City gives green light to improvements at sports parks

Much-needed improvements will be made at local sports parks under a plan the City Council unanimously approved last week.

The improvements include new shade structures at Woodfield Park and Aliso Viejo Community Park and lights and a restroom at Foxborough Park. The community improvements stem from an extensive effort by the City's Recreation Ad Hoc Committee, led by Mayor Pro Tem Donald Garcia and Council Member Phillip Tsunoda.

"While it's been a very labor intensive six to eight months to get to this point, I'm very happy we are here," Council Member Tsunoda said. "I'm even more excited that within the next several months the community will actually get to feel the benefit from these improvements."

The overall cost of the improvements, which will be funded through the City's Enhancement Fund, are roughly $949,000, with the City covering 75 percent. The remaining 25 percent of improvement costs will be shared with the youth sports groups most associated with the fields.

The agreement specifically calls for a prefabricated restroom and sports field lighting for the entire complex at Foxborough Park, which is primarily used by Aliso Viejo's AYSO District 889. The agreement includes installing 12 shade structures over bleachers at the six baseball fields at Woodfield Park, which is mainly used by the Aliso Viejo Little League. Six shade structures will also be installed over the bleachers at the Aliso Viejo Community Park, which is mostly used by the Aliso Viejo Girls Softball organization.

"The City is being extremely proactive with making improvements to our sports fields that will benefit our youth for many years to come," said Mayor Pro Tem Garcia. "I am thrilled that we have been able to work with our local sports groups to identify these improvements and make them a reality."

"This is a much needed improvement and about time. I only hope they put the shade structures up high enough so kids cannot access and vandalize. I personaly think our goal should be to have bathrooms at all of our city parks."
Theresa

Market update for June 25 to July 25, 2011

The data remains relatively consistant.

267 Active Properties for sale.

123 in Back up position
58 Pending properties
(Total of 181 properties currently with offers on them)

59 Closed Sales for this time period
57 Properties are available for LEASE

Phase 2 of Town Center Loop begins August 1

Second phase of Town Center Loop Pedestrian Enhancement Project begins Aug. 1

Work is expected to begin Aug. 1 on the second phase of the Town Center Loop Pedestrian Enhancement Project.

The Town Center Loop Trail, which essentially loops around Aliso Viejo Town Center, provides the community with another recreational component that promotes health and well being along with supporting the City's goals for a sustainable and "walkable" community. The trail is designed to provide pedestrians with a safer walking path and amenities to encourage pedestrians to complete the roughly 3-mile/5K walk.

The first phase of the project, which was completed in 2009, consisted of new signage, enhanced hardscaping and pedestrian crosswalks along Aliso Viejo Parkway and Aliso Creek Road between Enterprise and Pacific Park Drive and along Enterprise between Aliso Viejo Parkway and Aliso Creek Road. Phase 2, which is about 1.2 miles, will complete all enhanced corner hardscape, distance markers, monuments and crosswalks for the trail. The project extends from the intersection of Aliso Viejo Parkway and Pacific Park Drive south along Aliso Viejo Parkway to the intersection of Aliso Viejo Parkway and Aliso Creek Road and then north along Aliso Creek Road to the intersection of Aliso Creek Road and Pacific Park Drive. In future phases, the City plans to add amenities such as seating, trash receptacles, public art, lighting and landscape enhancements.



Construction is expected to be completed at the end of September. Most of the work along Aliso Creek Road and Aliso Viejo Parkway will take place on the sidewalk and across business driveways with little impact to traffic. Alternate business access may be required at times and signs will be posted as necessary to facilitate any detour. Concrete paver crosswalks will be installed across Pacific Park Drive at both Aliso Viejo Parkway and Aliso Creek Road. The work will be completed in three phases in August and will require lane closures on Pacific Park Drive. Traffic delays through the construction area are expected and alternate routes are recommended.



For more information, call the Public Works Department at 949-425-2530. A map of the project is available by clicking here.

Walking Program Starts Tonight!

Lace up your tennis shoes, grab some bottled water and join City staff members for Aliso Viejo's Summer Walking Program, which continues tonight along the Aliso Creek Trail. The program embraces Aliso Viejo as a "walkable" community and is designed to promote fitness and good health. The walk is from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., and participants are encouraged to park and meet at 5:45 p.m. in front of the Aliso Viejo Ranch at 100 Park Avenue.

The goal is to give people an opportunity to explore and enjoy the scenic trail, get a healthy dose of exercise and make new friends.

Directions from Aliso Creek Road. Turn on Windsong (down the hill towards middle school) go to the end of the street and make a right and follow around to the Ranch Entrance on your left.

Harry Potter Die Hards camping out in Grand Park

Oh, to be young again!

