The Sunnyvale Community Center Grounds Renovation reimagines one of the City’s most active civic and recreational destinations as a more connected, flexible, and community-focused public environment. Home to Sunnyvale’s Performing Arts, Creative Arts, Recreation, Senior, and Indoor Sports Centers, the 14-acre Community Center campus serves as a central gathering space for residents of all ages and backgrounds. Originally developed in the 1970s, the existing grounds featured expansive water elements, mature landscaping, and passive open space areas that limited opportunities for outdoor programming, recreation, and events. Verde Design was selected to lead the renovation and transformation of the site to better support the evolving needs of the Sunnyvale community while preserving the serene and natural character that residents value.
Working closely with City staff and the community through an extensive outreach process that included public meetings, online surveys, and pop-up engagement events, Verde Design developed a vision that enhances site functionality, expands recreation opportunities, and creates flexible spaces for both everyday use and large community gatherings. The redesigned grounds function as an extension of the Community Center’s indoor programming and include renovated pond and fountain features, upgraded walkways, a modern event plaza, amphitheater and informal seating terrace, playground, picnic and BBQ areas, passive recreation spaces, demonstration gardens, and outdoor recreation amenities such as table tennis, cornhole, and chess tables. The project also incorporates targeted Wi-Fi, upgraded electrical infrastructure, improved lighting, accessibility enhancements, and a new restroom and fountain mechanical building to support long-term operations and future community programming.
Designed to support both active recreation and passive enjoyment, the revitalized Sunnyvale Community Center Grounds provide a welcoming and adaptable civic space that reflects the evolving priorities, values, and identity of the Sunnyvale community while creating new opportunities for gathering, recreation, and year-round activation.
