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This week we are taking some time to reflect upon the “state of the city,” while seeking your input on topics important to the community:

• What makes a park feel like Carlsbad? 
• Rain + back to school means more focus on traffic safety
• Back to school safe biking tips
• More safety features added to beach area crossings
• Fall classes, sports leagues and more
• Celebrating Carlsbad’s older residents
• Weigh in on regional transportation study
• Get involved: upcoming meetings
• A big thank you to all of you for being regular readers! 

What makes a park feel like Carlsbad?

Last week, we heard from hundreds of Carlsbad residents at two city workshops (one in person, one virtual) about what they’d like to see included in the future Robertson Ranch Park. The new park is part of the City Council’s 5-Year Strategic Plan, focused on maintaining Carlsbad’s excellent quality of life and unique community character.

Based on what we heard, we’ve created two new ways to keep the discussion going:

• Online survey: We’ve developed an online survey based on what we’ve heard so far. You can tell us what you think about the features and amenities you’d like to see included.
• Ideas wall: One theme to emerge from the two workshops was a desire to make this new park uniquely Carlsbad. Share your ideas on how to incorporate features into the design that will reflect Carlsbad’s character.

Visit the project webpage through Sept. 7 to weigh in.

The park’s planning team will use your input to create a few initial design concepts, which will be shared with the public for feedback later this year.

Sign up for emails to stay in the loop and receive updates about future ways to give input.

Rain, high winds on the way

This morning the tropical cyclone off the Pacific coast of Mexico was upgraded to a hurricane. Here is a video from the National Weather Service from yesterday that explains what’s happening. Although the storm has already been upgraded, I am sharing this because it has a lot of really interesting information and satellite images explaining how these weather patterns work. I’m always excited to see government agencies break down technical information in a way that is accessible to everyone and was impressed with this one. 

As of today (Thursday) here is what we are seeing in store for Carlsbad starting this weekend: “Hurricane Hilary” is expected to be downgraded back to a tropical storm by the time it reaches our region, but there's significant rain expected in Carlsbad (although not as much as other parts of the region), along with significant winds and dangerous ocean conditions. Conditions are evolving, so check the NWS website to see real-time data. Of course, you can also follow our social media where we will share updates.

Stormy conditions mean we all need to be extra careful on the road:

• Stay off the roads in heavy storms if possible.
• Eliminate distractions and put your phone away.
• Allow extra time to get where you need to go.
• Slow down and watch your speed. Speeding makes it easier to lose control of your vehicle, increases its stopping distance and can cause more severe crashes.
• If you’re walking or biking, wear brightly colored clothes and be predictable.
• Make sure your windshield wipers are in good condition and, if not, you still have time to swap them out.
• Because rain is expected Monday, pay particular attention around schools in the south and southeastern parts of Carlsbad, which have already returned to classes. Schools in the rest of Carlsbad return Tuesday, so let’s hope the rain has subsided by then.
• Have patience. Changes in traffic patterns and behavior can cause delays.

Safe biking tips

We have been really pleased to see such a change over the past year, especially among younger riders, in the regular use of helmets, riding with the flow of traffic and following other safety rules. If you’re getting kids ready to bike back to school, now is a great time to review these rules of the road together to make sure they’re ready to ride safely.

• Insist they wear their helmet and wear it correctly. This video shows you how to make sure their helmet fits properly (note, it is from someone from Scripps Health – they see bad injuries in the emergency room when people don’t wear helmets properly).
• Consider taking a “test ride” with your student from home to school to help them get familiar with the route.
• In general, the same rules that apply to drivers apply to bikes and e-bikes. Talk to your student about Carlsbad-specific rules for e-bikes.
• Follow safety precautions from the Carlsbad Fire Department for charging e-bikes. The lithium-ion batteries in e-bikes can sometimes overheat, catch fire and explode.
• Sign up for our safety classes.

More safety features added to Carlsbad Boulevard

One of the campuses starting classes next week is the Army Navy Academy, a private school that has been in Carlsbad for nearly 90 years. Just in time for the start of the school year, the city completed improvements to a busy crosswalk in front of the school and sports field, which is heavily used for not just sports but special events throughout the year.

The safety improvements include:

• Curb extensions, which make it easier for drivers to see people walking and reduce the distance people need to cross the street
• Green paint to highlight conflict zones between cars and bikes
• High visibility crosswalks and flashing lights along the ground to help drivers see pedestrians

Our coastal areas in general tend to see a higher rate of collisions than other parts of town.

• That’s why this location is just one of six getting these safety improvements along Carlsbad Boulevard.
• Other locations include Oak, Sycamore, Maple, Cherry and Hemlock. Construction on those should start in September and last through the fall.
• Sign up to get the updates on these projects as they get underway.

