After a decade of dormancy, the former lawn bowling green at Rancho Bernardo Community Park has been transformed into two vibrant multipurpose fields.

On July 15, a ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the official opening of these new spaces, now designated as fields 9 and 10.

Among the attendees were enthusiastic youth from the Friday Night Lights flag football league, who eagerly took to the fields immediately after the ceremony.

Observing the scene, Robin Kaufman, President of the RB Community Recreation Group, expressed her delight.

She emphasized that these fields are intended to provide enjoyment for visitors of all ages to the 38-acre city-owned park along West Bernardo Drive.

The transformation of the approximately 35,000-square-foot area was made possible by a generous $250,000 donation from an anonymous Rancho Bernardo resident to the San Diego Parks Foundation last August.

Initially, the City of San Diego had planned to fund the conversion.

However, the allocated funds were redirected to support recovery efforts following the January 2024 floods in the southern part of the city.

Leona Sublett, President and CEO of the San Diego Parks Foundation, highlighted the collaborative effort behind the project.

She noted that this initiative serves as a reminder of the positive outcomes achievable when the community, city, and generous donors unite to reimagine public spaces.

The decision to convert the space into multipurpose fields was finalized in October 2019 by the Rancho Bernardo Community Recreation Group.

Alternative proposals, such as croquet and futsal courts, were considered but ultimately set aside due to funding constraints.

While the Ed Brown Center for Active Adults advocated for pickleball courts, the recreation group opted for the multipurpose grass fields to address the community's 30-acre deficit in park space.

Kaufman emphasized the versatility of the new fields, envisioning them as venues for sports, family picnics, and community events like summer movie nights and the annual Spring Fling egg hunt.

Community members have warmly received the new fields.

Liz Hartman, a Poway resident and mother of twin daughters who play flag football in the park, praised the transformation.

She noted the previous underutilization of the area and expressed excitement over its newfound usability.

Similarly, Anna Zelenak, whose 13-year-old daughter participates in flag football, highlighted the benefits of the additional space, including ample sidelines and the potential to accommodate more teams.

The fields are equipped with 12 benches—six per field—and water fountains, enhancing the experience for players and spectators alike.

Eric Young, senior policy adviser for San Diego Councilmember Marni von Wilpert, underscored the significance of the new fields.

He described them as a testament to community investment, providing a space where children can play, families can gather, and neighbors can build relationships and healthy habits.

With approximately 1,400 youths from Rancho Bernardo and surrounding areas participating in flag football each season, the addition of these fields addresses a pressing need for more recreational space.

The community eagerly anticipates the positive impact these fields will have on local sports and social activities.