A New Park Honours Veterans and Gives City Fresh Space

Carlsbad is building a 94‑acre tribute to military veterans that will feature hiking trails, bike paths, and quiet spots for visitors.

• Location: Near the city center, overlooking a lagoon and the Pacific Ocean.
• Land Use: Half remains open for nature; the other half hosts monuments, a 16‑foot sculpture called “The Ring”, and a bike park with a pump track and seats for cheering fans.

Construction Milestone

City leaders celebrated the start of construction by laying a cornerstone alongside state lawmakers, including Rep. Mike Levin and Assemblymember Tasha Boerner.

• Levin: Highlighted the honor of serving veterans and noted his role in securing a $3 million federal grant.
• Boerner: Added a $5 million state grant to the mix.

Funding Overview

• Total Cost: Approximately $58 million.
• Roughly $50 million from developer fees.

• Additional federal and state funds expected to cover the remainder.

• Key Contracts:
• Brightview Landscape Development won a $39 million contract to build key features.
• Romtec, Inc., from Oregon, was hired in July 2024 for $1.6 million to supply three pre‑made buildings that will house restrooms, offices, and storage.

Design & Impact

• Community‑Driven Design: Aimed to combine active recreation with peaceful reflection.
• Infrastructure Improvements: Will enhance traffic flow and bike lanes at the two main entrances from Faraday Avenue.

Historical Context

The land has been city property since the 1980s, originally part of a larger parcel used for roads and a golf course that opened in 2007.

The project is slated to be completed in about two years.