[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6528257,"mediaKeyId","3411649-639178b09eab4408dc33ae360ffa7330","parentId",3411649,"title","Parks department reports summer registration surge, new AEDs and launch of Age Friendly initiative","audioSeconds",165,"startMs",4311000,"endMs",4476000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3411649-639178b09eab4408dc33ae360ffa7330&start=4311&end=4476","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3411649-639178b09eab4408dc33ae360ffa7330/thumbnail_4311000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6528257/Encinitas/San-Diego-County/California/Parks-department-reports-summer-registration-surge-new-AEDs-and-launch-of-Age-Friendly-initiative","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528257-e9df95dea6bb4ba0f7f57d0019219cdd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156228&Signature=MZitq24kJJcr55GTQO1WmppFkn2BuVpVi6~y5EEgpmrLDgglfVQ-nwRbuKzRqBaCsKdD4RzFEHWUMKlWDazL3Eo4H~ZL1zUsx2BCEH0BqrYft7G8wmuKNP5TkmA2RdBs2KqJXyLut~MURRBHuiuua1ByfkUtuS9v~rFCshnChmTASei7x1I3noTkdXOUquWou8nFkmETd4wqstC-de14zw62U3HTff2UbQ3BFyyEFY6CMa6urDv9hcxY89btb0guf0r274LEgd0OpdCYWKElijzYiOx~IfCXFLgP7woPr4GavVaoo826IvJYoTtg2KcZI9LvI41aF~r-6NmE5C5wdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Encinitas","date","2025-05-20T00:00:00Z","article","The city’s Recreation Services division told the Parks and Recreation Commission on May 20 that summer program enrollment opened with higher-than-usual demand and that the department is launching new health and aging initiatives.

Margaret Hamer, Recreation Services manager, said summer registration opened May 12 and saw an 18% increase in overall enrollment on the first day, and an increase of more than 100% in sports enrollment that staff attributed in part to new and expanded pickleball classes. Hamer said classes were added to meet “interest and requests from our passionate pickleball players.”

Hamer also said staff estimated Cyclovia attendance at “over 5,000 people,” with final numbers to be confirmed later in the week.

On health and safety, Hamer announced automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are now installed at Leo Mullen Park, Encinitas Community Park and Carta Park; the units are stored in locked boxes accessible by 911 dispatchers who provide the access code in an emergency.

Hamer outlined the Age Friendly Encinitas initiative, funded by the San Diego Foundation and overseen by San Diego State University’s Center for Excellence in Aging and Longevity. The project will develop an action plan for making city programs and spaces more accessible to older adults; a public survey will launch Monday, June 2.

Hamer said the city also expanded Art in the Park workshops for veterans, active-duty military families and caregivers and noted ongoing staff support for community events such as Cyclovia.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Encinitas Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting 5/20/25","oneSentenceSummary","Recreation Services reported an 18% increase in first-day summer registrations and over a 100% increase in sports enrollment, cited pickleball demand, announced AED installations at three parks, and introduced a San Diego Foundation–funded Age Friendly Encinitas initiative with a June 2 survey.","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},6528262,"City schedules Wairo Park input meeting, Scott Valley ribbon-cutting and D Street bracket repairs",78,4051000,4129000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3411649-639178b09eab4408dc33ae360ffa7330&start=4051&end=4129","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3411649-639178b09eab4408dc33ae360ffa7330/thumbnail_4051000.jpg","/articles/6528262/Encinitas/San-Diego-County/California/City-schedules-Wairo-Park-input-meeting-Scott-Valley-ribbon-cutting-and-D-Street-bracket-repairs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528262-3426855baee084abf6ef80f28dee56ce/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156228&Signature=LMmD74OAfRFNkA2gyJNjObTg~jKddL~Bx82dz6lSV~jWY7yrBoVEdVwtvsEEdvS3Sy01-t-cP2YPIcg1Eseu5F5vGPMIM598yYCTt74bumZHbJ2hoC4ddRzuBvhaR9V4Uz7LKUOTJ-ITtmzdWpFcyWFhdXK2E0lmf8qTBBJWBOmQHTaEzSuD18apVy-UjuXTqo0oHwzZR3DXY0U~-OLzaLjRVrES8T4I0~rCzJKur5RsvrwvrLExUETFjUOUmoG5Z7dPkbdjkkk7-YaPGHZ~w~TiTLjSDL9J2rxQOoXLiDJAT1Lx9bgryDbmX0e2eRgmm9gT3OJ--Nx-qJFlEiFyqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City parks staff told the Parks and Recreation Commission on May 20 that work is progressing on several park projects and that the public will have opportunities for input.

