Beginning in early 2010, the City of Southlake began working with SRA to develop the 20-acre North Park site. It is nested in the country side of a low-density high-end residential area. Three multi-sport playing fields are designed for lacrosse and flag football but can easily be converted to accommodate additional sports. Each field is also equipped with state-of-the-art lighting for evening games that will direct the lighting onto the fields with inconsequential light spill (light pollution). At the entrance of the 20-acre park, a .85-acre retention / detention pond captures storm water from the park site and future training center and provides irrigation supply for both facilities. The park also provides a large outdoor elevated plaza which consists of a restroom / concession building with attached shade pavilion that overlooks the fields and a custom playground.
The most significant challenge for SRA was to blend a lighted, tournament level, multi-sport complex into a high-end residential area. The land used for this park was once an open pasture dotted with Pecan and Post Oak trees, an old stock pond, and grazing Longhorn cattle. Introducing lighted sports fields could be very disruptive to the surrounding community. The communication process with the various stakeholder groups was critical to the success of this complex. Photo realistic renderings were created in order to give a clear expectation to the parks amenity and communicate effectively the impact to the surrounding residences.
This project has provided this rapidly growing community with facilities that accentuate the quality of life in Southlake. The park provides the citizens of Southlake and surrounding communities a place to play, explore, relax, gather and compete. A heightened awareness of Southlake's reputation nationally for quality facilities, which were brought to light when a nationwide search was conducted for their Lacrosse coaching position. When asked about North Park, he noted that he had visited and coached in facilities across the nation and that no facility came close to offer what North Park offered for the player, the coaching staff and spectators.
