Project Summary

In The Flavet Outdoor Recreation Complex, also known as Flavet Park, is a 5-acre recreational redevelopment located on the north central portion of the University of Florida campus. Officially opened in January 2026, the project was developed to address a significant loss of outdoor recreational capacity across campus while responding to evolving student wellness and recreation needs. Over the past decade, the university experienced the loss of 22 tennis courts, three sand volleyball courts, four outdoor basketball courts, and a skate park. Funded through a partnership between the Campus Improvement Trust Fund (CITF) and the President’s Office, the project was conceived to restore recreation opportunities while creating a destination that supports physical activity, mental restoration, and social connection.

The redeveloped facility includes six tennis courts, six pickleball courts, two sand volleyball courts, an artificial turf activity lawn, a covered pavilion, shaded gathering areas, outdoor fitness amenities, a putting green, and flexible open spaces. Beyond recreation, Flavet Park was designed to improve student wellbeing, enhance ecological performance, manage stormwater runoff, and create a vibrant outdoor environment that can serve current and future generations of students. The redevelopment aligns with the SITES Guiding Principles by promoting human health and wellbeing, restoring ecological function, supporting sustainable operations, and fostering community engagement.

Project Details + Site Context

The Flavet Outdoor Recreation Complex is located between Stadium Road and Museum Road within the University of Florida campus. The site lies within North Central Florida’s humid subtropical climate and temperate forest biome, creating opportunities to support biodiversity, enhance stormwater management, and provide year-round outdoor recreation.

Following World War II, UF welcomed thousands of veterans using the GI Bill. Housing was scarce, so the university acquired surplus military buildings and established the Flavet (Florida Veterans) Villages – prefabricated one-story units that provided married-student housing, kitchens, and living space. The Flavet program preserved campus opportunities for veterans and their families during a pivotal surge in enrollment.

This parcel of campus was part of Flavet III until it was removed in 1974; the cleared land later became outdoor recreation space used by student organizations and campus events. Today, Flavet Park transforms former courts and lots into a modern, multi-use recreation facility – honoring the site’s past while serving today’s students.

Prior to redevelopment, the site consisted primarily of twelve aging tennis courts that had been temporarily repurposed as parking during construction of a nearby parking garage. The site offered limited opportunities for social gathering, passive recreation, and student wellness activities. Existing restroom facilities were outdated, ADA accessibility was limited, shade opportunities were minimal, and stormwater runoff from the site contributed to erosion concerns within adjacent conservation areas.

Community engagement played a central role in defining the project’s program. Through student surveys, stakeholder meetings, tabling events, and outreach efforts, the project team identified strong demand for additional outdoor recreation opportunities, social gathering spaces, shaded seating areas, and facilities supporting emerging recreational interests such as pickleball.

The redevelopment transformed the site from a largely single-use facility into a multifunctional recreation destination that balances active recreation, passive enjoyment, ecological enhancement, and community connection. 

Performance Benefits

Challenges + Solutions

Lessons Learned

The success of the Flavet Outdoor Recreation Complex demonstrates the value of early and meaningful stakeholder engagement. Student surveys, public outreach efforts, stakeholder meetings, and programming discussions provided critical insight into recreation trends, wellbeing needs, and desired site amenities. This engagement helped ensure that the final design reflected the priorities of the campus community.

The project also highlighted the importance of flexibility during implementation. Multiple external factors, including adjacent development projects, evolving student recreation preferences, and operational constraints, required continuous coordination among university staff, designers, contractors, and stakeholders. Maintaining strong communication and shared project goals allowed the team to adapt effectively while preserving the project’s vision and objectives.

Finally, the project reinforced the importance of balancing active recreation with opportunities for social connection and mental restoration. By combining structured sports facilities with flexible gathering spaces, passive recreation areas, and natural landscapes, the redevelopment creates a more holistic outdoor experience that supports student wellbeing.

Maintenance

Both Facilities Services and the Department of Recreational Sports within the Division of Student Life are responsible for operation and maintenance of the facility. The Operations and Maintenance Plan provides training and guidance lighting systems, security systems, and associated site infrastructure. Maintenance staff receive training related to system operations, preventative maintenance procedures, health and safety considerations, troubleshooting practices, and long-term asset management.

Sustainable landscape maintenance practices are central to the site’s long-term stewardship strategy. The university utilizes an Integrated Pest Management program that prioritizes monitoring and preventative measures before chemical controls. Soil health is supported through the use of compost-based amendments while minimizing fertilizer applications. These practices help sustain ecological performance, landscape health, and user experience over time.

Key Maintenance areas include: 

Artificial Turf Lawn

Sand Volleyball Court

Mini Golf Lawn

Swale Area

Rec Equipment Rental Locker

Aerial Night View

Images Provided by: Sky Palm Studios | UF Planning • Design • Construction

Project Team