Recreation and Parks

Special Events Calendar

News

Call for Bands Application 2019 (for Concerts in the Park)

Reservations

Recreation Guide

2018-19 Goals/Objectives

Calendar Grid 224423
<<	April 2019 Apr 2019	>>

Spring Break Hours
The City's Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center will have temporary extended hours April 19-27.
Pitch, Hit & Run Winners
Local winners will advance to the sectional competition taking place on Sunday, May 19th.
7-on-7 Youth Soccer Tournament
Youth soccer teams are invited to a Cinco de Mayo 7-on-7 soccer tournament.

More »

Print

Font Size: + -

615 S. McClelland Street
Santa Maria, CA 93454

The Department of Recreation and Parks' mission is to enrich the lives of the residents of Santa Maria through quality recreation programs and services; and to provide safe and well-maintained facilities and parks, while anticipating the changing needs of the community. The department operates 234 acres of developed parkland in 27 neighborhood and community parks, part of the 1,774-acre Los Flores Ranch Park property, the Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center, the Hagerman Softball Complex, Paul Nelson Aquatics Center, Elwin Mussell Senior Center, Veterans' Memorial Center and other community centers. The department provides programs in aquatics, youth and adult sports, therapeutics and senior services, Special Olympics, community classes and events, youth and teen programs, and Families For the First Decade programs. It also runs the City's Urban Forest Program.

Draft Public Art Master Plan

Leisure Needs Assessment and Action Plan 2013
Parks Location Map
Final Appendix

Recreation and Parks Department Organizational Chart

Alex Posada, Director of Recreation and Parks

ALEXANDER POSADA
Director of Recreation & Parks

City Phone: (805) 925-0951 ext. 2260
City Fax: (805) 925.4508
E-mail

EDUCATION & EMPLOYMENT:

Social Services, San Jose State University
Social Work, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
Public Administration, La Salle University
Director of Recreation and Parks, City of Santa Maria
Interim Recreation Superintendent, City of Santa Maria
Recreation Supervisor, City of Santa Maria
Facility Manager, City of Santa Maria
Social Worker I, County of Santa Barbara
Recreation Specialist, City of Santa Maria
Recreation Specialist, Hayward Area District
Teen Counselor, City of San Jose

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:

Kiwanis Club of Santa Maria
United Way of the Central Coast
Santa Maria Affiliate Santa Barbara Foundation
Advisory Committee, Special Olympics Southern California
North County American Red Cross Disaster Services
American Red Cross

PERSONAL:

Marital status: Married
Children: Three
General interests: Travel and photography

DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

Responsible for the daily operations and management of the Recreation and Parks Department. Provide staff support to the City Manager's Office, City Council and Recreation and Parks Commission. Supervise a staff of 30 full-time and 32 permanent part-time, assigned to 5 major divisions: Parks, Landscape Districts, Urban Forest, Recreation, and Administration. Services are provided in the following areas: city parks (225+ acres), part of Los Flores Ranch Park, publicly managed trees (30,000+), street medians, storm basins and rights-of-way (45+ acres), Santa Maria Town Center landscaping and parking structures, 7 major recreation facilities offering specialty recreation classes and programs and support to community based recreation programs i.e., youth basketball, youth soccer, etc.

Mission Statement

To enrich the lives of the residents of Santa Maria and surrounding areas through the provision of quality recreation and park facilities, programs and services, while being intuitive and responsive to the leisure needs of our customers.

9
4:00 PMRecreation & Parks Commission Meeting

Begin the Request for Proposal process to update the 2013 Community Leisure Needs Assessment and Action Plan; have a new plan in place in 2019.
Continue responding to the City Council’s priority to address inadequate City facilities, specifically by exploring the feasibility of funding a sports (soccer) complex.
Maintain water conservation in the park system, including re-vegetation of landscape areas, rotation of scheduled watering, use of non-potable water, and complete renovations of landscaping and irrigation throughout the City’s parks and landscape districts to address drought requirements to maintain the community’s vibrant and welcoming ambiance.
Seek grant funding as well as increased sponsorship opportunities for the expansion of services to at-risk youth for the Mayor’s Task Force on Youth Safety, and those special events, marketing, and education campaigns that foster community-building.
Nurture partnerships with local school districts, non-profit agencies, service groups, and special interest organizations for continued development of the Mayor’s Task Force on Youth Safety.
Develop new working relationships with non-profit organizations, schools, health care providers, businesses, and funding partners throughout the Santa Maria Valley, in an effort to address the growing needs of the homeless.
Expand the new “ActiveNet” software system that provides additional resources for both in-house and on-line registration of programs, as well as facility and park reservations.
Provide parks, athletic fields, and facilities that are safe, clean, and inviting to our residents and visitors.
Collaborate with the Community Development Department on the update of the General Plan, identifying parks infrastructure needs to meet projected growth.
Continue to work closely with the Community Development Department in the development of an action plan for the City’s Downtown, by providing input on recreational and social activities that could be offered as the plan comes to fruition, and by expanding the role of the City’s Landscape Maintenance Districts to support the efforts of the improvements along the South Broadway corridor.