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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’. 1 of 2 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. 2 of 2