HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-07-18; Parks & Recreation Commission; ; Parks & Recreation Department ReportMeeting Date: July 18, 2022
To: Parks & Recreation Commission
From: Kyle Lancaster, Parks & Recreation Director
Staff Contact: Mick Calarco, Recreation Services Manager
Subject: Parks & Recreation Department Report
Recommended Action
Receive a presentation from the Parks & Recreation staff.
Executive Summary
Mick Calarco, Recreation Services Manager and Kyle Lancaster, Parks & Recreation Director will
report on recently completed and upcoming parks and recreation activities, and other topics of
local interest.
Exhibits
1.Department report
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PARKS & RECREATION
DEPARTMENT REPORT
July 18, 2022
GENERAL & RECREATION
Celebrate Parks & Recreation Month – Social Media Takeover!
Since 1985, July has been nationally designated as Parks & Recreation Month – promoting building strong,
vibrant, and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation and recognizing the staff that
make it all happen! The services that parks and recreation professionals provide are vital for our communities —
from protecting open space and natural resources to providing activities and resources for all people.
And, whether it's summer camps, classes, sports or senior services, Carlsbad’s Parks & Recreation Department
offers something to help everyone make the most of their free time. In July, department programs will be in the
spotlight as the city celebrates national Parks and Recreation Month.
Throughout July, the city’s social media pages will feature personal stories about how parks and recreation
programs and services impact the community. Viewers could learn about a program they may be interested in,
or something fascinating about someone they may already know. Parks & recreation fans and supporters are
encouraged to join the conversation online by using the hashtag, #parksmakelifebetter at one of our parks or
facilities, or when participating in a recreation program.
Parks & Recreation Month - Proclamation
At the Tuesday, July 12,2022, City Council meeting, Parks & Recreation Commission Chairperson, Michael Luna
received the Parks & Recreation Month Proclamation. Chairperson Luna provided brief remarks to the City
Council, recognizing, and celebrating the vast benefits derived from the many parks, preserves, facilities, trails,
amenities, programs and events.
Master Plan Update
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which started at the beginning of this master planning, the project team has
adapted the outreach and involvement process from what was originally proposed. Specifically, the city held
two additional public meetings in December 2021 to give community members another chance to share input
and ideas, focused on what, if any, of their parks and recreation interests might have changed following the
months-long stay at home orders of 2020 and 2021. In March 2022, the city also sought community input
through an online survey that generated nearly 1,800 responses.
The final step in the community input process is to perform a statistically reliable professional survey (currently
underway) through an independent firm consistent with our previous Parks & Recreation Department master
planning approach. This survey seeks to identify levels of support for a wide range of ideas that were shared
through the earlier input opportunities. Households were selected at random to take this survey and have
received it only via the United States Postal Service. However, the public may review a copy of the survey at
www.carlsbadparksplan.com and provide additional feedback via email and/or the “Your Comments” form on
the website.
A draft of the master plan will be made available for input by the Senior Commission, Parks & Recreation
Commission, City Council and general public at the end of fall 2022, with a final draft scheduled to be presented
to the City Council for adoption in early 2023.
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Recreation Services Manager - Promotion
On June 28, 2022, Special Projects Manager, Mick Calarco, was promoted to Recreation Services Manager, a
vacancy created by Mike Pacheco’s departure in mid-May to become the City of Vista’s Recreation & Community
Services Director. As the Recreation Services Manager for the City of Carlsbad, Mick will be responsible for the
overall management of the Recreation Division, including sports, aquatics, senior and intergenerational
programs, enrichment and camps, lagoon permitting, centralized reservations and more.
Mick has nearly 30 years of experience in the parks & recreation industry – almost 20 of those years for the City
of Carlsbad. Mick’s most recent responsibilities have included general management of the Leo Carrillo Ranch
Historic Park, citywide special events permitting, and the department’s accreditation program – including master
and strategic planning.
Mick holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology from San Diego State University, and a Master’s Degree in
Historic Preservation form Goucher College in Baltimore, Maryland. He is also recognized as a Certified Parks &
Recreation Professional, by the National Recreation and Parks Association.
Aloha Plunge
Saturday, July 23, 2022
5–8 p.m.
Alga Norte Aquatic Center
6565 Alicante Road
Participants of all ages will enjoy fun, island-themed pool games and activities, giant inflatables, and key logs and
more. Attendees will end the night with a special Polynesian dance performance where the audience can learn
the hula. Admission is $10, and kids 3 and under are free. There will be food for sale at the event.
Leo Carrillo Ranch Film Festival
Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, Flirting with Fate (1938), NR
Friday, Aug. 26, 2022, The Arizona Wildcat (1939) NR
Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, The Princess Bride (1987) PG. “A movie Leo would love.”
Movie starts at sunset each night
Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park
6200 Flying Leo Carrillo Lane
Enjoy an evening of nostalgic entertainment under the stars! See rare historic films from the Golden Age of
Hollywood featuring Leo Carrillo, and a special movie that Leo would love, at the star's legendary ranch. Online
reservations are required to attend the film festival, and tickets are limited to four per person. There will be food
for sale at the event. The Ranch opens at 5 p.m., and guided hacienda tours will be available an hour before
sunset.
Family Movie Night
Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, UP (2009), PG
5 p.m., movie starts at dusk
Stagecoach Community Park
3420 Camino de los Coches
Invite your family and friends and bring a blanket and low-back chair to Stagecoach Community Park for a night
of fun activities and a movie presentation on the big screen under the stars. Enjoy a movie themed FunZone with
bounce houses, obstacle races, crafts, games, and activities from 5–7 p.m. Wristbands for the FunZone can be
purchased for $5 at the event. There will be food for sale at the event.
