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News from the City of Carlsbad | March 20, 2025

As the city continues to repair nearly 40 miles of neighborhood and main streets leading up to summer, I want make sure you have our construction map handy to help plan your route. We update the map each week with city projects, so it may be a good idea to add it to your favorites.

I’ll have more details on what’s in store for our roads in today’s update as well as these stories:

• City Council discusses rules for dogs in city parks and beaches
• Monroe Street Pool to close for major renovation
• Plan ahead for road construction
• Make your spring cleaning easier on the environment
• Spring break traffic safety tips
• Community events and activities
• What’s on the agenda for your next City Council meeting

City Council discusses rules for dogs in city parks and beaches 

On Tuesday, the City Council directed staff to return at a future meeting with possible options for allowing leashed dogs in certain areas of city parks, and with potential locations for adding off-leash dog parks citywide.

Currently, leashed and unleashed dogs are generally not allowed in Carlsbad city parks and beaches. Carlsbad is the only city in the region that does not permit leashed dogs in any of its city parks. In comparison, Coronado and Escondido have some parks where dogs are not allowed, and Santee, La Mesa and Del Mar have specific areas within their parks where dogs are restricted.



In response to community concerns, the City Council requested more information on the existing rules related to dogs in the city and the enforcement of those rules. Staff presented that overview at Tuesday’s meeting. 

As part of the discussion, the City Council directed staff to bring back information on: 

• Possible options for allowing leashed dogs in certain areas of city parks, along with the associated costs such as regulatory signage, dog waste stations, turf and landscape repair, and sanitation - including power washing parks hardscape and amenities and picking up waste that is left unaddressed. 
• Restricting dogs from specific areas of parks like playgrounds and sports fields, and within areas designated for organized programming and special events – such as the TGIF Concerts in the Parks summer series. 
• Potential locations for additional off-leash dog parks citywide. Carlsbad currently has three dog parks.  

The City Council will review this information at a future meeting before considering any potential changes to existing rules or giving direction regarding any additional off-leash dog parks. In the meantime, you can read the staff report online and watch the discussion from Tuesday’s meeting. 

Monroe Street Pool set to close for major renovation

After more than 40 years of service, the Monroe Street Pool will temporarily close on Monday, March 31, for a reconstruction project that will take about 18 months. The last day to use the pool will be Sunday, March 30.

These upgrades will bring the pool in line with current health, safety and building codes while ensuring it will meet the needs of the community for years to come.

The new design will not only extend the life of the pool but also add modern amenities. Planned improvements 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
• A new 8-foot wall with metal gates along Monroe Street to reduce sound for neighbors
• Sustainable features, including rooftop solar panels and energy-efficient systems

What to expect during construction

• Construction will take place Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Occasional Saturday work may occur.)
• Nearby residents may experience noise and construction vehicle traffic during work hours.
• The pool is expected to reopen in summer 2026.
• Alga Norte Aquatic Center will be open to serve the community during the Monroe Street Pool closure.

We appreciate your patience as we make these improvements and will work to minimize inconveniences. You can sign up to receive project email updates, and we will keep you informed on the pool's progress throughout construction.

Plan ahead for road construction 

Next week’s projects on our construction map may impact traffic a little more as the city moves on to the next phase of repairing nearly 40 miles of neighborhood and main city streets.  

Here’s what to expect: 

• Lane closures will impact traffic. 
• Give yourself plenty of time to get where you need to go.  
• Watch for digital message boards with the latest construction dates. 
• We’re aligning road repairs along areas with schools to be during spring break.  
• The city is not planning any night work, and we are not permanently reducing car lanes on these streets. 

Repairing our roads requires several steps, with crews leaving and coming back to the same area multiple times. So even though a road may look ready, lanes may still be closed.   

• Before the street can be resurfaced, it needs to be prepped by grinding down and repairing certain areas and sealing cracks. 
• Once the street is ready, we try to resurface one lane or one side at a time so traffic can still get through. When one side is done, we switch to the other side. 
• The new surface needs a little time to cure or dry before the new striping goes in. 
• Completing all the striping usually takes between two to four weeks. That’s why you will see temporary lane markers right after a street is resurfaced. 

