Veterans Memorial Park | Carlsbad, CA

At a glance

The City of Carlsbad has developed a conceptual master plan for its next community park.
The Veterans Memorial Park site is located on 93.7 acres, near the intersection of Faraday Avenue and Cannon Road.
Over half of the land will remain as undisturbed habitat.
Based on public input gathered throughout the planning process, the city has developed the Veterans Memorial Park Master Plan Report.
The park will be physically separated into two distinct areas (north and south) which transition through passive uses and open space to a prominent public art element at the high point of the site.
The north side will be accessed via a primary park entrance on Faraday Avenue and via a neighborhood trail on Whitman Way.
Access to the south side of the park will be located near the underpass at Faraday Avenue.

What's the latest

The city is working to complete detailed design and construction plans for the park, following the uses identified in the master plan. Construction is expected to start in 2024, and the park is expected to be complete and open in summer 2026.
View the latest renderings, which show more of what the park could look like when complete.
Input on specific memorial elements to honor veterans at the future park was gathered through an online survey in July 2022. Further input on public art elements for the park will be gathered in late spring 2023.
If you would like to provide input on the project, please contact the project manager at 442-339-2527.

Master plan

The master plan includes the following features at the park:

North Side

Parking lot, EV charging stations and drop-off area
A memorial plaza with shaded pavilions and public art display
Building with a catering support room, storage and restrooms
Large community gathering area
Large inclusive playground, tucked away from the memorial plaza
Family and group picnic areas
Open lawn
Accessible pathway to the upper plateau

Vista Terraces/Upper Plateau

Accessible winding pathway
Fitness climb to upper plateau
Individual seating areas
Rustic, nature-inspired playground
Group exercise areas
Family picnic areas
Native and interpretive gardens
Prominent memorial art feature
Views of the lagoon, ocean and golf course

South Side

Parking lot, EV charging stations and drop-off area
Playground for young children
Small building with restrooms and storage
Family-oriented bike park with spectator seating nearby and nature inspired features
Large shaded plaza near entrance to the bike park for group picnicking and recreation programs
Outdoor fitness areas for all ages with an obstacle course and exercise stations
Outdoor education area
Fitness run to the upper plateau

Visitors will have access to a citywide trail network connecting to other city trails and to Twain Avenue, will be separated from park amenities, allowing for typical trails’ recreation including hiking, jogging, biking and dogs on leash.

Renderings

Next steps

Public art

The city sought input from our local veteran community to kick off the public art design process. This initial input gathered this summer will help inform the selection of the artist who will create something truly special to honor and evoke the spirit of those who have served our country.
A national Call for Artists Qualifications was released on Thursday, Aug. 31 to recruit potential artists or artist teams to create the permanent public art for the upper plateau of Veterans Memorial Park. The deadline for artist submissions closed on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023 at 4 p.m. Visit Veterans Memorial Park public art webpage for more information.
If you or your family are military veterans or currently serving in the military and would like to get involved, please sign up to receive Cultural Arts enews public art updates.
The city’s Art in Public Places Program will guide the public art process.

What's next?

A Public Art Advisory Subcommittee is being assembled to provide recommendations on the artist selection. Additional input opportunities will be provided throughout the public art design process.
The public art engagement process will run parallel with the project development. For more information, contact Tonya Rodzach, Community Arts Coordinator at Tonya.Rodzach@carlsbadca.gov

Public input process

The city has gathered public input at various points during the master planning process. This public involvement helps ensure Veterans Memorial Park reflects the community’s values, needs and priorities. The input gathered to date was used to develop the draft Veterans Memorial Park Master Plan and park buildings draft design concepts.

Memorial Plaza input opportunities

The city gathered input on specific Memorial Plaza elements to recognize veterans at the future park through an online survey that was available May 27 through June 11, 2022.

Feedback gathered on the Veterans Memorial Plaza will be incorporated into the design and construction plans for the park. Additionally, a focus group of interested parties held in July 2022 will provide more direction for development of the plaza.

Some of the initial features of the Veterans Memorial Plaza, shown on the sample renderings, include

Flagpole and raised platform at center of plaza for educational presentations and veterans events
Illuminated glass panels with images etched that could reflect different military branches and representation of different roles, genders and time periods
Nearby parking lot to make the area easily accessible for people of all abilities
Educational opportunities
Benches to provide a place to sit and pay respects
Several locations where commemorative plaques or elements honoring veterans could be integrated
Ornamental landscaping and trees to provide shade and add natural elements

Public input on overall park design

The city held the first community workshop and tour on March 9, 2019, followed by an online survey from March 9 - 23. Based on this input, the project team developed two concepts for the park's design. View the public input summary report and appendices from the first workshop and online survey.

The city held a second public workshop on Sept. 21, 2019, followed by an online survey from Sept. 22 - Oct. 6 to gather input on two concepts for the park’s design. View the public input summary report and appendices.

On March 5, 2020, a focus group meeting was held to gather additional community input on the development of the family-oriented bike park area planned for Veterans Memorial Park. View the focus group summary report.

Quick links

Veterans Memorial Park moves forward

Post Date:07/28/2022 6:44 PM

On Tuesday, the Carlsbad City Council approved the Veterans Memorial Park Master Plan, which finalizes the features that will be included in the new park. More than half of the 93.7-acre site will be set aside as a nature preserve, with the overall design honoring Carlsbad’s natural environment.

The city also showed new renderings that depict what the park could look like.

The park will include sweeping views of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon and ocean, a family oriented bike park, native gardens, three playgrounds, fitness areas, a large shaded plaza and memorials that honor those who have served.

Community input has been integral in the planning and design process. A detailed project webpage and a master plan report with park layouts give a feel for what to expect.

The park will be built near the corner of Faraday Avenue and Cannon Road. The project’s planning and permitting phase also included an environmental review, which was approved by the Planning Commission in a public hearing in May and found no significant adverse impacts from the project.

What’s next?

Now that the master plan has been approved, the city will complete detailed plans and other construction documentation of the park, following the uses identified in the master plan.

The park construction project will then be put out to bid for construction.

More information
Veterans Memorial Park project page
Project fact sheet
Veterans Memorial Park Master Plan report

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