New pickleball courts and a community garden, sports field and nature inspired playground are among the features that will be included in the future Robertson Ranch Park, planned for the corner of Cannon Road and El Camino Real. The City Council approved the draft master plan for the park Tuesday, the first step in the process to create a new city park.

A draft master plan shows what features are planned for a park and generally where on the park site they would be located. The city chose the mix of amenities based on input from the community and the results of a recently completed assessment of parks and recreation needs in Carlsbad.

Specific materials to be used, plants and trees, color schemes and other details are determined at a later stage of the design process. New parks in Carlsbad typically include electric vehicle charging stations, low water use landscaping and other environmental sustainability features.

The full list of park features includes: 

• Community garden
• Basketball half court
• Multipurpose field
• 6 pickleball courts
• Jogging track
• Fitness stations
• Splash pad
• Traditional and nature-inspired playgrounds
• Open grass areas
• Shaded picnic areas
• Plaza and overlook
• Natural walking paths and gardens
• Connection to nearby trails
• Restroom and concession buildings

Unique to Carlsbad
During the public input process, many residents said they wanted the future park to reflect Carlsbad’s unique character and history. The approved design incorporates references to the city’s agricultural heritage and the rolling hills that can be seen from the park site.

Other elements that were shaped by community feedback include: 

• Being a good neighbor: The sports field and courts are positioned away from homes and sensitive habitat areas to reduce noise and lighting impacts.
• The park will feature the first jogging track in a city park, something residents requested.
• The design includes quiet areas to stroll or sit and enjoy nature, based on feedback from older residents who wanted the park to include tranquil spaces
• Parking: The arched parking lot configuration offers better access to more park features like the community garden, pickleball courts and sports field.
• Traffic flow: A second entrance and exit, on Cannon Road is included to address neighborhood concerns about traffic and congestion.

Next steps and funding
The preliminary estimate to build the park is $30 million, however, a more detailed estimate will be developed once final designs are completed. The City Council will consider next steps and potential funding sources next year, once the park has cleared the permitting process. Getting the park “shovel ready” would take another two years but could make it eligible for grant funding. Once construction begins, the park is expected to take about two years to build.

More information
July 23 City Council staff report
July 23 City Council meeting
Robertson Ranch Park webpage
Robertson Ranch Park Public Input webpage