Pandora wrote on Sep 4, 2008 3:28 AM:Kudos to the City of Encinitas for televising the Hall Property Environmental Impact Report.

While the heartfelt pleas for playing fields by the parents attending were genuine, what became clear after five hours of testimony from both sides is that the current council and Danny Dalager in particular are consciously destroying a neighborhood. Shame on them for for forcing their staff to execute legal contortions to create this plan and putting the poor Planning Commissioners in the position of defending this monstrosity of a regional sports facility.

If ever there were a reason to throw the bums out in Encinitas then this design and the incredible falsehoods put forth by the staff with pretzel logic should be Exhibit 1 at their public trial.

This is some kind of demented dream that Dalager is forcing on this poor Cardiff neighborhood that should never break ground in that community.

Watch the next Planning Commission meeting Tuesday, September 9th to see the five Planning Commissioners attempt the impossible, defending one man's twisted desire to triumph over all that is right about our city.

Becky wrote on Sep 4, 2008 6:54 AM:Scale back the park, drop a field or two and drop the lights and use for tournys. Why is the teen center still being discussed? That is a total waste of money..... Otherwise, it will be hung up in courts for 20 years and the only one playing and winning are the high priced attornies. Once again this shows Jerome Stocks is willing to sacrifice and existing neighorhood for the benefit of Carlsbad residence.

Encinitas Mother wrote on Sep 4, 2008 7:03 AM:Funny how 100% of the comments to scale back the park were from Encinitas residents, and 87% of the comments to build the regional sports park were from Carlsbad residents.

City Council- You have to ask yourself- who do you represent?

Community Character wrote on Sep 4, 2008 7:07 AM:I find it rather disengenous that sofe of the same people the people that are saying the park as designed would destroy the character of the community are the same people that a raizing the small beach bungalows that gave Cardiff it's character to build lot line to lot line monstrosities. If we want to maintain the towns character implement building limits like Del Mar and Santa Barbara.

John E wrote on Sep 4, 2008 7:13 AM:"Becky" and "Pandora" get it. Let's build a park which the vast majority of local residents would favor. Let's have two or three soccer fields for local team play, daylight the creek ala Cottonwood Creek Park, eliminate the outdoor ampitheater and any use of amplified music or voice, cut off he lights at 9 p.m. and design the lighting fixtures to minimize light pollution and to conserve energy.

Cardiffian wrote on Sep 4, 2008 8:14 AM:Becky, Pandora and John E are truly delusional. Incredible support last night from the community (not carlsbad...where did that come from?) for the park to be built as planned. Kudos to all who showed up. I'm no fan of Dalager, but how is this his demented dream? I was involved in the preliminary planning of this thing and Dalager certanly wasn't the only one, nor was he the head cheerleader. This is something the community has wanted and waited for. After several false starts, it's finally going to happen. Destroy a neighborhood? From my perspective, the neighborhood was destroyed when the county allowed zero lot lines in Cardiff. This project will bring back some of that old community feeling. Hooray!

Encinitas Father wrote on Sep 4, 2008 8:21 AM:I don't know where "Mother" and others get their "facts", but many of us actual Encinitas residents WANT the sports park. We understand that kids NEED organized team sports for their development. Kids don't want or need a meditation garden, they play SPORTS. Enough of the selfish whining. Put KIDS FIRST in Encinitas. My kids are grown, but I'm caring enough to think of ALL encinitas kids...

Encinitas Resident wrote on Sep 4, 2008 8:37 AM:The Cardiff residents have all blown this out of proportion. Lights would hardly ever go past 8pm. The new light technology would make the light spill over negligible. The supporters of the park (as is proposed) are almost entirely Encinitas residents. Only a small minority from Cardiff oppose it. 5 multi purpose fields is nothing.

How can a Cardiff resident speak of protecting their community when they take a lot for one home and build 5 homes on it? Sounds a bit self serving to me.

Just look at how many passive use parks we already have. The current compromise to have 5 multi use fields and passive use is fair to ALL.

Encinitas Mom and Voter wrote on Sep 4, 2008 9:00 AM:If your going to build a regional sports complex the county should pay for it not a small City. Build a community balanced park with no lights and no tournys. Let Carlsbad build their own parks. I don't want to give and pay for their park in Encinitas.

Encinitas Resident and Voter wrote on Sep 4, 2008 9:22 AM:Encinitas Mom and Voter who are you talking with? The vast majority users of this park are Encinitas residents and teams. No lights mean that parents cannot participate in their childs lives. How often do you get off work at 3pm?

to Encinitas Mom wrote on Sep 4, 2008 9:38 AM:"Let Carlsbad build their own parks. I don't want to give and pay for their park in Encinitas."

