centrally located skatepark,three possible
entry points along Alicante Road,and
numerous scattered picnic and tot-lot
areas.Parking for 519 cars was provided
in a serpentine shaped lot along the east-
ern project boundary.A pedestrian and
maintenance circulation trail system...'..,'...:;:;:;"",~,""C:;"~R~2~':'::;;'RW,YOUT,oniONA
looped around the entire project site con-"'-"'=*"""'~ALGANORTECOMMUNITYPARK
necting the various venues as well as providing walking/jogging opportunities.
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Option B did not differ significantly in overall layout from Option A.This option
provided two ball fields and a third
infield/t-ball practice area in a slightly
different orientation.The off-leash dog
area was relocated to the northeastern
corner of the site and decreased to one
third of an acre in size.The central
quarter-acre skatepark remained in
essentially the same location,as did the
three entries and the aquatics faci Iity.
Larger picnic areas were introduced as
was a larger bioswale along the project's
southern property line.Again,the
circulation system was designed to loop
around the park and link proposed
amenities.This option provided parking
stalls for 520 cars with increased picnic
area size and maintaining the four half-
court basketball courts in the middle
CD section of the site.
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The third option,Option C,returned to
the three ball field arrangement but in
lieu of a fourth practice in-field area,this
option introduced more support and
passive areas in the southern half of the
project site.The aquatics complex
remained consistent at 3.3 acres and 519
parking stalls were provided.Once
again a half-acre off-leash dog area was
located in the southeastern corner of the
site and three potential entries were
identified along Alicante Road.
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Public Workshops
These three options along with boards of
supporting material (site inventory/analy-
sis,photos and aquatics components dis-
play boards)were presented to the gener-
al public at the first project workshop on~<'~Iifr;PA'';i'
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June 12,2002.Participants were invited ~.oC"","~2h",N .
to attend the workshop,review the background
information to familiarize themselves with the
project and proposed location,and then to
",_°"",-examine each
of the three options.Both the consultants and
members of the City staff were available to
discuss the project and answer questions and 11,.
receive feedback from the citizens.In addition,:1
the participants were asked to complete a short ~i'J
written survey to respond to general questions
which were used to help guide the team as the
project moved forward.There were fifty
respondents that answered surveys.A sample of the questionnaire as well as a
complete tabulation of results can be
found in the back of this report under the
Supplementary Information tab.In gener-
al,the team did not find that any of the
trends in responses were surprising.There
was a strong element of support for not
'.just providing the aquatics complex,but to
.consider moving it ahead in the schedule
and to expand it to include recreation
pools as soon as possible.
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Many of the respondents were ambivalent about the rest of the park design -few
offered unexpected suggestions and responses were fairly evenly split as to the
preference for one option over another,a potential name for the park,and any
other amenities that ought to be included.
Following this first workshop,the team refined the proposed concepts into one
draft master plan.Again,the site and amenities planned dictated that only minor
changes be included.It was decided by City staff that the opportunity for a
maintenance access from Poinsettia Road was not easily achieved and while it
may be considered in the future,the plan should reflect access only from Alicante
Road at this time.Discussions with the project civil engineer and the preliminary
grading concept resulted in the design team relocating the proposed skatepark to
the northeastern corner of the site.This will allow the opportunity for this very
"urban"sport venue to take on a character consistent with the headwall and utility
tie-in that is necessary in that area of the site and capitalize on what otherwise
might prove an area of the site needing visual mitigation from the remainder of
the park.
The second public workshop was conducted on
October 12,2002 at Poinsettia Park in Carlsbad.This
workshop was held primarily to encourage public input
into possible themes and character ideas that might
define the park character.Artist Paul Hobson worked
with other members of the consulting team to generate
three possible options for themes.Water,Culture and
Sport were the three that evolved.At this second work-
shop,Paul displayed boards with thematic ideas and
discussed options with participants.Children were
encouraged to
write and draw
their ideas for the
park on flipcharts
as well as provide
input through
model-bu iIdi ng
for their desired
skatepark
elements and
arrangement.
Organized as a "fair",the design team facilitated a series of event venues
corresponding to planned park amenities (skatepark,off-leash dog park,pool).At
each venue tent,participants could learn about the plans for the park and were
asked to fill out questionnaires corresponding to that venue.Approximately 200
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WORKSHOPS
(CONT.)
people attended the workshop and a total of 326 questionnaires were
completed in exchange for tickets to participate in a climbing wall,enjoy a
hotdog and lemonade,or play in a jumper.A copy of each questionnaire as
well as a complete tabulation are provided in the back of this report under
the Supplemental Information tab.In general the comments of the
respondents were consistent with the understanding of the design team.
