Earlier this fall, San Francisco University High School celebrated the grand reopening of Paul Goode Field, a state-of-the-art, 6.4-acre combined soccer, lacrosse, baseball, and softball use field located within the Presidio of San Francisco. This complex marks the first park within the National Park Service to feature synthetic turf fields.

Verde Design collaborated with the Presidio Trust, a federal agency established to manage the Presidio national park, and San Francisco University High School to ensure that the new facilities remain operational throughout the entirety of the year.

The updated athletic complex, valued at $7.9 million, features two synthetic turf fields, parking, improved access to trails, restrooms, picnic area, drinking fountains, and native plantings providing more year-round opportunity for students and youth sports organizations to play and practice at the treasured Presidio location. The completion of the 21-month development project also enables San Francisco University High School to expand no-cost access to the community for youth sports programs and schools.

The new field includes striping for lacrosse, field hockey, and soccer, and a practice, three-lane running track with long and triple jumps. Prior to the renovation, the original field was an abandoned, grassy lot, and was considered unusable during the wet weather months. The new organic infill synthetic turf fields are expected to reduce annual water usage by an estimated one million gallons, and will significantly increase available play time during high rainfall seasons.

The project involved extensive earthwork, retaining walls, an innovative and sophisticated drainage system, and permeable paving was utilized in the parking lot. In addition to the fields, a plaza with restroom buildings and picnic tables serves as a welcoming entrance to the complex.