PARKS + FACILITIES » New Aquatic and Community Center
Frequently Asked Questions
Please see below for frequently asked questions and their answers. If you have a question not listed below that you'd like to ask, please email HeatherFarmComments@walnut-creek.org and City staff will reply to you. Thank you!
Project Overview & Purpose
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Combined Aquatics and Community Center
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Outdoor event spaces & terraces
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Large indoor event space (new Lakeside Room)
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(3) Multipurpose Rooms / Classrooms
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50m lap pool
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Recreational pool
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Bath House
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Pool Mechanical Building
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Other Supporting spaces
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A new restroom adjacent to the All Abilities Playground
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- A Conceptual Site Plan was approved by City Council in February 2023. The plan is being further developed over the next year based on input from the community, commissions and Council. The new building will be approximately 25,000 – 27,000 square feet, on a 4.7-acre site.
- The existing Clarke Swim Center and Community Center at Heather Farm Park were built in the early 1970s and are reaching the end of their useful life. A new combined Aquatic and Community Center at Heather Farm Park is currently being designed to replace the existing facilities. This effort has been one of the City Council’s top priorities for the last several years.
- The City of Walnut Creek has and will continue to comply with all local, state and Federal environmental guidelines, including the protection of plants and wildlife.
- The Aquatics and Community Centers will be combined to be more cost effective, but also allow for more synergy between all the programs using these facilities (will broaden exposure of both components to larger community). City Council direction to combine these Facilities was given in February 2020.
Location & Site Design
The three existing adjacent parking lots will continue to serve the future facility, and does not reduce any existing park. The adjacent lots are:
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Lot w/ solar panels north of community center
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Lot serving aquatics and all-abilities playground
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Lot along N San Carlos Dr
The project team is performing further analysis as part of the development of the detailed facility design, including consideration of entry/drop-off sequence and street improvements.
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- The new facility will be located in the same spot as the existing Heather Farm Community Center, which will be demolished in 2025. The site for the project was approved by City Council in December of 2021. Of three site options identified, this site was selected as it offers multiple benefits, including: allowing Clarke Swim Center to remain open and operational during construction, is a central location in the park, maintains the overlook to the pond, is the most flexible of the three sites studied, and is adjacent to existing parking lots on three sides.
Pools & Aquatics Programming
How does the size of the planned 50-meter lap pool compare to the size of the current lap pool at Clarke Memorial?
The new 50-meter pool is the same size as the current 50-meter pool, 50 meters by 25 yards. There are two fewer 25-yard swim lanes due to the accessible stairs in the shallow end of the new 50-meter pool. Those two lanes have been accounted for in the 8-lane 25-meter lap pool associated with the recreational pool. The rec pool lanes will accommodate options for lap swim, along with one end being deep enough for starting blocks. Clarke Swim Center currently has a total of 26 lanes. The new swim center will have the same.
- For financial reasons, the City determined in 2016 that a new aquatic facility would include two pools. Along with the renovated and expanded Larkey Swim Center, the Heather Farm swim center (Clarke Memorial) was anticipated to be able to meet a balance of community aquatic needs. As part of the "Your Parks, Your Future" project, the City Council reaffirmed the decision to provide two pools at Heather Farm during public meetings that took place in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. The decision in December 2021 to locate the new combined aquatic and community center at the site of the existing Community Center was deliberately intended to support the continuation of aquatic programing at the existing Clarke Swim Center location throughout the multi-year construction period. This location limits the space available for expanded facilities. At their meeting in April 2022, the City Council also approved a fundraising agreement with the Walnut Creek Aquatic Foundation that specifically states the new facility at Heather Farm will include two pools.
- Existing aquatics events will continue to be supported in the new pools, on the pool deck, and beyond the fencing and into the adjacent park area (as required for large events). The pool design will allow a balance of recreational and competitive swimming activities. The 50-meter pool will be designed to meet FINA training and competition standards.
Yes, one of the two family changing rooms located on the rec pool deck will include an adult changing table, along with an ADA shower, toilet, and sink.
Community Center & Recreation Programs
- Plans are underway to continue these programs from 2025-2027 in other Walnut Creek facilities and parks. They will return to Heather Farm Park in 2027.
