California Construction News staff writer
Pickleball courts, a community garden, sports field and nature inspired playground are some of the features that will be included in the future Robertson Ranch Park, to be built on the corner of Cannon Road and El Camino Real in Carlsbad. City council has approved the draft master plan, the first step in the process to create a new city park.
The preliminary estimate to cost build the park is $30 million, however, a more detailed estimate will be developed once final designs are completed. 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.
The approved draft master plan shows what features are planned for a park, including:
- 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
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 approved design incorporates references to the city’s agricultural heritage and the rolling hills that can be seen from the park site.
An arched parking lot configuration will provide better access to more park features like the community garden, pickleball courts and sports field and a second entrance and exit, on Cannon Road is included to address neighborhood concerns about traffic and congestion.