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News from the City of Carlsbad | July 31, 2025

On Tuesday evening, we were notified of a tsunami advisory in place for the West Coast. A small surge of waves and currents reached our coastline in the wee hours Wednesday morning, but I'm glad to report did not cause any damage.

Still, I thought I would share some things to know about tsunami notices and what you can do to be ready in the future:

• The National Weather Service has criteria for when and how to issue alerts about tsunamis (information, watch, advisory and warning: here’s what those mean).
• This map from Alert San Diego shows how and where Carlsbad could be affected by a tsunami – it’s mostly around our coastline and lagoons.
• You’ll see on the map that a rule of thumb is to move away from the coast and waterways and get to higher ground when under an advisory or warning.
• Add your mobile devices and email addresses with Alert San Diego (landlines already get reverse 911 calls).
• Visit the Genasys Protect website or download the Genasys Protect app to find your zone and subscribe to alerts.

Please visit the city’s emergency preparedness webpage for the most up to date safety tips, and to also register for emergency alerts.

Moving to today’s lineup, I’m giving you the first look at the final recommended public art concept for Veterans Memorial Park. You can see some renderings below, along with how you can weigh in ahead of next Thursday’s Arts Commission meeting to review the design. 

I’ll also update you on the decision the City Council made Tuesday on how to calm traffic in the Barrio.

Here’s what’s in store:

• Next steps on Barrio traffic calming
• Final public art concept for Veterans Memorial Park to be reviewed
• Americana meets rock at this Friday’s TGIF concert
• Fixit Clinic helps cut waste this school year
• Apply to serve on a city commission
• Nighttime closures along Pio Pico Drive
• Avoid traffic delays with city’s construction map
• Community events and activities
• Registration opens soon for fall recreation classes
• Upcoming city meetings

City Council approves one traffic circle for the Barrio, will evaluate other traffic calming measures

On Tuesday, the City Council voted to proceed with a revised plan that reduces the originally proposed five traffic circles in the Barrio to one.

The traffic circle will be located at the intersection of Pine Avenue and Harding Street and include public art. Additionally, staff will bring back options for alternative traffic calming measures to help reduce speeds and improve safety at other intersections in the Barrio for consideration at a future meeting in November. Those could include stop signs, raised crosswalks and/or speed cushions. 

As approved, the project will: 

• Minimize parking impacts in the area. Seven parking spaces will be eliminated at the intersection of Pine Avenue and Harding Street, which is a decrease from 27 if the project had included all five traffic circles. Two of these spaces are no longer legal to park in due to the state’s new “daylighting law,” which restricts parking within 20 feet of most intersections. To offset the parking loss at the traffic circle intersection, staff identified 14 spaces in the nearby area that they expect to add by the end of August. This will result in a total net gain of seven parking spaces in the area.
• Allow the city to retain $5 million in federal funding secured, to be split evenly between the traffic circle project and the separate Barrio Street Lighting project to help offset construction costs.  
• Keep the enhanced crosswalk proposed at the intersection of Oak Avenue and Roosevelt Street. 
• Any improvements needed for water and sewer utilities will be coordinated with the traffic calming work. 

Visit our website for details on how the city is working to add more on-street parking in the Barrio, additional project background and next steps.

Thank you to everyone who took time to weigh in on this issue.

Final public art concept for Veterans Memorial Park to be reviewed 

On Thursday, Aug. 7, the City of Carlsbad’s Arts Commission will review the final recommended design for the public art planned for Veterans Memorial Park. The artwork is part of the city's future 93.7-acre park project, which will include a Veterans Memorial Plaza, scenic trails, picnic areas, playgrounds, a fitness course, the city’s first bike park and other amenities. More than half of the land will remain as protected habitat.

The proposed artwork, being referred to as “The Ring,” is intended to offer a space for reflection and to honor military service. Its circular form symbolizes the enduring nature of duty, unity and remembrance, and is meant to frame the horizon and invite moments of pause. Positioned on the park’s upper plateau, the piece would overlook The Crossings golf course, lagoon and ocean.

This artwork is separate from the planned Veterans Memorial Plaza, which will be located in a lower area of the park. 

Community input helped shape the final design

The city used early input to guide the artist selection process, then gathered additional feedback this spring on three proposed designs. Based on input from local veterans and survey participants, the artist made several refinements to The Ring to incorporate community feedback including:

• Interpretive panel: A plaque provided by the artist will explain the piece’s meaning and intent.
• Military symbolism and function: Along the inside base of The Ring, six small rectangular rods pay subtle homage to each branch of the U.S. military. These elements are also designed to help discourage misuse, such as skating on the sculpture.
• Accessibility: The artist’s final design will follow ADA guidelines to ensure the area is welcoming and usable for all.
• Size: The sculpture will be scaled for strong visual presence while staying within budget and space constraints.

The city’s park project team will design seating and landscaping around the artwork. These features haven’t been designed yet, but will complement the park’s overall look and feel.

You can read the full public input summary report for more details on what we heard.

Arts Commission meeting

Thursday, Aug. 7, 5:30 p.m.

City Council Chamber

1200 Carlsbad Village Drive

Agenda and staff report will be posted by Monday, Aug. 4

As always, the community is invited to participate. You can:

• Attend in person and fill out a speaker slip for public comment.
• Email comments in advance to arts@carlsbadca.gov.

