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Commissioners push for better outreach and scheduling clarity; batting cages, survey and field allocations discussed
Summary
Commissioners discussed a new parks survey, plans to update batting‑cage hardware, and scheduling conflicts between youth leagues, travel teams and facility staffing. The commission requested better calendar processes and outreach to capture broader resident feedback.
Commissioners used the April 10 meeting to press staff for clearer field scheduling policies, to discuss the status of the batting cages and to review the department’s community survey rollout.
Recreation staff said the department published a community survey about park improvements and will keep it open through May 1; staff also said paper and QR‑code survey options will be available at the sports center and at events to reach users without smartphone access. “In 24 hours, they’ve got 22 surveys back already,” staff said, noting the survey invites residents to prioritize park amenities and list the top three improvements they want.
Commissioners and staff discussed outreach strategies and incentives to increase participation—examples included offering a coupon or a small on‑site incentive for completing the survey and placing QR codes at events. Staff said they will add the survey link to social media, the department brochure and on printed materials at events and facilities.
On batting cages, staff reported the department has been working with vendor 205 and that operators are evaluating replacement machines and moving from coins to a card system to address frequent malfunctions. Commissioners asked staff to continue following up until the cage machines are reliable.
Several commissioners raised scheduling complaints from long‑standing local organizations. Staff explained the department prioritizes city‑run programs and registered youth leagues, then partner nonprofits, tournament play and travel teams in that order, and that CIF rules limit high school players from simultaneous travel play during high school season. Staff said some scheduling conflicts resulted from turnover and staffing shortages but that quarterly partner meetings and updated calendars are being used to reduce future conflicts.
The commission voted to receive and file the update and asked staff to provide the scheduling calendar and to share the survey questions and distribution plan.
