CARLSBAD — The Carlsbad City Council awarded a $464,353 construction contract on July 23 to ACE Capital Engineering for the Stagecoach Community Garden project.
The project will turn Stagecoach Community Park’s former maintenance yard into a raised container community garden with 35 planting beds, an informational kiosk, composting bins, tool storage, a picnic table, benches, a garden design element and a shade structure.
At least two ADA-accessible beds will be located near the garden’s front entrance.
The City Council first approved the community garden plans in April, giving staff the greenlight to advertise for construction contract bids. The city received two responses including one from ACE Capital Engineering, who offered a lower price.
Upon completion of construction, Stagecoach will be home to the city’s fourth community garden and the first in the southeast park district.
Two community gardens – Harold E. Smerdu and Pine Avenue – are located in the northwest district, and Calavera Schoolhouse Community Garden is in the northeast.
“We are continuing to look at opportunities in the southwest,” said Parks Planning Manager Nick Stupin.
The new Stagecoach Community Garden will resemble Pine Avenue, the city’s newest community garden.
One of the city’s goals under its 2023-2027 Strategic Plan includes installing a community garden at Stagecoach to accommodate a growing interest among its population. The city currently has a 400-person waitlist for garden plots in the city.
Staff is hopeful that construction of the community garden will begin by the end of summer.
