CARLSBAD -- With spring upon us, the Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch is bursting with color -- and also some additions.

Since the Flower Fields opened for the season March 1, visitors may have noticed a 3,000-square-foot, green-trimmed wooden barn and a large white greenhouse, both recently built along the western edge of the property.

Nearly 50 people watched as Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce members joined 145 volunteer docents and owners Paul Ecke III, his sister Lizbeth Ecke, and the late Paul Ecke Jr.'s wife, Mo Ecke, at a ribbon cutting Tuesday for the new barn.

The unveiling was hailed as another step in keeping up with visitors' needs -- a commitment the Ecke family says it has held since they opened the Flower fields in 1993.

"We can't assume people will keep coming," Paul Ecke III said. "So we continually try new things in addition to doing the old things we know are working."

Although it utilizes state-of-the-art technology, the Paul Ecke Jr. Family Barn's design harkens back to traditional barns of the 19th century.

One small but significant modern feature are the permanent restrooms. Paul Ecke III said that visitors had often asked for the facilities.

"We heard from guests that they wanted more restrooms," he said. "We had plenty of port-a-potties, but they just aren't as fun an experience."

While the barn now is only permitted for storage, the Flower Fields has big plans for the building.

"We'd like to use the barn for community events," general manager Fred Clarke said. "We are still developing concepts but one idea is an historical display of the city of Carlsbad."

Clarke said they hope to get the city's permission for more uses in the future.

Meanwhile, the Flower Fields will hold special events, displays and projects in front of the barn, which was strategically placed to block the "often strong" on-shore winds from blowing into the new seating area.

The community use of the space is meant to boost attendance by area residents.

"Tourists are great," Ecke III said. "But we really want local business, too."

The family is selecting a quote to grace the front of the barn. Lizbeth Ecke said two favorites are "the earth laughs in flowers" by Ralph Waldo Emerson and "in joy or sadness flowers are our constant friends" by Kosuko Okakura.

"In general, people love flowers," Ecke III said. "It's what our family has been about for 100 years."

The other new building, the large greenhouse, will hold orchids and is set to open for the public in 2010.

The Flower Fields will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Mother's Day, May 10. For more information, visit www.theflowerfields.com.