Do yourself a favor and get in your car and drive to Carlsbad. It has plenty of parks already. Carlsbad people are happy with what we have. Stop making up facts to fit your lies.

Cardiffian wrote on Sep 4, 2008 9:39 AM:This is not a regional sports park. This is a park that will handle the needs of the community. It will be used by the community. Believe it or not, the demand is there - all local! Yes, it will play a role and offer fields for the large tournaments, cups and other competitions, but Encinitas fields already do that, so no change there. Enough with the NIMBY's - I'm a BIMBY - proud of it - build it now!

Local Realist wrote on Sep 4, 2008 9:55 AM:Sure the soccerheads turned up with their cute kids but all this fanfare did not overshadow the real problems raised by concerned citizens. A residential street's purpose is to serve residences, not act as a circulation element road for access to City projects. The City is hijacking residential streets, which violates the tenents of the General Plan. Beware all of you who live next to greenhouses -- when that property becomes developed your residential street will similarly be hijacked to serve the interests of developers and maniac City Council members.

If you build it wrote on Sep 4, 2008 10:18 AM:they will come.

Encinitan wrote on Sep 4, 2008 10:38 AM:Another Encinitas resident (and voter...) for the SPORTS PARK! Come on, put the children's needs before your own wants for once.

Encinitas resident wrote on Sep 4, 2008 10:57 AM:We've needed this park for years. We have enough passive use parks (Cottonwood, Sun Vista), not to mention the beach. My kids have been searching for sports fields for years, and are not competitive with other city's teams because of it. While other soccer clubs recruit from outside the immediate area (Lightning, Surf, Rancho Sta Fe), Encinitas Express is a very local soccer club, these fields will be for OUR children. My daughter actually once had to practice on the sidewalk at the YMCA! Public schools have no bathrooms available after school--we're lucky if there's a porta potty. This community has enough money to put in a sports complex on land that was expressly purchased for it. Stop stalling, the time is now!

Encinitas Resident wrote on Sep 4, 2008 11:24 AM:Local realist, the last I checked the plan there was 2 entrances planned. One on Santa Fe (not a residential street) and the other off of Mackinnon. Mackinnon already is regularly traversed by Encinitas residents to get from east side of I5 to west side so not exactly a sleeply little street. With the majority of the population living east and north of the park odds are most traffic would not even come thru Cardiff. Unless heaven forbid a Cardiff resident has a little soccerhead and they want the oppotunity to be a part of that childs life and teach them the benefits of physical activity.

ribeyek wrote on Sep 4, 2008 11:57 AM:From what I heard, the main problem that the uniformed players (from Carlsbad?) have with the existing fields is "divots". Surely, divots can be repaired for less than $60M.

th Generation Encinitan wrote on Sep 4, 2008 12:31 PM:I grew up here in Beautiful Encinitas watching my dad play softball on Lake in the dirt and myself playing soccer at Park Dale and Oak Crest. Now my kids want to play but there isnt anymore room. They are playing and using the same fields I used 30 years ago with a ton more kids who just want to play a sport. Lets give the kids more fields to play on! Build the sports Park!

mom of many soccer players wrote on Sep 4, 2008 1:29 PM:Yes, I am a tax payer of Encinitas, have many soccer and baseball players in my family, I love the fact that my children are getting exercise and playing a team sport, and yes we all participate because we cheer each other on. Without these parks our children will be running a muck, I personally believe that those opposed, are selfish old people that can not remember what it was like to be young. Wake up people we need this now and for future generations, land is not going to grow out of the air!

Local Realist wrote on Sep 4, 2008 3:56 PM:The entrance on Santa Fe is 26 feet wide, not exactly a two lane road with room for sidewalks and bike lanes, and McKinnon dumps into residential areas on both sides of the freeway. I think it is duplicitous of soccer people to act like the traffic is no big deal. I have been to many soccer tournaments and can't wait until my kid's team loses so I don't have to put up with all the crowds, confusion, noise, loud irate parents and coaches, and traffic from hell and all the SUV soccerheads cutting me off and yelling foul language trying to steal the one last spot in the lot. I was so glad when my kids got sick of the organized sports debacle, buying all the expensive gear they just had to have because little Johnnie SUV has the best, and consoling my kids when the coach went off on them. I did have positive experiences too, but organized youth sports is not the end all and be all of a proper upbringing.

How about wrote on Sep 4, 2008 4:21 PM:the cost of the park be divided up among those that want it. Add in any revenue that would be generated by something else and charge those that want it. Oh yes, where is the Surfrider Foundation. This looks like a cause they would pay for.

