Cardiff Sports Park lighting retrofit near complete; Scott Valley construction contract awarded

Parks operations staff reported several project updates to the Encinitas Parks and Recreation Commission, including near completion of an LED lighting retrofit at Cardiff Sports Park, an awarded construction contract for Scott Valley Park and ongoing native-plant demonstration garden work.

Manager Norgaard said the Cardiff Sports Park lighting retrofit—funded by a grant—has essentially finished, with only a short punch list and a few pedestrian lights left to replace. He said the Scott Valley Park construction contract has been awarded, the contractor has ordered equipment and the notice‑to‑proceed will set the contractor’s start date.

On habitat work, Norgaard told commissioners that staff will present a Habitat Stewardship Agreement to city council the next day, and that staff recommend awarding the contract for the next phase of stewardship and maintenance work to the San Diego Botanic Garden, which has performed related work since 2020.

A commissioner raised a separate issue in city council public comments about Bobby Riggs: staff said the facility is permitted for seven tennis courts but has been operating a larger number of pickleball courts and appears likely to be required to obtain a permit for that use.

Staff said the native plant demonstration garden is underway and that stakeholder outreach will continue with consultants and interested community members. No formal commission votes were taken on these informational items.