Will the facility support the events and recreational activities currently accommodated at the existing Community Center?
Existing recreational activities and events will continue to be supported in the new facility, through a combination of classrooms, multi-purpose rooms and a large event room.
Construction Impacts & Park Environment
- Parking will be challenging for the next couple of years during construction. Please allow extra time for parking and explore alternate areas throughout the park.
After extensive studies, regulatory oversight, environmental focus groups, and ultimate approval from the City Council, the removal of approximately 75 trees from the project site at Heather Farm Park occurred at the end of January 2026. The park will see a total net increase of 80 trees throughout the park, including 60 near the new facility and another 140 throughout the park.
Working with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Gardens at Heather Farm Park, Mt. Diablo Audubon Society/Bird Alliance, Open Space Foundation, and Friends of the Creek in addition to our staff and contractors, native species that will be well suited for the climate and local wildlife have been identified and will be planted.
In alignment with the City’s commitment to sustainability and responsible resource management, staff is partnering with Bay Area Redwood to repurpose the removed redwood trees into artisanal wood products that will be displayed within the park. These installations will help preserve the legacy of the trees while strengthening the community’s connection to the site.
P.S. There will be a Community Service Day project on Saturday, April 18 for those interested in helping with the planting of new trees throughout the park (registration opens February 17).
The pond was refilled with water during the fourth quarter of 2025 (between October and December).
Our Public Works team will be continue working with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife on the restocking of the concrete pond to develop a future plan. The upcoming demolition and construction near the pond will impact the schedule and access to the pond, so we will share updates at www.walnutcreekartsrec.org/heatherfarm.
- Heather Farm Park will see a significant amount of construction activity beginning in 2025 with the renovation of ballfields and the beginning of the facility work. Some activity will occur earlier in preparation for these major construction projects. Please see the full Project Timeline for details.
Sustainability & Environmental Features
In alignment with the City’s commitment to sustainability and responsible resource management, staff is partnering with Bay Area Redwood to repurpose the removed redwood trees into artisanal wood products. This initiative will include collaboration with local artisans and master craftsmen to create unique pieces that will be displayed within the park. These installations will help preserve the legacy of the trees while strengthening the community’s connection to the site.
Interested in helping plant trees? Sign up for the Community Service Day project on Saturday, April 18 (registration opens February 17).
The City is using the Legion Turf System by Shaw Sports Turf, which includes several sustainability measures:
Natural infill: Instead of crumb rubber, our fields use Geofill, made from coconut fibers, cork, and other plant-based materials. This reduces microplastic pollution, allowing clean water runoff, and maintaining surface temperatures nearly 25 degrees cooler than crumb rubber for a safer, more comfortable playing experience.
Recycling & circular design: Shaw offers a Reclamation Program that recycles old turf into new products. Their turf systems are Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Bronze, supporting a closed-loop system.
No PFAS chemicals: Shaw confirms its products do not contain PFAS or other substances listed under California Proposition 65.
Lower carbon footprint: Shaw has reduced its manufacturing emissions by over 50% since 2010 and has reclaimed more than 5,500 tons of turf for reuse.
These choices help ensure our new fields are safer, cooler, and more sustainable for our community.
Funding, Cost & Timeline
- The total estimated cost of the new facility, including construction costs, soft costs, the optional items (including essential services hub and 1-meter moveable bulkhead in the lap pool) and the future demolition of the Clarke Swim Center is a total of $77 million.
- This new facility is funded primarily by Walnut Creek voter approved Measure O, a ten-year, half-cent sales tax measure.
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Initial Community Engagement – October 2023
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Schematic Design Review by Commissions & Council – January 2024
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Design Development Review by Commissions & Council – Spring/Summer 2024
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Building Design Presentation / Open House – Late Summer 2024
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Design Phase Completion – end of 2024
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Permitting, Bidding & Construction – 2025 to Spring 2027
- Toes in the Water – Summer 2027
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Community Input & Engagement
- We will synthesize all the input received help inform the elements that are incorporated into the future building, landscape, and aquatics design. A schematic design package will then be prepared and presented to several Walnut Creek Commissions including the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Commission, the Design Review Commission, the Arts Commission, and the Youth Commission, as well as City Council, all of whom will provide further direction.