Encinitas Resident wrote on Sep 4, 2008 5:09 PM:Local realist you have warped idea of a soccer season. There are very limited number of tourneys hosted by a community. In most cases a community like Encinitas would host 1 to 2 at most. So at most you would have some of the games (as the majority are held on other fields) held at this park 2 weekends of the year. Nice try. Try working with facts first.

How often do you drive Mckinnon? I do every day. There is traffic on both the east and west sides of I5. But in reality with the majority of Encnitas population living north and east of the entrance how many people would cut thru Cardiff just to get the park? Odds are most would come thru SF drive and the north side of Mckinnon not thru Cardiff.

Making generalizations about soccer parents and coaches is not the most classy thing either.

Oh Please wrote on Sep 4, 2008 5:11 PM:As a current Encinitas resident who used to live in Cardiff, I have seen first hand the knee-jerk, myopic opposition endemic in the small, vocal Cardiff NIMBY minority. Many of these folks think that the park should be 44 acres of tea or meditation gardens. They really think this would be a reasonable use. The park balances the needs of many groups, but the Cardiff NIMBYs will not be happy until all ball fields are gone.

Local Realist wrote on Sep 4, 2008 5:44 PM:I am just reporting what I have seen. There are dedicated parents and coaches but then there are just as many who use organized sports as babysitting and rarely ever attend a game, pay someone to do snack stand duty, and then complain about how their kid is being played. I have put my time in with three boys in soccer, little league, pop warner, and travel ball. When the kids were younger it was more enjoyable, but as they get older and the "recretional" sport becomes super competitive, it gets ridiculous. Why can't we all share this park? Why do soccer fields come first behind tennis courts and basketball courts? As for only two soccer tournaments a year -- let's see how many soccer leagues will be operating in Encinitas and wanting to use those fields while the kids who play tennis are limited to a choice of 10 courts most in crappy condition at high schools.

can_I_get_a_witness wrote on Sep 4, 2008 9:22 PM:I support the park with, some fields, enough parking,a sufficient entrance, no increase in traffic, and no lights.
Can the city build the park I support?
The city can't afford 50% of the proposed park with out borrowing from other projects.The city has spent allot of money and angered neighbors over some moot points because they simply don't have the money to make it happen. How long did we have to wait for the library? If you don't believe me, ask Phil Cotton if the city has the money for the park. Ask Chris Hazeltine, ask James Bond, ask Jerome Stocks. They all know that the city hasn't budgeted enough money for the park.

Encinitas Voter wrote on Sep 4, 2008 10:43 PM:We don't have the money for a Regional Sports park, nor do we want one. If the region wants a sports park, build it with the County's dime and let them assess the voters. Bring it to a vote.

Not a priority wrote on Sep 4, 2008 11:33 PM:I'd be cool with spending a bunch of money on a park if they put up enough cash to trench the train tracks through Leucadia first. And maybe to align Saxony and Calle Magdalena also. Traffic sucks.

Voter wrote on Sep 5, 2008 7:17 AM:I agree. This trophy project is not needed and definately should not include a pool and teens center with huge overhead and operational costs. Other needs are a higher priority like bury the tracks.

Mark ... wrote on Sep 5, 2008 7:22 AM:I own a house in Cardiff, have no kids but say build the park for the kids...and make sure the skatepark gets in there. That goes more with the culture of Cardiff/Encinitas than organized sports anyways.

DennyB wrote on Sep 5, 2008 7:24 AM:I own a house in Cardiff, have no kids but say build the park for the kids...and make sure the skatepark gets in there. That goes more with the culture of Cardiff/Encinitas than organized sports anyways.

Zephon wrote on Sep 5, 2008 7:37 AM:We do not need or want this regional sports park in the middle of a neighborhood already impacted by high traffic fatalities and accidents from drivers cutting through this neighborhood.

Scale back the park. I could support one mixed use sports field here, no more. There are already so many unused fields like the ones at the YMCA just a few miles away from this proposed regional facility. Which also has a swimming pool and a major skate park and teen center.

Why should the taxpaying citizens pay for a special interest groups trophy project that benefits practically no residents in the community.

Sat NO to the current park plan!!!

ha ha ha wrote on Sep 5, 2008 7:55 AM:"The new light technology would make the light spill over negligible."

I'd like to see that trick. Put bright lights on tall poles in an area normally covered by marine layer (i.e. cloud) without diffusion? Them must be some fancy lasers.

Encinitas Resident wrote on Sep 5, 2008 9:17 AM:Zephon quit spreading silly rumors. The two deaths in the Cardiff area over the past couple of years were 1)due to a drunk driver on Santa Fe that killed himself and 2) a freak accident on Santa Fe under the I5 overpass with high school kids. None of those had anything to do with high traffic issues. Have you actually gone to the YMCA? Those fields are constantly being used not to mention none of them can support a full size soccer field.