Andrew Norgaard, parks operations manager, said the engineering and cultural arts departments will host a community input meeting at Wairo Park on May 29 at 6 p.m. to present updated playground design concepts and gather neighborhood feedback. He described the meeting as informal and said designers will show updated concepts the public can review.

Norgaard also announced a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the substantially complete Scott Valley Park project on May 31 at 11 a.m. He said the fence remains to allow new landscaping to establish and that the project is otherwise substantially complete.

On D Street, Norgaard said a contractor selected a fabricator for bracket replacements; shop drawings are under review and, once approved, fabrication will begin. The contractor will mobilize and then will have 60 working days to complete the bracket replacement work once fabrication is finished.

Commissioners asked about local funding for park maintenance. Norgaard explained that landscape lighting districts (LLDs) in neighborhoods fund maintenance items such as lighting and landscape care but “those fees cover things like maintenance. They don't include creating a capital fund to replace playground equipment,” he said, adding that a recent grant made the playground replacement possible.

Staff said they will send meeting and ribbon-cutting details to commissioners so they can place events on their calendars.","Parks staff announced a community input meeting May 29 for the Wairo Park playground replacement, a Scott Valley Park ribbon-cutting May 31 and progress on D Street bracket replacement with a 60 working-day timeline after fabrication approval.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6528267,"Commission praises Pop Up Parks at Cyclovia, recommends changes to prevent lost equipment and boost outreach",495,2471000,2966000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3411649-639178b09eab4408dc33ae360ffa7330&start=2471&end=2966","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3411649-639178b09eab4408dc33ae360ffa7330/thumbnail_2471000.jpg","/articles/6528267/Encinitas/San-Diego-County/California/Commission-praises-Pop-Up-Parks-at-Cyclovia-recommends-changes-to-prevent-lost-equipment-and-boost-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528267-2465a6c5103d15dddd0293b3550f2f07/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156228&Signature=I8AesO3oYP2XO396wCb4LxOtUCZ3eTavkVmpbaGMb2R3bdZyXks-io3yAIw61Y7gOSagunE-sdZ0Pic8DntAxnDAXkAXEnBKJuKsVVXrYb6ooK8PqtBkzECkJZLN38iVLiwjtJg-bJmtHfOC9rVSSqUmCPSl-0Rbk66oNnqZM93m-8W6XM7S7Qh4Vk7DqwiXYM1h~Gy26YxLJMeCAQLHUpT2XSu42hMCxs~xlX1T7l-CYJjfiW-VEcYYfkiyelOT0W~ULW8u~0bw-IagbhQOYIcAC3hzUQ3Be3vxGmGlEz3VnP23D3mtG4twzWZx0Y7czjB3LweDCV9QjngDj2PpFQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioners who staffed the Parks & Recreation pop-up park at the city’s recent Cyclovia reported high participation, family engagement and operational lessons on May 20.

Vice Chair Evers, who led much of the report, said the pop-up park — the commission’s largest of the year — drew strong interaction between parents and children and included activities such as Connect 4, hula hoops and axe throwing. “When you look out and you see parents playing with their kids, kids playing with other kids, and you just see really the community coming together, it really gives you a nice, warm feeling,” Evers said.

