At the SAMLARC Board of Directors COVID-19 Executive Committee Meeting held Wednesday, June 3, 2020, the Executive Committee took action to postpone the July 4th Star Spangled Spectacular and fireworks show, due to the State Order and County mandate, as well as the City of Rancho Santa Margarita.  Under the State Order, due to the size of the crowd and magnitude of the event, the July 4th fireworks show would be considered a Stage 4 activity, which is currently prohibited.  The County of Orange Health Care Agency follows the State Orders.  The event also requires a City Special Event Permit, and the City is not issuing permits at this time.  The Executive Committee set a tentative date of Labor Day Weekend for the postponed event; however, they will re-consider in mid-July based on where Orange County is within the State Order.  If Labor Day is not possible, the Committee will consider a date prior to January 1, 2021 to reschedule the event.  The July 4th Start Spangled Spectacular has been a SAMLARC tradition for more than 30 years.  The Board of Directors is disappointed that it will not occur this year on July 4th; however, excited to have the opportunity to host the fireworks show prior to the end of the year, State Order permitting.

Although July 4th activities will be different this year, there are a variety of ways in which the SAMLARC community can celebrate Independence Day from a distance. The SAMLARC Board of Directors welcomes each Member to join them in celebration of this national holiday, through the following activities:

Voice of SAMLARC Singing Contest:

SAMLARC invites musical Members to share their talent with the community. The winner of this year’s Voice of SAMLARC singing contest will help to lift the spirits of the community, virtually. Participants may submit video auditions online and the winning video(s) will be compiled and shared on SAMLARC’s social media channels to spread Independence Day spirit! Virtual auditions will close on June 26, 2020. Please click HERE to audition!

Star Spangled Home Decorating Contest:

This competition is a great way to bring the community together and celebrate our great nation #SAMLARCstrong. Each participating home must decorate with an Independence Day theme filled with red, white, and blue! Each participant must submit their address to the SAMLARC team by Friday, June 19th. Once all entries have been submitted, a map will be posted to provide directions for the community to take “spirit rides” to visit each home, then go online to vote for your favorites afterwards! An Independence Day playlist will also be posted to enjoy. The SAMLARC Stars & Stripes Celebration will launch on Monday, June 29th and will run through Sunday, July 5th. The homes that receive the most online votes by the end of the day on Sunday, July 5th will win a $100, $75, or $50 virtual visa gift card for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. The winning homes will also be featured on Facebook and Instagram. Please click HERE for more information and to register.

Independence Day Memory Reel:

July 4th is filled with special memories for SAMLARC Members. Though we will miss this year’s fireworks display due to government-mandated gathering restrictions, we hope to bring joy to the community through a digital display! We invite you to share a short video of the 2018 or 2019 fireworks display so that we can share the 4th of July spirit with your SAMLARC friends and neighbors. Please submit your video clips by Friday, June 19th by clicking HERE. The video will premiere at 7:00 p.m. on July 4th! Tune into SAMLARC’s Facebook page as well as SAMLARC.org to watch with your family!

The Board of Directors appreciates the understanding and patience of the Membership as we navigate this time together. For any questions regarding SAMLARC’s COVID-19 response measures, please contact SAMLARC Community Executive Officer, Candice Fullenkamp, at Candice.Fullenkamp@fsresidential.com or (949) 709-0015.

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) has impacted our world and all facets of life. FirstService Residential, SAMLARC’s Management company is closely monitoring the latest information from the California Department of Public Health, Governor’s Office, County of Orange, and other governmental agencies. The health and safety of SAMLARC Members and their families is the SAMLARC Board of Directors' foremost priority. The Board appreciates the flexibility and thoughtfulness of the Membership during this time. SAMLARC’s Coronavirus response measures have been successful thanks to the patience and community-mindedness of SAMLARC Members.

Please read on for current facility open/closure statuses. Please adhere to social distancing and public health requirements. Group gatherings and group activity are prohibited at all facilities.

Trails – Open

Lakeshore – Open

• Use at your own risk

• Comply with all posted signage for Lakeshore walkway, including counter-clockwise pedestrian traffic

• Group gatherings prohibited

• Social distancing required

Parks – Open with Modifications

• Cañada Vista Park (including the City owned and operated Skate and Dog Parks) is open. Group gatherings and organized activities prohibited

• Restrooms are open

• Grass areas and sidewalks are open

• Playground and fitness equipment are closed

• Picnic shelters and tables are closed

Tennis & Pickleball Courts – Open with Modifications

• Select courts at Altisima, Arroyo Vista, and Trabuco Mesa are available for reservation through the SAMLARC Life mobile app or by calling the Beach Club Office at 949-858-1390

• Singles play only

Baseball Fields, Basketball Courts, and Volleyball Courts – Open with Modifications

• Group play is prohibited

• Use at your own risk

Pools – Closed

Beach Club – Closed

• Closure includes, Lagoon, Fiesta Room, Restrooms, gate access, and Office to visitors

• Beach Club Office is available to assist Members via telephone or email

SAMLARC Business Office – Closed to Visitors

• Business Office is available to assist Members via phone or email

These measures will be re-evaluated as the situation with the Coronavirus continues to evolve. Questions regarding SAMLARC’s COVID-19 response measures may be sent to Candice Fullenkamp, Community Executive Officer, at 949-709-0015 or candice.fulllenkamp@fsresidential.com.