Fall classes, sports leagues and more

While we’re talking about back to school, registration is now open for fall classes, and we’ve got something for people of all ages. You can see what’s being offered in the city’s Fall Community Services Guide, including programs to help stretch your creativity, strengthen your body and/or exercise your mind.

There are so many programs available that we don’t have room to list them all here, but here is a quick preview of a few examples:

• Sports classes for kids and adults interested in learning tennis, karate, dance or swimming.
• L.I.T.E. after-school program, where 6th to 9th graders can develop skills in leadership, teamwork, communication and community service.
• Carlsbad Cruisers, for people 18 and older who want to take a weekly walk around Carlsbad while making new friends.
• A Painting Like the Masters class where young artists ages 6-10 can learn to paint with acrylics in the styles of Matisse, Monet and Van Gogh.

See the complete schedule.

Celebrating Carlsbad's older residents

While some of Carlsbad’s youngest residents are heading back to school, I want to also take a moment to recognize the older adults who make Carlsbad such a wonderful place to live, work and play.

Monday, Aug. 21, is National Senior Citizens Day, which celebrates older adults and their many contributions to our country and community. We’re proud to offer a wide variety of activities and services designed for the many active seniors that call Carlsbad home.

• The city provides free and low-cost rides on certain days of the week to residents 60 and older.
• The Senior Center at 799 Pine Ave. is open six days a week and offers in-person services, a senior lunch program, live music, fun activities and a place to connect.
• Older adults can sign up for a diverse range of classes, workshops and recreation programs, including art, fitness and wellness classes.

The City of Carlsbad is a leader in creating strategies to improve quality of life for people of all ages. In December 2021, the Carlsbad City Council approved North County’s first Age-Friendly Action Plan, which lays out a vision for meeting the needs of older residents for generations to come.

Fun fact: By now you know I am sort of obsessed with data. Here’s a fun fact. Most people think of Carlsbad as skewing a little older. That is true. Who wouldn’t want to retire in a place with near perfect weather, miles of hiking trails, a vibrant, walkable downtown, and the list goes on. But when you look at our population, we have a larger percentage of residents under 18 than 65 and older. The percentage of those 65 and older in Carlsbad is still slightly higher than the county average of 15.5%.

Help shape San Diego County's transportation future

The San Diego Association of Governments is looking for input as it develops its latest Regional Plan for San Diego County. The regional agency updates this plan every four years, outlining major transportation projects and programs that affect communities all over the county, including Carlsbad.

• Leave a comment on this interactive map by Aug. 31 about what local transportation improvements would make it easier for you to move around the region.
• Attend an upcoming community workshop to learn more about the plan and offer your feedback. Several workshops are being held throughout the county, including one in Oceanside next month.

Wednesday, Sept. 13, 5:30 p.m.

Oceanside Public Library

330 North Coast Highway (RSVP)

Get involved: Upcoming meetings

Our City Council returns Tuesday, Aug. 22, starting at 5 p.m. in the City Council Chamber. Topics to be considered include:

• A contract with a consultant to create the engineering designs for traffic safety improvements around Kelly Elementary School
• A contract for custodial services for parks restrooms across the city and the Tamarack Avenue beach restrooms
• An $838,000 state grant that will help pay for construction of a new recycled water reservoir at the water storage site on Black Rail Road, south of Poinsettia Lane
• Transferring funds for the recycled water reservoir project
• Appointing two City Council members to represent Carlsbad at the upcoming League of California Cities Annual Conference
• Appointing five members to serve on the Carlsbad Tourism Business Improvement District Advisory Board, which works to promote Carlsbad as a tourism destination
• An update on city investments 
• Renewing the subscription for the software application the city uses to collect, analyze and display data
• Options to develop an ordinance that would restrict smoking in apartments and other multifamily housing developments, a recommendation included in the city’s housing plan 
• A presentation on how to use the library’s Libby app to access e-books, e-audiobooks and other digital offerings

A link to the full agenda and staff reports is available on the city’s website. You can watch the meeting live on the website or the city’s cable TV channel.

There are two other city meetings taking place next week.

Aug. 21, 3 p.m. – Economic Development Subcommittee

Aug. 23, 4 p.m. – Library Board of Trustees

I want to thank everyone who came out Tuesday for our annual State of the City community event. I always enjoy meeting residents, and it’s especially fun to connect in person with regular readers of these updates, like Ron Susi and Linda Kaiser, who have been married for 50 years and are proud to call Carlsbad home. Ron and Susi, we are proud to have engaged residents like you who take the time to stay informed about city issues and so clearly care about this great city! 

The Chamber of Commerce will host its State of the Community event for the business community tomorrow, after which we will share the annual State of the City video with the public. I’ll include a link in next week’s update.

Stay safe this weekend and look out for one another.

Scott Chadwick

City Manager