[{"_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",6586170,"mediaKeyId","5550283-4dfda1daa61fc11527897e63684f8a0f","parentId",5550283,"title","Residents, players urge Lake Forest to address drop in adult softball and unpermitted programs at public parks","audioSeconds",1317,"startMs",2243000,"endMs",3560000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5550283-4dfda1daa61fc11527897e63684f8a0f&start=2243&end=3560","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5550283-4dfda1daa61fc11527897e63684f8a0f/thumbnail_2243000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6586170/Lake-Forest-City/Orange-County/California/Residents-players-urge-Lake-Forest-to-address-drop-in-adult-softball-and-unpermitted-programs-at-public-parks","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586170-af5e99b14568fddba2ac35232ca64e06/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143908&Signature=WOY-gZJdyaDEonJ8WxPoZ816CGAGUSgZdzxBE2U8Omsl3HM7zFirFkiRMPkdhF8GFq0kDBCeWOTzI2pJHSeHYV1MkSbsZomRgYAOvdfGBxM3aCFkZ5TVFYArosZjriCpSbyv9re2MadQhcEPBg8fhf6leasJzvVQhMdnmmg4jFnCz~nBDsCyb1r3PleVJP99jqDyd6NKvxStzfvnqJLQ~JgIjW45U09oAvFwmG~KHH2uRLoxY4~ALklPVLJ3NaY6Gca0DdiJLpq2gHxzeOFmRhFFU~axmxhNAMalrQoSuTysLxpkr2hQ59S5kKB71rOasCUFiRiBiYZWMd8H0O~dYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Lake Forest, CA","date","2025-08-07T15:06:08Z","article","A resident and league player on Aug. 6 urged Lake Forest City staff to convene stakeholders to address a drop in adult softball participation and the rise of organized but unpermitted programs using public parks.

\"I did form a social media group called the Lake Forest Adult Softball,\" longtime resident Sean Fletcher told the Community Services Commission. Fletcher said his online outreach and in-person contacts show many teams moved to neighboring cities such as Irvine, citing management and league-organization concerns. He asked the city to consider a stakeholders meeting so players, league organizers and staff can discuss restoring participation.

Fletcher also raised a separate complaint (ALF ticket 2808129) about simultaneous activities at Tamarisk Park — a youth basketball program he said lacked a permit, a youth football program (reported later as Saddleback Valley Cowboys) and baseball practices — which he said created parking congestion and field-use conflicts near the San Remo Recreation Center. \"For that reason, the city should not be having multiple programs running at the same time at a community park,\" Fletcher said.

Deputy City Manager McGovern told the commission staff will look into Fletcher’s report and provide follow-up by email within a few weeks. McGovern said the city and field ambassadors sometimes address unauthorized uses of public fields but acknowledged staff needs to investigate specific claims of an organized, unpermitted basketball program. \"We can look into that ... happy to look into it and then we can report back to the commission,\" McGovern said.

McGovern also announced the city has parted ways with the sports-park security contractor and will reprocure security services. \"We have parted ways with the security contractor at the sports park,\" he said, adding the city council’s newly approved strategic plan funded citywide park security. While staff seek a new contractor, McGovern said the sheriff’s deputies will have increased weekend presence at the sports park.

Commissioners and other speakers who play or organize adult sports supported outreach. Commissioner Misha Fuentes, who said she now plays in Irvine, recommended more league tiers to attract less-competitive teams. Several commissioners said staff should investigate permit compliance and consider more marketing for local leagues.

Why it matters: Adult-league facility demand and unauthorized organized use of parks affect field availability, resident parking, upkeep and revenue from field rentals. Staff signaled they will investigate the specific Tamarisk Park complaint, pursue enforcement where appropriate and report findings to the commission.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Community Services Commission Regular Meeting - August 6, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A resident and league player on Aug. 6 urged Lake Forest City staff to convene stakeholders to address a drop in adult softball participation and the rise of organized but unpermitted programs using public parks.","taxTitle","Lake Forest City, Orange County, California","taxId",4518,"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},6586175,"Lake Forest outlines $36 million CIP for 70 projects; 36 projects complete, major street and park work underway",502,954000,1456000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5550283-4dfda1daa61fc11527897e63684f8a0f&start=954&end=1456","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5550283-4dfda1daa61fc11527897e63684f8a0f/thumbnail_954000.jpg","/articles/6586175/Lake-Forest-City/Orange-County/California/Lake-Forest-outlines-36-million-CIP-for-70-projects-36-projects-complete-major-street-and-park-work-underway","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586175-0024a188840b6e82531af0b67a6c5d58/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143908&Signature=BrPrwdmmYmdJdh5P8SUIdxCS0SACFu-SoOWbwSsyxNHt-yg50SmkqIdRgHI4lsaJDqqH5SptvxPEKbDUqDuAmtjKOWVtBdCrdiNfiC8Dq6hs~0YxoXexrKbaP6USuAMdXNOvFRL9cAgg~Fl~Axzb7LqpicFs6h8YVtvylBFF~BTdugb6m2ncVoKa~HzHf-dUkIF-yP2xBZyEOTAarjzqesfst1HUDTxNXCXcUjjJJ8Pe46U9QE~GxhFVwNFfcRCgESfEhqCz5S6DTMeSNic79kkBeV1PgIeFH9npqvHdNoV3WWLaKM3PiiQyGidqdN~Ov04PuD2pWbAWXawcVGwFow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Naz McCormick, the city’s capital improvement program manager, told the Community Services Commission on Aug. 6 that the 2024–25 CIP includes 70 projects with a total budget of about $36 million and that 36 projects — roughly $20 million worth of work — are complete.