June 2, 2020

While SAMLARC Parks are open, social distancing requirements and no gathering restrictions are in place.  Use of SAMLARC parks and facilities by any organized group, for any reason, requires a permit issued by SAMLARC.  Permits are not being issued at this time.  The Lake, Lakeshore and all parks in Rancho Santa Margarita west of Plano Trabuco are owned by SAMLARC.  If you have any questions regarding SAMLARC parks or facilities, please contact Community Executive Officer Candice Fullenkamp at Candice.Fullenkamp@fsresidential.com or (949) 709-0015.

The SAMLARC Board of Directors and Executive Committee announce that the SAMLARC tennis and pickleball courts will reopen for Member use at the three (3) SAMLARC parks below, beginning Saturday, May 23, 2020. Reservations of the courts may be made beginning Friday, May 22, 2020 through the SAMLARC Life mobile app, or by calling the Beach Club at (949) 858-1390. Usage of the tennis courts is modified in order to support public health guidelines of social distancing and no gathering.

Courts

• Altisima Park: 1 Tennis Court and 2 Pickleball Courts 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Daily

• Trabuco Mesa Park: 3 Tennis Courts 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Daily

• Arroyo Vista Park: 3 Tennis Courts 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday – Friday (no weekends)

Court Reservations

For convenience and the most up-to-date information, Members are strongly encouraged to make reservations through the SAMLARC Life mobile lifestyle app. Please click HERE to learn more about SAMLARC Life and download the free mobile lifestyle app. Assistance is available through the Beach Club Office at 949-858-1390.

Usage & Play

• In addition to the guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and United States Tennis Association (USTA), below are Temporary Tennis Court Rules and Regulations while utilizing SAMLARC Community Tennis Courts.

• Members will receive remote access to the tennis court at the time of their reservation by calling the Beach Club at 949.858.1390

• Singles play only;

• No spectators allowed.

• Reservations are for SAMLARC Members only (no guests). Reservation must be made by adult, 18 years or older

• Players must arrive no more than 10 minutes prior to reservation time to check-in and be prepared to enter the reserved court space.

• It is recommended that players wear masks when not playing and awaiting their reservation.

• It is recommended that players are required to wear a glove on their non-dominant hand to assist with picking up of balls.

• Upon leaving the court, the players are to remove all their equipment, towels, clothing and tennis balls.

The SAMLARC Board of Directors appreciates Members’ patience and adherence to these temporary guidelines.. The Board and its Executive Committee are continually working to maintain the slow spread of COVID-19 in the community, while continuing to provide excellent services. For the most up-to-date information on SAMLARC facilities, please click the button below.

May 27, 2020

During California Governor Gavin Newsom’s live press conference on May 26, 2020, the Governor announced that barbershops and hair salons are permitted to reopen in counties that have successfully fulfilled the County Variance criteria (including Orange County). Please follow the link below to read the California Department of Health Press Release.

California Department of Health Press Release

Though barbershops and hair salons were previously identified as Stage 3 businesses, the State of California remains in Stage 2, which prohibits the re-opening of certain spaces and businesses. As articulated on the State’s County Variance Information website, pools, community centers, playgrounds, and picnic areas are “not open” and the following are to remain closed:

• Personal services such as nail salons, tattoo parlors, gyms and fitness studios

• Hospitality services, such as bars, wineries, tasting rooms and lounges

• Entertainment venues, such as movie theaters, gaming, gambling, arcade venues, pro sports, indoor museums, gallery spaces, and zoos

• Community centers, public pools, playgrounds, and picnic areas

• Cultural ceremonies

• Nightclubs

• Concert venues

• Live audience sports

• Festivals

• Theme parks

• Hotels/lodging for leisure and tourism

Please follow the link below to view the State County Variance Information website.

State County Variance Information Website

On Friday, May 8, 2020, California entered Stage 2 of the Office of the Governor’s four-stage “RESILIENCE ROADMAP.” The Orange County Health Care Agency provided further CLARIFICATION OF STAGE 2 as pertaining to the County. At this time, both the State and the County of Orange are prohibiting the opening of public pools. While the four (4) SAMLARC pools and Lagoon (considered a type of pool) are the private property of the Association, they are considered by law and by code as public pools. Therefore, they are mandated to remain closed due to State and County directives. The Board of Directors is preparing for the re-opening of the Pools and Lagoon when federal, State, and County orders permit.

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The Board of Directors is disappointed that the State and County orders prolong the closure of the pools. However, the Board is preparing for the pools and Lagoon to re-open as soon as the State and County orders are lifted. The Board appreciates the flexibility and thoughtfulness of the Membership during this time. SAMLARC’s Coronavirus response measures have been successful thanks to the patience and community-mindedness of SAMLARC Members. Rancho Santa Margarita has one of the lowest infection rates in the County and State.

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Please click HERE to view the State of California's 4-Stage "Resilience Roadmap."

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Please click HERE to view the Orange County Health Care Agency's Clarification of Stage 2 as pertaining to the County.

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The SAMLARC Board of Directors is working to minimize the impacts of COVID-19 on the community, while continuing to provide excellent services. For the most up to date information on SAMLARC facilities, please click the button below.