HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-05-16; Parks & Recreation Commission; ; Parks & Recreation Department Report
Meeting Date: May 16, 2022
To: Parks & Recreation Commission
From: Kyle Lancaster, Parks & Recreation Director
Staff Contact: Kyle Lancaster, Parks & Recreation Director
Subject: Parks & Recreation Department Report
Recommended Action
Receive a presentation from the Parks & Recreation staff.
Executive Summary
Mick Calarco, Special Projects Manager will report on the progress of the Master Plan. 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
PARKS & RECREATION
DEPARTMENT REPORT
May 16, 2022
GENERAL & RECREATION
Master Plan Update
Progress continues on the department’s master plan update. In January 2020, staff conducted additional public
input, including social media polling and targeted outreach to the senior, disabled and Spanish speaking
communities. Input from the virtual workshops held in December 2021, and additional opportunities were used
to create a survey questionnaire to obtain feedback from a statistically representative group of Carlsbad
residents. The survey will also be available online to anyone who wants to take it; however, the results will be
analyzed separately from the random sample. A draft of the master plan will be made available for input by the
end of summer 2022, with presentations to the Parks & Recreation Commission and Senior Commission to
follow, and the final master plan scheduled to be presented to the City Council for adoption in late fall 2022.
Fiesta at the Rancho Fundraiser
On Saturday, May 14, 2022, the Parks & Recreation Department, the Friends of Carrillo Ranch, Inc., and Personal
Touch Dining joined forces to host the Fiesta at the Rancho Fundraiser at Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park. After a
nearly three-year hiatus, more than 235 participants (our largest event yet!), dined outdoors, enjoyed live music
and signature cocktails, and bid on a fabulous assortment of silent auction items. All funds raised directly benefit
the California History & Art Program – an educational field trip opportunity offered completely free of charge to
every fourth-grade classroom in the City of Carlsbad.
Recent Full Time Employees Hired
Joanne McGhee started on Nov. 1, 2021, filling a Recreation Area Manager position, which was vacated in July
2021. Joanne oversees the Stagecoach and Calavera Hills Community Centers, citywide enrichment and sports
program activities, and athletic field scheduling. Joanne graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Park and
Recreation Management from San Diego State University and a Master of Science degree in Hospitality Tourism
Management from San Diego State University. She also has her Certified Park and Recreation Professional
(CPRP) certification from the National Recreation and Park Association. Joanne has over 14 years of experience
supervising recreation programs, services, and facilities. She was an Area Manager II with the City of San Diego
and more recently a Region Manager with the County of San Diego.
Ashlee Benson started on Feb. 7, 2022, filling a Recreation Area Manager position, which was vacated in
September 2021. Ashlee oversees the Alga Norte Aquatic Center and the Monroe Street Pool. Ashlee graduated
with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Sonoma State University. She also has her Certified Park and
Recreation Professional (CPRP) certification from the National Recreation and Park Association. Ashlee has
worked in aquatics with the City of Carlsbad at every level, front desk attendant, aquatic camp coordinator,
senior swim lesson instructor, and senior lifeguard, to Recreation Area Manager.
Spring Break Kidz Camp
Spring Break Kidz Camp was held the week of April 18, 2022. The all-day program sold out quickly and included
field trips, arts and crafts, sports and much more. A ten-week Summer Kidz Camp also sold out very quickly.
EGGstravaganza
On April 16, 2022, after a two-year hiatus, EGGStravaganza came back bigger, busier, and better. Thousands
came out to a day of fun that included face painting, cookie decorating, a FunZone, an opportunity to meet the
bunny and the star activity of the event, the egg scramble that included 15,000 candy-filled eggs. As busy as it
was, the guests had an ‘EGG-cellent time’.
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Pirate Plunge
On March 26, 2022, the sold out (400 participant) Pirate Plunge event was a huge success. Kids were sent on a
treasure hunt on the pool deck, played on the giant pirate ship slide, participated in pirate themed pool games,
and even met Captain Black Beard. Families finished the night off with the showing of a Float ‘n’ Flick feature
“Treasure Planet” on the outdoor movie screen.
Hot Rods & Cool Treats
On Saturday, May 14, 2022, families came out for some good old-fashioned fun at the Hot Rods and Cool Treats
event held at Pine Avenue Community Park. Participants enjoyed vintage carnival games for the young and the
young at heart, like can-knock-down, ring toss, frog hopper and more. They could build their own sundae at the
ice cream bar, and vote on their favorite classic car. Participants also enjoyed live performances covering the
oldies, face-painting, crafts, and a fun zone. The event was free, with carnival game tickets and food available for
purchase. The adjacent Senior Center was open during the event, with program demonstrations in progress.
PARKS
Poinsettia Community Park Phase IV Dog Park, Parking Lot and Restroom
The construction contract for this project was awarded at the City Council meeting of July 13,
2021. Commencement of work began with mobilization of the contractor to the site on Sept. 20, 2021.
Drainage work within the dog park area and the parking lot has been completed. Construction of the restroom
shell has been completed. Full project completion is anticipated to be early summer 2022, with a soft opening to
occur at the end of the plant and turf establishment period.
Calavera Hills Community Park Gateway Improvements
Construction of this project commenced in early March 2021 and was completed at the end of March 2022. A
soft opening occurred on March 31, 2022, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony followed on April 21, 2022. The
looped pathway, shaded exercise stations and group picnic facilities have been well received by park patrons.
Arbor Day Event
On Saturday, April 30, 2022, the city celebrated Arbor Day by hosting a volunteer event in which 20 trees were
planted at Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park. Parks & Recreation Department staff kicked off the morning by
sharing the importance of trees and the value they provide as ecosystem services. I-Tree software, an urban
forestry analysis tool designed by the US Forest Service to quantify and value the ecosystem services provided by
trees, was used by staff to develop the educational talk. Amongst other capabilities, this software can
determine the amount of pollution removal, carbon sequestration and stormwater runoff avoidance that is
achieved from trees. In this case, the 20 trees planted for the city’s Arbor Day celebration are projected to
intercept 71,328 pounds of air pollution and capture 3,798,065 gallons of stormwater runoff, and provide
$33,834.00 worth of overall benefits, over the next 50 years.
After the educational talk, the 36 volunteers happily planted, staked, and watered the 20 trees, in optimal
locations selected throughout the historic park. Three California native tree species were selected and planted,
Palo Verde (Parkinsonia florida), California Sycamore (Plantanus racemosa), and Coast Live Oak (Quercus
agrifolia). These species were chosen by staff arborists based on the sustainability initiatives outlined in the City
of Carlsbad’s Community Forestry Management Plan. The incorporation of these species will increase plant
diversity, support native wildlife populations and assist in managing drought conditions. The city appreciates all
the volunteers and the 85 hours of work they contributed collectively to help the City of Carlsbad celebrate
Arbor Day and maintain its Tree City USA designation.
Upcoming Trails Volunteers Event
The next Trails Volunteers event is scheduled for Wednesday, May 18, 2022, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the
Robertson Ranch Trail. The tasks will include weed removal, trail surface repairs, and erosion control measures.
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