\"The 2325 CIP includes 70 projects with a total budget of 36,000,000,\" McCormick told the commission. Completed projects listed in the presentation included the Alton Traffic Signal Synchronization Program, conference-room upgrades on the civic campus, a shade-structure renovation at Pittsburg Park, and multiple park court resealings and re-stripings that now accommodate pickleball. A fourth phase of audible pedestrian signal upgrades (CDBG-funded) added ADA-accessible crosswalk buttons at 18 intersections, McCormick said.

Projects substantially complete or in construction include a Zone D asphalt repairs program with a full-length overlay of Kenyatta Road from Lake Forest Drive to Dimension Drive; citywide street-name-sign replacement (awaiting final paperwork); Baker Ranch turf replacement; and the El Toro irrigation conservation project (staff pursuing grant reimbursements). Transportation mitigation funds are being used to improve three intersections, with Geronimo widening at Lake Forest Drive largely finished and work continuing at Rancho Parkway and Lake Forest Drive; crews will later move to Rockville Boulevard and Los Felizos Boulevard, McCormick said.

Several park projects are active: Normandale Open Space renovations (landscaping and fence installation), Heroes Park sports-field renovations and lighting (waiting on an electrical cabinet and additional fixtures), and citywide restroom renovations where painting is done and fixtures await installation. The Lake Forest Sports Park’s synthetic turf replacement is complete, and other park work — including pickleball-court installations and a box-lacrosse ring at Foothill Ranch — is moving toward construction.

McCormick said four El Toro Road projects between Geronimo and Trabuco are being bundled into a single construction contract to reduce disruption; awards are scheduled for September. The presentation summarized program status: 36 completed, 16 in construction, five in preconstruction, nine in design and four in predesign.

Kavanaugh Park outreach and timeline: Deputy City Manager McGovern and staff explained that Kavanaugh Park is in predesign and that the first community outreach meeting is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 6, with a follow-up presentation of a draft concept plan in mid-to-late October. McGovern said the project is expected to return to the commission for comment in December or January, depending on the pace of outreach and consultant work. McCormick emphasized that Kavanaugh is expected to be a larger reconstruction effort rather than a minor facelift.

Security, staffing and revenue: Deputy City Manager McGovern told the commission the city has parted ways with the sports-park security contractor and will reprocure security services under a newly funded citywide park-security item in the strategic plan. While the city seeks a new contractor, McGovern said the sheriff’s department will have increased weekend presence at the sports park and that staff will ask the new contractor to provide encounter/incident statistics for reporting to the commission. McGovern also said program revenue for fiscal year 2024–25 exceeded projections and staff are finalizing expense reporting; the commission will receive a revenue-to-expense breakdown at a future meeting.

Website and other notes: McGovern said the city’s new website will launch on Aug. 18 and will consolidate information such as where to play pickleball (lakeforestca.gov/pickleball). He also said the protective permissive left-turn design is on hold pending evaluation of traffic-signal work, and that several neighborhood park improvements are being scoped for design.

