Parks commission outlines pool timeline, park upgrades, new off‑leash hours and golf-course changes

The Parks and Recreation Commission heard a roundup of summer programs and capital projects at its May 18 meeting, where Director Julie Calloway detailed completed and upcoming work across the city’s parks, pool and golf facilities.

Calloway, Parks and Recreation Director, said Oasis Park’s most recent phase is finished: "The shade structures are fully installed," and staff have replaced playground equipment and safety surfacing and refreshed the gazebo in partnership with Public Works. At Del Prado Park, she said the department will add a sidewalk extension, a memory bench, musical playground equipment, a concrete walkway and additional bike parking (with plans to add shade coverings for e-bike parking).

On the pool renovation, Calloway said summer operations will continue and the facility has had a soft opening this week for school groups and limited public hours. She said staff expect demolition to begin after fencing is installed around the pool and that construction is "thinking late fall," but emphasized there is no exact start date yet and that work must fit within council‑set budget constraints.

Katie Tyler, representing the aquatic division, provided participation details: "We had over 60 kids register for swim lessons that month," she said of April enrollment, and added the pool bubble was taken down on May 5. Tyler said the department hired nine new lifeguards for the summer (seven are ready and two will be available once they turn 16) and that the full summer schedule resumes on Tuesday, May 26.

Calloway also reviewed changes to off‑leash dog locations approved by City Council, saying the desert area west of Pratt Field is available, morning hours at Pratt Field and the common area around baseball fields are set for early hours (staff stated 5 a.m.–8 a.m.), a lakeside linear‑park extension from Pacifica Way to the drainage is open for off‑leash use during park hours (5 a.m.–10 p.m.), and Wilbur Square will observe spring/summer hours in the afternoon (6 p.m.–9 p.m.) with winter hours at 3 p.m.–6 p.m. She said the resolution and a map are posted on the city website and that physical signage will be installed once delivered by the sign company.

On golf operations, Calloway said the municipal course (Muni) is undergoing turf reduction on the front nine and the irrigation contractor is developing a recovery plan; the work is behind schedule with a projected finish by mid‑September. She said Muni currently has nine holes open and revenue is below typical levels, while Boulder Creek is busy and hosting an NCAA Division II men’s championship this week. To address repeated vandalism and unauthorized vehicle activity near Boulder Creek, staff plan to install a permanent, repurposed fence along Veterans Memorial Drive to limit access to heavy‑use entry points.

Bootleg Canyon trail users will see new signage identifying permitted bike classes on both the River Mountain Loop Trail and Bootleg Canyon trails, Calloway said. Staff plan kiosk repairs (replacing weathered plexiglass) and ongoing grooming at trailheads and dirt‑jump areas. She said a zipline company with an existing California operation will tour Bootleg Canyon equipment to consider a potential lease to reopen the zipline; the review is in a very preliminary stage and no lease or agreement has been made.

Bridget Martirano, sports program spokesperson, said adult leagues are wrapping up for the season — noting tonight’s women’s volleyball championship — and that youth summer camps are open for registration for ages 4–7 and 8–14.

The commission did not take final action on the pool project, zipline inquiry or the turf reduction work; Calloway said staff will continue to report on timelines and bring updates back to the commission.

Next steps: staff will install off‑leash signage as it arrives, continue coordination for the pool construction schedule, monitor the irrigation contractor’s recovery plan at Muni and report back at future meetings.