Why do Cardiff people not listen and try to focus this all on ONE special interest group. I heard during the planning commission baseball, soccer, lacrosse, and pop warner talk about fields.

Also it is clear that this is not a regional sports facility as it is way too small. It is a community park with only some of the needed field space. In no way could you fit a full tournament on this layout and 70% to 80% of a local tournament would be on other fields around the city.

I have to admit I am getting tired of people voicing unfounded opinion and not fact.

Zephon wrote on Sep 5, 2008 10:12 AM:You missed the traffic fatality on Birmingham last year that is in addition to the two fatalities on Santa Fe. Calling them freak accidents just diminishes the tragedy of these deaths on roads that cannot handle the speed and the number of cars that travel on them. Causing many drivers to cut through neighborhoods at 30MPH when the streets can support 15MPH because there are no sidewalks and yes this is called the "walking district". A place where I have been almost run over by speeding drivers several times in the past year.

This does not even count the accidents on 101. The last head on collision with two deaths a few months ago was really tragic. Speeding drivers kill on unsafe streets.

I have seen nearly a dozen traffic accidents on Birmingham in just the last few months and cannot even cross that street safely most of the day. I fear for the kids go to and from school here that walk.

How many more fatalities on these streets do we need before people wake up.

And Yes I have been to the YMCA recently and wonder why all their fields are so empty, including the pool there. The Skate park is well used but not to capacity at the YMCA as well.

Burying the tracks and safe streets should be a higher priority for the city and not trophy projects for special interest groups that benefit very few of the citizens that pay taxes in this neighborhood.

Encinitas Resident wrote on Sep 5, 2008 12:10 PM:Zephon,lets be clear. I was not taking away from the tragedy of any death/accident. I was merely stating the two accidents referenced were not due to traffic congestion but other items. Proper traffic controls are the answer to your problem not exclusion of a park.

I am at the Y on a regular basis and every possible field is used. The fields are pushed on even harder when we turn back the clocks and the lighted fields are really in demand. Not all fields are appropriate for all things so be careful what you quantify as usable.

You cannot ignore that time of day also has a major impact on when fields are used. Not to mention the fact that sports go in seasons and when in season the real crunches take hold.

By the way we have fatal accidents in other parts of Encnitias.

Leucadian Resident wrote on Sep 5, 2008 12:25 PM:You want to check out what the skies of Cardiff will look like, just check out the sky around the YMCA on any given night when the lights are on. I live in Leucadia and it looks like Martians or other UFOs are causing a huge glowing bulb in the sky. Say good night to you nice dark skys and say hell to ET glows throughout the night. And your peacefull neighborhood is now loud. You'r property values will drop signifigantly. I feel sorry for you all.

Cardiffian wrote on Sep 5, 2008 1:33 PM:What a bunch of malarky from Zephyon and Leucadian Resident. Zephyon, you are being disengenous and intellectually dishonest. The best thing to happen to Santa Fe traffic was the traffic circle. It has kept things moving while forcing drivers to pay attention. It was unfortunate that an intoxiacted firefighter made a bad decision. On the other hand, the circle miht have saved the bum that was hit by the Ferrari. 101 traffic is not neighborhood traffic so it's not comparable - park or no park. A walking district?!? It may say that, but it's not. Either close the streets or move on. And LR, you're as bad as Zephyon - property values can not and will not drop relative to other surrounding properties. Yes, the market is down and values are falling, but people will ALWAYS pay a premium to be on the coast. If you don't believe me, look at the values in Santa Monica, Venice, Manhattan, Hermosa, Huuntington and Long Beach. I'm sure any coastal (west of 101) north county resident would have a hard time living there because it is so congested, but our valuse don't even come close to their values...we can't afford to live there!! As for the lights, check out Lake field in Cardiff (of all places). Cardiff already knows about lighted fields, and it's OK.
Build the COMMUNITY sports park for our kids AND our property values now!!

Zephon wrote on Sep 5, 2008 2:34 PM:I am all for traffic circles and other measures to make our streets safe again.

Anybody that thinks adding all the traffic that this regional sports park will create will not add to the burden in our neighborhood streets has no understanding of the number of injuries that occur here.

I talked to a Sheriff Deputy responsible for traffic enforcement in this neighborhood. He stated the reason for not enforcing speed limits here is that there is no place to pull over offenders. Hence there is no enforcement. People regularly go 50MPH on streets that are safe at 25MPH.

No more large scale developments that add traffic until the traffic flow is redesigned!

I am also for closing off streets to cut through traffic as well. And Hwy 101 is in the area that will be affected by this regional sports park.

