Each fall, the City of North Richland Hills overseeds the Green Valley Park fields with rye grass so the grass stays healthy for the rest of the season. For Fall 2026, the overseeding runs from Monday, October 5 through Thursday, October 15.
What you need to know
- No practices, scrimmages, or pick-up games allowed at Green Valley Park from October 5 through October 15. The fields are closed to all teams during this period.
- No games will be played at Green Valley Park during this period.
- No Monday Night Futbol Skills at Green Valley Park during this period.
- Want to keep practicing? Find another location. Teams that want to keep practicing during the closure will need to find their own practice space.
Why the fields are closed
Overseeding takes a lot of water. The fields are watered heavily during these two weeks, and playing on them would leave damage and divots that could be a hazard when the fields reopen. The North Richland Hills Parks and Recreation Department works hard to maintain these fields, so please do your part by staying off them.
We’re fortunate that BAYFA and the City of North Richland Hills give us access to the Green Valley Park practice fields, and these two weeks are a reminder of how lucky we are to have dedicated practice space. Moving to a new field for a couple of weeks isn’t ideal, but the time will pass quickly.
Alternate practice locations
Here are some nearby places to consider. Remember to confirm you have permission to use a location before you schedule practice there.
- Green Valley Elementary School playground/fields – may conflict with the after-school program
- Northfield Park – no soccer fields, but nice open spaces
- Cross Timbers Park – no soccer fields, but nice open spaces
- Faram Park – has a soccer field and goal(s)
- Richfield Park – no soccer fields, but nice open spaces
- Echo Hills Park – not ideal for soccer practice, but has some space
- Walkers Creek Park – open spaces, but set up more for baseball
- Kay Granger Park – has goals
- Fossil Creek Park – has small goals
Treat it as a chance to build adaptability
Training on less-than-perfect surfaces, like school grounds or local parks, challenges players to develop their skills in unpredictable conditions. Uneven bounces and imperfect rolls are part of the game, and learning to read the terrain is a valuable skill.
Tips for coaches moving to a new practice area
- Permission: Make sure you have permission to train at your new location.
- Communication: Keep parents and players informed about any schedule or location changes.
- Daylight: Schedule practices earlier to make the most of the daylight as the days get shorter.
- Field inspection: Walk the field before practice to find and deal with hazards such as holes, uneven ground, or debris. Adjust where you set up as needed.
- Emphasize technique: On less-than-ideal fields, focus on technical skills rather than speed or physical play to reduce the risk of injury.
- Field markings: If there are no lines, use cones or markers to clearly mark your training area.
- Popup goals: If goals aren’t available, bring popup goals or mark goals clearly with training sticks or cones.
- Equipment: Bring agility ladders, hurdles, or other equipment that works safely in smaller spaces.
- Skill-focused drills: Focus on close ball control, dribbling, short passing, and possession in tight spaces. Small-sided games like 1v1, 2v2, and 3v3 work well in these areas.
Let’s use this as a learning opportunity for coaches and players alike, with a focus on adaptability and technical development.
Thank you for your understanding and flexibility, and for helping us keep the fields in great playing condition for everyone.
