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If you’re looking to get your heart rate up after enjoying last week’s Thanksgiving feast, today’s trail of the week feature is for you! I’ll give you all the info you need to find this new hike, along with sharing these updates:

• Spectacular views await after a short climb
• Volunteer a few hours, see results for years
• More art coming to Carlsbad, and you can help us choose
• Preventing package theft this holiday season
• A Carlsbad holiday tradition returns to Leo Carrillo Ranch
• A unique way to put pen to paper
• What’s on the agenda for the next City Council meeting?
• Apply to serve on a city commission
• Something special if you make it to the end

Trail of the week has its ups and downs

Carlsbad is a very hilly city. This has its pros and cons, but beautiful views are definitely on the plus side. Continuing with our trail of the week feature, today I want to tell you about one of the best views in the city, on a trail you have likely driven by many times without knowing it.

The official name is The Crossings/Veterans Park Trail because it is split down the middle by Faraday Avenue, with one side at The Crossings Golf Course and the other side the site of the future Veterans Memorial Park. But don’t worry, you won’t need to dodge traffic to get from one side to the other. There is a special tunnel that goes under the street.

As part of the golf course project back in the early 2000s, the city designated nearly 300 acres of native habitat as permanent open space and built a public trail that wends its way through parts of this habitat area. 

The trail begins at The Crossings Golf Course, goes over a very cool bridge and heads to an underpass below Faraday Avenue before leading you to the future Veterans Park site. Be ready for some ups and downs, but when you get to the top on the Veterans Park side, you can catch your breath by taking in beautiful views of Agua Hedionda Lagoon and the great Pacific.

In case you’re wondering, the Veterans Park side will eventually be closed temporarily for construction of the new park. But don’t worry, the park design also includes trails.

How to find the trail heads

You can park either in the parking lot of the golf course (5800 The Crossings Drive) or along Faraday Avenue if you want to start in the middle.

Remember, we have 67 miles of trails throughout Carlsbad. You can find out more on our website. 

Volunteer a few hours, see results for years

While we’re on the topic of trails, the city is hosting a trail volunteer event next week at Hidden Canyon Park trail.

• The city provides water, shovels, rakes and other tools.
• We’ll give you a short training, so you’re prepared.
• Make sure to wear closed-toe shoes, sunscreen and gloves.
• This is a fun way to get moving, make a difference and meet other like-minded volunteers.

Trail volunteer event

Wednesday, Dec. 6

8:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Hidden Canyon Park trail

Where to park

Hidden Canyon Park

2685 Vancouver St.

Or

Ann L’Heureux Dog Park

2710 Carlsbad Village Drive

RSVP to Sarah Czech at sarah.czech@carlsbadca.gov.

P.S. If you can’t get away during the week, we will have other volunteer events on the weekends coming up.

More art coming to Carlsbad, and you can help us choose

Back to Veterans Memorial Park … when the park opens in 2025, it’ll not only be the city’s largest park, but the city’s first to recognize and honor the nation’s veterans.

• We are getting ready to select the artist for the new artwork that will be prominently featured at the park’s upper plateau area.
• A memorial plaza near the parking lot has been designed and can serve as an easily accessible space to visit and gather.
• We’ve already received input from veterans and others on the vision for the new artwork (many thanks to our readers who volunteered to give input).
• Now we are seeking volunteers to serve on a Public Art Advisory Subcommittee to review proposals from artists and ultimately vote to select the artist.
• It’s a short commitment, usually around two to three meetings, which are held at City Hall.

You don’t need to be an art expert (although art experts will also be on the committee). You just need to have an interest in shaping this future public art to honor those who have served our country. In addition to Carlsbad community members, we’re seeking veterans, active-duty military members and military family members interested in serving on the committee.

Apply online. The deadline is Dec. 18. If you don’t want to serve on the committee, you can still weigh in on the selection of the artist by attending one of the committee’s meetings.

Barrio art planning getting started

We have two other important art projects getting underway, which also provide opportunities to get involved:

Barrio Traffic Circle Public Art Workshop

Wednesday, Dec. 6

6 to 7:30 p.m.

Carlsbad Senior Center

799 Pine Ave.

Barrio Traffic Circle Public Art Subcommittee (Applications due Dec. 8)

Chestnut Underpass Public Art Subcommittee (Applications due Dec. 8)

Preventing package theft this holiday season 

Carlsbad Police are always busy this time of year, and one of the reasons is an increased threat of package thefts. We’re patrolling neighborhoods watching for individuals attempting to steal packages, but we can’t be everywhere all at once. Please take a few simple steps to reduce the opportunities for theft: 

• Schedule deliveries for times when you or someone you trust will be at home.
• Track your packages through delivery companies. That way, you know when they arrive and can bring them in immediately (or ask a neighbor). 
• Use delivery lockboxes or lockers. Some companies and communities offer lockboxes or lockers where packages can be securely stored until you retrieve them.
• Request that a signature be required for delivery.
• Install security cameras. Thieves may think twice before stealing packages if they know they're being recorded.

