La Pata Vista Hermosa Community Park – The first phase of construction – utilities, roads, curbs, and parking spaces – has been completed through a $5 million dollar City allocation. The second phase – construction of three baseball, one football, and five soccer fields, and the aquatic center and universal playground – is in the contractor bidding process with park construction to begin in May 2010. The City of San Clemente has $32 million dollars slated for park construction and maintenance. Members of the Park’s Fundraising Committee represent the City, the Parks Foundation, and the Parks Commission. The Parks Foundation has a contract with the City to act as the park’s marketer in identifying commercial organizations desiring the naming rights for sports fields, amenities, and various aspects of the aquatic center. Additional benefits to participating organizations include recognition in the programs and schedules of youth sports groups, use of the facility one or more weekends per year, plaques in the aquatic center headquarters, identification on the Foundation website, among other advantages. The Foundation is also the conduit for donations from service clubs and individuals. The Foundation has collected $65,000 in donations thus far and the San Clemente Aquatic Club (SCAT) has set aside $30,000 for the aquatic center.

Courtney’s Sandcastle – With a beach-related theme, this “special place” will include a castle-themed, wheelchair accessible castle; a pirate ship-themed play structure with a stern wheel and talking tubes, a sensory garden, and opportunities for water play. The primary responsibility for funding the playground, around $800,000, rests with the City and the Parks Foundation. This unique playground is being designed for special need children and adults as well as able children. An exciting “Paint a Tile” program has begun, with colorful, glazed tiles (at $100 deductible per tile) to be placed in the playground representing donors. Additionally, benches, water fountains, plants and trees, play equipment, and other playground amenities are available for donor recognition.

Cyber Café Computer Center – The Foundation’s most successful program has been a computer education program. Over 4,500 students have completed various computer classes from beginning to Windows 7, with photography being a favorite. Beginning first as a program solely for seniors, it was expanded to include all ages. Teachers are all volunteers and classes are capped at eleven so that everyone has a computer station. Two instructors lead classes that meet weekly for four to six week periods, with special two-hour workshops of various topics offered on Friday mornings. There is also an annual photo contest for digital photography students.

Carnival Colossal & Expo – In celebration of the first phase completion of the LaPata/Vista Hermosa Community Park, a carnival was held on the Park site. It included numerous rides and games, 50 food and non-profit organization booths, and entertainment. Surprisingly, over 10,000 people attended the three-day affair and $25,000 was raised for the Park. It was so popular, that the second annual Carnival Colossal & Expo is planned for April 15-19. A four-day affair, it will feature a food plaza with various local restaurants preparing meals, an expanded entertainment program with “big” bands, singers, and other entertainers, and more games and rides.

Other programs and projects – The major reason the Parks Foundation was established was to develop new cultural and recreational events. Among them have been the annual skateboard and new surf contests, bicycle races, run/walk/hike contests to familiarize citizens with our City’s trail system, the summer beach concert series, and a number of fundraising events including Monte Carlo Nights and Mardi Gras, and sales of used sporting equipment. We also participate in City and Chamber of Commerce events such as the summer Fiesta and Christmas and Easter celebrations.