Bring back after school hours sports programs at our schools where these children should be getting PE every day.

With fewer children, and less water I still see no reason to build such a large sports facility here full of green grass that must be mowed and paid for by those that will never be able to use it.

We want a park but not at the expense of our safety.

Kathy wrote on Sep 5, 2008 8:13 PM:I am 100% with Zephon.

Pay attention Council. Your residents are speaking.

don't listen to Carlsbad residents wanting to build a park on our land with our money so their kids can play soccer.

concerned taxpayer wrote on Sep 5, 2008 9:10 PM:I am a Leucadia resident, not a dreaded "NIMBY," but I wouldn't want the park as proposed in my backyard, either, and neither would most people, if they were being completely reasonable and honest.

I find it to be amusing that certain people turn this into name calling and scream "NIMBY, NIMBY," while they themselves represent a special interest group. Many present were Carlsbad residents. The facts discussed at the Planning Commission meeting were that only 17% or less of Encinitas population are of the age to play soccer. And we know that probably less than half of that demographic is involved in organized soccer.

What is confusing, and deceiving, is that five full sized soccer fields are planned. My daughters played soccer on fields including at Park Dale Lane, and Pacific View. These are typically half fields. So, in reality, you are talking about ten soccer fields for the younger kids, not five. In addition there are three baseball fields. So that is 13 fields, in reality. Plus the area that was planned for aquatics or the teen center, which should be "off the books" will probably also be used for an "all purpose field. If the population is down, and PV had to be closed, why is the demand greater for fields? Answer, leagues that play with neighboring cities, including Carlsbad, which has “plenty of fields.”

I agree with what some of the speakers suggested. Why should Cardiff be stuck with such a high proportion of Encinitas' sports fields? The general plan does talk about open space and park space, but staff twisted it to make it seem like there are a required number of sports fields per 1000 residents mandated. That is not true. The General Plan speaks to recreational uses. Staff is ignoring the public beaches, the fire rings at Moonlight, the Volleyball equipment. These are also recreational uses. Also, I agree, the general population would like more tennis courts and basketball courts. The skate facility should be part of the first phase. Regional tournaments should not be encouraged here, due to the traffic impacts.

Finally, the current traffic circulation is outdated, already, and was sent back to the traffic commission. No environmental impact report can be convincing or accurate without a CURRENT traffic circulation element study.

Scale back the park. Kids lives are often "over organized." They do not need to be playing and practicing after dark. I know my grandsons get way too tired when they are stretched that thin, and they do play soccer, too.

Its not about the kids wrote on Sep 5, 2008 10:43 PM:right on Concerned Taxpayer -- organized youth sports organizations have a place but let's not fool ourselves that they are a necessity to keep kids off of drugs and free from a life of crime. The only kind of activity that will keep kids off drugs and away from crime is time spent with their parents, one on one. What is the City doing to promote kid/parent time? Why doesn't the City spend some money to organize after school sports that all can afford -- organized sports is expensive, especially when you get to travel ball -- shelling out $200 per month for a "private coach" and practices three to four times a week -- it's insane. This emphasis on organized sports is way over the top. I would rather spend the money on education -- our local schools are struggling. Obesity is on the rise among children not becuase there isn't available local organized sports and fields, but becuase parents are too lazy to throw the TV out in the trash and say no to video games and junk food and push their kids out of the house to play in the neighborhood. What happened to Kick the Can, and Hide and Seek, and games of pick up basketball and touch football -- oh that's right, the streets are filled with speeding traffic trying to get to soccer practice and there aren't any basketball courts within walking distance and dogs are pooping all over the available fields. Whatever happened to a good old rec center!

Zephon wrote on Sep 6, 2008 11:17 AM:The problem with this regional sports park is that there are many recreational facilities in this neighborhood already.

I can think of nearly a half a dozen basketball courts in walking distance of this regional sports facility. There are tennis courts, baseball, soccer, pools you name it.

Guess what? They are almost never used as I walk by them every day.

And we have plenty of soccer fields for these teams to use, including some free fields already provided by the city. But because these private soccer leagues also use private fields - the YMCA, schools, Polo fields in Del Mar (which has been used for soccer in the past can probably support 50 soccer fields), etc... these other organizations that own these fields charge for their usage. And these private soccer organizations want the public to fund their private programs without any public say in how they are organized or how they spend their funds. They actually pay several full time employees. This all sounds ripe for corruption if you ask me.

Just like the process that was used for determining the use and design of this parks plan.

I looked up the Encinitas Parks and Recreation committee to understand how they came up with a plan for a regional Sports Complex. It was not an inclusive plan where all the public is invited to determine the best plan and uses for this park. It was parks and recreation board members going to specific people they already knew, with their agendas, to determine what they already knew they wanted.

