Carlsbad council approves Veterans Memorial Park plan, authorizes bids and $7.46 million appropriation

The Carlsbad City Council on the evening of the regular meeting authorized staff to advertise for bids and appropriated $7,456,704 to complete the Veterans Memorial Park project, with council members voting unanimously to approve the resolution.

The action combines two capital projects — Veterans Memorial Park and Faraday Avenue improvements — into one public bidding process, with staff intent to award a single construction contract for both projects. City staff told the council they anticipate approximately $8 million in grant reimbursements toward the park, roughly $3 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and $5 million from a state natural resources program.

Veterans Memorial Park will cover 93.7 acres, with about 38.8 acres planned for development and the remainder retained as open-space preserves. Planned features include three playgrounds (one designated inclusive), a family bike park, outdoor fitness stations, public art installations, buildings to support park operations, ADA parking, and a Veterans Memorial Plaza with military history panels representing the six service branches and an approximately 40-foot flagpole. Faraday Avenue improvements will provide two driveways serving the park, left-turn lanes on eastbound Faraday, green bike-lane enhancements where driveways connect, and limited on-street parking adjustments to preserve adequate sight distance.

Parks and Recreation Director Kyle Lancaster, Parks Planning Manager Nick Stupin and City Traffic Engineer John Kim presented the project scope, financing and traffic recommendations. Lancaster said staff ran a contractor prequalification process earlier this year that resulted in five firms qualified to submit bids. Lancaster and staff said construction bids will be solicited pending council authorization and staff will return to council for contract award, tentatively scheduled for Dec. 9.

Council members pressed traffic and safety questions. Mayor Pro Tem Patel asked whether stop signs would be installed at the park driveways; City Traffic Engineer John Kim said no stop signs are proposed at this time and staff will monitor traffic after the park opens and evaluate whether stop signs or other measures are needed. Kim also said there is no dedicated right-turn lane planned; the buffered bike lane is designed to function as a de facto right-turn lane to keep turning vehicles out of through traffic.

Council members praised the park’s scale and amenities and thanked staff and external funders; Council member Acosta confirmed the HUD funding of $3 million was secured with the assistance of Congressman Mike Levin. A motion to approve the resolution was made by Council member Shinn and seconded by another council member; the motion passed unanimously.

Votes at a glance: the council approved the minutes of special meetings (09/30/2025, 10/07/2025) and consent calendar items 1–4; Council member Burkholder registered a recorded “no” on consent item 2 (the amended and restated city attorney employment agreement). After motions, the Veterans Memorial Park resolution passed unanimously. Staff will advertise bids and return to council for contract award and any further appropriations.

The next steps: staff will advertise for bids, review submitted bids, and return to council to award the construction contract. The earliest tentative award date on staff’s schedule is Dec. 9, 2025.