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

Tree down on Wood Canyon near Westridge

Wow!  A huge tree was blocking the street this am. I hope no one was injured. We have a few of these trees that are leaning a bit and need to be removed or something.

Street Improvements begin week of March 21st

Street-improvement project starts next week


Aliso Viejo will start its annual slurry seal pavement maintenance program on March 21, as part of an on-going effort to extend the life of City streets.

The work will include removing and replacing pavement marking and adding a coat of slurry seal to Aliso Creek Road from Alicia Parkway to SR-73; Wood Canyon from Aliso Creek Road to Oakgrove/Westridge; Enterprise from Aliso Creek Road to Town Center; Glenhurst; Boundary Oak; Autumnglen; Summerfield; Springdale; Knollwood; Deerhurst; Wolverine Way; and Foxborough.

The work will require some street closures but all residents impacted by closures will receive a notice by mail and door hangers and the City will post signs. School zone areas will be completed during spring break, April 4-8.

The actually slurry seal part of the project is expected to be finished by April 8, with final pavement markings done by the end of April. All work is dependent on the weather, and any major changes to the schedule will be announced.

For more information about the work, contact City contractor American Asphalt South at 800-678-4007. Information is also available by contacting the Public Works Department at 949-425-2530 or pworks@cityofalisoviejo.com. A map of the project area is available by clicking here.

Wonder if the recent storm and those forthcoming will delay this project?

The Aliso Viejo Pool will open soon!

The operating season and daily hours for the Aliso Viejo Aquatic Center will be extended beginning in May.

The new season – May 1 to Sept. 30 – adds six weekends. Weekday hours will be shortened and weekend hours will be extended. The changes – based on suggestions from the public and a review of 2009 attendance logs – were approved this week by the City Council.



The city also will offer season passes for adults, $150, and children, $90. Monthly passes are $50 for adults and $30 for children.

The aquatic center first opened in 2009. The facility includes a 25-meter pool, recreation pool, splash pad and toddler wading pool. The center offers fee-based swimming programs, activities, and party rentals.

The council also approved $8,300 to promote the aquatic center among residents and visitors. Nearly half the money will be spent on special holiday events at the pool and on two family events.

There are plans to advertise the center on the city's Web site, and in e-mail blasts, the community calendar and community directories. Fliers will be distributed at special events.

The estimated operating cost for the pool is $173,600, according to a staff report.

The Aquatic Center is at Aliso Creek Road and Glenwood Drive next to the Aliso Viejo Conference Center.

Contact the writer: lbaguio@ocregister.com or 949-454-7363