By SDCN Staff
Carlsbad, CA–Carlsbad officials, military veterans, community members and state and federal elected representatives gathered July 6 to break ground on Veterans Memorial Park, marking the start of construction on the city’s first park dedicated to honoring U.S. military veterans.
The ceremony followed celebrations of the nation’s 250th anniversary and helped launch National Park and Recreation Month.
The 93.7-acre park will be built near the intersection of Faraday Avenue and Cannon Road. Nearly half of the site will remain preserved as open space while the remainder will feature recreational amenities and a Veterans Memorial Plaza.
City officials said the park was designed following years of community input and will provide a place for both reflection and recreation. It will be the first park in Carlsbad specifically created to recognize and honor the service and sacrifice of U.S. veterans.
The centerpiece of the park will be the Veterans Memorial Plaza, featuring six interpretive panels honoring each branch of the U.S. military, bronze-inlaid military mottos, a flagpole, a ceremonial platform and perimeter seating.
Additional amenities planned for the park include:
- Public art on the upper plateau overlooking the coastline and Agua Hedionda Lagoon.
- An inclusive playground and open recreational areas.
- Picnic areas and family gathering spaces.
- The city’s first bike park, along with a shaded plaza and spectator seating.
- Outdoor fitness areas and a fitness climb leading to the upper plateau.
- Buildings with restrooms and support space for community events.
- Two parking lots with drop-off areas and electric vehicle charging stations.
- Connections to Carlsbad’s citywide trail network.
The park’s northern and southern sections will be connected by preserved passive open space.
Construction is expected to begin within the next few weeks and is anticipated to take about two years to complete.
