UPGRADES TO BUNKERS AT CHALK MOUNTAIN GOLF COURSE
by Ray Festa, Golf Course Superintendent

Work began this week on the bunker renovations and tee box leveling project at Chalk Mountain GC under the direction of Golf Course architect Damian Pascuzzo. Over the next 6-8 weeks every bunker will be rebuilt to their original design with a new drainage system and sand. Several tee boxes are scheduled for re-leveling in the project as well. This comes on the heals of replacing all 850+ irrigation heads at the facility. Early response of the improvements by golfers is good: play in July was up 25% (899 rounds) over the same month in 2006.

DOGGIE SPLASH DAYS AT TEMPLETON POOL
by Stacey King, Park Operations Coordinator

The first ever Dog Splash Days at Templeton Pool on September 8 & 9, 2007 was a huge success thanks to the planning efforts of Paula O’Farrell and Parks-4-Pups.  Over 200 dogs took part in the fundraising event.  Tails were wagging, dogs were barking and having a “splashing good time.”  No dog owner had a  dry piece of clothing when they left with their “best friend.” 

There were several dog lifeguards in the water helping some of the dogs who couldn’t figure out how to get into or out of the pool. The therapists would call the dogs by name and reassure them it was ok.  After a few timid attempts, the dogs figured it out and then….their fun began!  There were also life jackets available for many of the dogs that needed a little bit of flotation help. As it worked out there were multiple sessions for the dogs that lasted  45 minutes each. Enough time to catch some toys and stay cool.

Parks-4-Pups would like to thank the numerous sponsors and volunteers for making this event a splashing success.

SALIINAS DISTRICT
by Ken Klis, Supervising Park Ranger

The Salinas District Parks Staff is currently working many projects and a few more will begin shortly.  Here’s a small sampling of some of these projects:

• This fall we’ll be making repairs to the pool decks and plaster at Templeton and San Miguel Pools.
• There will be major repairs to the playground water feature at Heilmann Regional Park in Atascadero.
• Staff at Santa Margarita Lake have been creating a new group camping area that will accommodate up to 80 people and 20 vehicles. This site will have a fire ring, water and electricity as well as a shade structure and BBQ pit.
• Diseased tree removal  and replanting continues at  Santa Margarita Commmunity Park.
• Final construction phase of the new Las Pilitas Trail will be completed soon.  This trail will be accessible by boat or by hiking 4 miles in along the Blinn Trail.

PECHO DISTRICT
by Chuck Lowe, Supervising Park Ranger

VANDALISM HITS HARD AT HARDIE PARK
Arson was to blame for the destruction of the Hardie Park playground in July. The evening blaze destroyed the entire play structure and surface as well as causing severe damage to the trees surrounding the children’s play area. The investigation is still on-going.

EL CHORRO REGIONAL PARK
Parks staff planted new cypress trees, native shrubs as well as a new irrigation system on both sides of the entrance into El Chorro Regional Park..

HUASNA DISTRICT
by Don Melin, Supervising Park Ranger

The following infrastructure improvements are currently in progress or have been completed.

• Upgrades for traffic control
• Erosion control
• Modification of campsites and group day use areas
• Upgrades for traffic control

PARKS' MENTORING PROGRAM CONTINUES
by Ernie Del Rio, Parks Superintendent - Operations

The mentoring program implemented as part of County Parks Succession Planning has proven to be a big success. For the last three months Parks management staff has been providing training opportunities to staff. We have competed the first rotation of phase I of the program and will be in the middle of the second rotation by the time this article is released.

The side benefit of having a successful Mentoring Program has resulted in increased communication with staff at all levels. Participants took their participation in the program seriously and as a result shared their experiences.  In return staff began to ask more questions, management staff had them  research and attain the knowledge to answer the questions and therefore the communication and desemination of information improved. What does this mean? An informed and educated staff is more in line with the goals and objectives of the organization. The public is better informed and is provided better service. This translates into increased customer statisfaction. Customer satisfaction leads to  increased visitation and increased visitation means more recreation opportunities for visitors and increased revenue flow for County Parks.

Wow! Who would have thought that such a simple concept to teach others about your job and prepare them for the future would have such great side effects.

County Parks is looking forward to implementing the second phase of the Mentoring Program which is to facilitate mentoring at the field Supervising Ranger level. It can be very challenging to Supervise staff and direct project activities. It will prove to be a great opportunity for those interested in upward mobility.

Stay tuned for more in this series!

PROJECT UPDATES
by Jan Di Leo, Senior Park Planner

BOB JONES BIKE TRAIL BETWEEN SAN MIGUEL STREET AND AVILA PARK - Map
This portion of the Bob Jones Bike Trail would be located on Avila Golf Resort property and will extend the existing bike path by roughly one-quarter mile. The intent is to provide a safe crossing of Avila Beach Drive for bicyclists and pedestrians. The current bike path/pedestrian corridor crosses Avila Beach Drive at San Miguel Street which has a poor line-of-sight. The proposed project would move the current crossing from San Miguel Street to First Street. A traffic signal is planned at First Street.  The project is grant funded.

At this point Parks is waiting for a permit from the California Coastal Commission. Once Coastal Commission approval is obtained construction of this one-quarter mile segment may begin.  You can help by sending a letter to the California Coastal Commission indicating your support for the project. Letters of support should be sent to:  Jonathan Bishop, California Coastal Commission, 725 Front Street, Suite 300, Santa Cruz, CA  95060-4508.  Make sure you reference the name of the project in your letter.

BENCH & AQUATIC DONATIONS

BENCH DONATIONS
Every year County Parks receive dozens of donations which enhance our recreational facilities and public buildings. Some of these gifts come through volunteer efforts like the Adopt-a-Park program and others are financial contributions like purchasing a tree, bench or bike rack.  If you are interested in purchasing a bench or bike rack please contact Anna Diaz at (805) 781-5930 or email her at adiaz@co.slo.ca.us

3Ink Screenprinting
Cayucos Candy Counter
Cayucos Lioness Club
Cayucos Lions Club
Cayucos Pharmacy
Cayucos Surf Company
Good Clean Fun
Morro Bay Surf Company
Old West Kettle Korn
San Miguel Lions Club
Shandon Valley Lions Club
Surfrider Foundation
Templeton Lions Club
Terry Moor, D.D.S.