Village Corner: Registration for 2014 Capitola Junior Guards

By Molly Ording, Member: Capitola Village Residents’ Association
FREE Parking for CJG Parents and Drivers in New Lower Pacific Cove Lot

The 2014 Capitola Junior Lifeguard Program is gearing up for its 34th season. Starting in mid-June, Capitola Beach will be alive with red bathing-suited kids, ages 6 and up, who will be actively learning about ocean water safety, first aid, lifesaving, fitness, beach games and good sportsmanship! Beyond all the fun, action and competition that take place every summer on the beach, the Capitola Junior Guards Parents’ Club & the Capitola Public Safety Foundation annually award college tuition scholarships to outstanding alumni of the program.

Get ready to sign up your kids for this year’s program! Junior Guard registration packets will be available starting March 13. Registration for returning Guards and new Guards aged 12 and up begins March 17. Registration for the 6 and up group will begin in early April (www.cityofcapitola.org/recreation/page/summer-preview).

With the start of this first session, which runs from June 16-July 18 and the 2nd session from July 21-August 15th, Capitola residents, village neighbors, junior guards parents, and City and Recreation Department staff have been communicating and planning, with the goal of increasing the safety of the children and minimizing the traffic and congestion effects upon the village and adjacent neighborhoods.

Elise Legare, City of Capitola Recreation Supervisor and Jamie Goldstein, Capitola City Manager, have responded to concerns regarding the twice-daily gridlock that occurs when parents drive down into the village to drop off and pick up their kids.

Parents and all drivers will be informed about new parking and drop off alternatives, including the FREE option of parking on mid-week days at the new Lower Pacific Cove parking area, located behind City Hall. Parents will be given passes for free parking during their children’s mid-week sessions. It is hoped that this additional parking availability will lessen village congestion and lead to a safer environment throughout the busy summer village!

Parents are being encouraged, with this free, no time limit, parking availability, to park and walk their children down to the beach, rather than drive down to the beach or park in the neighborhoods surrounding the village.

Carpools and “walk pools” are also being strongly encouraged. Parents are also being informed that the Capitola Police Department will be enforcing existing traffic, speeding and parking regulations throughout the village and neighborhoods. If cars are parked in “permit only” zones, it is suggested that residents call the CPD Parking Enforcement Phone number, 471-1141.

All agree that the Junior Guards Summer program is a top recreational and educational program with a long history on Capitola Beach. Staff members are well aware of the parking and congestion issues that come along with this busy time of year. They are hopeful that, by informing parents of this new alternate option to driving down into the village, moving cars every 2 hours and parking in the neighborhoods, the resulting congestion will be greatly reduced. Parents are reminded to drive slowly, allow themselves enough time to deliver their kids safely and be considerate of the residents and neighborhoods surrounding the beach and village. City staff will be also looking into the possibility of running a shuttle from this new parking area down to the Esplanade and back for the 2015 Junior Guards program.