Walnut Creek City on Thursday celebrated the completion and opening of new synthetic turf fields at Heather Farms, officials said, a project the mayor credited to voter support for Measure O and the city’s broader parks modernization effort.

Mayor Darling, speaking at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, thanked residents and Measure O backers for making the project possible and said the fields “significantly enhanced the usability at the park, its safety, its resilience,” enabling year-round play for local residents and youth leagues. He also said the city selected a recyclable turf product and that the conversion will reduce water usage and lower long-term maintenance costs.

An unidentified representative of the Walnut Creek Soccer Club, who stood with club members at the ceremony, called the new surface “a game changer,” saying it provides a safer, higher-quality place for children to develop as athletes and leaders and will help keep Walnut Creek a premier place to play soccer for generations.

City officials recognized the Measure O Citizens Advisory Committee at the event and thanked staff, community partners and stakeholders for delivering the project. Event staff invited players onto the field for a ceremonial photo and the ribbon cutting, which concluded the brief program.

The ceremony emphasized community access: officials said the fields are open to local sports leagues, schools and families and noted new evening play opportunities with the lights. No dollar amounts, construction schedule details or contractor names were announced at the event.

The city framed the Heather Farms conversion as part of a sustained effort to modernize parks and public spaces; officials said Measure O voter support enables similar projects, though specific next projects were not specified at the ceremony.