As you might expect,the vast majority of the respondents identified Poinsettia
Park as the park they currently visit most often -which is in keeping with it
being chosen as the venue for our workshop,and they typically visit once or
twice per week.Of the fifty-eight respondents who included demographic
information in their comments,fifty-twowere Carlsbad residents.Most are
fine with the placeholder name "Alga Norte Park",the majority of the
responses which indicated otherwise were from children (WYACparticularly
favors "Bust-the-Move Skatepark"as the future name!).
Most of the respondents did indicate that they would use Alga Norte Park
once it is constructed and would do so once or twice per week.Swings and
slides (both play and water)were the top amenities identified in several
questions concerning suggested or most important amenities.The majority of
respondents thought that the Sports theme (closely followed by Water)would
be most appropriate.Dog owners were split as to whether the area should
be entirely off-leash with the majority opting in favor,and with an even
number liking the idea of an entirely grass area and those liking a potential
combination of grass and wood chips.
In general we have found most people would be willing to pay a fee for the
aquatics and skateboarding venues provided it does not exceed $5.00 -and
most indicated it would be preferable to do so in terms of an annual fee ($50
typically).
Following this second public workshop,the consultants once again made
final adjustments to the draft master plan and on October 24th,2002
summarized and presented it to the Parks and Recreation staff.Following this
meeting,the consultants have completed the enclosed master plan for Alga
Norte Community Park.
.VIi I M M fR 't .A.1\1 A ""crt A .AND .CA UGH E Y
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THE MASTER P l AN
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NOVEMBER 18,2002
MASTER PL'AN FOR
ALGA NORTE COMMUNITY PARK
W .J .M.,."ME R n'Y AM-~,;~1'sA ~.AND CAUGHEY
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';~IN GENERA'"i'L.,..".",f.
.ClRCUlATIONI
In General
As is evident in the proposed master plan,the layout of the future Alga Norte
Community Park is a blend of all of the Options and evolutions that the plan has
gone through over the course of the design process as well as an attempt on the
part of the designers to take advantage of the natural grade of the site and views it
provides.Overall the site is designed as a series of terraces -each of which has a
particular function.Not only does this approach reduce the need for considerable
and costly grading operations,but allows for view corridors from north to south
and takes advantage of opportunities to utilize some of the topography in the site
design of specific elements.While there is still substantial schematic design to be
done,the master plan level work is sufficient to allow discussionand conceptual
approval.Overall,the site is oriented in a linear manner,with the aquatics facility
and associated parking on the northern half and the ball fields and associated
parking on the southern half.The parking lot is designed to provide ample
planting and buffering areas and curving drive aislesto alleviate the visual impact
of large expanses of asphalt.The proposed architectural character of the park will
be consistent with the themes established by The Villages of La Costa.
PRELIMINARY RESTROOM
CONCEPT
PRELIMiNARY CONCESSiON
CONCEPT
Circulation
A complete circulation system of accessible walks and paths will access the
various site venues and a complete perimeter path will provide walking and
jogging opportunities while allowing necessary maintenance access.Two
entrances are planned to the park -both from Alicante Road.Each will have
lighted entry signage to easewayfinding.There are three main trail connectionsto
Alga Norte Community Park.The northeastern corner of the park will provide a
link to the local trial system as identified in the City's Trails Planning Map.The
southeasternand southwestern corners of the project will link to the city wide trail
system.It is the intent of the design to provide passers by,both pedestrian and
vehicular,the opportunityto experiencepart of the parkand to hopefully be
drawn into the park to enjoy its amenities.Along Poinsettia Lane,the street
improvements provide for a ten-foot wide meandering pathway that will become
more of a park experience along the southern property line than a street
experience.Similarly the team will be reviewing similar opportunities to engage
usersof the pedestrian way along Alicante Roadsas improvementplans are
developed.
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ACCENTS
AQUATICS
Accents
Two focal points will join the northern and southern ends
of the site.Artful works such as earth sculptures that can
serve as passive play areas are being considered.
Between these two will flow the main circulation axis for
the entire park.Such items will be further refined during
the schematic design process.The site wi II have a
combination of vegetation types.cr-",poliJlc
Aquatics ~..'.a_-~.ua"
The primary feature will be the development of a 50-meter competition swimming
pool and aquatics building.Programming for this building was not part of the
scope of work of this master planning effort,but there is provision for adequate
space to encompass all expected uses -from locker,restroom,and shower
facilities,to meeting rooms and staff offices,to strength training facilities,etcetera.
A large expanse of turf sunning area will be provided and would also serve as
future expansion area
should it ever be required.
The aquatics complex will
have a separate mechanical
equipment and storage
building as well as provision
for a gas chlorination
facility.The pool will have
both one and th ree meter'.
..divi ng boards.The
orientation and location of
the pool are designed so as
to be able to capitalize on the natural slope on the west side of the project site.