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PARKS
Parks Services Manager – New Hire
On July 11, Todd Reese joined the Carlsbad team as our Parks Services Manager. Todd is replacing Tim Selke,
who left Carlsbad at the end of last year. The Parks Services Manager functions as the head of the Parks
Division, overseeing both the Parks Planning/Development Section and the Parks/Trees Maintenance Section.
Todd comes to us with over 40 years of professional experience in the parks and landscapes industry, the vast
majority of which has been within the public sector. Todd is an Illinois native and spent his early career working
for several agencies including the Northbrook Park District, Hoffman Estates Park District, City of Lake Forest,
and Downers Grove Park District. While doing so, he served in several capacities, from Landscape Architect to
Director of Parks. During his five years of private sector experience, he consulted with the Chicago Parks District
during a significant period of transformation and renaissance. More recently, Todd spent over two years in Salt
Lake City, Utah as its Parks and Public Lands Director, and over six years in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma as the
Parks and Grounds Superintendent.
Todd holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Landscape Architecture from Iowa State University, and attended the Lake
Forest Graduate School of Management. Todd is recognized as a Certified Parks and Recreation Executive by the
National Recreation and Parks Association, and he is a Licensed Landscape Architect.
Parks Superintendent – New Hire
On May 16, 2022, Ariel de la Paz joined the Carlsbad team as our Parks Superintendent. This position oversees
the Parks/Trees Maintenance Section, which includes the maintenance of all city parks, trees and landscapes.
Ariel comes to us with over twenty years of experience as a supervisor/superintendent over municipal parks and
landscapes. He has previously worked for the cities of Glendora, Pomona, Long Beach and Irvine. Most recently,
Ariel worked for the City of Carson – where he was the Building and Landscape Maintenance Superintendent,
since July 2019.
Ariel holds a Bachelor’s Degree Ornamental Horticulture from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona,
and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of La Verne. Additionally, Ariel has held
certifications as an arborist and as a pest control applicator/advisor.
Veterans Memorial Park
On May 16, 2022, the Parks & Recreation Commission accepted the final Veterans Memorial Park Maser Plan.
Then, on June 15, 2022, the Planning Commission adopted Resolution No. 7453, approving a Mitigated Negative
Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program for Veterans Memorial Park; and Resolution No.
7454, approving Conditional Use Permit CUP 2021-0014, Coastal Development Permit CDP 2021-0052, Hillside
Development Permit HDP 2021-0006, and Habitat Management Plan Permit HMP 2021-0006 for Veterans
Memorial Park.
On July 26, 2022, the City Council will be asked to adopt the final Veterans Memorial Park Master Plan, and
make a finding of compliance with the Citywide Facilities and Improvements Plan Parks Performance Standard.
The associated staff report will be posted to the city’s web site: City Council Meetings | Carlsbad, CA
(carlsbadca.gov) on July 22, 2022, after noon.
Poinsettia Community Park - Phase IV Dog Park, Parking Lot and Restroom
Commencement of work on this project began with mobilization of the contractor to the site on Sept. 20, 2021.
The project is now nearly complete, with the dog park’s natural turf becoming established. A ribbon-cutting
ceremony for the opening of the dog park, parking lot and restroom is scheduled for July 27, 2022, at 2:30p.m.
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Trails Volunteers Event
On May 18, 2022, eight dedicated volunteers met staff at the Robertson Ranch Trail for a midweek cleanup
event. The volunteers helped repair eroded sections of the trail, built water bars to prevent further erosion and
removed weeds. In addition, they spread and compacted one and a half yards of gravel at an Arizona Crossing
portion of the trail to allow rain water to freely flow across it. Staff appreciates all the volunteers who were able
to attend the event, and the 24 hours of work they contributed collectively to make the event so successful.
National Trails Day Hike at Hosp Grove
On June 6, 2022, at Hosp Grove, 47 people came out to Celebrate National Trails Day. Despite the June Gloom,
everyone was excited to hike the beautiful meandering trails at the grove and to learn about hiking in Carlsbad.
Hikers were able to walk through the informational booths, before the group led hike to see all the wonderful
things our trail system has to offer. Parks Planner Michael Tully presented on the GOHIKE app and how hikers
can use it to navigate the city’s extensive trail system. Todd Nordess, a ranger for the Center for Natural Lands
Management, educated people on the flora and fauna that can be found while out hiking. Trail Captain Buck
Slader showed what to pack in your daypack so that you are always prepared. Buena Vista Audubon Society
representatives showed the amazing birds that can be found in the area. Trail Captain Paige DeCino taught
about the extensive world of wildlife tracking throughout our region. Everyone was very excited to learn from
these fabulous presenters and the amount of educational material they were able to provide to the attendees.
After a quick explanation of the history and importance of National Trails Day, the group set off for the hike. The
hike was led by Trail Captain Gary Nessim. He talked about the history of the eucalyptus grove and how it was
the first trail to be built and maintained by volunteers in the city. As the group hiked along, he pointed out
beautiful views and talked about the ecology of the area, in addition to answering questions. At the end of the
event, there were so many smiling faces and gratitude for providing an educational group hike.
National Trails Day is important to supporting the mission of providing a trail system that meets the recreational
needs of Carlsbad residents, while supporting the protection and preservation of open space. Staff deeply
appreciate everyone who shared their time and talents, as well as participants who enjoyed a Hosp Grove hike.
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