They wanted to get away from having to pay for the fields that they currently have available to them. Funny that local school districts will charge these private soccer organizations for field use but the publicly financed regional sports park as proposed will not charge for the usage including lighting, water, and maintenance.

Why should Encinitas taxpayers pay for the upkeep and build out of fields that so few Encintas taxpayers will use? The buildup costs alone will probably reach $50 Million in the end. With a first phase at $17million with little to show for the money spent.

I am all for getting kids outside and providing exercise and recreation. But this is not the right way to do it. Our public schools should be emphasizing after and during school PE programs for all students.

Scale back the Park wrote on Sep 6, 2008 4:51 PM:Wow, I watched the Planning Commission Meeting on TV, also.

The last few posts are excellent.

For financial reasons, quality of life reasons, including traffic impacts, and to demonstrate that

1. the City of Encinitas is sensitive to the excellent input of its own constituents,

2. that Council and staff have integrity, and accountability,

the City should scale back the park proposed for the Hall Property to a community park, rather than a regional sports facility, primarily catering to organized soccer leagues.

Why not a bowling league? Ha ha. I do't see any bowling alleys around here for public use.

Jerome wrote on Sep 7, 2008 8:00 AM:My friends Mike Andreen and Mark Muir told me that we need to have a park and not to build it! It's good for the campaign and it may even get Mark's wife a seat on school board.

LA wants you to build the sports park wrote on Sep 9, 2008 8:17 AM:The residents of Carlsbad made their point at the meeting. They need sports fields, and Encinitas better provide them.

ER wrote on Sep 9, 2008 3:49 PM:I have become tired of reading the stupidity here. The vast majority of the people for the park are Encinitas residents including myself. Yes there are some Carlsbad supporters because they help support our community sports programs but the Encinitas people are the ones behind this park. Just go listen to the names speaking at the last meeting. 99% Encinitas and yes some Cardiff people too!!

A community works together to provide its citizens with the different things they need. I live off of El Camino Real. I am not too happy to have all of those stores there with the TRAFFIC that goes along with them but they are for the greater good of ENCINITAS in total not just one township. The park fits in perfectly with the area being looked at.

How about this: We can use the land to build more strip malls and tear down some of the development on El Camino Real and build a park over there.

Or better yet we can build low income surfer housing instead. That works perfect for the "Cardiff community" feel.

I sat at the YMCA this weekend and the noise was minimal while 2 soccer games and 2 t ball games went off through out the day.

As for the parking. How dare the Cardiff people complain about this. They have extended their own homes to the point where their garages and drive ways are not even able to accommodate their own cars and they have to themselves park on the streets.

This park as is would benefit thousands of children over time. Why not give them that treat.

Zephon wrote on Sep 9, 2008 7:07 PM:ER - the only thing you say that makes sense is the idea of putting in a shack for a couple of surfers.

I say one male and one female pro surfer gets a place to live in exchange for teaching surfing here, 20 - 40 hours per week. Also they should weed/water/seed a new community garden on this property. Keeping it with the original zoning of agriculture.

Why stop there. How about 2 resident world class artists that teach their craft to residents as well. Let us start with a sculptor - they can design a replacement for that abomination of a statue at chesterfield and 101 and help the surfers with the garden as well.

This would be a great low use alternative for this property and cost us nothing. I would give the plywood and 2x4 to the surfer and artists to build their place to stay in for free. Why spend $50 million for a trophy regional sports center for the folks that live in Carlsbad anyways!

These ideas will benefit far more people, including children, than the soccer fields exclusively for children.

Let the private soccer organizations keep the fields they currently use - you already have plenty of fields available.

Irenefrcardiff wrote on Sep 11, 2008 10:07 PM:I am an Army Brat who grew up all over the country. A park is an asset to a community. I would recommend a compromise, but too be honest my fellow Cardiffian's really don't want a park. They want a Quail Gardens type park.It is totally unreasonable to expect those of us that want to use the park with our family past dark to do without lights. Remember the orginal design from these people was they wanted all of us to enter the park from the fwy.That should tell you something. What the city council needs to understand is that these Nimby's don't really want a park. They demands are totally unreasonable. Because some of them went to meetings.(which I attended by the way until I couldn't stomach it anymore because they seemed more interested in their own vision then actually hearing from someone that supported fields and lights.) It doesn't mean that the city has to take those exact recommendations from that committee. The recommendations are not the only input that the city coucil needs to listen to. Because some of us went to several meetings and a Park and Rec group made some recommendations doesn't mean the rest of the citizens of Encinitas don't have JUST as much of a right to voice their opinion. I live 3 blocks from the park and I have seen people that don't even live near the park ranting and raving about this park. One loon even lives in Leucadia and he is fuming about a park! Fuming about a PARK. People get a grip, this is ridiculous. If we suggest to get rid of some of fields, then they don't want lights. If we suggest turning the lights off befoe 9pm they don't want us driving down THEIR streets.We can't seem to win. So the city should now move forward and make a fair decision for all of Encinitas/Cardiff and go forward with this park. With lights,
Thank You very Much!