Why it matters: The CIP update lays out near-term construction and closeout timelines for streets, intersections and parks that affect resident travel, field availability and neighborhood character. The planned Kavanaugh Park outreach marks the start of a major neighborhood design effort.","City staff presented the capital improvement program (CIP) update: 70 projects totaling $36 million in the 2024–25 CIP, with 36 completed (about $20 million invested); 16 projects are in construction, several park renovations and road overlays are underway, and outreach on a major Kavanaugh Park redesign will begin in September.",{"_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},6586180,"Lake Forest to sell engraved bricks at Veterans Park; $100 per brick, applications due Sept. 30",128,598000,726000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5550283-4dfda1daa61fc11527897e63684f8a0f&start=598&end=726","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5550283-4dfda1daa61fc11527897e63684f8a0f/thumbnail_598000.jpg","/articles/6586180/Lake-Forest-City/Orange-County/California/Lake-Forest-to-sell-engraved-bricks-at-Veterans-Park-100-per-brick-applications-due-Sept-30","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586180-19710081b77a82589291bc067783ed80/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143908&Signature=B9PMYIBouu-aaoJA-wMt~bozzzIKaKuN4iutAi7hWrwNkOQmP02eJqq2CG42cEX7AnTzfZ4~YiP7bbfKS4ewZfcOwiEzHHlLkkPMr6BHbV3KwymX9hgjxYvkFGXz~n2cSQYkkYSNcxN707IViBoPHeggK9AyiKh4l~Ds83F1SZW5-0~JN5uymNmB8g4BEZcycoNhz55hUMDZbXFiLuVyhGqvhyd~TgLX9neaV4Oy0p6iTc7ALO5E1f2NT-FGBPgQJW97KyqH-btg~r3PRMLabzlrBybllexeP0DZKA22EH~LQJT80v9OJ2DOvitu2vqX7aYpg7I6i-iMxYvU-RtSeg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lake Forest City on Aug. 6 presented details of a Veterans Park memorial brick program that will allow residents to purchase engraved bricks to honor past and current military service members.

Management assistant Peggy Samantha said the brick program is an initiative in the city’s five-year strategic plan and funds were set aside for fiscal year 2025–26. \"Each brick costs $100 which includes the engraving and installation of the brick in the park,\" Samantha said. Bricks measure 4 inches by 8 inches and are limited to three lines with 18 characters per line, including spaces.

Samantha said the city plans an initial installation around the base of a tree by the park monuments; the project can expand into the monuments area if demand requires. The approved timeline calls for the city’s new website to launch Aug. 18; residents will be able to complete an online application and pay through that site. Because this is the program’s first year, the city set a Sept. 30 deadline for orders and payments to allow time for engraving and installation.

After installation staff will notify participants and the city plans a ceremony around Veterans Day 2025; participants will receive a certificate signed by the city council, Samantha said. Commissioners asked capacity questions; Samantha estimated the initial ring of bricks around the tree can hold about 50 bricks before the city expands placement to the monuments area.

Why it matters: The program offers a way for residents to contribute a modest, one-time fee to honor service members and fund a lasting monument element in Veterans Park. The program also requires staff time for order processing, engraving coordination and installation ahead of the Nov. event.

How to order: Samantha said residents should visit the city website when it launches Aug. 18 for the application and payment details. The city will contact residents who have already inquired when the site goes live.","City staff described a new Veterans Park memorial brick program: 4x8 engraved bricks at $100 each, limited to three 18-character lines; city website will accept orders when a new site launches Aug. 18 and installations are planned around Veterans Day 2025.",{"_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},6586185,"Lake Forest highlights volunteer park-inspection program; city seeks more participants",190,62000,252000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5550283-4dfda1daa61fc11527897e63684f8a0f&start=62&end=252","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5550283-4dfda1daa61fc11527897e63684f8a0f/thumbnail_62000.jpg","/articles/6586185/Lake-Forest-City/Orange-County/California/Lake-Forest-highlights-volunteer-park-inspection-program-city-seeks-more-participants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586185-625eb7b23334a4e211b1a9de28e8af9e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143908&Signature=Y6-ViOGowA23YHuN7M~BYti9ebxXfVGYFQ8MzSJXmqL65U5M~fcQpPHsF9OcsVFq1WCU~LnLhP81bkxyIRy9~10TBeoqSQV3cAmUG3VlUXRFcPqZ-G7MhtkcXsPgHrnzU625~TJm9KKVbnaZU0EfqxLD2cPKGufpG3PjtZxBl1cojeFVy2M8i6LyjqOTtesmO5XFLdhYqWwu~lwkXCobuiC9S54hCazFDD7bVpQYbqHozDSBy0iKJak5faBVl~70W2~gChfP~YaZwsRMZs9NpW7HiF51cpdCtVB-rRfoKXS~GiZhQPi4jxAuMSLk79Uz2tiBNSh85cG7NBHxMyWEnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lake Forest City officials on Aug. 6 told the Community Services Commission that the Volunteers in Parks (VIP) program, created after a 2020 council directive and started in August 2021, now has 18 volunteer inspectors covering the city’s 31 parks.

