Carlsbad’s City Council authorized staffers Tuesday to advertise for construction bids on Veterans Memorial Park, which will be the city’s largest at 94 acres and will include its first family bike park with jumps, a pump track and a slalom course.
“I’m excited to see this finally come full circle,” said Councilmember Priya Bhat-Patel. “The bike park is a very exciting feature for folks.”
Located along the north side of Faraday Avenue east of Cannon Road, the rolling terrain has sweeping view of Agua Hedionda Lagoon and the Pacific Ocean.
More than half the park will be set aside as a nature preserve, and about 39 acres will be developed. A memorial plaza will honor the six branches of military service, and there will be parking, restrooms, public art, gardens, playgrounds and fitness areas.
Trails will loop through the park and its open areas, connecting with the nearby Crossings municipal golf course and adjacent neighborhoods.
“It really is going to be a gem in our community,” said Councilmember Teresa Acosta.
The layout for the bike park was developed over several years with input from the community and groups such as San Diego Mountain Biking Association.
The construction contract is expected to be awarded in December, and work could start next year. City officials estimate the total cost at about $51 million.
Most of the money has been collected over the years from fees paid by developers into a community facilities district created in 1991. The project also has received about $8 million in state and federal grants.
The contract includes improvements to Faraday Avenue, with enhanced bike lanes and turn lanes at the two driveways into the park.
The city advertised for “pre-qualifications” from potential contractors in June and received eight responses, according to a staff report. Five were found eligible to submit bids: BrightView Landscape Development, Inc.; Clark Construction Group California, LP; Edwards Construction Group, Inc.; Hazard Construction Engineering, LLC; and Los Angeles Engineering, Inc.
The San Diego Association of Governments has identified it as a “regional open space park” with passive and active recreation opportunities for people of all ages and abilities.
The City Council approved a master plan for the park in 2022. In July 2024 the council approved a $1.6 million contract with the Oregon-based company Romtec, Inc. for three pre-engineered buildings in “kits” to be erected in the park with restrooms, offices, and maintenance, concession and storage rooms.
Carlsbad has owned the vacant land since at least the 1980s. It was part of a 400-acre parcel that included pieces used to build Faraday Avenue and The Crossings 18-hole golf course that the city opened in 2007.
