Page 2 - Oceanside Fall 2025

City of Oceanside
Parks & Recreation
Administration
300 N. Coast Highway
(760) 435-5041
recadmin@oceansideca.org
www.oceansiderec.com
Fall 2025
A Message from Your Director
To the Residents and Guests of Oceanside,
As we start our fall programming, I want to take a moment
to acknowledge all of the staff, contractors, volunteers,
partners, and stakeholders that have helped to elevate the
recreation programs in Oceanside. Our celebration of Parks
and Recreation month featured many contributions that
showcased the talent, creativity, and rich sense of culture
that is a fabric of the Oceanside community.
One of the most exciting developments for our Department
is that the Oceanside City Council allocated $131,250 to
develop a new scholarship program. This funding has
ADMINISTRATION DIRECTORY
Manuel Gonzalez
Director
Johnny Chou
Division Manager
Patrick Young
Special Events Administrator
Marissa Sisario
Administrative Analyst
Erik Milbauer
Recreation Specialist
CITY COMMISSIONS
Parks & Recreation Commission
Meets bi-monthly, on the second
Tuesday of the month, at 6:00pm.
All Commissions meet at the City Council
Chambers and the meetings are open to
the general public.
Please check our website for the latest
Commission information and documents.
allowed us to expand the level of support that we can provide
Oceanside families, and each child is eligible for $300 for any recreation program and an
additional $250 for camps. The program is based on demonstrated financial need, and
applications are available on-line and at our centers.
We have collaborated with the Friends of El Corazon to offer a free concert in the park
each month this past summer, and they are hosting a free music festival on September
21 from 12 to 7 pm at El Corazon. The Department has supported the Oceanside Cultural
Arts Foundation in their application for a Levitt Music Series Grant that would add an
additional eight concerts in the park each year for the next three years. Please show
your support for more concerts by voting between September 5 and 15 at www.levitt.
org. Speaking of music in the park, I encourage you to come play the refurbished piano
that was donated by Robert Parker and the Foundation at the Joe Balderrama park.
We are introducing a new teen program at the Joe Balderrama Community Center. This
free program is available Monday through Friday from 3 to 7 pm for children in 6th to
12th grades. Our program offers a safe place for teens to hang out, play games, get
homework assistance, take field trips, develop professional skills, and engage in the
community. This program is possible by funding from Measure X.
We are continuing to work with the San Diego State University Social Policy Institute
and the Center for Excellence in Aging and Longevity to develop our AARP age friendly
network action plan. There will be an additional opportunity for public review before
the plan is presented to the City Council in December.
Oceanside has several amazing special events in September, including the Pier Swim,
US Adapted Surfing Championships, Super Girl Pro, and the new Red Bull Endurance
Sand Challenge. In October, we invite you to check out Poseiden Foundation’s What’s
Your Super Power skate event, our new Paint n’ Sip at Heritage Park, and the Halloween
Spooktacular Trunk or Treat at Mance Buchanon. Whether playing a sport, taking a walk,
immersing yourself in arts, or enjoying the outdoors, I hope you will visit one of our
parks, beaches, or facilities this season.
Manuel Gonzalez, MBA
Parks and Recreation Director
01
Fall 2025 • www.oceansiderec.com