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Encinitas parks commission outlines focused work plan priorities; staff previews Leucadia Oaks garden and L7 park outreach
Summary
Commissioners agreed to narrow the annual work plan and discussed key items including pickleball court capacity, adult fitness equipment, trail naming, the L7 park kickoff and a near-final design for the Leucadia Oaks native plant demonstration garden with an April 15 council review and a community planting event planned for June 27.
The Encinitas Parks & Recreation Commission spent the bulk of its March 1 meeting drafting priorities for a shorter, more focused 2026–27 work plan and received detailed staff briefings on several near-term projects.
Chair Commissioner Capiello said the commission should favor "fewer, more focused goals" that can be completed or measured within the year. Staff and commissioners used the surf, skate and volleyball ad hoc as a model for moving items quickly from study to recommendation.
Staff provided a series of operational updates and recommendations:
- Tennis and pickleball courts: Staff reviewed prior court-sharing rules and priority systems at Cottonwood Creek and Moonlight Beach, described a consultant feasibility study for adding dedicated courts at Encinitas Community Park and said a capacity issue remains. Commissioners agreed to revisit pickleball court usage and rules at the next meeting to determine whether it should be an active work-plan item or a standing watch item.
- Adult outdoor fitness equipment: Staff said fitness equipment has been incorporated into recent playground designs (e.g., Orpheus, Glen Park) and is largely being operationalized as part of capital projects; commissioners agreed it can remain on the watch list rather than requiring a year-long ad hoc.
- Trails and naming: The trails master plan and a partnership with the Encinitas Trails Coalition will remain on the work plan; commissioners discussed adding trail-naming tasks as a measurable item.
- L7 park (Quail Gardens parcel): Staff announced a first public outreach meeting for the L7 park project on March 26 (6–8 p.m., Encinitas Community and Senior Center) and encouraged commission involvement in community outreach and ad hoc participation.
- Leucadia Oaks native plant demonstration garden: Staff presented the preferred design (concept one) and explained the plant selection, interpretive signage and an education component that includes short-form videos and a city-web page. Staff said City Council review for design approval is targeted for April 15; if approved, contractors will ready the site for a community planting event targeted for June 27. The plan retains native oaks and sycamores, removes several non-native corner trees, and includes benches and a lodge-pole fence to discourage foot traffic through planting beds.
Staff also reported operational items including the upcoming Arbor Day planting April 21 and a spring dog-park closure at Encinitas Community Park running approximately April 27–May 24 to allow turf rest or repairs.
Commissioners will receive a draft of a condensed work plan from Chair Capiello and Manager Norgaard before the next meeting for ad hoc assignments and a final vote to forward recommendations to City Council.
Quotes used in this article are from commissioners and staff who spoke during the meeting and are attributed accordingly.
