A Long-Term Commitment to Outdoor Recreation

Purdue RecWell’s Outdoor Master Plan exists to steward outdoor spaces with care, foresight and responsibility. As demand for recreation continues to grow, this plan ensures Purdue’s outdoor environments remain welcoming, accessible and aligned with the University’s long-term vision.

Emphasis was placed on connectivity to other recreation-based sites and campus open spaces, access to parking, conformance to the campus master plan, mitigation of impacts to the existing tree canopy, sustainability, green infrastructure, thoughtful phasing and opportunities for partnerships that positively impact students and the broader community.

Outdoor recreation plays a critical role in student well-being. Students consistently seek outdoor spaces to reduce stress, maintain balance and build social connections. At the same time, RecWell facilities have experienced increasing encroachment from other campus uses, placing strain on field quality, capacity and availability. This plan responds directly to those challenges.

Guiding Principles

The Outdoor Master Plan is grounded in principles that support both Purdue University and RecWell’s mission:

• Enhance student well-being and belonging through outdoor recreation programs and facilities

• Celebrate differences through varied program offerings

• Assure alignment with the 2018 Giant Leaps Campus Master Plan

• Support student success through the Student Life Steps to Leaps pillars

• Optimize resources while allowing flexibility and adaptability

• Increase field capacity to meet a growing campus population and rising demand

The Vision

The vision for Gold Fields and Pickett Park is to treat these outdoor venues as a single, cohesive destination. Together, they will offer a wide range of recreation opportunities designed to meet the needs of a diverse student population.

This unified approach allows RecWell to operate more efficiently, make better use of space and enhance the overall member experience while still preserving room for future campus initiatives and infrastructure needs.

Pickleball Court Expansion & Facility Upgrades

• Total Court Expansion
  • The outdoor pickleball space will expand from 12 courts to 18 total courts.

• Professional-Size Championship Courts
  • Courts 1, 2 and 3 are designed as professional-size championship pickleball courts, suitable for competitive higher-level play, tournaments, RecWell reservations and showcase club or Intramural matches.

• Event-Ready Design
  • The combination of professional-size championship courts, centralized circulation and social spaces makes the complex ideal for:
    • Tournaments
    • Leagues
    • Camps and clinics
    • Recreational drop-in play

Sand Volleyball Courts and Band Practice Field Upgrades

Phase 2 focuses on expanding outdoor recreation opportunities while addressing field quality and capacity needs. Key improvements include:

• Additional sand volleyball courts

  • Supports recreational play, intramural competition, and casual social use

  • Responds to strong and growing student interest in sand volleyball

  • Creates a flexible, welcoming space that encourages connection and movement

• Conversion of the band practice field to synthetic turf

  • Improves field durability and reliability

  • Reduces maintenance limitations caused by weather and heavy use

Together, these upgrades strengthen RecWell’s ability to meet growing demand and enhance the student experience and outdoor spaces for the future.

A Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Network

Beyond Phases 1 and 2, the Outdoor Master Plan provides a flexible roadmap for future development as resources and partnerships allow. Planned enhancements include:

• Conversion of natural grass fields to synthetic turf on the Gold Fields

• Creation of a student hub and additional gathering spaces

• Addition of multi-use walking paths and trail loops

• Enhancement of Pickett Park and Todd’s Creek as wellness-focused spaces

• Improvements to disc golf

These improvements will increase capacity, improve field quality, and allow RecWell to meet both current and future demand while remaining adaptable to evolving campus needs.

Supporting Growth and Student Experience

As participation in Intramural Sports and informal recreation continues to rise, enhanced outdoor facilities will allow RecWell to serve more students more effectively.

• Increased turf availability will expand participation opportunities

• Outdoor spaces will support additional fitness programming such as yoga and strength training

• New amenities will encourage movement, connection and time outdoors

This plan positions Purdue RecWell as a leader in outdoor recreation by honoring what has worked well in the past while preparing responsibly for what lies ahead.