JustMvhereBob wrote on Sep 11, 2008 10:12 PM:Wow, you people are crazy. A park for kids to play and a place for everyone to enjoy is a good thing. Some of you people are really screwed up! A park without lights is useless. Just shut the lights at a reasonable hour like 9pm on the fields and close the park at 10pm.What is the problem. It seems this is all coming from a group that attended some meetings and made recommendations and all their recommendations weren't accepted so now they are having a temper tantrum. This is not that complicated. Quite acting like childern and vote on this project and move forward.

Whitehorse wrote on Sep 12, 2008 9:28 AM:Zephon, this is a democracy -- and one that hasn't even been working very well for almost 8 years. The model you propose of private sector or individuals providing for the specific needs of the many isn't working in this country -- or even community. If it was, land would be donated by oil companies, more people would volunteer to help the sick and elderly, teenage pregnancy would be at .001 percent and we would all be living in a Utopia. But that isn't the case. We are in a land of Me First and it is no better illustrated than by the statements and distortions you make in your commentary. Get a life, grow up, and until you are ready to provide park space, volunteer every day with youth organizations, help to treat childhood obesity, and, write a treatise on solving poverty and alienation in the USA, you really don't have a leg to stand on. Encinitas VOTED to become Encinitas, thereby incorporating the communities of Cardiff, Encinitas, Leucadia and Olivenhain. I've lived in Encinitas since before that happened and am a San Diego County native. Things are much better than they were and will only get better with the park. Find some humanity in yourself, Zephon, and then maybe you can calm down. Find peace and please stop using falsehoods to ram your case down our throats.

Zephon wrote on Sep 12, 2008 11:14 AM:Sorry to blow your over inflated ego Whitehorse....

But I work every day doing the things you say I do not do. Volunteer with youth organizations, help fight childhood obesity... etc

So instead of trying to tell me to get a life - you should follow your own advice.

Whitehorse wrote on Sep 12, 2008 11:41 AM:So typical, there isn't anything anyone can say to you that you haven't thought of or done, Zephon. It's easy to blow hot air, not so easy to prove. List all of the organizations and dates and times, then I might believe you. Your posts come off as a disdain for your fellow human beings and a self interest that would shame Paris Hilton. There is no use reasoning with someone like you, so please spare us the hyperbole. You just want to argue for the sake of arguing. Enjoy your lonely life...oh wait, your volunteering to save the world. You do that in between begrudging multi-use parks for communities. But there isn't anything you haven't seen or done, so of course you aren't begrudging anyone anything. Just stating the facts from Upon High. Just "because."

Zephon wrote on Sep 12, 2008 12:24 PM:There is not a hospital north of Hwy 8 that I have not spent time in during the last two years. I also have spent time in SNF and Hospice. I am currently working on a proposal for helping combat CF in our community with 4 other people. I have also done programs for childhood obesity for an community out of state.

Regardless, Whitehorse, it is you that appear to be the misanthrope. As I love my community and that is why I have spent so much of my time and energy helping others.

You claim that I am self interested - but you know nothing of me, who I am or what I do.

So again get off your horse and follow your own advice before trying to accuse those willing to help others of being something they are not!

FYI - I am anything but lonely, LOL!

Zephon wrote on Sep 12, 2008 12:27 PM:Oops I meant CP not CF. I worked with several children with CF recently and DMD. The project I am starting now is on CP not CF.

Remember Brandon McClure and his tragic death? These children need our help.

I encourage others to donate time and money to help all at risk children!

Regardless, Whitehorse is showing his misanthropic colors high style today!

Zephon wrote on Sep 12, 2008 1:01 PM:And Whitehorse - just why is it wrong for me to promote the safety and health of my community? Why do you not like it that I volunteer so much of my time and money to help other?

And why do you say that I do not support multi-use parks when I do?

You seem really confused Whitehorse - why do you want to distort the words that are trying to help others?

