To: PUBLIC AMENITIES COMMISSION
From: KELLY ORTA, DEPUTY COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
TITLE
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RECEIVE AND FILE OVERVIEW OF THE FORMER RECREATION AND PARKS COMMISSION INCLUDING ACTIVE SUBCOMMITTEES
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BACKGROUND
The Community Services Department served as the liaison to the former Recreation and Parks Commission (Commission). This department includes multiple divisions, including Cultural Arts, Housing, Transit, and Recreation. Organizationally, the department has a combined part-time and full-time staff of over 200 employees.
The purview of the Commission focused on programs, activities, events, and facilities that are currently managed through the Recreation Division. Quarterly, this division releases a newsletter that outlines upcoming activities and recreational opportunities for the community. The Fall 2024 newsletter is attached to educate the commission on the variety of programs, activities and events that the Commission supported.
Throughout 2024, the Commission held a number of critical discussions regarding the following topics:
• City’s sailing program
• Fourth of July fireworks show
• Park Ranger Program
• Pickleball
• Volunteer Acknowledgement
• Dominguez Park Dog Park
• After School Program
At the time of its consolidation, the Commission had a number of active subcommittees that served a variety of purposes, including:
• Facility User Subcommittee - developed to create enhanced communication between the City and nonprofit groups that utilize the City’s parks, facilities, and open spaces. This subcommittee typically meets quarterly and has been a valuable communication tool for the City and regular facility user groups.
• Park Ranger Subcommittee - developed to research and analyze whether the Commission should recommend to the City Council the establishment of a Park Ranger program including information on desired roles, responsibilities, and oversight. The subcommittee began meeting with staff including representatives from the Police Department and on-site teams that work at Alta Vista and Wilderness Parks. Additional meetings were anticipated with Public Works as well as follow-up meetings with the Police Department, but were never held pending the direction of the Public Amenities Commission.
• Volunteer Acknowledgement Program Subcommittee - members review volunteer acknowledgement applications to determine whether the Commission should consider acknowledging individual or group volunteer efforts. This subcommittee included ongoing work to find individuals to acknowledge and assist in determining eligibility. Staff has received two applications for the subcommittee’s consideration if the Public Amenities Commission desires for it to continue.
• Pickleball Subcommittee - Developed to research and analyze the implementation of pickleball courts throughout the City. This subcommittee was created prior to the City Council’s recent action that approved pickleball courts at Alta Vista and funding to support design of a pickleball facility at Aviation Park.
Staff recommends that the newly formed Public Amenities Commission consider whether it would like to continue the efforts of the Recreation and Parks Commission’s subcommittees.
ATTACHMENTS
Fall 2024 Programs and Activities Newsletter