Public input opportunities


Phase 1: Community needs, values and priorities
Last year, city staff gathered input from the community to kick off the design process for Robertson Ranch Park. 

  • Review input gathered last year about the community's needs, values and priorities for the park.
  • The appendix contains verbatim responses to an open-ended survey question, feedback shared at the community workshops, comments from an online ideas wall and other input.

Phase 2: Feedback on initial design ideas
Based on initial input gathered last year and the Parks & Recreation Department Master Plan, the project team developed three different park design options for Robertson Ranch Park. City staff presented the design concepts for public review and feedback earlier this year.

  • Explore the updated summary report to review the community feedback shared on the design concepts.
  • The appendix includes verbatim responses to the open-ended survey question and other input.

Next steps
The parks planning team will use the gathered input to refine the park design concepts and develop a single proposed park master plan. This summer, city staff will present this proposed master plan to the Parks & Recreation Commission for their review and acceptance, followed by a presentation to the City Council for review and approval.

What we heard

Below are some of the ideas and priorities we heard from the community last year that the design team used to develop the three concept designs.

  • Make the park something unique to Carlsbad, not generic
  • Emphasize safety in the park design, maintenance and operations
  • Be considerate of nearby residents (noise, lights, parking and traffic)
  • Create opportunities for social connections
  • Emphasize the community's love of nature, open space and wildlife
  • Design the park for multigenerational uses so it’s fun for all ages

How input was used

“Uniquely Carlsbad”
Each design’s inspiration comes from Carlsbad’s topography and other features. Public art will provide another opportunity to make the park unique to Carlsbad. The community will have an opportunity to give input on the public art for the park. That process will start once the overall plan for the park is finalized.

Safety and security
All of the designs utilize the principles of “crime prevention through environmental design,” which is a way of using the physical features of a space to deter crime. For example, the restrooms in all three designs are located in central, high-traffic areas. Lighting and landscaping will reduce dark and secluded areas.

Second entrance
The city is exploring the feasibility and cost of adding a park entrance off Cannon Road. The potential location is shown on each design. If feasible, the second entrance would allow right turns in and out for those traveling westbound on Cannon Road. It would not include a traffic signal for people turning left from eastbound on Cannon Road. Once a final design is chosen, city staff will present this option to the Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission and, ultimately, the City Council for consideration.

Good neighbor features
Areas that could generate noise, such as the ballfields and pickleball courts, are located away from nearby homes. Overhead sports lighting is also located away from the nearby neighborhood. The parking lot is large enough to accommodate the park’s anticipated uses. All three designs include the option of a second entrance on Cannon Road.

Play for all ages
Amenities are located near each other to encourage interaction among different age groups. For example, fitness areas, open lawn and picnic areas are next to the children’s playground. A walking and jogging path goes around the sports field and other park amenities.

Community connections
Gathering spaces have been incorporated into all three designs, and different activities and amenities are strategically located next to each other to encourage social connections.

Peaceful spaces
All three designs incorporate large open areas, places for picnics and lookout areas that connect the park to the adjacent natural open space.

Environmental sustainability
Active use fields will be set back from habitat areas, and lighting will be directed away from the open space. The park will utilize recycled water for irrigation and feature water conservation features like waterwise landscaping. Drainage at the site will include natural basins that allow rain and runoff to seep back into the earth. Lighting will utilize low-energy use fixtures.

What input is not reflected in the proposed designs and why?

Tennis courts
Tennis courts were not as a high priority as other features, based on the community’s feedback. Tennis courts were also not a significant need identified in the recently updated Parks & Recreation Department Master Plan.

Dog park
Although some community members wanted a dog park at this location, it was not a high priority based on the overall feedback. A new dog park within the nearby Village H South property (corner of Victoria Avenue and Carlsbad Village Drive) is in the early stages of design, and existing dog parks will remain at Hidden Valley, Alga Norte and Poinsettia Community Parks.

