Matt Garcia Community Park Master Plan
Fairfield, CA
Designing a Dynamic Hub for Recreation and Connection
Gates Studio led the landscape design and planning for the Matt Garcia Community Park Master Plan, a 50-acre public park envisioned as a dynamic, inclusive hub for recreation and community connection in north Fairfield. Developed through extensive outreach, the plan transforms former agricultural land into a destination that balances active amenities with natural open space, while honoring the legacy of Councilmember Matt Garcia.
The final Master Plan provides site and community needs assessments, a schematic design, and funding and implementation strategies. Key design features include a recreation center, an inclusive adventure playground, a splash pad, an amphitheater, an all-wheels track, sports courts, and tournament-grade soccer fields, all thoughtfully arranged to support family-friendly use, flexible programming, and long-term community benefit.
The plan was adopted by City Council in 2024.
Key Considerations
Designing for Growth and GatheringLocated in a rapidly developing area, the park is positioned to become a major community hub. With nearby residential growth, including the One Lake development, the design emphasizes flexible, event-oriented spaces, such as the amphitheater, recreation center, and picnic areas, to support both everyday use and large-scale gatherings.
Respecting the Land and EcosystemGates’ site design is sensitive to adjacent wetlands and protected wildlife habitats. The plan incorporates environmental buffers, a perimeter trail, and a pedestrian bridge that connects to the One Lake community, enhancing access while preserving ecological integrity and celebrating the site’s natural character.
Balancing Sports with Site DynamicsFinding a Comfortable Space for Dog LoversPopular in public outreach, the dog park was carefully located in a quieter area at the park’s southern edge. This placement avoids conflict with high-intensity uses and creates a calm, nature-adjacent setting for dogs and their owners to enjoy.
Community feedback prioritized active recreation, especially soccer, tennis, and pickleball. The design includes 20 formal courts and fields, laid out to support both casual and tournament use while ensuring compatibility with quieter park zones.
From Ideas to realization
Community outreach was a core component of the planning process, designed to gather input and feedback at key milestones through both digital and in-person methods. Engagement occurred across multiple phases and included a project website, stakeholder focus group interviews, online surveys, and in-person events.
Three preliminary concept designs were shared with the community during the second round of outreach.
Feedback prioritized preliminary concept #3, “Organic Play,” due to its unique and diverse park amenities. This option was further refined into the Preferred Design Concept.
After three rounds of public outreach, the final preferred concept was accepted and approved by City Council.
The Document
Click the image to view the full plan document