Fair Oaks Park is a 15-acre community park renovation in Sunnyvale, California, reimagined to provide expanded recreational opportunities, inclusive play environments, and improved year-round park functionality for the surrounding community. Originally constructed in 1969, the park underwent a significant transformation led by Verde Design for the City of Sunnyvale, modernizing aging recreational amenities and infrastructure while preserving the park’s role as an important neighborhood and community gathering space. A central component of the project included converting the existing natural grass athletic fields into synthetic turf baseball, soccer, and multi-use fields — the first synthetic turf athletic fields developed within the City’s park system. The upgraded fields significantly expand playable hours and improve field durability and usability during periods of heavy rainfall and year-round community use.
Working closely with the City and the Magical Bridge Foundation, Verde Design also integrated a universally accessible Magical Bridge Playground into the park’s overall design. The inclusive play environment was thoughtfully designed to support children and families of all ages and abilities, creating opportunities for social interaction, imaginative play, and community connection through custom play features and accessible recreation spaces.
Additional park improvements included reconstructed hardcourts, renovated picnic and gathering areas, upgraded sports field and pedestrian lighting, a new restroom and concessions building, maintenance facility improvements, circulation and accessibility upgrades, and a decomposed granite dog park. Throughout the project, Verde Design worked collaboratively with City staff, consultants, and contractors to address complex site and infrastructure challenges while maintaining project functionality and construction progress.
During construction, unforeseen utility conflicts related to an existing PG&E gas line required adaptive coordination and redesign of portions of the site drainage system. Through close collaboration with the contractor and technical team, Verde Design developed revised drainage solutions that maintained required utility clearances while preserving the integrity and performance of the overall site infrastructure design. Upon completion, Fair Oaks Park now serves as a vibrant and inclusive recreational destination that supports active recreation, community gathering, and accessible play opportunities for Sunnyvale residents of all ages and abilities.
American Public Works Association (APWA) 2022 Honor Awards Recipient (Env/Parks $5-$25M)
