CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE
MINUTES OF THE
BEACHES, PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2026, 6:00 P.M.
Chair Johnson called the Regular Meeting of the Beaches, Parks, and Recreation Commission of the City of San Clemente to order on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 6:02 p.m. at City Hall Council Chambers, located at 910 Calle Negocio, 2nd Floor, San Clemente, CA. Chair Johnson led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENT Dolegowski, Grace, Haskins, Johnson, Kahn, McCanne, Van Nort ABSENT Garcia, Schmitt
STAFF PRESENT Samantha Wylie, Beaches, Parks & Recreation Director Debbie Fields, Administrative Assistant
1. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
None
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. December 16, 2026 Beaches, Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes Motion by Commissioner Kahn, seconded by Commissioner McCanne, CARRIED 7-0, Vice Chair Garcia and Commissioner Schmitt absent, to approve the December 16, 2025 regular meeting minutes.
AYE: Dolegowski, Grace, Haskins, Johnson, Kahn, McCanne, Van Nort NOE None
3. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None
4. RECREATION ACTIVITIES UPDATE
Samantha Wylie, Beaches, Parks, & Recreation Director, provided updates on upcoming recreation activities, including San Clemente Day and Sensational Springtacular as featured community events. She also announced that registration for the Spring recreation programs, which includes summer camps, will begin on February 25.
5. OLD BUSINESS
None
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6. NEW BUSINESS
A. Review of Dog Park Location & Features Survey Results and Direction on Advancing Site-Specific Evaluation and Outreach
Samantha Wylie, Beaches, Parks & Recreation Director, provided an overview of the new dog park project. While originally planned as two off-leash dog parks, staff is now considering one traditional off-leash dog park, similar to the existing dog park, along with a separate dog run.
Amanda Quintanilla expressed strong support for the recently conducted community survey regarding a potential dog park and locations.
Betsy Hartley, a San Clemente resident, stated that noise would not be an issue at San Gorgonio Park.
Commissioners either individually or as a group discussed the following:
• Liability for the dog parks (use at your own risk)
• Noise issues for surrounding residents
• Parking at the proposed sites
• Dog beach status
• Separate areas for large/small dogs
• Seating areas for dog owners in the dog park
Motion by Commissioner Grace, seconded by Commissioner McCanne, CARRIED 7–0, Vice Chair Garcia and Commissioner Schmitt absent, to approve the staff recommendation to receive file the Dog Park survey; acknowledge San Gorgonio Park as the preferred location for a future off-leash dog park; identify Bonita Canyon Park for consideration as a dog run; and direct staff to conduct targeted outreach within the surrounding site areas before returning with final recommendations.
AYE: Dolegowski, Grace, Haskins, Johnson, Kahn, McCanne, Van Nort NOE None
B. Review of Reserved Lap Lane Use During Public Swim Hours Samantha Wylie, Beaches, Parks & Recreation Director, presented a staff report regarding reserved lap lane usage during public swim hours, noting that reserved lap lanes were discontinued at Ole Hanson Beach Club last year.
Commissioners either individually or as a group discussed the following:
• No-shows for reserved lap lanes
• Charging reservation fees
• Stricter no-show policies
• Dedicating lanes for ADA or slower swimmers
• Eliminating reservations completely
• Phasing out of reservations
Motion by Commissioner Van Nort, seconded by Commissioner Grace, CARRIED 7-0, Vice Chair Garcia and Commissioner Schmitt absent, to approve the staff recommendation to modify the reserved lap lane policy to allow up to three (3) reserved lanes Monday through Beaches, Parks, and Regular Meeting February 10, 2026
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Friday from 5:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., eliminate reservations after 3:00 p.m. on weekdays, and eliminate all reservations on weekends.
AYE: Dolegowski, Grace, Haskins, Johnson, Kahn, McCanne, Van Nort NOE None
7. COMMUNICATIONS
A. Beaches, Parks & Recreation Director Report
• Samantha Wylie, Beaches, Parks & Recreation Director, reported that there is an RFP for the end-of-the-pier concession and responded to questions from the Commission; stated that staff is developing qualifications for the design of two playground replacements and expects to present designs at the June meeting; and that spring registration opens soon, and users need to update credit card information in the new payment system.
8. ITEMS FROM COMMISSION
A. Subcommittee Reports
i. North Beach Community Association Subcommittee (Garcia, Kahn) Commissioner Kahn reported that their partner with the North Beach Community Association is working at every level of government, and the Subcommittee is standing by to assist if needed.
ii. Sandcastles for Sloan Subcommittee (Garcia, McCanne) Commissioner McCanne reported that the Marine Safety Division confirmed Junior Lifeguard training includes education on the dangers of digging large sand holes.
The subcommittee is exploring safety messaging on public transportation while working with the contact at Sandcastles for Sloan regarding future options. iii. Beach Sand Policy Subcommittee (Johnson, Schmitt, Van Nort) Commissioner Van Nort reported that the subcommittee met with the City Manager and Coastal Administrator and is drafting ideas regarding sand placement goals, sources, and monitoring. A draft will be brought to a future Commission meeting for review.
iv. Aquatic Partnership Policy Subcommittee (Garcia, Haskins, McCanne, Schmitt) Samantha Wylie, Beaches, Parks & Recreation Director, mentioned that the subcommittee has met with staff as well as the two partner organizations and the subcommittee will be reconvening to have final conversations.
B. Items from Commissioners
i. PierPride Foundation (Grace)
Commissioner Grace reported that PierPride has had a successful fundraising year; the annual strategic visioning session is scheduled for March; planning has begun for the pier's centennial celebration; the railings on the pier are scheduled to be replaced soon; and Rainbow Sandals donated $50,000 for the lifeguard statue. ii. Proposed Agenda Items
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Motion by Chair Johnson, seconded by Commissioners Dolegowski, Grace, and Kahn, Vice Chair Garcia and Commissioner Schmitt absent, that Chair Johnson will prepare a report outlining a proposed public education campaign to inform the community about the sand replenishment policy, which will include recommended messaging, outreach strategies, and a proposed implementation timeline.
9. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Chair Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Grace, CARRIED 7-0, Vice Chair Garcia and Commissioner Schmitt absent, to adjourn at 7:03 p.m. to a regular meeting on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall Council Chambers, located at 910 Calle Negocio, 2nd Floor, San Clemente, CA.
Beaches, Parks & Recreation Commission Beaches, Parks & Recreation Director Chairperson