Market update for June 12, 2011 to July 12, 2011

We have 275 Active Listings on the market

We have 164 Listings in Back up or Pending Status

We have closed 69 homes and condos in the time period.

There are currently 52 properties available for lease in Aliso Viejo

Summer concerts in the Park have begun!

Hopefully you didn't miss this past Sundays concert at Grand Park. Fun for the whole family, bring a picnic or support our local food and restaurants.

The next 2 scheduled are:

Journey Tribute on 7/24/11

and Elton John Tribute on 8/7/201

Concerts are from 530 to 730pm

Come and join the fun and meet your neighbors!

Are you thinking of adopting a PUPPY?

Puppy Party Saturday features cuddly canines at discounted adoption rate


The Mission Viejo Animal Services Center is hosting a "Puppy Party" Saturday, July 9 featuring an array of adorable puppies available for a special adoption rate. The facility has served Aliso Viejo since 2009.


Dedicated Animal Welfare Group (DAWG), the nonprofit organization that provides medical care for the animals at the center, will cover a portion of the adoption fee for people who adopt a puppy on Saturday. That means the fee, which is normally $180, will only cost $115 to welcome a new canine member to your family. This includes the $50 spay/neuter deposit, which is refunded once the pup has been spayed or neutered.


All puppies will be vaccinated and microchipped. Dedicated foster families have been caring for the little pups, so they are well adjusted, playful and affectionate.


The Mission Viejo Animal Services Center is at 28095 Hillcrest. For more information, call 949-470-3045 or visit the City's website at www.cityofalisoviejo.com and click on Animal Services.

Pls remember that getting a puppy is a huge responsibility and requires patience and training. Choose your breed wisely.









The City of Aliso Viejo, which incorporated July 1, 2001, encompasses approximately 7 square miles with over 46,123 residents. The City's annual budget is approximately $21 million. The budget is available on the City's website at www.cityofalisoviejo.com. The City supports a thriving business community with companies such as Pacific Life Insurance Co.; United Parcel Service (UPS); Clarient; Valeant Pharmaceuticals; Q-Logic; Lennar Homes; Buy.Com; Fluor Daniel; Pepsi Bottling, Inc.; Shea Homes; the Renaissance ClubSport Hotel; and Bausch and Lomb. Aliso Viejo has 23 parks, vast open space and top-notch amenities including the Aliso Viejo Ranch and the City's new Conference Center and Aquatic Center. The City of Aliso Viejo, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2011, welcomes you to "Experience It All." For more information, visit www.cityofalisoviejo.com.

Movie night at Grand Park Tonight!

This Friday night at Grand Park, come with the family to see "How to Train Your Dragon." A very good animation movie about a young boy who attempts the impossible and succeeds. He overcomes the image that others have of him and he changes the image of the dragon that invade his village. Come by on Friday at 7:30 p.m. to enjoy. Some snacks available plus a raffle

I spent my 4th of July in Boulder Colorado this year

What a great town. So much open space and lots of biking and hiking trails throughout the community. Boulder has installed these bike stations throughout the downtown area to encourage walking and biking. You can pick up a bike for a small fee per month and return it to any of the stations. We saw several of them. Here is what they looked like. I hope some cities here adopt this idea where we could use them year round, not sure what happens in the winter there.


Payment and info area in Boulder Colorado

 




This was the wall of people in Aliso Viejo





Bikes for rent in Boulder

Saw a really great firework show in Louisville over a golf course.
It was a high level show, which I hadn't seen in ages.. we have low level
fireworks in Aliso Viejo. It was a mellow crowd, very much like here in AV, the
only difference is that cardboard from the fireworks lands on top of the crowd and grass!
Very unusual indeed.
I heard we had a record amount of people at Grand Park this year!

Here are some photos from the 4th of July in Aliso Viejo. It is a great family event and good firework show!

Pie Eating Judges in Aliso Viejo

 

The crowd in Louisville . Colorado





Fireworks in Colorado



My brother with things that hit him from the sky!



4th of July Festivities!

Fourth of July fun at the pool


Spend the Fourth of July at the Aliso Viejo Aquatic Center and you'll enjoy $3 entry, fun-filled free activities throughout the day and chef's specials from the Oasis Cafe.

The City is gearing up for Independence Day, offering the public the perfect "in-town" holiday getaway.


The facility at 29 Santa Barbara will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and will feature relay races and pool games; a hula hoop contest; and water balloon toss.


Guests to the Aquatic Center can enjoy recreation and lap swimming; pool parties; daily lunch specials at the Oasis Cafe; cabanas; and lots of fun activities. The popular venue offers fee-based swimming programs, a swim team, activities and more.

The Aquatic Center is conveniently located near Aliso Creek Road and Glenwood Drive, next to the Aliso Viejo Conference Center.