Recreation and Parks

Special Events Calendar

2021-22 Goals and Objectives

News

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<<	September 2021 Sep 2021	>>

Active Aging Week
As part of International Active Aging Week, the Recreation and Parks Department is offering free activities October 2-8.
Final Summer Concert in Park
The free concert featuring Steppin’ Out will be held on Sunday, September 26th at Acquistapace Park.
Solar Cooking Class
Sign up for a free solar cooking class at Los Flores Ranch Park, to take place Saturday, September 18th.
Teen Treks to the Coast
Register now for several teen treks to the coast, including transportation and lunch.
Hometown Heroes Class of 2021
The City of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department is pleased to recognize the Hometown Heroes Class of 2021.
Call for Mural Artists
An artist is being sought to design and be paid for a mural showcasing the Santa Maria Valley's rich history and traditions.

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615 South 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 28 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 the Mayor's Task Force on Youth Safety. It also runs the City's Urban Forest Program.

Active Aging Week Free Events October 2-8, 2021

Call for Artists Mural Design

City's Public Art Tour webpage (includes 10 existing utility box art projects)

Leisure Needs Assessment and Action Plan 2019
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

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.

14
4:00 PMRecreation & Parks Commission Meeting

Develop a comprehensive Landscape Maintenance District financial analysis with the goal of establishing long-term financial stability and bring it to the City Council for consideration.
Engage community members in the development of specific park programs and services needed in their neighborhoods; using the Community Leisure Needs Assessment as a guide, by holding Recreation and Parks Commission “Outreach Meetings” throughout the year in various neighborhoods.
Submit grant applications for funding construction and using existing City developer fee programs to construct new facilities.
Implement the goals set and adopted in the 2019 Community Leisure Needs Assessment and the goals of the Mayors’ Task Force on Youth Safety by re-engaging key community partners.
To improve the quality of life in the City’s neighborhoods and to address growing density, identify developable parcels of land for consideration as “pocket parks” or “parklets” where feasible.
Develop and present to the City Council an ordinance on street trees to enhance the urban forest and reduce City liability.
Integrate a funding mechanism for implementation of the Public Arts Master Plan goals and for landscape improvements into City’s Downtown Specific Plan and General Plan to allow for a more livable downtown experience.
Develop and integrate an inclusion plan for the offering of leisure programs and services to disenfranchised and hard-to-reach residents, and expand programming for seniors.
Apply City Ranger policy and procedures to align with the department’s mission.
Promote environmental sustainability, social engagement, and community pride in all Recreation programming offered by the Department, using the summer and after-school youth recreation programs as a delivery system.