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Title

Dwight Murphy Field Renovation Project

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Contact

Justin Van Mullem
Capital Projects Supervisor
(805) 897-1972
JVanMullem@SantaBarbaraCA.gov

Project Location

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Construction will begin in June 2025, and the park is expected to reopen in Spring 2027.

The property known as Dwight Murphy Field was acquired by the City of Santa Barbara in 1925. Commonly known as the Municipal Soccer Field, it was named in recognition of Dwight Murphy and his civic leadership.  Today, it still serves as the City’s only dedicated soccer facility, and also includes a softball field, outdoor fitness area, and playground.

In late 2016, the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation reached out to the Parks and Recreation Department with a vision to develop Santa Barbara’s first all-abilities playground. Dwight Murphy Field was identified as the best site for the new and exciting project, as the Department was exploring opportunities to redevelop the park to better serve the community. 

The Department began outreach to understand the community’s vision for the future of the park, leading to the Dwight Murphy Master Plan. The City Council approved the community-led plan and authorized a memorandum of understanding with the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation to collaborate on the fundraising, design, and construction of the renovated park.

Ohno Construction, a firm with over 50 years of experience building parks and community spaces, was selected to lead the construction of the project. 

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Project Timeline

1
May 2018 - August 2021

Community outreach, master plan, and preliminary plan development

2
August 2021

Project approved by Planning Commission

3
September 2021 - December 2023

Final design and construction documents completed

4
2024-2025

Building permits obtained, construction bidding completed, and contract awarded

5
June 2025

Project construction begins

6
Spring 2027

Dwight Murphy Field reopens!

Planned Renovations

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Funding

Funding for project construction includes $6 million raised by the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation, $19 million in City funds, and $1.5 million of federal Community Project Funding (CPF) secured by Congressman Salud Carbajal. The Parks and Recreation Department is actively seeking an additional $5.5 million to fund the remainder of the estimated $32 million construction cost.  

Past Meetings and Events

May 31, 2018 – Community Meeting: Master Plan Workshop #1
July 10, 2018 – Community Meeting: Master Plan Workshop #2
August 14, 2018 – Community Outreach: Community Survey receives 800 responses
August 22, 2018 – Public Hearing: Parks and Recreation Commission and Neighborhood Advisory Council review Draft Master Plan
November 5, 2018 – Public Hearing: Architectural Board of Review reviews Draft Master Plan 
November 14, 2018 – Public Hearing: Parks and Recreation Commission recommends moving Draft Master Plan to design phase
January 29, 2019 – Public Hearing: City Council affirms Master Plan
September 27, 2020 – Public Hearing:  Architectural Board of Review reviews Preliminary Design
July 27, 2021 – Community Meeting: Outdoor Fitness
July 28, 2021 – Public Hearing: Parks and Recreation Commission reviews Preliminary Design and recommends Project Approval
July 29, 2021 – Community Meeting: Project Update
August 19, 2021 – Public Hearing: Planning Commission gives Project Approval
November 5, 2021 – Access Advisory Committee reviews Preliminary Design 
August 22, 2022 – Public Hearing: Architectural Board of Review gives Project Design Approval 
April 17, 2023 – Public Hearing: Architectural Board of Review gives In-Progress Review