The city of the Encinitas held their second community workshop on planning for the new Quail Gardens Park to be located just south of Via Zamia along Quail Gardens Lane on Monday, June 22nd. The objective of the workshop was to share potential conceptual designs for the park and to solicit feedback on each of the concepts.
This park will serve Encinitas for generations, yet workshop turnout has been very limited. On June 22nd there were only about 30 people and that in itself is a bit frightening. I think that we would all agree that more than 30 people should be designing a very important new amenity for Encinitas especially one that is so close to Encinitas Ranch.
Below is a link to the website that the city set up to provide information about the park.
https://www.encinitasca.gov/government/city-projects-initiatives/L7-Park
Shown below are rendering of the two design concept; Concept A – Terraced Gardens and Concept B – Wildflower Walk.
These concepts were drawn from the presentation that city staff and Schmid Design Group gave to the attendees at the second workshop.
The city and Schmid Design are asking for feedback from the community and we strongly encourage owners to review the presentation and provide feedback. Below is a link to their feedback form.
This is your opportunity to play a major role in the design of a park that nearly everyone in Encinitas Ranch had advocated for.
The following represents some major concerns about the two designs that could help shape your feedback. These concerns were distilled from those owners from Encinitas Ranch who did attend the workshop.
Major Concerns
Dog Run / Bike Pump Track
In general attendees did not support either of these as the primary differentiator between the two concepts.
Dog Run
- There is a strong belief that a section of this park should not be dedicated as a dog park and that are better uses for this land.
- Encinitas already has multiple dog parks, while this site presents a unique opportunity to create something more broadly beneficial and nature-focused.
Bike Pump Track
- Quail Gardens Drive is already a narrow, heavily traveled corridor that will only become busier with future development.
- Encouraging children to bike to this location raises serious and very legitimate safety concerns.
- A large dirt/concrete pump track also feels inconsistent with the community’s repeated desire for a quiet, nature-oriented park.
- The impression was that this concept was influenced heavily by a very small number of children who attended Workshop #1 and may not reflect the broader community’s priorities.
- This bike track is likely to encourage e-bikers and that could create a number of safety issues. e-bikers are already causing damage and harassing residents.
Overall Site Layout
- Dividing the park with the internal drive and parking layout should be reconsidered.
- The circulation and organization of the site deserve another look before a preferred concept is selected.
West Parcel (West of Quail Gardens Drive)
More thought should be given to better leveraging the space on the west side of the property.
- More information is needed regarding the proposed Habitat Stewardship Program and its long-term vision.
- This is valuable public land that should remain functional and accessible wherever possible.
- The Leightag Foundation and the Coastal Roots Farm have long advocated for exploring ways to connect their properties with Quail Gardens Drive and activate this space with natural connecting walking trails, interpretive features, or dispersed fitness elements rather than leaving it largely unused.
- If this parcel remains underutilized, it may become vulnerable to future development pressure.
Activity Elements
Strongly Support
- Nature-based playground (would support expanding the size)
- Open grassy community spaces designed for informal recreation rather than organized sports
- Accessible walking loop, natural trails and cut-throughs
- Picnic pavilion and shaded gathering areas
- Embracing the site’s natural slopes (Olympus Park’s cardboard hill is a great example)
- Integrated stormwater / rain garden (Concept B)
- Donor plaza centered around a large heritage oak tree
- Pavilion overlook honoring Sally Johnson and Glen Johnson’s vision of a peaceful, nature-forward sitting space
- Limited timed (no-overnight) enforced parking (appropriate number of spaces, but not excessive)
Would Reconsider
- Eliminate basketball court. Similar facilities already exist at nearby parks and throughout the surrounding neighborhood.
- Rather than concentrating fitness equipment into a single “fitness node,” distribute smaller exercise stations along walking trails. This would feel more natural, encourage greater use, and better preserve the park’s character.
Other Comments
Support
- Residential landscape buffers with native trees and vegetation
- Natural, drought-tolerant planting palette
Concerns
- Restrooms are essential, but they should be modest in scale and not become a central visual feature.
- I have concerns about the proposed flower walk. While beautiful in concept, high-maintenance flower beds are likely to suffer from foot traffic. A more natural, durable planting approach seems better suited to this park.
Please take some time to digest this information then share your feedback.