Commissioners offered several practical takeaways to improve future events: add more circular hula hoops to replace worn sets; place temporary orange netting over storm drains during events to prevent lost pickleballs; plan staff and volunteer hours carefully (Evers said it took four people about one hour to set up and 40 minutes to tear down); and recruit more volunteers to manage popular activities.

Staff also noted the pop-up park served as an effective outreach point to hand out trail maps and program materials; several commissioners suggested using the setting to promote seasonal programs, volunteer sign-ups or QR codes for city resources.

Commissioners raised a promotional question: the pop-up park was listed on Cyclovia’s site map, but Evers said he would like Parks & Rec to be credited more prominently in event promotions going forward. Staff confirmed Parks & Rec works with special events divisions and other commissions on Cyclovia, and said they will explore options for better recognition and focused outreach at future events.

The discussion included operational details: organizers lost several pickleballs (one recovered), and staff suggested placing drain covers or other temporary measures during Cyclovia. Commissioners also recommended maintaining the success factors — simple games and family-friendly equipment — in future pop-up parks.","Commissioners described strong public engagement at the May Cyclovia pop-up park, recommended keeping hula hoops in future kits, suggested netting for storm drains to recover balls, and asked staff to promote Parks & Rec more prominently in event materials.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6528269,"Former community-center employee alleges unfair termination in public comment",172,1318000,1490000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3411649-639178b09eab4408dc33ae360ffa7330&start=1318&end=1490","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3411649-639178b09eab4408dc33ae360ffa7330/thumbnail_1318000.jpg","/articles/6528269/Encinitas/San-Diego-County/California/Former-community-center-employee-alleges-unfair-termination-in-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528269-f3ef3423f0d5d595d9cc5376a24ce075/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156228&Signature=n3nnwp2lk9KkAq7JnB22E~Nd0XUytmUlzIm7Q07IaOQlpvVaTgDh-djBTfhetNvRiNYf~OGZvIV5fXhZiQbaPlXNxCsF8s7CC3~g4fwVKs90Xsmb0cg7mef8zlT-pD1RVHM3YmLyD7uIzk7ArvqGYnAeJZ~UxB1FUfRclCT4VpY2z05cnOKV94B7Zs1xSP4rOFcoau1nPYG9j4nAxurf6e07xYvUjUnJffYfj6-WGjmZL~W83mjacZtW9gZL0iWOyXD5nMHroIVLK0gCT7wrL--qtkzSUWJsOQcnpF46i~vpnlOADmZAx3vYo3R1p1IgW7NTp~27zdpJIPYpLfsiMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A former Encinitas Community Center employee told the Parks and Recreation Commission on May 20 that he was terminated and said he believes the action was based on false accusations and “a toxic environment.”

Alex Parsa, who identified himself as an Encinitas resident and former center employee, said he started at the community center in November 2022 and said he was terminated after an incident he dated to Jan. 22, 2024. “I was ostracized from our Encinitas Community Center, a place I've used for five years, based on what I believe are false pretenses and a toxic environment created by a certain individual in management,” Parsa said.

Parsa told the commission he asked a coworker about that coworker’s relationship with another employee; he said the coworker later complained to management and that his contract was terminated “the next day by Margaret Hamer.” Parsa said he was “never given an explanation or opportunity to share my side of the story despite reaching out to management as well as HR officials for the city.” He also made allegations about the manager’s prior actions at other community centers.

The commission received Parsa’s remarks as part of the public comment period; commissioners did not take formal action on the matter during the meeting. Chair Ross Ritter thanked Parsa for his comments and moved on to the agenda.

