Laguna Hills Parks & Recreation Commission reviews Memorial Day, July 4 and summer kickoff reports; motions to file

The Laguna Hills Parks & Recreation Commission on Monday heard staff reports on three major summer events and unanimously moved to receive and file the reports.

Community services staff told the commission the city’s Memorial Day Half Marathon and Community Expo on May 26 drew what was reported as 878 runners in the 5K, 652 in the 10K and 583 in the half marathon, plus 62 kids in the kids run and 38 in a diaper dash. Staff said new road-closure plans and course changes — including routing runners along Paseo De Valencia, Alicia and onto the County Trail — improved safety by separating runners from vehicle traffic. Staff reported race revenues of $186,000 and expenses of just over $221,000; commissioners asked about an approximately $34,000 shortfall and staff attributed much of the overrun to higher barricade and meridian-closure costs compared with the prior year. A motion to "receive and file" the Memorial Day report passed.

Staff reported the city’s Fourth of July celebration at the sports complex drew an estimated 7,000 attendees and included family activities, live music by Anthem Road, a Grand Marshal appearance and an 18-minute fireworks display launched from Laguna Hills High School. Staff said final invoices were still pending and reported "an estimated cost of the event was around $1,103,000 and that is within our $108,000 budget," a statement made during the meeting (the commission did not resolve the apparent discrepancy during the discussion). Commissioners voted to accept the Fourth of July report.

The commission also heard from Jessica and other community services staff about a June 13 summer kickoff at the community-center soccer field that included booths from OCFA and OCSD, a helicopter flyover, bounce houses and an outdoor movie. Staff reported about 400 participants and listed expenditures "to date" as 1,989; staff said the event used the special events budget because it was not planned at the start of the fiscal year. Commissioners moved to file that report.

Staff also provided a broader update on summer programming: a concert series that included a kids entrepreneur market (about 40–50 child vendors), the remaining Symphony on the Go concert scheduled for Aug. 29 at Cabot Park, three movies-in-the-park dates (Aug. 8, Aug. 15 and Aug. 22 at city parks) and an outreach "popsicles in the park" program that visits every city park. Staff said popsicles events draw roughly 10 children on average and that the program is intended to increase neighborhood outreach.

Commissioners discussed a new "block party bucks" pilot program that will reimburse up to $700 per block party: $350 toward an encroachment permit and $350 for reimbursable costs such as food or supplies. Staff said four applications have been approved and the program budgeted to subsidize up to 10 block parties this year. Several commissioners recommended additional outreach to elementary schools and neighborhood signage to increase participation in youth-focused programs.

Commissioners also asked about a planned conversion of the community-center roller-hockey area into permanent pickleball courts; staff said no construction has started and that the item will be placed on a future agenda for an update. Commissioner Harry reported on a recent multi-park plein air painting contest run through the Moulton Museum and said a video of the awards will be shown at an upcoming council meeting.

The commission approved minutes for prior meetings, accepted the event reports and adjourned; the next regular meeting is scheduled for Oct. 1, 2025, at 6 p.m. in the city council chamber.

Note: Financial and attendance figures are reported as stated by staff during the meeting. The reported Fourth of July estimated cost and the stated budget figure appeared inconsistent in the meeting record and were not reconciled on the record.