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Carlsbad Parks highlights Leo Carrillo Ranch publicity, community events and a staff rescue
Summary
Recreation Services Manager Mick Calarco told the Parks and Recreation Commission that a Fox 5 feature and a slate of fall events have boosted visitation to Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park; he also described a senior-transportation employee who discovered a participant in distress and summoned family and emergency services.
Chair Winston opened the Oct. 21 meeting of the City of Carlsbad Parks and Recreation Commission and heard a departmental report from Mick Calarco, the recreation services manager, on outreach and recent community programs.
Calarco said a local television feature highlighted the Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park, increasing awareness of the city-owned 27-acre site and its programming. He described upcoming seasonal events including Holiday at the Rancho on Dec. 7 and a Dia de los Muertos program with free tours on Nov. 2 and Nov. 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., when the hacienda and courtyard will be open to visitors.
The recreation manager also summarized recent large gatherings organized or assisted by the department: a superhero obstacle race at Olga Norte Community Park that drew roughly 500 families, a family movie night at Stagecoach Community Park that was free to attend, and a sold-out pumpkin plunge at Olga Norte Aquatic Center that Calarco said attracted “close to 500 plus people” and more than 50 community volunteers.
Calarco highlighted the department’s senior services work with two examples: positive feedback on a "stay safe online" class at the senior center and a transportation incident in which staff driver Derek checked on a participant who was unresponsive by telephone. "When he knocked on the door, he heard ‘help, help,’" Calarco recounted. Staff contacted the participant’s family and emergency services; the participant was hospitalized and Calarco said the prognosis for recovery is good.
Calarco said these programs advance the department’s strategic plan goals by promoting visitation, supporting health and well-being, and deepening volunteer engagement. He closed by inviting commissioners to events at the ranch and encouraging the public to attend.
The commission approved the previous meeting’s minutes by voice vote and moved on to capital-project updates later in the agenda.
The commission is scheduled to reconvene for its next regular meeting in November, when staff plan to present the annual work plan and the 2025 meeting calendar for adoption.