ER wrote on Sep 12, 2008 3:56 PM:Zephon, good for you but why is it wrong for others to use organized sport to help kids? You seem to have a very large chip on your shoulder against those who have dedicated serious amounts of time and money to make children's lives better albeit through an avenue you dont agree with. 20% of the park for sports fields is not a majority but a well proportionate representation of yet another way people can make a difference in children's lives. Sorry if you or your kids had bad experiences in this environment but millions have not.

rebecca wrote on Sep 12, 2008 4:05 PM:I would like to see people respond to the comments by Irene from cardiff. Seems like she has some valid points and lives in the neighborhood. I too find the neighbor's demands completely unreasonable. Just because a committee came up with a plan does not mean that has to be the excepted (by the whole community,)final plan. I too went to several meetings on this and found most of the committee members too be very self interested in protecting their neighborhoods more then accomendating all the residents of Encinitas. And I say that with agreeing with many of their concerns. But, I must say their true colors have come out lately and I truly believe that honestly most of these people don't want a park, they would have preferred a commerical development over a park.

Zephon wrote on Sep 12, 2008 4:49 PM:I am all for organized sports for kids. As a matter of fact we could practically never have enough outside athletic activities for kids.

I also support the use of the Hall property for children's sports.

The question is what sports, how much to pay for supporting them, who can use them, and how many fields - and to balance the needs for children with the needs for adolescents, adults and the environment.

Truthfully I would have preferred to see the pool built up first. Even though there is a pool at the YMCA that does not seem to be used at maximum capacity that is very close by. There is not one community pool in Encinitas. I would like to think that the local High Schools and perhaps even Mira Costa consider helping pay for and use a pool here for their sports programs and PE classes. I have never heard of an Encinitas school swim and diving teams.

Back to soccer fields... a regional soccer field for large tournament play of private, not public, soccer organizations is not appropriate for this location, for the many reasons already noted - such as there are plenty of fields in Encinitas available already for soccer. The Polo Fields in Del Mar and others are available for tournaments.

And in general the cost of this project is far to high in direct real costs ($17Million for the first phase scheduled to go to $35million and probably much more - think $50million). With maintenance costs and opportunity costs to consider - with little in return that we do not already have taken care of for the public.

We can do much better than this and address the safety of the neighborhood streets, parking, lighting and congestion.

I still would like to see one soccer field and a mixed use field here and a pool.

Still - out public schools need to provide more sports activities for children before during and after school.

Zephon wrote on Sep 12, 2008 5:04 PM:For any organized private sports organization supported by more than $1000 of taxpayer/public funds yearly I would like to consider...

If we are going to spend public money for private sports organizations I want to see some of the following:

- yearly background checks on all staff and coaches for children teams

- a portion of the teams players come from at risk youth, as a portion of the total number of at risk youth relative to the total youth population

- non-profit status, review and scrutiny by the public of salaries paid to staff/coaches posted on the city website and maintained up to date

- time spent doing duties and functions done by staff documented for public review

- open books and accounting and all meetings to be open to the public, all correspondence by the organization documented and available to be scrutinized by the public

- liability insurance for players and staff, health insurance and immunizations records documented for children, all children with a history of chronic or acute disease need to have a plan of care in place in case of emergency needs while on site.

- Paramedics required on site at any games with over 100 people in attendance

ER wrote on Sep 12, 2008 9:27 PM:Zephon, I dont even know where to begin. 5 fields does not consitute anywhere near enough fields for a large tournament much less a small one. Just go to the medium size local tournament websites and look at how many fields they use spread around the community. Why can you not get this thru your head? Second a tournament is a rare thing so this park would rarely host more than 2 tournaments in a year and only a small fraction of the games overall. Polo fields are not open all year around and are privately owned.

Next you say the schools need to have more sports. Well the budgets are so tight it is not always possible. Most schools also cannot afford to carry more than one team (ie limited number of spots) per sport. The sports leagues in the community carry multiple teams per age giving more kids opportunities to participate.

All coaches in all schools and non-school leagues are security cleared each and every year. Where have you been? You cannot even use your security clearance across leagues. I have been cleared so many times it is crazy.

You must be dillusional on the profits made by the sports leagues. I have attended board meetings as a non board member and been handed the financials. I have 16 years experience in the financial world and did not see any sign of over payment of the staff. In fact the majority were working either on extremely small $'s or none at all. In the end these people do this out of love of the sport and enjoyment with the kids.

You seem to think that the local Encinitas tournament is owned by Encinitas Soccer League. It is NOT! It is called the Rotary Cup for a reason. You know the Encinitas Rotary?

Most of these leagues are providing mentoring and discipline that the kids can't find at home or school. The huge majority leave work early and give up their time to do the coaching for free.

Zephon wrote on Sep 13, 2008 10:20 AM:ER - great then if these private soccer organizations are so clean on their finances they should be more than willing to account publicly for every penny they bring in and spend.

I am looking forward to seeing their books to verify your claims.