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This week the community will get its first look at the proposed design for our newest park project, Robertson Ranch Park. I’ll tell you more about that, along with how we’re continuing to prioritize environmental sustainability efforts through our updated Climate Action Plan. Here’s the full lineup. 

• Community input shapes proposed park design 
• Draft update of Climate Action Plan now available 
• A quick refresher on organic waste recycling
• The Mad Hat Hucksters bring swing music to TGIF 
• Author event Saturday with Pulitzer Prize nonfiction finalist 
• Plan ahead to avoid construction delays 
• What’s on the agenda for your next City Council meeting 

Proposed park design is "uniquely Carlsbad"

When we first asked the community what they’d most like to see in Carlsbad’s newest park project, we got hundreds of great ideas. Since that time, our Parks & Recreation team has been hard at work trying out different configurations and overall design themes for Robertson Ranch Park. After floating three concepts earlier this year, they further refined the plans based on the community’s feedback. 

Now, we’re ready to unveil the final proposed design, which will be presented Monday to the Parks & Recreation Commission for input. The team did a great job incorporating as many of the community’s priorities as they could, including: 

• A multipurpose sports field 
• 6 new pickleball courts 
• A community garden 
• A splash pad and playgrounds 
• A basketball half-court 
• A rubberized jogging track (the first in a city park) 
• Fitness stations 
• A natural-surface path and connections to nearby trails 
• Picnic areas with shade 
• Open grassy areas 
• Spaces to enjoy nature 
• Two entrances, one off of Cannon and one by Fire Station 3 

Specific elements like materials, equipment and plants haven’t been decided yet.

Being a good neighbor 

Field lighting and the most active parts of the park will be located away from nearby homes, and the parking lot configuration will allow for easy access to the sports field (minimal lugging of equipment) while providing convenient access to the community garden and pickleball courts. 

Uniquely Carlsbad 

Some of the most consistent input we received earlier in the process focused on creating a space that feels like Carlsbad. Two of the three design inspirations captured the most attention: 

• One focused on visual links to Carlsbad’s agrarian roots.
• The other looked to the rolling hills surrounding the site for design guidance.
• The final proposed design includes nods to both, with curved shapes throughout, a community garden and other natural elements.

You can see the design for yourself on the Parks & Recreation Commission website. 

Tell us what you think 

The Parks & Recreation Commission will review the proposed design, listen to community input and provide a recommendation to the City Council. 

Parks & Recreation Commission 

Monday, July 15, 5:30 p.m. 

City Council Chamber 

1200 Carlsbad Village Drive 

You are welcome to attend and provide comments in person. Or, you can email your comments in advance and watch the livestream.

Next steps 

As I have shared before, the park planning process has many steps. After the Parks & Recreation Commission meeting, staff will present the proposed design to the City Council. 

At this time, the City Council has allocated funding to complete the design and permitting process. Timing and funding sources for construction, estimated to be about $28 million, have not yet been determined. Next year, the City Council will consider next steps including environmental permitting and future funding options. 

If you’d like to follow the progress of this park project, sign up to receive updates via email. 

Draft Climate Action Plan update released

This week, we released a draft update of our Climate Action Plan. It’s a big step in the city’s ongoing efforts to protect the environment, a goal in the City Council's 5-Year Strategic Plan. 

Community input has been a key part of updating the plan since we began the process in 2022, so thank you to everyone who shared ideas and feedback each step of the way. 

If you’re not familiar with Climate Action Plans, here’s a quick overview. 

• The plan outlines how we will cut greenhouse gas emissions generated in our city. 
• Specifics like how much GHGs will be reduced and by when, must be part of the plan. 

Carlsbad was one of the first cities in the county to adopt a qualified Climate Action Plan in 2015 (“qualified” means it meets certain standards and legal requirements for effectiveness and compliance with state climate goals). By 2020, we already surpassed our first target, reducing GHG emissions to 4% below what they were back in 2012. 

Why update the plan? 

