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Encinitas Project outlines fundraising plan; council approves Parks & Recreation work plan and asks for skate/volley/surf study
Summary
The Encinitas Project, a newly rebranded 501(c)(3) fundraising for parks, arts and recreation, presented to council; the council approved the Parks & Recreation Commission’s work plan and directed staff to study surf, skate and volleyball facility opportunities including Moonlight Bowl.
A nonprofit that rebranded itself as the Encinitas Project presented to the City Council on May 21 and asked for a memorandum of understanding to formalize fundraising support for Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts (PRCA) projects. Later the council unanimously approved the Parks & Recreation Commission’s annual work plan with added direction to study surf, volleyball and skate opportunities, including the Moonlight Bowl.
Ross Ritter, president of the Encinitas Project, told the council the organization is a 501(c)(3) in good standing (formerly Patrons of Encinitas Parks/PEP) and plans to fundraise for PRCA initiatives exclusively at the department’s request. Ritter said the group will seek donations, grants, corporate sponsorships and sustaining memberships and urged a formal MOU to define roles, access to city resources and financial transparency.
Several residents raised concerns during public comment about perceived exclusivity and the precedent of embedding a nonprofit in a commission work plan. Farhad Mahmoudi, a board member, clarified during public comment that the Encinitas Project is not asking for exclusivity and that any fundraising would be done at PRCA’s direction.
The nut graf: Councilmembers and staff agreed the appropriate path is an MOU that defines roles, indemnification, staff access and reporting. Council did not add the Encinitas Project to the work plan that night, but directed staff to follow the standard MOU process used with other nonprofit partners.
Separately, council considered and approved the Parks & Recreation Commission’s 2025–26 work plan. The adopted plan covers administrative outreach, special projects (trail assessments, an AC pipe replacement plan, pop‑up parks) and recreation services marketing. Councilmembers directed the commission to add study work to evaluate surf, skate and volleyball facilities (including Moonlight Bowl) and to coordinate with the Mobility and Traffic Safety Commission on safe access routes for youth and visitors.
Why it matters: The Encinitas Project’s stated focus — fundraising only for PRCA programs requested by the city — would create a more formal partner for fundraising and advocacy if an MOU is approved. Council’s direction to evaluate surf/volleyball/skate facilities responds to community interest and could shape future capital or privately funded projects.
Next steps: Staff will work with the Encinitas Project and the PRCA director on an MOU framework if the nonprofit pursues a formal partnership. The Parks & Recreation Commission will add the surf/volleyball/skate evaluation to its work plan and coordinate with the Mobility and Traffic Safety Commission as requested.
