Enjoying a picnic, walking on a trail, swinging, playing soccer, flying a kite, or just sitting in the sun, Carlsbad residents love to enjoy nature and the outdoors.
This year was a banner year for park lovers with a record of three new parks opening. The city’s tot lots were also upgraded to meet state and federal safety requirements, giving children younger than five years old something new to enjoy.
The new park openings coincided with the 20-year anniversary of Carlsbad’s Growth Management Plan, a visionary document dictating the way in which our city would grow while maintaining the values and characteristics of the small-town atmosphere that long-time residents have come to cherish. This community-driven document outlines, among other details, the number and location of parks and open spaces in Carlsbad.
"Thanks to the 1986 Growth Management Plan, projects such as these parks are able to keep pace with development and the needs of the community," said Ken Price, the city's recreation director.
Carlsbad’s New Parks
Aviara Community Park
Located in the southwest area of the city at 6435 Ambrosia Lane, the park opened in February 2006. As planned by the community through public input meetings, the park reflects what Carlsbad residents want and need.
This 24-acre park features a playground, picnic area and a sports complex that includes a soccer field, baseball and softball field, and two half-court basketball courts. The playing fields were designed with synthetic turf to allow year-around play. The playground is the largest in the City, at 12,000-square feet, and there are four spacious covered picnic areas, along with several tables and barbecue facilities. The park also connects with the city’s trail system.
Hidden Canyon Community Park
This park opened in April 2006 on National Arbor Day.
Hidden Canyon Community Park, located in the northeast area of the city at 2685 Vancouver St., is designed to be a passive park where citizens can enjoy the natural beauty of the canyons. It is a place where families can picnic, hike on trails, and enjoy the outdoors. More than two-thirds of the park is designated open space and approximately 18 acres will be left undeveloped to preserve the habitat of the endangered California gnat catcher. This park is also connected with the Citywide Trails System, with a quarter-mile trail that connects with Dog Park.
Pine Avenue Park
Multiple generations of Carlsbad residents witnessed the transformation of a 7.7-acre historic site from the former Pine School into a community park. In October 2006, the community celebrated the new Pine Avenue Park, located on Pine Avenue, bordered by the Carlsbad Senior Center, Harding Street, and Chestnut Avenue in the northwest area of Carlsbad.
The park includes a synthetic turf multi-use sports field, basketball courts, an informal amphitheater, a tot lot, picnic areas and parking. With its proximity to the Carlsbad Senior Center, Chase Field, the Recreation Department’s Counselor-in-Training Teen Program and the Library’s bilingual Centro de Informacion, Pine Avenue Park welcomes diversity.
Each of the new parks features a public art component designed specifically for each site. The art elements incorporate and reflect the area’s natural beauty as interpreted by each artist, leaving artistic elements for park-goers to enjoy. The public art components were created with a percentage of funds allocated from each park’s project budget.
Upcoming
The three 2006 park openings is a tough act to follow, but residents can look forward to another new park and a new golf course in 2007 and 2008. Work on the new 33-acre Alga Norte Community Park, in the southeast area of the city bordered by Palomar Airport Road, El Camino Real, and the La Costa Golf Course, is expected to begin next year. The park will feature baseball fields, a dog park, a skate park, 3 tot lots, basketball half courts, open space, a trail system, and a much needed and anticipated aquatics complex.
Carlsbad's long-awaited municipal 18-hole championship golf course is set to open in 2007. Half of the 400-acre course will be preserved for habitat and will help tie together more than 1,000 acres of open space in the central part of the city. The facility features a large outdoor event venue, a full-service clubhouse and restaurant. The opportunities are endless for community meetings, corporate outings, special events, and family events like weddings.
One thing is clear, Carlsbad residents love their city and they love their outdoor amenities. With 26 parks and community center serving a variety of recreational needs and nearly 30 miles of trails, it is a great place to enjoy nature.
This year was a banner year for park lovers with a record of three new parks opening. The city’s tot lots were also upgraded to meet state and federal safety requirements, giving children younger than five years old something new to enjoy.
The new park openings coincided with the 20-year anniversary of Carlsbad’s Growth Management Plan, a visionary document dictating the way in which our city would grow while maintaining the values and characteristics of the small-town atmosphere that long-time residents have come to cherish. This community-driven document outlines, among other details, the number and location of parks and open spaces in Carlsbad.
"Thanks to the 1986 Growth Management Plan, projects such as these parks are able to keep pace with development and the needs of the community," said Ken Price, the city's recreation director.
Carlsbad’s New Parks
Aviara Community Park
Located in the southwest area of the city at 6435 Ambrosia Lane, the park opened in February 2006. As planned by the community through public input meetings, the park reflects what Carlsbad residents want and need.
This 24-acre park features a playground, picnic area and a sports complex that includes a soccer field, baseball and softball field, and two half-court basketball courts. The playing fields were designed with synthetic turf to allow year-around play. The playground is the largest in the City, at 12,000-square feet, and there are four spacious covered picnic areas, along with several tables and barbecue facilities. The park also connects with the city’s trail system.
Hidden Canyon Community Park
This park opened in April 2006 on National Arbor Day.
Hidden Canyon Community Park, located in the northeast area of the city at 2685 Vancouver St., is designed to be a passive park where citizens can enjoy the natural beauty of the canyons. It is a place where families can picnic, hike on trails, and enjoy the outdoors. More than two-thirds of the park is designated open space and approximately 18 acres will be left undeveloped to preserve the habitat of the endangered California gnat catcher. This park is also connected with the Citywide Trails System, with a quarter-mile trail that connects with Dog Park.
Pine Avenue Park
Multiple generations of Carlsbad residents witnessed the transformation of a 7.7-acre historic site from the former Pine School into a community park. In October 2006, the community celebrated the new Pine Avenue Park, located on Pine Avenue, bordered by the Carlsbad Senior Center, Harding Street, and Chestnut Avenue in the northwest area of Carlsbad.
The park includes a synthetic turf multi-use sports field, basketball courts, an informal amphitheater, a tot lot, picnic areas and parking. With its proximity to the Carlsbad Senior Center, Chase Field, the Recreation Department’s Counselor-in-Training Teen Program and the Library’s bilingual Centro de Informacion, Pine Avenue Park welcomes diversity.
Each of the new parks features a public art component designed specifically for each site. The art elements incorporate and reflect the area’s natural beauty as interpreted by each artist, leaving artistic elements for park-goers to enjoy. The public art components were created with a percentage of funds allocated from each park’s project budget.
Upcoming
The three 2006 park openings is a tough act to follow, but residents can look forward to another new park and a new golf course in 2007 and 2008. Work on the new 33-acre Alga Norte Community Park, in the southeast area of the city bordered by Palomar Airport Road, El Camino Real, and the La Costa Golf Course, is expected to begin next year. The park will feature baseball fields, a dog park, a skate park, 3 tot lots, basketball half courts, open space, a trail system, and a much needed and anticipated aquatics complex.
Carlsbad's long-awaited municipal 18-hole championship golf course is set to open in 2007. Half of the 400-acre course will be preserved for habitat and will help tie together more than 1,000 acres of open space in the central part of the city. The facility features a large outdoor event venue, a full-service clubhouse and restaurant. The opportunities are endless for community meetings, corporate outings, special events, and family events like weddings.
One thing is clear, Carlsbad residents love their city and they love their outdoor amenities. With 26 parks and community center serving a variety of recreational needs and nearly 30 miles of trails, it is a great place to enjoy nature.