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PRCSC - (1) Discussion Regarding the Use of Field Space for Adult Sports in Culver City Parks; and, (2) [If Desired] Provide Recommendations to City Staff for Future Consideration.
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Meeting Date: May 15, 2018
Contact Person/Dept: Corey Lakin/PRCS-Administration
Phone Number: (310) 253-6682
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Public Notification: (Email) Subscribers of Culver City News and Events, Parks, Recreation & Community Service Department Updates, or Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Commission (05/01/18); (Social Media) Nextdoor (05/01/18), Culver City PRCS Facebook Page (05/01/18) & City of Culver City - Local Government Facebook Page (Week of 05/01/18); (Website Postings) PRCS Department Homepage & Culver City Homepage - Highlights Section; (Flyer Distribution) Culver City parks and recreation facilities and in the back of Council Chambers; (Cable Slide) Culver City TV; (Posted Notices) At least one in each of nine Culver City Parks (All were done during the week of 05/01/18)
Department Approval: Corey Lakin, PRCS Director (05/01/18)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) Commission (1) discuss the use of field space for adult sports in Culver City Parks; and (2) [if desired] provide recommendations to City staff for future consideration.
BACKGROUND
At the January 17, 2018 Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) Commission meeting, the PRCS Commissioners requested staff bring back a discussion item on adult sports in Culver City Parks. This discussion was scheduled for the March 21, 2018 PRCS Commission Special Meeting. At that meeting it was determined that, in order to increase the level of public engagement, the Agenda Item would be postponed, more outreach would be done, and the discussion would be held in a community setting, such as at one of the City’s park and/or recreation facilities.
The History of Adult Sports in Culver City Parks
In Chapter 9.10: Parks, Public Buildings and Property of the Culver City Municipal Code, under the title “Regulation of Parks and Planting”, § 9.10.055 PROHIBITIONS. States that “Within the limits of any public park it shall be unlawful for any person:
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M. To take part in or abet the playing of any games involving thrown or otherwise propelled objects such as balls, stones, arrows, javelins, or model airplanes, except in areas set apart for such forms of recreation. The playing of rough or comparatively dangerous games such as football, baseball and quoits is prohibited except on the fields and courts or areas provided therefor. Rollerskating shall be confined to those areas specifically designated for such pastime.”
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Staff researched the history of adult sports on the parks and found several pieces of documentation and also spoke with tenured and previous staff to determine the current practices.
- Meeting Minutes from the September 13, 1994 Human Services and Park Commission (Attachment 1) discussed the Commission hosting a Public Hearing on “limiting soccer activities to children under the age of 18 at Culver West Park.” After hearing testimony from audience members, the Commission recommended to prohibit adult soccer at Culver West Park and post signs (Attachment 2) and enforce accordingly.
- A letter from the Director of Human Services Syd Kronenthal to Culver City Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Curtis Rethmeyer dated September 11, 1995 (Attachment 3) further clarifies the prohibition of adult soccer when it “has a detrimental effect on all other recreational activities…” In this letter, Director Kronenthal explains that based on the findings that were discussed at the September 1994 Commission meeting, adult soccer was prohibited at most parks in Culver City, with the exception of El Marino Park.
- A copy of a Proposed Park and Field Use Policy (Attachment 4) that was based on the Commission’s 1994 discussion describes the history, as well as sets up a new proposed policy for the allocation of field space for adult soccer at El Marino. Staff is unsure whether this “Proposed Policy” was ever formally adopted, but it does demonstrate the history of adult soccer being prohibited dating back to 1994.
- At the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting from October 7, 2008 (Attachment 5), Item A-4 briefly mentioned the City’s Adult Soccer leagues that took place at El Marino Park. The Commission discussed the fees that the two leagues were paying. The meeting minutes show that the Item was tabled and staff was not able to find another adult soccer item on the Commission agenda since.
- The 2009 Master Plan Parks and Facilities Inventory that lists soccer fields at Culver City and Veterans Memorial Parks and “open space” soccer fields at Vets, Fox Hills, Blanco, El Marino and Tellefson Parks. This does not include any notations on who is allowed to play on these fields, but rather just an inventory of soccer fields.
- In a phone conversation with former Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director Daniel Hernandez, staff learned that adult soccer had been prohibited at parks in Culver City for years, but not other adult sports. During his tenure, Director Hernandez did not change the policies, but rather continued to enforce them as had been done in the past.
DISCUSSION
The nine-month study that was conducted in 1994 demonstrated several reasons that adult soccer was prohibited in Culver West Park and eventually throughout parks in Culver City. Behavioral issues from players, damage to the turf and conflicts with other activities in the parks were the main justifications. There is no backup for as to why only adult soccer specifically was prohibited and no other adult sports. Staff can only guess that adult soccer was the issue at that time and other adult sports were either not having problems in the community or were not as prevalent.
Currently, the City either operates or rents field space for adult sports in Culver City parks. The City contracts with Major League Softball (MLS) to offer adult softball at Veterans Park, Culver City Park and Syd Kronenthal Park. Additionally, field renters for adult sports activities are scheduled seasonally. Here is the Winter 2018 schedule:
- Sony - Softball - Saturdays at SK Park from 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. (10 weeks)
- Urban Sports LA - Flag Football - Sundays at Fox Hills Park from 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (9 weeks)
- Varsity Gay League - Kickball - Saturdays at Veterans Park from 12:00-2:00 p.m. (6 weeks)
- Zog Sports - Kickball/Ultimate Frisbee - Sundays at Lindberg Park 2:00-4:00 p.m. (18 weeks; 2 blocks of 9 weeks)
- Zog Sports - Softball - Sundays at SK Park and Veterans Park - 3:00-9:00 p.m. (18 weeks; 2 blocks of 9 weeks)
All field renters (except for softball) are informed that their sports are to be non-contact and that all players are prohibited from wearing cleats (only sneakers or turf shoes). The renting organizations are also directed to setup/rotate their fields differently each week if possible, so that they don’t overuse the grass and create bald patches.
FISCAL ANALYSIS - There is no fiscal impact associated with this discussion.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2018-05-15 - ATT 1 Meeting Minutes Dated 09-13-1994, Human Services and Park Commission
2. 2018-05-15 - ATT 2 “Adult Soccer Prohibited in Park” Sign Currently Posted in Some Parks
3. 2018-05-15 - ATT 3 Letter to Dr. Rethmeyer Dated 09-11-1995 from Human Services Director Syd Kronenthal
4. 2018-05-15 - ATT 4 Human Services Department Proposed Park and Field Use Policy
5. 2018-05-15 - ATT 5 Item A-4 with Meeting Minutes 10-07-2008 Parks and Recreation Commission
MOTION
That the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission:
1. Discuss the use of field space for adult sports in Culver City Parks; and
2. (If desired) provide recommendations to City staff for future consideration.