Spectator seating in the form of a terraced amphitheater will use the natural slope
to provide viewing of events.Additionally,bleacher seating can be provided
along the southern end of the pool under a shade trellis.Trellis structures will
serve double duty around the aquatics complex with the addition of solar panels
heating the pool water.A separate,large vehicle entry will be designed to allow
for maintenance and equipment access/egress.A total of 319 parking spaces are
planned to serve the aquatics complex -this represents the long term potential for
expansion.The main entry of the aquatics complex provides for drop-off and
pick-up prior to parking or for an event.
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BASEBALL
BASKETBALL
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DOG PARK
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Baseball
Three adult/youth baseball and softball fields are proposed in the master plan.
Two of the fields will be 275 feet and one will be 300 feet.Given the increasing
demand for field time in the City,no formal overlay fields will be designed.A
central restroom and concession area will designed in the core area and ample
space has been earmarked for practice and support areas for batting cages,
bullpens,storage buildings,and bleacher and grass area seating.Both the site's
natural grade and lack of immediate neighbors will enable the fields to be lighted
into the evening hours without the typically associated disturbance to abutting
property owners.A drop-off area immediately accessible upon entering the site
will enable the loading/unloading of passengers and equipment prior to parking.
A total of 69 parking stalls are allocated for ball field support.
Basketball
Four lighted half-court basketball courts are to be included in the master plan with
eight dedicated parking spaces.The courts will be located south of the swim
complex away from the immediate parking area.A central restroom facility adja-
cent will serve both the courts area as well as the large open turf area in the cen-
ter of the park.The pedestrian path system will serve to facilitate use of the
courts.
Skatepark
A lighted skateboard park will be located in the
northeastern corner of Alga Norte Community
Park.The area wi II be at least one-quarter acre
in actual size with twenty dedicated parking
spaces.Visually integrated with the industrial
waterway requirements at the edge,the site will serve a growing segment of the
youth population by providing a dedicated and safe environment in which to
skate and skateboard.
Off-leash Dog Park
A large,expansive,lighted area along the southern property line of the site will
serve as a fenced area in which dog owners may bring their pets for exercise and
fun.Taking advantage of the topography of the
overall site,this area will provide amenities such as
waste receptacles,"pooper-scooper"stations with
plastic refuse bag dispensers,and some agility
course elements from such manufacturers as Bark
Park.Consideration for possibly providing separate
areas for large and small dogs will be determined
during the schematic design programming phase of
the project.Currently fourteen parking spaces are dedicated to the off-leash dog
park amenity.
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ALGA nNORTL(nMMHNITY-PARK @
TOT-LOTS
PICNICS AND
PASSIVE
RECREATION
MAl NTENANCE
FACILITY
SIGNAGE
Tot-lots
In addition to the open,passive turf areas,three dedicated tot-lot areas are
designed in the northwestern areas of the park.One large
tot area will serve children ages two through five.A second
area will provide play opportunities for children ages five
through ten.Each tot-lot will be separated by a small turf
terrace and the most upper terrace will be dedicated to
adventure and creative play with such proposed elements as
a climbing wall.Well buffered from,and yet still proximate
to the parking area,this portion of the park will also have a
readily accessible restroom facility.
,
Picnics and Passive Recreation
Despite its mandate to be an active use park facility,Alga Norte Community Park
is designed in such a manner as to maintain the character seemingly lacking in so
many modern park facilities.Ample vegetated buffering from area to area,
coupled with a large one to two acre common area in the center of the park will
provide users with suitable and safe areas for picnics and sunning and enjoying
the beautiful Carlsbad weather.Additional dedicated parking is provided for those
users just visiting the park to enjoy more passive use.A restroom facility in this
core common area will serve both users of the basketball courts and the open
area.Special events such as IIJazz in the Parkll will be able to take advantage of
the open space and coupled with the slope and removable outfield fencing of one
ball field,will create an amphitheater setting.Numerous additional,smaller
picnicking areas are located throughout the master plan.
Maintenance Facility
The master plan for the park makes provision for the inclusion of an 8,000 square
foot maintenance building as well as a large parking and storage yard.Located at
the southern end of the site,the maintenance facility will have circulation access
on the perimeter path of the site and has a dedicated staff parking stall as well in
the main parking lot.
Signage
The primary project identification will be on the northwestern corner of the
Poinsettia Lane/Alicante Road intersection.In keeping with the landscape and
signage treatment of the La Costa Greens master plan,the signage both on the
corner and at each park entry will be lighted and attractively landscaped.Within
the project site,consistent and artful wayfinding signage shall help orient visitors
to the park as to the location of the various amenities.
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CONCLUSION'
A I (;A~nRTF .L()MM LL~JT"_P ARK G
In Conclusion
The master plan for Alga Norte Community
Park fulfillsthe design team's goal to examine
the proposed site,to solicit input from City
staff and understand the City's goals,to
include the ultimate users of the park -the
communityresidents-in the design process
and translate that information into a plan to
meet these needs.The master plan will
provide the launching point for schematic
design to actually realize this wonderful
active amenity space for Carlsbad residents of all ages to come and play!
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