City of New Braunfels
Zipp Family Sports Park

Owner: City of New Braunfels
Architect: Norris Design

The story of Zipp Family Sports Park began nearly two decades before construction. A 2006 sports complex study identified the need for expanded recreational facilities for the City of New Braunfels, beginning years of planning supported by voter-approved bonds, a grant from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and a $15 million commitment from the New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation. The vision became possible through a 25-acre land donation from the Zipp family, whose farm and homestead once occupied the site, creating a park that celebrates both the community’s future and a piece of its past.

Home to the largest Little League organization in Texas, New Braunfels now has a facility designed to support its growing youth sports community while creating new opportunities for tournaments, recreation and community events. The SpawGlass-San Antonio Civil team, in partnership with Norris Design, constructed the approximately 150-acre sports park, which includes tournament-ready baseball, softball and soccer fields, more than 700 parking spaces, three concession and restroom buildings, a pre-engineered facilities building, an amphitheater and numerous site amenities.

To fulfill the City’s vision of building a community recreational destination while working within the project budget, the team’s extensive preconstruction efforts included adjustments to the proposed grades to significantly reduce the amount of retaining walls and eliminate the need to haul off several thousand cubic yards of soil. This resulted in substantial earthwork cost savings while preserving the park’s intended character and functionality. The team also provided the City with comparative pricing for a variety of field sizes to assist them in evaluating program needs alongside budget considerations to arrive at informed decisions that delivered the greatest value for their investment.

I enjoyed working with the team and found every member of the SpawGlass team to be professional, responsive and incredibly dedicated. The project had an extensive scope and faced numerous challenges. The SpawGlass team worked diligently to work through challenges to bring the project to fruition.

Brenadette Faust

Capital Projects Manager - City of New Braunfels

 

One of the project’s most distinctive features is its sustainable water system. Reclaimed water sourced from a nearby power plant belonging to Green Valley Special Utility District (GSUD) is channeled through an underground system to the park’s 550,000-gallon water storage tank. The reclaimed water irrigates the park’s athletic fields and landscaping, while potable water provided by the City serves the park’s buildings, providing a sustainable solution that helps conserve valuable Hill Country water resources.

 

The connection to the property’s history extends beyond its name. Wood from the Zipp family’s historic barns and fencing was incorporated into interpretive displays at the park’s center, where visitors can learn about the family’s legacy and the property’s role in New Braunfels’ history. Additional educational signage highlights the park’s reclaimed water system, helping visitors understand the function and purpose of the sustainable design.

 

Building flourishing communities means creating spaces with lasting purpose. Zipp Family Sports Park preserves an important piece of New Braunfels’ history while creating new opportunities for recreation, connection and community. We are thankful for the opportunity to contribute our team’s expertise to the game plan that turned the City of New Braunfels’ vision into reality.