Two things have changed since we first created our Climate Action Plan: 

• The state updated its targets for reducing GHGs 
• We got updated data on the GHG emissions generated in Carlsbad 

Where do GHGs come from in Carlsbad? 

According to our latest data, here are the sources of GHGs in Carlsbad: 

How to reduce GHGs 

The updated plan groups the different ways of reducing GHGs into the following categories:

(Carbon sequestration refers to the process of capturing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and includes efforts like planting trees and preserving green spaces.) 

Combined with other reductions measured at the state level, the city’s Climate Action Plan Update is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Carlsbad by approximately 680,000 metric tons by 2035 and 883,000 metric tons by 2045.

Next steps 

• Staff will present the Climate Action Plan Update to the Planning Commission in September, and to the City Council for adoption later in the fall. 
• After adoption, city staff will track implementation efforts throughout the year and provide annual progress reports to the City Council. 

You can review the draft and submit comments to Katie Hentrich at katie.hentrich@carlsbadca.gov. 

Get ideas and inspiration about how you can help the environment on the city’s website. Together, we can make a positive impact on the environment and achieve our climate goals. 

Use a kitchen caddy and other tips for separating organics

A couple of years ago, to comply with a new state law, the city launched a program to keep organic waste out of landfills, where it generates GHGs as it decomposes. Organics is an umbrella term that includes food scraps, yard clippings and other natural materials.

As a bonus, these organic materials are now turned into compost, which we give away at compost events in the community. 

Just like when recycling paper, plastic and other materials was first introduced, putting your organic waste in a separate container takes some getting used to. And, just like other kinds of recycling, it’s easier when you have a good system at home. 

At our last Fixit Clinic in June, more than 100 Carlsbad residents picked up a free kitchen caddy. This convenient countertop container lets you collect your food scraps in the kitchen instead of needing to head out to your large green cart several times a day.

Republic Services is hosting another pickup event next Tuesday.

Kitchen caddy pickup* 

Tuesday, July 16 

2:30 to 6 p.m. 

Alga Norte Park 

6565 Alicante Road 

Carlsbad residents can also pick up a free caddy from the Palomar Transfer Station during regular business hours. 

Monday – Saturday 

8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Palomar Transfer Station* 

5960 El Camino Real 

*Proof of Carlsbad residency is required. 

Lessons learned from the pros 

As more people in Carlsbad get used to recycling their organic materials at home, they have come up with some great tips to make the process easy. (You can also watch our videos that explain the step-by-step process and what goes where when it comes to recycling.) 

• Line with paper: Use newspapers, paper towels or paper bags to line your caddy. This helps absorb moisture and minimizes odors. 
• Keep it cool: Store your caddy in a cool, shaded area like under the sink or in the fridge to reduce the chance of odor. 
• Rinse regularly: Give your caddy a quick rinse after emptying it to prevent residue buildup. 
• Freeze scraps: Store food scraps in your freezer (you can use your caddy or a smaller container or paper bag) until you’re ready to empty them into your green organics cart. This keeps smells and pests at bay. 

Have you come up with a good system? Tell us about it so we can share with others. Likewise, if you’re having any challenges, let us know that too. Our environmental sustainability team can help you troubleshoot. 

Let’s work together to help Carlsbad do its part for the environment.

The Mad Hat Hucksters bringing swing to TGIF

This Friday, we’re celebrating the golden age of jazz at TGIF Concerts in the Parks with The Mad Hat Hucksters, one of North County’s best swing bands. This lively six-piece combo plays a variety of music from swing to early rhythm and blues, blending the energy of the Roaring 20s with the swagger of a New Orleans brass band.

This will be the last concert of the season at Stagecoach Community Park before we move on next week to Calavera Hills. It’s been a great series so far. Thank you to everyone for continuing to make TGIF one of Carlsbad’s best summertime traditions.

TGIF Concerts in the Parks 

The Mad Hat Hucksters 

Friday, July 12 

Field opens at 4 p.m. 

Concert starts at 6 p.m. 