We appreciate your patience on your commutes and watching your speed in construction zones. Remember, the map only shows city projects. It doesn’t include construction projects by local utilities, private companies or other agencies. 

Make your spring cleaning easier on the environment

Today is the first day of spring, a perfect time to declutter and refresh your home. Whether you’re clearing out the garage or doing a deep clean around the house, here are some easy ways to make your spring cleaning safer and more sustainable.

Dispose of bulky items and household hazardous waste properly.

• Recycle old paint through the PaintCare program.
• Take fluorescent bulbs, cleaning products and other chemicals to the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility in Vista.
• Recycle batteries by placing them in a clear zip-lock bag on top of your blue recycling cart for safe disposal.
• For large items like old furniture or appliances, Carlsbad residents can schedule three free bulky item pickups a year through Republic Services.  

Swap out cleaning products for greener options.

• Instead of disposable products like paper towels, wipes and single-use mop pads, choose reusable alternatives like microfiber cloths, washable mop heads and sponges.
• Use DIY cleaning solutions with simple ingredients like vinegar, baking soda and lemon, which can be just as effective as store-bought cleaners without the harmful chemicals.

Protecting our environment is one of the top goals in the City Council’s 5-Year Strategic Plan. Thank you for doing your part to protect Carlsbad’s natural resources.

Spring break traffic safety tips

The four school districts that serve students in Carlsbad will be going on spring break soon, so you may notice more kids, teens and families walking and biking around town over the next few weeks.

Here are some tips to help everyone stay safe on the road.

• Talk to your students about the rules of the road, including rules for pedestrians and bicyclists and Carlsbad-specific e-bike rules.
• Anyone under 18 is legally required to wear a helmet while riding a bike. Make sure your student’s helmet fits properly.
• Eliminate distractions, which can be anything that takes your attention away from the road, including your phone, the radio, eating or drinking.
• When driving, slow down and allow plenty of time to get where you need to go.
• When walking, be confident and make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street to make sure they see you.

View more safety tips.

Upcoming events

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

• Cinema Club Film Friday, “The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks” – Friday, March 21, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., Dove Library
• Emergency Preparedness – Wildfires and More (adults 50+) – Wednesday, March 26, 2 to 3:15 p.m., Carlsbad Senior Center
• Artist Talk with Fredric Hope: “Silent Storytellers” – Thursday, March 27, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Dove Library
• Pirate Plunge – Saturday, March 29, 5 to 8 p.m., Alga Norte Aquatic Center

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

What’s on the agenda for your next City Council meeting

The next City Council meeting is Tuesday, March 25, starting at 5 p.m. in the City Council Chamber. Topics include:

• Accepting a donation from the Friends of Carillo Ranch that will support the California History & Art Field Trip Program at the Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park 
• Expediting the processing of state financial aid for the city’s recycling and waste management initiatives  
• A permit to access state-controlled property to complete the project to widen El Camino Real between Arenal Road to La Costa Avenue  
• A contract to build drainage and ground improvements at a Carlsbad Municipal Water District reservoir on Bluff Court 
• Expanding the area of a sewer project on Poinsettia Lane west of Mica Lane to better accommodate current and future needs 
• The release of a request for proposals to identify a firm to complete a feasibility study on a potential solar power generating and storage facility on vacant land next to the Carlsbad Municipal Water District’s Maerkle Reservoir
• A change to the job classifications for the custodians who service the Police & Fire Headquarters  
• Appointing two members to the Arts Commission and one member to the Beach Preservation Commission  
• Introducing an ordinance approving the Police Department’s use of what’s considered military equipment, as required by state law 
• Adopting an ordinance establishing a code of conduct for all city public facilities, services, programs and events  
• A proposed plan to spend federal Community Development Block Grant funding to help people with low incomes find housing in the next fiscal year 
• Police Department staffing requests 

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.

Have a great weekend and I’ll be back next week with more city news.

Geoff Patnoe

City Manager