Encinitas residents can help shape a new neighborhood park at a third community workshop on Tuesday, Oct. 6.
The session runs from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Encinitas Community & Senior Center Banquet Hall, 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive. A single conceptual design, developed from feedback gathered at two earlier workshops, will be presented for public comment, according to the city's public notice.
The 9.459-acre parcel sits on Quail Gardens Drive, roughly half a mile south of Leucadia Boulevard and three-quarters of a mile north of Encinitas Boulevard. The city purchased the land in 1998 and set it aside for open space and potential park development. Coastal Roots Farm borders the site to the west, and the San Diego Botanic Garden is about 1,300 feet away.
Quail Gardens Drive splits the property into two sections: a west side of about 1.15 acres and an east side of about 6.3 acres.
How the design took shape
City Council approved a contract with San Diego-based Schmidt Design Group in December 2025 to lead the public workshop process and prepare design plans. The project carries an $869,702 design budget, fully funded by restricted Park Development Fees, according to city project documents.
About 30 people attended the first workshop on March 26. Residents favored a passive park. Natural areas with walking trails topped the amenity preference tally, and concerns included pickleball courts, high-noise sports facilities and uncontrolled access through private streets.
At the second workshop on June 22, the city presented two concepts. Concept A, called Terraced Gardens, featured walking trails, a dog run, a half-basketball court and 45 parking spaces. Concept B, Wildflower Walk, included a bike track, fitness nodes and 36 parking spaces. Both designs shared restrooms, picnic areas, native plants, oak trees and integrated stormwater features.
Of the 55 comment cards collected in person and online, 66% preferred Concept A overall, according to the city's workshop summary. Respondents broadly agreed on a nature-focused design with walking paths, shade, native plants and natural play elements.
What happens next
According to the city's public notice, feedback collected at the Oct. 6 workshop will be incorporated into a final concept plan. The design then goes to the Parks Commission and City Council for approval before construction drawings are developed.
Carlos Baldenegro, senior engineer and project manager in the Encinitas Engineering Department, is the city contact for the project. He can be reached at [email protected] or (760) 633-2763. Spanish-language assistance is available by calling 760-943-2150.
A digital feedback form and project details are available on the city's engineering public notices page.
