[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6603386,"mediaKeyId","3000313-721ebd1892410665f9866d1ef4f431cd","parentId",3000313,"title","Encinitas commission approves playground replacement designs for Glen, Orpheus and Wiro parks","audioSeconds",2745,"startMs",286000,"endMs",3031000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3000313-721ebd1892410665f9866d1ef4f431cd&start=286&end=3031","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3000313-721ebd1892410665f9866d1ef4f431cd/thumbnail_286000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6603386/Encinitas/San-Diego-County/California/Encinitas-commission-approves-playground-replacement-designs-for-Glen-Orpheus-and-Wiro-parks","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6603386-d3790c2161504285bfc5d3831153dae8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771010652&Signature=n6S-RXdaBL8Larc0MSuHK0Q0v1jfUIxGcj8saqGSIw~Zgm1l5qZlOTkQZar8VbzM71Hax1H~SXmse3dP2wNB4LK-qfVb8U9oiusOM4s0K5JQuyTQvCEIgT4qQ-tjuat63GJHdktiPk6SGjfl1Wignko7-lq2Pm1SFMynETG5fU7CratdMhVCXejPJ6Ygy3YJJ9Skjl55gmh-EL~ETOtw4gh9cyRpv58tqquL8bIeHiRs-nMIlNyf8NsVJ324o4IrR4MEob5rOUHd2TDQnDb~m6ebaRrUwJTtt-aUxzivKmi7s8CoOUYh7oW37xf0jUUacNs815wDyE5pOIgJRWB10A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Encinitas, CA","date","2025-04-16T02:33:39.797Z","article","The Encinitas Parks and Recreation Commission on April 15 approved concept designs to replace playground equipment at Glen Park, Orpheus Park and Wiro Park, and to add outdoor fitness equipment at Glen and Orpheus.

The vote followed a presentation by Jeremy Franzini, a landscape architect with Michael Baker International, and staff comments that Orpheus is covered by a state grant while Glen would be paid from the city's park improvement fund or general fund. The commission added one change before approving the designs: replacing one of two standard swings at Wiro Park with a toddler (bucket) swing.

The designs presented to the commission separate play areas by age where site space permits. Franzini said Glen Park's concept separates a 2-to-5 play area and a 5-to-12 play area, adds a three-bay swing set, and replaces worn rubber surfacing with engineered wood fiber (\"engineered mulch\") to meet ADA access and fall-attenuation requirements. He described an exercise area proposed for Glen that would repurpose the horseshoe pit and include a large \"fitness rack\" for body-weight exercises and some freestanding equipment, with poured rubber surfacing in the fitness area for accessibility and maintenance reasons.

Orpheus Park's concept keeps the existing footprint while replacing play equipment and a shade shelter. Franzini said the new shelter would be about 13 feet high (compared with roughly 12 feet today) and support four precast picnic tables with ADA accessibility. He noted the city measured existing equipment height at about 11 feet and provided specific proposed heights for the new structures and swings to address neighborhood concerns about views.

Wiro Park, a smaller, tree-canopied site, will get a single play structure sized to the site and two swings. Franzini said the smaller footprint limited options: \"If we try to keep the 4 swings that are out there today, that would probably take up the majority of the space in that playground.\" He explained modern safety standards and the required safety zones make four-bay swing sets difficult to fit in the existing footprint.

Residents spoke during public comment. Tom Candelaria, who said he and 18 neighboring homes pay for Wiro Park maintenance, urged a larger play structure and additional toddler-friendly swings, calling the proposed Wiro structure \"grossly undervalued.\" Lisa Johnson, a nearby parent, told commissioners she supported the changes made after earlier outreach and asked whether one swing could be a toddler seat so very young children could be accommodated.

Parks operations staff and the consultant responded to questions about maintenance and surfacing. Franzini said engineered wood fiber typically requires at least annual topping to maintain proper depth and accessibility, while poured rubber costs more up front but requires less frequent maintenance. Manager David Norgard confirmed Orpheus is grant-funded and that Glen will use local funds if no grant is available; he said the city must advance design to meet the grant's performance period.

After questions and public comment, Chair Ritter moved to approve the recommended action: receive the presentation and approve the playground replacement concepts for Glen Park, Orpheus Park and Wiro Park. Vice Chair (second) and commissioners debated a small change to Wiro swings; staff agreed to modify the Wiro swing set to include one toddler (2-to-5) compatible seat and one 5-to-12 seat. The motion, as amended, passed.

Next steps outlined by the consultant and staff: finalize design to construction-document level, bid the work, and aim for construction beginning in 2026 (the consultant said \"hopefully, spring 2026\"). Orpheus must meet grant performance requirements before certain procurement activities proceed. Removed equipment and sand will be disposed of by contractors; staff said sand typically cannot be repurposed for concrete and will be hauled away.

