Carlsbad Breaks Ground On Veterans Memorial Park

CARLSBAD, CA — Carlsbad officials broke ground Monday on a 93.7-acre Veterans Memorial Park, a project that will become the city's largest community park and a permanent tribute to the nation's veterans.

The Carlsbad City Council joined veterans, community members and state and federal officials for a groundbreaking ceremony at the future park site near Faraday Avenue and Cannon Road.

The park will offer a wide range of amenities, a Veterans Memorial Plaza and preserve nearly half the site as open space.

"After years of planning, partnership and community outreach, we are proud to break ground on what will be Carlsbad's largest park," City Manager Geoff Patnoe said in a statement. "It's especially fitting that this space will honor our nation's veterans as we mark the country's 250th anniversary."

Veterans Memorial Park will feature a Veterans Memorial Plaza with tributes to each branch of the U.S. military, public art, an inclusive playground, picnic areas, outdoor fitness spaces, and the city's first bike park. Nearly half of the site will remain open space.

"This park was thoughtfully designed to reflect what our community told us they wanted," Parks and Recreation Director Kyle Lancaster said in a statement. "It will provide a range of amenities and open spaces that support both active use and quiet reflection, while creating a meaningful place to honor our nation's veterans."

The project is expected to take about two years to complete. The park and nearby road improvements along Faraday Avenue are estimated to cost about $58 million.

The city received $8 million in state and federal grants for the project, including $3 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development secured by U.S. Rep. Mike Levin and $5 million from the California Natural Resources Agency secured by Assemblymember Tasha Boerner.