WALNUT CREEK, CALIFORNIA – Walnut Creek’s ambitious plan to replace its outdated community and aquatic center at Heather Farm Park has begun with the draining of the park’s concrete pond.
The city’s Arts + Rec department says the draining started mid‑July and will take about two weeks.
Fencing now surrounds the pond and part of the canal trail; the area will be off‑limits during construction.
The pond project is part of a larger transformation funded by Measure O, a voter‑approved half‑cent sales tax. The plan calls for enlarging the adjacent Nature Lake and reducing the size of the concrete pond.
Soil excavated from the expansion will be reused on site and replanted with native shrubs and wildflowers. City officials warn that an odor may linger until organic material at the bottom of the drained pond is removed or the pond is refilled.
Construction of the new New Aquatic and Community Center is slated to continue through 2027. The existing Heather Farm Community Center will close in August 2025, and demolition and building of the new facility are scheduled to begin early 2026.
During construction, the Clarke Swim Center will remain open. Make sure to join our free 925 News newsletter so we can update you on the progress.
