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News from the City of Carlsbad | June 5, 2025

I’m always happy to share updates on key city projects underway, and this week I’ll give you a behind the scenes look at the work to revamp the Monroe Street Pool.

Warmer weather also means rattlesnake season, and with recent news reports of bites in different parts of the county, I’m sharing some safety tips. Plus, a roundup of activities happening around town.

Here’s the full lineup:

• Monroe Street Pool construction update
• Trail safety tips and how to avoid rattlesnakes
• Learn to repair broken items and garden more sustainably
• Last chance to see coastal-inspired art exhibit
• Extended Cannon Art Gallery hours
• Pio Pico Drive to close for Chestnut underpass work
• City construction map can help you avoid delays
• Community events and activities
• What’s on the agenda for your next City Council meeting

Monroe Street Pool construction update

The Monroe Street Pool may be closed temporarily, but there is lot of action happening on site. I’m talking about the city’s 18-month construction project to renovate and replace the pool, locker rooms and other amenities, with completion expected in mid-2026.

Construction is now well underway, and this video gives you a glimpse of the progress made so far since work started a few months ago. 

Here’s a quick snapshot of what’s been happening so far. Crews have:

• Installed fencing and other safety measures for construction
• Demolished the old pool and surrounding deck, equipment building and interior of administration building
• Removed existing solar equipment and shed buildings
• Began working on site grading and underground plumbing

Once complete, the improvements will include:

• A larger pool with 50% more lanes 
• Expanded pool deck with outdoor lockers and showers  
• Renovated locker rooms
• Family restrooms  
• More shade and bleachers 
• More parking spaces
• Addition of an outdoor entrance (instead of going through the lobby and locker rooms to get to the pool) 
• New 8-foot wall with metal gates along Monroe Street to reduce sound for neighbors 
• New and expanded solar

We appreciate everyone’s patience as we make these improvements and we’ll continue to share updates as construction progresses.

Trail safety tips and how to avoid rattlesnakes

With schools getting out for the summer and more people spending time outdoors, it’s a good time to review a few trail safety tips. Whether you're out for a quick walk or a longer hike, knowing how to stay safe — including what to do if you encounter a rattlesnake — can help keep you, your family and your pets safe.

General tips 

• Never hike alone and always let someone know where you’re going.
• Stay alert to your surroundings. Don’t wear headphones.
• Stick to well-used trails.
• Take a fully charged cell phone with you.
• Wear closed-toe shoes and stay hydrated.

Rattlesnakes

Most rattlesnake bites occur between April and October, when snakes and humans are most active outdoors, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Snakes aren’t just found in undeveloped areas. They may show up in parks, golf courses and backyards, especially those near open spaces. If you need help safely removing a rattlesnake from a home, yard, park or playground, call the San Diego Humane Society’s Humane Law Enforcement at 619-299-7012 and press 1 for Dispatch.

Avoiding rattlesnakes

• Don’t leave trash or wood piles around your home where snakes might hide.
• Wear sturdy boots or shoes while working, hiking or playing outdoors.
• Keep your dog on a leash under six feet long and don’t let them stray from the trail.
• Make sure you can always see the path ahead of you and look for snakes that might blend into the ground.
• Avoid picking up rocks or sticks.
• If you encounter a rattlesnake on a trail, calmly back away and leave it alone.

What to do if you get bitten

Rattlesnakes typically avoid people and pets, but a snake will bite if it feels threatened. If your dog is bitten, get to a veterinarian immediately. If you’re bitten by a rattlesnake:

• Call 9-1-1 and seek medical help immediately. Stay calm, but act quickly.
• Remove any items like watches, rings and shoes that might constrict swelling.
• Do NOT apply a tourniquet.
• Do NOT pack the bite area in ice.
• Do NOT cut the wound with a knife or razor.
• Do NOT use your mouth to suck out the venom.

Learn more about rattlesnake safety on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website.

Learn to repair broken items and garden more sustainably

Come to the Cole Library on Saturday, June 14, for a day of hands-on learning and sustainability. The city is hosting two events — a Fixit Clinic and a Grow Your Garden event — designed to help you build skills, reduce waste and live more sustainably.

Summer gardening themed Fixit Clinic

10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Register online

Grow Your Garden event

10 a.m. to noon

Workshops: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

The goal of the Fixit Clinic is to help you extend the life of everyday items, reduce waste and gain a better understanding of how things work.

• Volunteer coaches will be on hand to help diagnose and repair things like small appliances, bikes, electronics and clothing.
• Register in advance to get paired with the right coach.
• Walk-ins are welcome as space allows, but you may need to wait, depending on availability.

