Heather Farm Park, Walnut Creek

Through a competitive selection process, the City of Walnut Creek retained Verde Design to modernize two of the primary athletic fields at Heather Farm Park, converting aging natural grass soccer and baseball fields into high-performance synthetic turf facilities. As the first public synthetic turf fields in the City’s park system, the project was designed to significantly expand year-round field availability while improving accessibility, flexibility, and long-term operational efficiency. The completed project received the 2026 Sports Field Management Association (SFMA) Project of the Year Award in recognition of its innovative design and community impact.

Working closely with City staff and user groups, including the Walnut Creek Soccer Club, Verde Design developed a flexible field layout that accommodates multiple soccer age groups, softball, warm-up areas, and tournament play without expanding the existing athletic footprint. Existing sports lighting was carefully incorporated into the design to avoid costly pole relocations, while new perimeter fencing, ball netting, expanded ADA-compliant dugouts, entry improvements, and donor recognition features enhanced both functionality and the overall park experience. Throughout design, we worked closely with the City to accelerate the project schedule, evaluate cost-saving alternatives, and develop phased bid options that aligned the project scope with available funding while preserving the long-term vision for the park.

The project also incorporated thoughtful engineering solutions to maximize sustainability and reduce lifecycle costs. Existing perimeter drainage infrastructure was evaluated and reused where feasible, reducing construction impacts while improving system performance. The new synthetic turf system includes a shock-absorbing drainage pad, permeable aggregate base, and environmentally responsible coconut fiber-based infill designed to improve player safety, reduce surface temperatures, and minimize maintenance requirements. By eliminating seasonal field closures and significantly reducing maintenance demands, the project provides the City with durable, high-quality athletic facilities capable of supporting expanded programming, tournaments, and community recreation for years to come.