Management assistant Peggy Samantha told commissioners the VIP program assigns residents to inspect one park (volunteers may take on additional parks) on a quarterly basis and uses a digital form to collect a 1-to-5 condition rating for landscaping, gazebos, restrooms and other amenities. \"We currently have 18 volunteers that inspect 31 parks,\" Samantha said.

The city maintains nearly 300 acres of parks, Samantha said, including nine sports parks such as Lake Forest Sports Park and 22 passive parks. Volunteers receive initial training from landscape administrators, are expected to commit for one year for consistency and are asked to use a mobile device to complete inspections and upload photos. Completed forms are routed automatically to staff; volunteers are instructed to email staff directly for urgent problems.

Commissioners and volunteers in the meeting praised the program’s work. Volunteer Loretta Herron described the experience as educational and said VIPs track detailed park information: \"They count every tree in our parks. Let me keep track of I feel like every ounce of water that we spend on, you know, all of our parks,\" she said. Commissioners asked about gaps in coverage; Samantha said the city maintains an interest list and will place residents as vacancies arise.

Why it matters: The VIP program supplements city inspections by providing regular, neighborhood-level monitoring that helps staff spot vandalism, irrigation problems and other maintenance needs earlier. Samantha told the commission graffiti in restrooms and irrigation breaks are among the issues most commonly reported by volunteers.

How to participate: Samantha said volunteers should complete the adult volunteer application on the city website and that the city mails the inspection form link quarterly. Volunteers are recognized annually by the city council and are invited to two dinners a year to discuss topics such as landscaping, water conservation and safety.

Commissioners noted the program’s flexibility for working residents — inspections can be done on weekends or at times convenient to volunteers — and encouraged outreach to increase participation.

The presentation closed with Samantha offering to take contact information for residents interested in being placed on the VIP preference list.","City staff told the Community Services Commission that the Volunteers in Parks (VIP) program, launched in 2021, has 18 residents inspecting 31 parks quarterly and seeks more volunteers; inspectors use a digital 1-to-5 condition rating and staff are notified automatically of urgent issues.",{"_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},6586164,"Commission approves consent calendar items 4–6 unanimously",681,2635000,3316000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5550283-4dfda1daa61fc11527897e63684f8a0f&start=2635&end=3316","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5550283-4dfda1daa61fc11527897e63684f8a0f/thumbnail_2635000.jpg","/articles/6586164/Lake-Forest-City/Orange-County/California/Commission-approves-consent-calendar-items-46-unanimously","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586164-91849628a2127abeb0d5c919eac43c8f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143908&Signature=NotO0yuWczeFKuPLrq0a5mRoKG7~6mBAVXjz4-Mygg6L22rA8QGSoW9jcElDU~4x5BBeP0gYYJ60WWy0khK7d6Q0g9oHUaLheOXiDhHUC9sbPKGAFHdrVgIr5JxfSSgScnV2cMdKzKhYCtpg~n3UAmjGhrSQLgnANZnhRQDf5F-HHP4QjTqFx8YWFSoY30x7qujWnGMYx0sg37qGKVj-G1KOFVU2ag18W06DCw53q6e1~UldkYF-R8MFcugfiLcvVJQZ4EM5-C5giW0OIoll-I3rSceORbhSrgEooaJiMbu-gSbBP5wwTdfbY5LKLCQWihNeSKIWDGiuFb06EKQNaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lake Forest City Community Services Commission on Aug. 6 approved items on the meeting’s consent calendar in two votes.

Commissioners voted unanimously to approve consent calendar items 4 and 6 after a motion to move them forward. The commission later took a separate vote on item 5 following public comment and approved item 5 unanimously as well.

The commission’s consent roll-call votes closed out the routine administrative items on the agenda. Staff noted there was one speaker associated with item 5 (referenced during the meeting) and that item was handled separately before the vote.

Why it matters: Approval of consent-calendar items completes routine administrative approvals and allows staff to proceed with standard actions and contract closeouts listed in the consent materials.","The Community Services Commission voted unanimously to approve consent calendar items 4 and 6 together and then approved item 5 separately; staff noted there was a speaker on item 5 and the commission handled that item after public comment.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents, players urge Lake Forest to address drop in adult softball and unpermitted programs at public parks

Lake Forest outlines $36 million CIP for 70 projects; 36 projects complete, major street and park work underway

Lake Forest to sell engraved bricks at Veterans Park; $100 per brick, applications due Sept. 30

Lake Forest highlights volunteer park-inspection program; city seeks more participants

Commission approves consent calendar items 4–6 unanimously