The Grow Your Garden event, sponsored by the Carlsbad Community Gardens Collaborative, is a chance to get expert answers on all your gardening questions, as well as:

• Make your own seed balls using compost made in Carlsbad and seeds from the Seed Library.
• Get one pair of garden pruners or loppers cleaned and sharpened for free (must be in good working order; no serrated blades or blades longer than 2 inches).
• Talk with local Master Gardeners for gardening advice tailored to our region.

Last chance to see coastal-inspired art exhibit

Stop by the William D. Cannon Art Gallery before June 28 to experience “Silent Storytellers,” an exhibition featuring nearly 75 original artworks by artist Fredric Hope and his reflections of Southern California’s evolving shores.

If you haven’t yet experienced Hope’s work in person or want a deeper look, join us for an informal sit-down talk with the artist on Thursday, June 12. He will share some of his in-process drawings and paintings and discuss his artistic practice and the roles of creativity and curiosity in visual storytelling. 

Artist talk with Fredric Hope

Thursday, June 12

11 a.m. to noon

William D. Cannon Art Gallery

1775 Dove Lane

Seating available

Extended gallery hours

The City of Carlsbad recently extended the Cannon gallery hours to include Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons, making it easier for more residents to view the artwork on display. Visit any time during the gallery’s open hours before June 28 to view the “Silent Storytellers” exhibit.

William D. Cannon Art Gallery hours

Tuesday to Thursday: noon to 5 p.m.

Friday: noon to 7 p.m.

Saturday: noon to 5 p.m.

Sunday: 1 to 5 p.m.

Pio Pico Drive to close for Chestnut underpass work

Caltrans and SANDAG asked us to let you know that Pio Pico Drive between Chestnut and Pine avenues will be closed for a couple of days next week as part of their Chestnut Avenue underpass construction project.

The underpass is getting a whole new look with wider sidewalks, new landscaping, public art and extra room separating bike lanes from cars. The work is part of Build NCC, a Caltrans and SANDAG project that includes widening I-5, plus other transportation and environmental improvements. 

Pio Pico Drive closure

Starts: Tuesday, June 10 at 8 a.m.

Ends: Thursday, June 12 at 4 p.m.

Detours will be in place during the closures. Please slow down and drive carefully in the construction areas.

City construction map can help you avoid delays



Speaking of construction work along our roadways, 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.

• Cinema Club, “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy" – Friday, June 6, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., Dove Library
• National Trails Day Volunteer Event – Saturday, June 7, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., Kelly Trail
• Grandfriends Kindness Project Garden Celebration Party – Saturday, June 7, 10 to 11 a.m., Carlsbad Senior Center
• Reel Wednesday, “The Wild Robot" – Wednesday, June 11, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., Dove Library
• Saturday Music in the Courtyard: Ladies of Gilgamesh – Saturday, June 14, 5 to 6 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.

Upcoming city meetings

The next City Council meeting is Tuesday, June 10, starting at 5 p.m. in the City Council Chamber. Topics on the agenda include:

• Renewing the city’s property and excess liability insurance coverage  
• The annual assessments for the city’s lighting and landscaping districts and the Buena Vista Channel Maintenance District 
• An agreement for the system the city’s libraries use to track materials 
• Possible changes to the city’s Mills Act historic preservation program to increase participation  
• A sponsorship agreement for this year’s TGIF Concerts in the Parks  
• Authorizing bidding for a project to replace part of the heating and air conditioning system at the Police & Fire Headquarters 
• Continuing the declaration of an emergency to make swift repairs to a damaged drainage channel west of the intersection of El Camino Real and Kelly Drive 
• Introducing an ordinance to adopt the state’s updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone map, which classifies areas of Carlsbad that are most susceptible to wildfire 
• Adopting an ordinance to dissolve the Carlsbad Golf Lodging Business Improvement District now that its work has been taken on by the Carlsbad Tourism Business Improvement District  
• Approving the annual work plans for the Historic Preservation and Planning commissions  

The agenda and staff reports are available on the city’s website.

3 easy ways to participate

1. Sign up to get agendas and staff reports emailed to you directly
2. Provide feedback via email before the meeting 
3. Sign up to speak at the meeting

… and 3 ways to watch

1. Follow the meeting live on the city's website 
2. Watch the meeting live on the city’s cable channel: Spectrum channel 24 or AT&T U-verse channel 99
3. Watch a recording of the meeting afterward (online or on our channel)

Board and commission meetings are also livestreamed on the city’s website and available to watch afterward. You can see the meeting schedule on our city calendar.

Before I sign off, a big congratulations to the Carlsbad High School and Sage Creek High School seniors (and their families) who are graduating today and getting ready to start new adventures! I wish you the best and please remember, no matter where your journey takes you, our community will always be here to welcome you home.

And to parents and families of these graduates I am right there with you in celebrating and shedding some tears as well. My youngest daughter Kara graduates from high school next Thursday and I’m thrilled to share this milestone with all of you.

Have a great weekend!



Geoff Patnoe

City Manager