If you’ve lived in Santa Clara long enough, you probably know Townsend Field. You’ve either sat in those bleachers shivering during a late-October youth football game, or you’ve driven past it on Bellomy Street and wondered why it looks a little... well, weathered.
Honestly, it’s a place that carries a lot of weight for local families. It’s not just a patch of grass. For the Santa Clara Lions Youth Football and Cheer club, it’s basically their spiritual home. They’ve been there for about 25 years. But if you haven't been following the news lately, there is a massive shift happening. We aren't just talking about a fresh coat of paint.
📖 Related: The Pop-Tarts Bowl: What Really Happened with the Kansas State Bowl Game 2024
The NFL is coming to Bellomy Street
This is the part that catches people off guard. You wouldn't think a middle school field would have a direct line to the Super Bowl, but here we are. With Super Bowl LX scheduled to hit Santa Clara in 2026, the big brass are looking to leave a "legacy."
Basically, the NFL Foundation and the 49ers Foundation decided that Townsend Field—which is technically part of the Buchser Middle School campus—was the perfect spot for a major glow-up. The Santa Clara Unified School District (SCUSD) gave the green light on the improvement project back in October 2025.
It’s a big deal.
The project is moving fast. As of late 2025, the design phase with the firm Lionakis was already underway. The goal is to create something that doesn't just serve the middle school kids during PE, but actually functions as a high-tier community hub for youth sports.
The Grass vs. Turf Debate
You’d think everyone would just want the shiniest, newest artificial turf, right?
Actually, no.
There’s been some real friction there. Linda Connelly, who has been the heart and soul of the Santa Clara Lions for decades, has been pretty vocal about keeping things natural. There’s a lot of concern regarding the health impacts of artificial turf—specifically the "forever chemicals" (PFAS) and the heat levels on the field during those brutal July practices.
She'd rather see a "recrowned" grass field. The dirt track is another sticking point. If you’ve ever been there on a windy day, you know the "dust bowl" effect is real. It gets everywhere—the snack shack, your hair, your lungs. The community has been pushing hard for a rubberized track to finally kill off the dust clouds.
What’s actually changing?
The district is looking at a pretty comprehensive overhaul. It’s not just the grass. We are talking:
- Updated Restrooms: If you’ve used the current ones, you know this is the highest priority for most parents.
- The Snack Shacks: These were actually renovated by the Connellys personally years ago, but they’re due for a professional upgrade.
- Lighting and Accessibility: Making the field usable for more hours of the day while meeting modern ADA standards.
It's weirdly complicated because Townsend Field sits on school property but operates like a community park. This "joint use" setup is why you see so many different groups there, from the Lions to random soccer leagues and even the occasional corporate picnic booked through Facilitron.
Why this field matters for Santa Clara's "Identity"
Santa Clara is a "football town." People here take it seriously. Townsend Field is one of the last places that feels "old school" in a city that is rapidly becoming a tech-heavy extension of San Jose.
When you stand on that sideline, you aren't looking at a sleek corporate stadium like Levi’s. You’re looking at a place where generations of kids have learned how to tackle. It’s gritty. It’s loud. It’s a bit messy.
But with the 2026 Super Bowl legacy funding, the challenge is keeping that soul while fixing the broken pipes and the patchy grass. The Santa Clara Lions have put a lot of sweat equity into this place—painting bleachers on their own time, fixing fences—and there’s a genuine fear that a "professional" renovation might make the place feel less like home.
Things you should know before you go
If you’re planning on heading down there to toss a ball around, keep a few things in mind. Since it is a Santa Clara Unified School District facility, it isn't a "free-for-all" public park like Central Park.
- Bookings are a must: If you want the field for a group, you have to go through the Facilitron system.
- School hours are off-limits: During the school day, it belongs to the Buchser Middle School students.
- Parking is tight: The Bellomy Street side can get jammed during game days. Most regulars know to scout the neighborhood side streets, but be respectful—the neighbors are used to the noise, but they hate blocked driveways.
The 2026 Timeline
Construction is expected to be in full swing through 2026. The goal is to have the "New Townsend" ready to show off by the time the Super Bowl festivities kick off.
It’s an ambitious timeline.
The district has a lot on its plate, especially with other projects like the Bracher Elementary modernization happening simultaneously. But Townsend is the "glamour" project because of the NFL tie-in.
Actionable Steps for Residents
If you care about how this field ends up, don't just sit on the sidelines.
- Attend the Board Meetings: The SCUSD Board of Trustees meets regularly, and the Townsend Field project is a recurring agenda item. This is where the grass vs. turf decision actually gets finalized.
- Check the Master Plan: You can find the specific "Buchser Middle Master Plan" on the district's facility development website. It shows exactly where the new structures are going.
- Support the Lions: Even if you don't have a kid in the program, the Santa Clara Lions Youth Football and Cheer group is the primary steward of the field's history. They often need volunteers for clean-up days or snack shack shifts.
Townsend Field is entering its next chapter. It’s going from a local secret to a highlighted piece of the city’s sports infrastructure. Just hope they keep the rubber track and finally get rid of that dust.