Commissioners and staff thanked the presenters and the public for comments. The commission directed staff to proceed with construction documents, with the approved concept plans and the Wiro swing swap.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Encinitas Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting 4/15/25","oneSentenceSummary","The Encinitas Parks and Recreation Commission on April 15 approved concept designs to replace playgrounds at Glen Park, Orpheus Park and Wiro Park, adding swings and the city's first outdoor fitness rig and directing staff to finalize construction documents.","taxTitle","Encinitas, San Diego County, California","taxId",3828,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6603381,"Encinitas Parks Commission reviews work plan updates: trails, pop-up parks, Adventure Lab and upcoming events",2265,3045000,5310000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3000313-721ebd1892410665f9866d1ef4f431cd&start=3045&end=5310","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3000313-721ebd1892410665f9866d1ef4f431cd/thumbnail_3045000.jpg","/articles/6603381/Encinitas/San-Diego-County/California/Encinitas-Parks-Commission-reviews-work-plan-updates-trails-pop-up-parks-Adventure-Lab-and-upcoming-events","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6603381-60a24f808e9744bdf11e03f2427cea60/orig.mp4?Expires=1771010652&Signature=aXZL0mTBX7-EOk7KS5DD9cCOKI9bxMhGDYcZNmbR0V7WuJDHQ6LmFgUsFVEI5T-WQ7diPXD4FlHmwm~gjqMZEDaqfQwJBGJ2~qtDUOGbtGNXGpkP~r5jh9dUnXOWNeOQ6fh4A6w-DP3-QA7542ZvHv~qf3l9LYTJOnY3mkGMuPq~J0g-v3KFKsec-FChbGP97oRl3cywPqLQfgjkePiXjjenzl44AoxBJByfd6jg-xkAfX6TvJGBKdy2L8k48pjqvbywBlHCcJD6JEa4Mfp8C9HnR5~y04DVci~uHXhsZP-nNACN37fTdyVuITPZ0MYamkfftV-mYyqTW2MB31EL4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Encinitas Parks and Recreation Commission used its April 15 meeting to review progress on work-plan items including trails mapping, pop-up parks at city events, the Encinitas project branding and memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the city, and outreach for outdoor adult fitness equipment.

Commissioners reported progress on a range of small programs and community events intended to increase public engagement and complete long-running projects. Vice Chair Evertz and other commissioners said the commission will begin scheduling guest speakers and tours this year; Commissioner Kimball said a recreation tour and park tour are expected in coming months.

Manager Hamer, Recreation Services, summarized community events and recent outreach. She said Arbor Day drew approximately 400 participants and the commission's pop-up park received substantial use. The city's Adventure Lab program produced 137 completed locations; staff obtained a sponsored credit to run an Adventure Lab at the May Cyclovia event (May 18) and plan to include a pop-up park and a youth-commission bike-valet. Hamer also listed upcoming events: the spring egg hunt on April 19, a movie night (Moana 2) on May 3, and Cyclovia on May 18. She said the summer recreation guide is in production and registration for summer programs begins May 12.

On trails, commissioners reported they photographed and narrated favorite routes for the city's \"outer spatial\" app to help residents find trails and trail details. Manager Norgard said staff will compile the commissioners' narratives and add them as content to the mapping app.

Other work-plan items reported:
- Encinitas project: commissioners said a logo and draft website are underway and the commission is awaiting a city MOU to present to city council before moving to fundraising.
- Harbor/Seaside Parkway development: the CARTA Foundation is close to launching its website and fundraising; commissioners hope for an update next winter.
- Outdoor adult fitness equipment: commissioners said the city is progressing toward construction documents and possible spring 2026 installation.
- Pollinator garden: an ad hoc group will meet with proponents; staff may attend.
- Scott Valley mosaic: installation delayed after some custom pieces were missing; contractor will install the remainder once fabricated.

Commissioners and staff also discussed public-feedback mechanics for program content (e.g., the Adventure Lab and outer spatial app), distribution of printed guides, and volunteer support at events. Manager Hamer encouraged commissioners to attend upcoming events and to let staff know availability for volunteer assignments.

The commission agreed to continue advancing the items in the work plan and to report back at future meetings; no formal votes were taken on these items at the April 15 meeting.

","Commissioners heard updates on the parks work plan including trail narratives for the city's mapping app, pop-up parks and community events, progress on the Encinitas project and harbor planning, and plans for outdoor adult fitness equipment and pollinator garden meetings.","actionData","errors"]

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Encinitas commission approves playground replacement designs for Glen, Orpheus and Wiro parks

Encinitas Parks Commission reviews work plan updates: trails, pop-up parks, Adventure Lab and upcoming events