Natural water feature
One concept (#2, ‘Community Quilt’) includes a natural water feature as part of the park’s drainage system, which would feature water during and after it rains. Otherwise, a natural water feature was not included because of the cost, long-term maintenance needs, available space and other higher priority needs.

Skate park
A skate park was not identified as a high priority based on community feedback. In addition, the noise associated with a skate park is a concern given nearby homes.

Questions and answers

How does the size of the parking lot compare to other similar parks?
The parking lot size is based on the amenities proposed, parking usage at other city parks and industry standards.

Would there be games and tournaments that bring in more cars than could be accommodated in the park’s parking lot?
Yes, periodically, but the city would plan to limit park activities that could cause spillover parking in the nearby neighborhoods.

Would the field include bleachers and dugouts?
The fields would have striping to accommodate different types of sports. At this time, we are not planning bleacher seating for the field, but it could be added if space allows. However, each concept includes a baseball diamond with space to accommodate a backstop, dugouts and bleachers behind home plate that would not interfere with other planned sporting activities.

How does the proposed field compare in size to other city fields?
The design shows a field the same size as the artificial turf multi-sport field at Poinsettia Community Park.

Robertson Ranch Park designs

Post Date:01/29/2024 6:30 PM

The City of Carlsbad is asking the community to weigh in on three potential design concepts for Robertson Ranch Park, the city’s newest park, planned for the corner of Cannon Road and El Camino Real. The final design, which could incorporate elements of all three options, depending on community feedback, will then be presented to the City Council for approval later this year.

The three options were developed based on community input provided last fall and a recently updated Parks & Recreation Department Master Plan.

Park priorities
Among the community’s priorities were to:

  • Make the park something unique to Carlsbad, not generic
  • Be considerate of nearby residents (noise, lights, parking and traffic)
  • Address a need for more sports fields in Carlsbad
  • Create opportunities for social connections
  • Include quiet spaces to enjoy nature 
  • Design the park for multigenerational uses so it’s fun for all ages

The designs take different approaches to incorporating these priorities. For example, each concept provides open grassy areas where people can relax and take in the scenery. Picnic areas and lookout points are strategically located to help connect people to the surrounding habitat preserve. Gathering spaces and a central plaza are also included in all three designs to create opportunities for informal social connections and planned gatherings. Finally, a multipurpose sports field the same size as those at Aviara and Poinsettia community parks is included in all options.

Many community members asked the city to consider adding a second entrance and exit from the park. The three design concepts show options for accessing the park from Cannon Road, although the city is still confirming the feasibility and cost of making this change. 

Learn more about how the park designers used this input to develop the three concept designs. 

3 easy ways to provide feedback

Between now and Feb. 23, 2024, community members can provide feedback on the design options three different ways:

“A walk through 3 parks” community meeting
Saturday, Feb. 10, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
City of Carlsbad Faraday Administration Center
1635 Faraday Ave. 

Drop by anytime for a "choose your own adventure" style walk through three information stations, each one focused on one of the park concepts. Talk to park planners, ask questions and provide feedback. 

Virtual community meeting (Zoom) 

Robertson Ranch: A walk through 3 parks
Thursday, Feb. 15, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Register online 

Join the project team online to participate in group discussions about the park design concepts, ask questions and provide feedback.

Online survey
Take the online survey available through Feb. 26. 

To request reasonable accommodations to participate in a workshop, please call 442-339-5352 (voice), 711 (free relay service for TTY users) at least 72 hours in advance to discuss accessibility needs. 

Next steps

  • The project team will incorporate feedback received on the design concepts to create a proposed Robertson Ranch Park master plan.
  • Later this year, the proposed park master plan will be presented to the Parks & Recreation Commission for review and then the City Council for approval. Both of these meetings will include opportunities for the public to share any final input on the park’s design.
  • After the design is approved, the City Council will determine next steps, including a funding plan, creating the detailed park design and a construction timeline.
  • Decisions about the specific design of amenities like playground equipment, the sports field surface and other details will be made when the city develops the detailed park design.

More information

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