TITLE
Recommendation to receive supporting documentation into the record, conclude the hearing, deny the appeal by Ann Cantrell, and support the decision of the Parks and Recreation Commission to authorize the development of a cricket ground in El Dorado Regional Park.
(District 5)
DISCUSSION
On May 15, 2008, the Parks and Recreation Commission authorized the development of a cricket ground in Area II of EI Dorado East Regional Park and authorized the Director of Parks, Recreation and Marine (Director) to execute a permit with the Southern California Cricket Association (SCCA) (Attachment #1 ).
On May 27, 2008, the City Clerk received and filed an appeal to this decision from Ann Cantrell (Attachment #2) for the following reasons:
• Gopher poisoning
• Grading of public park land to create a sports field
• Loss of public park open space for the exclusive use of a few people
• Parking • Spectator seating
• Permit term
• Noncompliance with the EI Dorado Park master plan
Backqround
Cricket has been an established team sport for hundreds of years and is thought to be the second most popular sport in the world, after football (soccer). More than 100 countries are affiliated with the International Cricket Council, cricket's international governing body. Cricket is fast becoming a popular sport in Southern California and, more particularly, here in Long Beach. The sport has been played in Long Beach since 2002, using the existing soccer field located in Marina Vista Park, but scheduling is often in conflict with other youth user groups.
SCCA requested inclusion into the parks and recreation program, along with the desire to assist in the development of a proper field on which to continue the sport, without hardship to any other user group. Area II, behind the Archery Range in EI Dorado East Regional Park, was identified and selected due to the availability of a large open area (Attachment #3).
Area II was already a developed turf area, complete with irrigation. Over the years, it had become desolate, rutted and thoroughly riddled with gophers and their runs, primarily due to the lack of use. The area has been used as overflow parking for special events on occasions.
Following are responses to the issues:
Gopher Poisoning:
Gopher control is an important function of park maintenance and is routinely performed in developed turf areas, as resources allow. All applications of materials used in this process are performed by qualified Certified Applicators who adhere to strict state and county regulations.
The Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (Department) uses aluminum phosphate pellets, also known as Fumitoxin, which are injected into the ground undetectable to birds and other surface animals. Fumitoxin is not absorbed dermally and is activated upon ingestion. It is non-persistent and non-mobile in the soil environment, and poses no risk to groundwater. Fumitoxin is the safest method for gopher control, it poses the lowest risk of secondary poisoning to other mammals, and does not impact or damage other wildlife. Additionally, reports have not shown any toxicity to humans with proper use.
Grading of Public Park Land to Create a Sports Field:
Several years of unattended gopher damage required that the land be graded to restore the turf area to its designed level surface. Additionally, the area was over-seeded to restore the grass and make the area useable to the public. The grass is just starting to grow back (Attachment #3).
The use of this area for cricket is compatible with other park uses, as the only section that has different properties is the 'wicket' or 'pitch.' Approximately 12 feet x 90 feet, the pitch has the same height or is slightly lower than existing grasses. It has a road base, topped by decomposed granite, and will eventually be permanently covered with artificial turf, giving the entire area the look of being a large open grass field. Temporary boundary lines are set up with plastic cones, flags or ropes and are removed after each match.
Parking, Especially for Overflow Archery Events:
There are 91 parking spaces located adjacent to the nearby archery range. Additional parking is available along the park road running adjacent to the field's site. At roughly 1,385 feet long, this area can accommodate approximately 70 vehicles parked parallel. The furthest spaces from the field would require an approximate 725-foot walk. The closest archery parking lot space is an approximate 850-foot walk to the field.
The Department would prefer that cars never park on the turf anywhere. It is also a reality that this sometimes needs to happen. Our intention is to find other alternatives and only park in this area when absolutely necessary. Other areas can be directed as overflow parking prior to using this restored turf area.
Spectator Seating:
As stated in the Parks and Recreation Commission letter, spectators will use existing facilities, inclusive of benches and picnic tables, for normal league play. No new benches, picnic tables or permanent bleachers are a part of the project. Any additional seating, for example bringing in temporary bleachers, would only be allowed for large special events, and only as approved by the Director, as we would do for any group or function. Spectators, as any park patron, may bring folding chairs as the area is vast and is a perfect picnic area.
Permit Term:
The Department will issue the SCCA a one-year Revocable Permit with annual renewals, at the Director's discretion. The agreement is a non-exclusive right to use, but not possess, the field for league games. This is not a lease.
Loss of Public Park Open Space for the Exclusive Use of a Few People:
The cricket ground is oval shaped and encompasses approximately 1.43 acres, or 330 feet x 240 feet of the 388.5 acres in EI Dorado East Regional Park. The restoration of this area enhances the aesthetics and makes it more suitable for general public use. No restrictions on other public uses will be imposed, except for permitted scheduled cricket league games, which are generally six hours, one day per week. Again, this is a non-exclusive permit, not a lease. Any additional playtime must have the Director's approval. When not in use by the SCCA, the area is open for everyone to enjoy.
Non-Compliance with the EI Dorado Park Master Plan:
The EI Dorado Park Master Plan is a three-page document adopted in 1981. It was an amendment to a Master Plan that was a single page site plan adopted in 1957. The appellant is correct that the cricket ground is not shown on the Master Plan. The Master Plan only shows an open turf area with the word "play" located in several spots. A paved bicycle path is also shown through the area and a freestanding rest room. The text notes that El Dorado East Regional Park was designed to be "...a regional park, with unstructured activities..." and the 1981 amendment did not change that, although it introduced a structured "activity area in Area III with a children's farm, adventure playground, and a community garden."
However, the El Dorado Park Master Plan does not have any legal force. Although it is unclear whether it ever had any legal force, the adoption of the Open Space and Recreation Element of the General Plan in 2002, and the concurrent adoption of zoning changes relative to the Park Zone, and the park dedication ordinance have created a new regulatory framework for the park system. Under the current zoning, "Athletic facilities including sports fields, swimming pools, courts and the like..." are permitted uses in the Park Zone. A cricket ground is certainly a "sports field" and the approval of the "cricket ground" is in compliance with the applicable regulatory framework for EI Dorado East Regional Park.
This matter was reviewed by Principal Deputy City Attorney J. Charles Parkin on June 20,2008, and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on June 19, 2008.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
The Long Beach Municipal Code Section 2.54.010 requires a hearing on the appeal within 30 days. City Council action is requested on July 8, 2008.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no General Fund impact. The SCCA paid for all labor and materials relating to this project. Furthermore, no additional maintenance costs will be incurred as the area has always been incorporated and budgeted in the existing landscape contract. Any additional revenue generated from park entrance fees will accrue to the General Fund (GP) in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PR).
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
Phil T. Hester
Director of Parks, Recreation and Marine
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PATRICK H. WEST |
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CITY MANAGER |