Frequently Asked Questions About Our Sports Complexes

A summer maintenance program is in full swing. The City has applied a top dressing to the multipurpose fields to address uneven terrain. This process involves spreading a mixture of sand and soil over the field to level the surface. While there still may be the appearance of a sandy and unkempt field, it is a critical step in promoting healthy grass growth and ensuring a smoother playing surface. Through the top dressing, grass is growing and will thrive as it integrates with the improved soil composition.

While new sod installation would have been a quicker fix, it will not provide the long-term benefits of leveling the fields, through our current process, for enhanced playability.

In looking ahead, the most recent recreational season ended in April 2025. Multipurpose Fields A and B at Suellen H. Fardelmann Sports Complex are now closed through Fall 2025. This closure is expected to provide ample time for the grass to grow and establish itself before the start of the next recreational season. By then, players and visitors can look forward to using fields that are not only more level but also more vibrant.

Multipurpose Field C, at Suellen H. Fardelmann Sports Complex, is available for free play until the week of July 21st through the week of August 2nd. Following that closure, Field C will be reopened for free play.

In addition to the improvement plan at Suellen H. Fardelmann Sports Complex, the City Commission approved the appropriation of $600,000 to address field conditions at Bill Lips Sports Complex. The funding is being utilized to revitalize the multipurpose fields on the west side of the sports complex by fixing irrigation and completely re-sodding the fields. In order to complete this revitalization project, the west side of Bill Lips Sports Complex is scheduled to be closed until Fall 2025. You can learn more about this project by clicking here.

In October 2024, the City Commission approved renovations for the baseball and softball fields located at Suellen H. Fardelmann Sports Complex and Bill Lips Sports Complex. The approval also allowed for the purchase of baseball and softball field materials, such as bald field clay products and conditioners for the combined amount of $155,523.17. City staff identified and addressed multiple safety concerns and playing field issues. These field enhancements have come as a result of our community users having too many cancellations and field safety complaints. Through this project, the City is also providing solutions for drainage, uneven playing surfaces, clay runoff, and improving the dugout appearances. These enhancements are continuing as the recreational season unfolds. For continuous updates on maintenance and enhancements, please visit www.CooperCity.gov/ParksandProjectUpdates.

The City has set up a page to help keep the community updated at www.CooperCity.gov/ParksandProjectUpdates.

There are no plans to move soccer out of Flamingo West Park. Flamingo West is our flagship facility, and both travel and recreational players should have the opportunity to experience playing games there. As such, some of the practices will be held in other fields to accommodate this goal. Any restrictions and limitations, which residents may have heard about, do not pertain to Cooper City's organized sports (being the Optimist), but to other personal trainers and pick-up games that are using the facility and may be redirected to other facilities from time to time.

Please note, all fields at Flamingo West Park will be closed starting Friday, June 6th for repairs. Weather permitting, the fields are scheduled to reopen on Friday, June 13th.

For more information, please call our Parks and Recreation Assistant Director Joshua Rhodes at 954-434-4300 ext. 402 or send an email to JRhodes@CooperCity.gov.