Stagecoach Community Park 

3420 Camino De Los Coches 

Here are some other tips to make it a great night: 

• Pack a picnic (food and drink are not for sale this year) 
• Bring a low back chair or blanket, sunscreen and bug spray
• Be familiar with what you can and can’t bring so you can breeze through our new security screening stations 

Getting there 

• These concerts always draw a crowd, so please carpool if possible to reduce traffic (or arrange to be dropped off). 
• If you live nearby, consider riding your bike and letting our bike valet handle the parking for you.
• If you bike, please wear your helmet (it’s required for riders under 18), use front and rear lights and wear bright, high-visibility clothing to make sure drivers can see you. 
• If you’re driving, free parking is available at nearby La Costa Canyon High School. There isn’t shuttle service for concerts at Stagecoach because we have parking close by.

Meet Pulitzer Prize finalist at next author talk



You’ll have a chance this weekend to meet author Luis Alberto Urrea, a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in nonfiction, when he stops by Cole Library to talk about his latest novel. “Good Night, Irene” draws inspiration from his mother's service with the Red Cross during World War II.

The Carlsbad Library’s author talks include a book discussion followed by audience Q&A and a book signing. If Urrea’s name sound familiar, he’s written 19 books to date, including “Into the Beautiful North,” a Carlsbad Reads Together book selection in 2017. 

Born in Tijuana to a Mexican father and American mother, Urrea’s multicultural background deeply influences his storytelling and he uses it to explore greater themes of love, loss and triumph. 

Author talk with Luis Alberto Urrea 

Saturday, July 13

2 p.m. 

Cole Library

1250 Carlsbad Village Drive 

Keeping our city well maintained

Before you head out to work or around town next week, don’t forget to check our city construction map to see where city projects are happening that may impact traffic. The map is updated each week, so you can use it to plan ahead and take an alternate route, saving you time and helping to keep traffic flowing safely through construction zones. Remember, the map only shows city projects, not work being done by utilities or private companies. 

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

The next City Council meeting will take place Tuesday, July 16, starting at 5 p.m. in the City Council Chamber. Topics include: 

• A donation from the Carlsbad Friends of the Arts to support TGIF Concerts in the Parks and other cultural arts activities. 
• A donation from the Carlsbad Library & Arts Foundation to purchase supplies and materials for library programs and support the Carlsbad Reads Together program 
• The annual adjustment, based on inflation, of the special tax on properties in Community Facilities District 1
• Extending the lease for the Chapters Café at Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane 
• Extending the lease with the nonprofit organization that operates the local Head Start program for preschoolers in a building behind the Library Learning Center 
• Revising an agreement with a company that will integrate the systems used to remotely monitor and control Carlsbad’s water, recycled water and wastewater infrastructure. The timing of when the work will be done is changing to save money and get the project done more quickly. 
• A contract for the annual program to resurface streets around the city to keep them up to city standards and extend their useful life, while improving traffic safety 
• Ending the local storm-related emergency declared to repair a slope between El Camino Real and Trieste Drive 
• Parking restrictions for a stretch of Babilonia Street to address resident concerns 
• Adopting an ordinance to organize and format the Carlsbad Municipal Water District Board’s ordinances in a manner similar to the city's municipal code, making it easier for the public to find what they’re looking for
• Setting the annual assessments for the city’s two lighting and landscaping districts 
• The annual report and work plan for the city’s Housing Commission 
• The City Council’s yearly review of its Code of Ethics & Public Service Values 

The agenda and staff reports will be available on the city's website by Friday, July 12.

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 afterward 
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 

Two city boards and commissions are also scheduled to meet next week. Those meetings are also livestreamed on the city’s website and available to watch afterward. You can see the meeting schedule on our city calendar. 

That wraps up another week’s worth of Carlsbad news. I hope you have a wonderful weekend and find plenty of opportunities to enjoy our mild summer weather. It’s looking like we’ll remain a good 10+ degrees cooler than our inland neighbors for at least another week.

Scott Chadwick 

City Manager