Carlsbad updates progress on Monroe Street pool, Veterans Memorial Park and beach‑access repairs

City of Carlsbad parks staff on Monday briefed the Parks and Recreation Commission on progress at several major park projects, saying the Monroe Street Pool renovation is entering finishing stages, Veterans Memorial Park is moving toward construction and long‑running beach‑access repairs will pause for peak summer use.

Director Lancaster said construction on the Monroe Street Pool administration building has completed plumbing, electrical and masonry and crews have installed the pool shell and base. "They're doing finish work on the interior now," Lancaster said, adding that tile, coping and lane‑line work have recently begun. Staff are aiming for substantial completion by the end of summer.

Parks Planning Manager Nick Stupin summarized Veterans Memorial Park milestones: an earlier master plan and contract award to Brightview Construction, delivery of conformed construction documents this month and formation of a council ad‑hoc committee to advise on recognition elements. Stupin said the city expects public meetings this summer and an invite‑only groundbreaking in early July that staff said will include Representative Mike Levin and Assembly Member Tasha Bonner as invited guests.

Stupin also updated the commission on outdoor pickleball courts planned at Calavera Hills and Stagecoach Community Park. He said the design and permit submittals are in review, comments returned in February were addressed, a May resubmittal is in process and staff anticipates additional comments in about two weeks before preparing the final permit set and returning to council for contract authorization likely in the fall.

Director Lancaster and staff described the beach‑access repair project as a Public Works‑led, multi‑phase reconstruction of four switchback stairways and widening segments of the upper seawall walkway between Hemlock and Sycamore Avenues. The project started in November 2025; the first phase is expected to pause for the summer so the public can use the walkway and will resume reconstruction after Labor Day. Lancaster noted some handrail deliveries and described design features such as integral‑color concrete and wider walking surfaces that in places expand from about 6 feet to 8–10 feet.

The commission asked staff about safety features and who led design decisions. Lancaster said the transportation department led the design review and determined a curbside guardrail was not required by vehicle code; removing it provided additional pedestrian width. He said most of the land affected is owned by the state and maintained under a joint‑powers agreement.

The presentation closed with scheduling notes: staff are preparing for a three‑person CAPRA accreditation site visit in June–July, and the commission will tour Monroe Street Pool and other sites on July 16. Lancaster also said the city is considering skipping the June meeting and moving action items to August.