The City of Carlsbad’s Arts Commission will review the final recommended design for public art planned for Veterans Memorial Park during its meeting on Thursday, Aug. 7.

The artwork is part of the larger 93.7-acre park project, which will include a Veterans Memorial Plaza, scenic trails, picnic areas, playgrounds, a fitness course, the city’s first bike park and other amenities. More than half of the land will remain as protected habitat.

About the recommended design
The proposed piece, known as “The Ring,” is intended to offer a quiet space for reflection, honoring military service and sacrifice. Its circular form symbolizes the enduring nature of duty, unity and remembrance, and is meant to frame the horizon and invite moments of pause.

Based on input from local veterans and survey participants, the artist made several refinements to The Ring to incorporate community feedback:

• Military symbolism and function: Along the inside base of The Ring, six long rectangular rods pay subtle homage to each branch of the U.S. military. These elements are also designed to help discourage misuse, such as skating on the sculpture.
• Interpretive panel: The artist will provide a plaque, which explains the meaning and intent behind the artwork, to be placed nearby.
• Accessibility: The artist’s final design will follow ADA guidelines to make sure the area is welcoming and usable for visitors of all abilities.
• Size: The sculpture will be large enough to ensure strong visual prominence, while still fitting the space and staying within the project’s budget and fabrication requirements.

The city’s park project team will design seating and landscaping around the artwork. These features haven’t been designed yet, but will complement the park’s overall look and feel.

This artwork is separate from the planned Veterans Memorial Plaza, which will be located in a lower area of the park. If approved, the public art piece would be installed on the park’s upper plateau, overlooking The Crossings golf course, lagoon and ocean.

What we heard
In 2023, before selecting an artist or developing any design concepts, the city invited the community to share what themes, values and ideas they wanted the public art to reflect. This early input helped shape the call for artists, resulting in 35 artist submissions and the eventual selection of Gordon Huether Studio.

Earlier this year, the city gathered input on three proposed concepts developed by Gordon Huether Studio. The city received hundreds of survey responses and met with local veterans groups to learn which elements of each concept resonated most, which design people preferred, and what concerns or suggestions they had.

Some of the key themes that emerged included:

• Desire for clear military symbolism
• Interest in creating a space for reflection
• Concerns about safety and durability
• Appreciation for designs that fit into the natural setting
• Suggestions to enhance storytelling

You can read the full public input summary report for more details on what we heard.

How to participate
The Arts Commission will consider this feedback as it reviews the final design and makes a recommendation to the City Council. Construction of Veterans Memorial Park is expected to begin in late 2025, with opening targeted for late 2027. 

Arts Commission meeting
Thursday, Aug. 7, 5:30 p.m.
City Council Chamber
1200 Carlsbad Village Drive

The agenda and staff report will be posted on the city’s website by Friday, Aug. 1.

• Email comments in advance to arts@carlsbadca.gov (please include “Veterans Memorial Park public art” in the subject line).
• Fill out a speaker slip and provide public comment in person.
• Attend the meeting in person, livestream it on the city’s website or cable channel, or view a meeting recording afterward.

More information
Veterans Memorial Park public art webpage
Arts Commission webpage
Veterans Memorial Park webpage