The allegations reported by Parsa were presented to the commission as his account. The commission did not provide an on-the-record response during the meeting, and the city’s HR or the Recreation Services office did not make statements on the record at the meeting about Parsa’s claims.","At the Encinitas Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, resident Alex Parsa said he was terminated from the Encinitas Community Center and alleged staff and HR did not give him a chance to respond; he named a manager in his remarks, which the commission received as public comment.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6528272,"EcoFest organizers ask Encinitas Parks and Rec to promote June 1 event, seek volunteers",583,169000,752000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3411649-639178b09eab4408dc33ae360ffa7330&start=169&end=752","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3411649-639178b09eab4408dc33ae360ffa7330/thumbnail_169000.jpg","/articles/6528272/Encinitas/San-Diego-County/California/EcoFest-organizers-ask-Encinitas-Parks-and-Rec-to-promote-June-1-event-seek-volunteers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528272-d086c8e1602e90729f21938a35440092/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156228&Signature=VfA5LrftJ-bYRtSa2CJKBUt-glj4BUp6Lc26VxrACAr0t-keyF0WUkZIdkSQavw6C2ofRdoR8hoL3vogZbZDMrtOEl8HvHptI9vUe-cikmrOGBpmr~Y9Ckok-nNKh2QyYBAdOdDZ1dgSAmRi5xPYwEW1Ick8ocqsV-mNzj61xGjlPGo1emjm5iby~3N9mIyN8jMT1YW~2SVMsMEReXfwc8J18ZK6bgJgonD1pPILZ8W232XQ~qg0KEDtJINUNcXGphKR0LSgtD~z5UTstf25ofsFn~mmIKA4eaGircshU-rK55tfJ6Q~xiejbokDa~~irbDpBjEhE3GZWKfDfAgHXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","EcoFest Encinitas will move to Encinitas Community Park for a one-day environmental festival on Sunday, June 1, organizers told the Parks and Recreation Commission on May 20.

Leah Strelle, creative director of EcoFest Encinitas, said the free, family-friendly event will feature more than 70 exhibitors, a bike valet, electric vehicle demonstrations with test drives, children’s climate displays, a scavenger hunt, live music and a “libations lounge.” Strelle said the festival is “hosted by the city of Encinitas, sponsored by San Diego Community Power, EDCO, and Blue Eddy.”

The presentation matters because organizers asked the commission to increase its visibility at the event, and commissioners discussed whether Parks & Rec should staff a booth or encourage commissioners to volunteer as ambassadors.

Strelle said EcoFest aims to “showcase ongoing, friendly solutions by promoting healthy, green living practices,” and highlighted features planned for the Encinitas Community Park site, including a solar-powered stage and a shuttle for overflow parking. She also described a short ceremonial program at 1 p.m. featuring a traditional eagle dance.

Commissioners asked for logistical details. One commissioner asked where the fair will be positioned inside the park; Strelle described the layout as “more toward the ball fields” with the stage at the south end. Commissioners also asked about volunteer sign-up and whether Parks & Rec would have a staffed booth. Staff explained that EcoFest uses its own volunteer sign-up system (a sign-up genius) and that the event is not run through the city’s volunteer portal, though the city’s environmental department often coordinates with EcoFest and could potentially share space.

Commissioners and staff discussed practical items if the commission helps at the festival — wearing commission shirts as visibility, sign-up logistics and whether a Parks & Rec booth would be budgeted (staff said historically the department has not budgeted to pay booth fees). Strelle invited commissioners to volunteer and noted organizers remain concerned about volunteer staffing post-pandemic.

Strelle closed by asking the commission to consider placing EcoFest on the city calendar and in the recreation guide and said the festival strives to be zero waste.

Looking ahead, staff and interested commissioners said they will follow up offline to determine whether the commission will staff a booth or provide volunteer ambassadors at EcoFest.","Leah Strelle, creative director of EcoFest Encinitas, briefed the Parks and Recreation Commission on the festival’s move to Encinitas Community Park on June 1, described activities and sponsors, and asked the commission to consider a presence or volunteer support.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Parks department reports summer registration surge, new AEDs and launch of Age Friendly initiative

City schedules Wairo Park input meeting, Scott Valley ribbon-cutting and D Street bracket repairs

Commission praises Pop Up Parks at Cyclovia, recommends changes to prevent lost equipment and boost outreach

Former community-center employee alleges unfair termination in public comment

EcoFest organizers ask Encinitas Parks and Rec to promote June 1 event, seek volunteers