You can always report suspicious activity by calling our non-emergency line, 442-339-2197. Of course, call 9-1-1 in case of an emergency or crime in progress.

A holiday favorite returns to Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park

If you’re looking for a fun and festive way to kick off the holiday season, join us for Holiday at the Rancho on Saturday at Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park. The hacienda will be decked out in beautiful holiday lights and decorations, with lots of family activities.

Holiday at the Rancho

Saturday, Dec. 2

5 to 8 p.m.

Leo Carrillo Ranch Historical Park

6200 Flying Leo Carrillo Lane

• Watch the annual tree lighting at 5:45 p.m.
• Enjoy the Disney classic “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas” on a giant outdoor screen at 6 p.m.
• Decorate holiday cookies, create crafts and participate in a “plushy” snowball fight.
• There will also be face painting, train rides and a chance to chat with Santa.
• Food, beverages and souvenir photos are available for an additional charge. 
• Tickets: $10. Children under 3 are free.

You can buy tickets in advance through Friday or at the door. (Just know this event may sell out, so it’s safer to buy beforehand.)

A unique way to put pen to paper

Aspiring writers or those who like to try new things are invited to experience our Writing With Sound workshop on Thursday, Dec. 7, at the Cole Library.

Writing With Sound

Thursday, Dec. 7

1 to 3 p.m.

Cole Library

1250 Carlsbad Village Drive

Writers Cherie Kephart and Diáne Mandle will share “polytonal” sounds – music that uses multiple keys at the same time – as well as motivational words designed to inspire writing. This event aims to create an atmosphere that stimulates the senses and encourages participants to explore their creative potential.

No registration is necessary.

Upcoming construction 

Here’s our latest map of major city construction projects, including ones that could impact traffic around town. It’s updated every week and shows projects like street repaving that require temporary lane closures and detours.

Remember, the map only shows major city construction projects. It doesn’t include work being done by utility companies or private developers. Is this map useful to you? I’d love to hear your feedback.

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

The next City Council meeting will take place Tuesday, Dec. 5, starting at 5 p.m. in the City Council chamber. The topics to be considered include:

• The annual report on the city’s investments 
• Continuing an agreement with the Carlsbad Unified School District that gives the community access to some of the district’s athletic fields and sport courts in exchange for the city handling their routine maintenance 
• The list of vacancies on city boards and commissions anticipated in 2024. Cities are required to publish this list annually as a way to promote awareness to those who may want to be considered for an appointment
• Additional funding to cover increases in the cost of the emergency lighting systems and in-car radios needed to outfit 34 new police vehicles 
• Advertising for bids on a project to replace a retaining wall on Park Drive near Bayshore Drive 
• Extending the term of an agreement with a design firm for the completion of the Police & Fire Headquarters renovation project
• An agreement for the purchase of water meters so the older ones can be replaced quickly as they wear out
• Amending sections of the Carlsbad Municipal Code related to elected officials to clarify contract-signing authority, specify that people convicted of a serious crime are ineligible to hold public office and provide clearer eligibility criteria for the City Treasurer position 
• Authorizing the Mayor to send letters urging non-compliant pilots to honor McClellan-Palomar Airport’s quiet hours, when take offs and landings are discouraged

See the agenda and staff reports.

The City Council encourages your participation. You can get agendas and staff reports emailed to you directly, and if you want to provide input, you can email council@carlsbadca.gov before the meeting or come in person and fill out a request to speak.



If you want to watch from home, we have three options:

1. Watch the meeting live on the website
2. Watch a recording of the meeting afterwards
3. Watch live or a replay throughout the week on the city’s cable TV channel, Spectrum channel 24 and AT&T U-verse channel 99

Boards 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.

Apply to serve on a city commission

Speaking of city meetings, serving on a city board or commission is a great way to make a difference in our community.

We currently have unscheduled vacancies on three city commissions. Applicants must be Carlsbad residents who are registered to vote in the city.

Beach Preservation Commission

Meetings: 11 a.m. Tuesday of even numbered months

Application deadline: Noon, Dec. 11

Parks & Recreation Commission

Meetings: 5:30 p.m. Third Monday of the month

Application deadline: Noon, Dec. 11

Agricultural Mitigation Fee Committee

Meetings: Once a year

Application deadline: Noon, Dec. 22

You can apply online or pick up an application in the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall, 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive

Finally, we captured something very special earlier this week – footage of a pod of dolphins enjoying the surf off our coast. The water was a brilliant turquoise that day, making for an idyllic scene. Or, as we may call it, just another beautiful day in Carlsbad!

P.S. What’s the difference between a dolphin and a porpoise? See what the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association has to say and let me know if you think I made the right call!

Scott Chadwick

City Manager