AGUA HEDIONDA LAGOON FOUNDATION / Mayor Matt Hall Hill
MAYOR MATT HALL HILL
A Place To Taste Nature
Mayor Matt Hall Hill (MMHH) offers stunning views of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon and the surrounding landscape. With bright-colored umbrellas to provide a cool shady spot and six comfortable picnic tables to enjoy a snack or activity outdoors, the Carlsbad community is thankful to have this safe place in nature for all.
​
Games & Education
Matt loves to spend his time playing games with his granddaughters like Rummikub, dominos, and checkers. In keeping with his passion, MMHH features games for visitors to enjoy such as life-size Connect 4, Jenga, Cup Pong, and more!
This hillside exhibit also includes an interactive water table.
​
*Please note MMHH will be closed during field trip hours. For more information please head to our Hours and Cost page.
The Peace Poll Project
A Peace Pole is an internationally recognized symbol of the hopes and dreams of the entire human family, standing vigil in silent prayer for peace on earth. Each Peace Pole bears the message May Peace Prevail on Earth in different languages on each of its four or six sides. There are an estimated 250,000 Peace Poles in every country in the world dedicated as monuments to peace.
​
The Rotary Club of Carlsbad installed its first Peace Poll overlooking Mayor Matt Hall Hill at the Discovery Center on October 19, 2023 highlighting both the Rotary's 84th anniversary and the peace that AHLF brings to the Carlsbad Community.
​
Learn more about the Peace Poll Project and the location of other polls across the world here:
https://www.peacepoleproject.org/plantpeacepolemap/
​
The Namesake
Born and raised in the neighboring city of Vista, Matt Hall spent his time as a youth swimming, snorkeling, and fishing in the waters of Agua Hedionda Lagoon. As a kid, he remembered the Lagoon was called a “pond” until it was dredged to allow water from the Pacific to enter its shores. Matt filled his time by fishing for seabass and octopus with homemade spears.
In the 1960s, Matt's family purchase of a boat allowing him to learn the thrill and excitement of water skiing. Matt remembers the exhilarating feeling of skiing through the red tide at night and watching the fabulous light show it created. In high school, Matt would often be out on the water until 11 at night practicing his skills.
​
As Matt grew in his career as a public servant, he continued to advocate for the lagoon and the expansion of what it could offer.
In 1985 Matt was appointed by the City Council to study ways to manage uncontrolled growth in Carlsbad and to protect the natural landscape that defined the city. Part of the Growth Management Plan he helped frame ultimately ensured that nearly 40% of open space of Carlsbad would be protected in perpetuity. This included many parts of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon and environs.
As a member of the City Council, Matt was there when the Aviara Sales Center was cut into three sections and moved from its original location in Aviara to its current location to become the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation Discovery Center!
Matt served Carlsbad for four decades! He was appointed to the Planning Commission in 1982, elected to the City Council in 1994, and elected Mayor in 2010. He retired in 2022.
Matt, and his wife Phyllis, purchased a condo overlooking the Agua Hedionda Lagoon. The relaxing, calming, and therapeutic views of the sun glistening over the water brought such joy to the Halls that family and friends became involved as stewards of the lagoon.
Matt became a member of the Rotary Club of Carlsbad in 1992. Carlsbad’s two Rotary Clubs joined forces to recognize Matt for his vision and leadership in protecting Carlsbad's precious natural resources and helped create Mayor Matt Hall Hill.
Thanks to Matt, his family, friends and the Carlsbad community, the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation continues to benefit from their generosity and stewardship.
We are honored to unveil a space crafted to enjoy the simple pleasures of overlooking the water while spending time with family and friends.
Take A Walk On The Yellow Brick Road
Invest in the magic the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation brings to the community every day by purchasing a brick on the Yellow Brick Road found at Mayor Matt Hall Hill.
This two-year campaign includes three investment opportunities and multiple payment methods (monthly, quarterly, or all at once).
Only 6 bricks at $25,000 each
(Monthly payment of $1,042)
(Quarterly payment of $6,250)
Only 10 bricks at $10,000 each
(Monthly payment of $417)
(Quarterly payment of $2,500)
9 available
​
Only 35 bricks at $5,000 each
(Monthly payment of $209)
(Quarterly payment of $1,250)
32 available
Contact Lisa Rodman at Lisa.Rodman@AguaHedionda.org or (760) 804-1969 for more information and to reserve your brick!