Next steps

If recommended by the Arts Commission, the City Council will consider the design for approval at a future meeting. Construction of the park is expected to begin in late 2025, with opening targeted for late 2027.

Americana meets rock at this Friday’s TGIF concert 

Shakedown String Band will take the stage Friday at Calavera Hills Community Park at our next TGIF Concerts in the Park. This popular band is known for their high-energy blend of Americana, country and psychedelic rock. Powered by rich harmonies, electric melodies and tight percussion, they are part Allman Brothers, part Grateful Dead and all heart.

Friday, Aug. 1

Field opens at 4 p.m.

Concert starts at 6 p.m.

Calavera Hills Community Park

2997 Glasgow Drive

Pop-up garden art

Kids and adults can construct garden plant labels with decorative craft envelopes and join other concertgoers to create a community garden poster at the city’s pop-up art booth from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Free shuttle and bike valet

• Parking is available at Sage Creek High School, 3900 Bobcat Blvd. Free shuttles will run continuously from 4:15 to 9:15 p.m. to take concertgoers to and from the school.
• You can also ride your bike to the park and use our complimentary bike valet service on site.

Helpful tips

• Bring a picnic and set up blankets and low-back chairs (which sit lower than 8 inches from the ground) starting at 4 p.m. Please only take the space that you need. Seating is limited.
• Please leave pets at home. Service animals are allowed.
• Wondering what you can bring? See a list of the items that are allowed and what to avoid.
• Remember, all concertgoers will go through a quick screening process. This video shows what you can expect.

Fixit Clinic helps cut waste this school year 

Get ready for the school year with a special Fixit Clinic on Saturday, Aug. 9, focused on reducing waste and saving money. Here’s what you can do at the event:

• Mend backpacks, lunch bags, clothing and more
• Swap gently used school supplies (leftover items will be donated to Interfaith Community Services to support local families)
• Learn tips to reduce food waste at home
• Learn how to organize your fridge to help food last longer
• Discover creative ways to reuse leftovers

Volunteer coaches will be available to help fix broken electronics, small appliances, bikes, clothing and other items. Even if something cannot be fully repaired, you will walk away with a better understanding of how it works and how to keep it out of the landfill.

Fixit Clinic

Saturday, Aug. 9

10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Dove Library

1775 Dove Lane

Register online

It’s best to sign up in advance so we can match you with the best volunteer coach, but walk-ins are also accepted on a first-come, first-served basis as space allows.

Apply to serve on a city commission  

If you’re interested in getting involved and making a difference in our community, we currently have vacancies on two of our city commissions and committees.

Applicants must be Carlsbad residents who are registered to vote in the city. You can apply online or pick up an application in the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall, 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive.

Planning Commission

One vacancy

Meetings: First and third Wednesday of each month, 5 p.m.

Deadline to apply: Aug. 18, noon

Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee Committee

One vacancy

Meetings: As needed, at least one per year

Deadline to apply: Aug. 18, noon

Nighttime road closures along Pio Pico Drive

Caltrans and SANDAG asked us to let you know that Build NCC crews have begun a series of nighttime closures along Pio Pico Drive between Tamarack and Magnolia avenues. That stretch of road will close from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. nightly through Saturday, Aug. 9.

Motorists will be directed to detour using Adams Street.

Learn more

Avoid traffic delays with city’s construction map

Don’t forget to check the city’s construction map to see where city projects are happening that might impact your commute. The map is updated weekly to help you avoid or minimize traffic delays and detours that often come with construction.

Remember, the map only shows city projects. It doesn’t include construction projects by local utilities, private companies or other agencies.

Community events and activities

Here are some City of Carlsbad events and activities coming up soon at our libraries, community centers and the Carlsbad Senior Center.

• Summer Games (adults 50+) – Friday, Aug. 1, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Carlsbad Senior Center
• Cinema Club Friday, "Before Night Falls" – Friday, Aug. 1, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., Dove Library
• Creative Cultures Art Festival – Saturday, Aug. 2, noon to 2 p.m., Library Learning Center
• “Printed & Stitched” exhibit – Tuesday through Thursday and Saturday, noon to 5 p.m.; Friday, noon to 7 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m., William D. Cannon Art Gallery
• Reel Wednesday, “Precious" – Wednesday, Aug. 6, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., Dove Library

Find more activities and information in our city calendar, the Senior Center’s Seaside Insider newsletter and our Summer Community Services Guide.



Register soon for fall recreation classes

Registration opens Aug. 13 for our fall recreation programs! Get a head start and see what’s available on our website.

Upcoming city meetings

There’s no City Council meeting next week, but several city boards and commissions are scheduled to meet. You can see the full meeting schedule on our city calendar.

You’re always welcome to attend these meetings in person and they’re also livestreamed on the city’s website and available to watch afterward.

Speaking of boards and commissions, the newly established Environmental Sustainability Commission will meet for the first time on Thursday, Aug. 7, at 3 p.m.  This new commission replaces the Beach Preservation Commission and expands the scope to include natural resources, open space, climate adaptation and more. You can sign up to get meeting agendas by email.

Enjoy your weekend!

Geoff Patnoe

City Manager