Welcome to Bear River
Visiting Teams & Families
We’re glad you’re here and excited to welcome you to our Bear River Soccer facilities. Here’s what visiting teams, coaches, and families should know before arriving at Gary Clarke Turf Field.
Field Overview
Gary Clarke Turf Field is our primary local game field. It is an artificial turf surface that provides a consistent playing field, but it also has a few important differences from natural grass. Visiting teams should plan ahead for heat, footwear, and limited space around the field.
Artificial Turf Surface
The field plays well and drains quickly, but it should be treated differently than a grass field. Please help us protect the surface by following the field rules, especially around food, drinks, tents, and footwear.
Turf Heat
Turf can feel significantly hotter than the outside air temperature, often by 15 to 20 degrees on warm days. Players, coaches, and families should bring extra water and be mindful of hydration throughout the day.
Footwear
Regular soccer cleats are fine on the turf. Metal studded cleats are not allowed because they can damage the field and create safety issues.
Limited Surrounding Space
The field area is compact. There is limited space for spectators, team gear, and warmups, so please keep sidelines organized and be considerate of other teams and families.
Game Day Setup
A little planning makes game day much smoother. The field has limited sideline space, limited seating, and limited warm-up space, so teams and families should arrive prepared.
- Pop-up tents and shade
- Pop-up tents are allowed, but they may never be staked into the turf. All tents must be secured with weights. This is a safety requirement. Even mild wind can move an unsecured tent, and any tent that is not properly weighted may need to be taken down.
- Spectator seating
- Spectator seating is limited. Families should plan to bring their own chairs. Please keep chairs and personal items clear of team areas, walkways, and referee space.
- Warm-up space
- There is little to no dedicated warm-up space around the turf field before games. Teams may be able to use nearby areas at the elementary school or middle school, but those spaces are not guaranteed because other school or community activities may be taking place.
- Sideline space
- Sidelines can become crowded during busy game windows. Please keep team equipment compact and help maintain clear paths for players, coaches, referees, and families.
Parking & Arrival
Parking is somewhat limited. Please plan ahead, especially during busy game windows when multiple teams are arriving and leaving at the same time.
Main Parking Lot
The main lot near the field is convenient but limited. It can fill quickly, so arriving a little early is strongly recommended.
Overflow Parking
Overflow parking is available at the nearby elementary school and middle school. Both have walkable paths to Gary Clarke Turf Field.
Extra Walking Time
If you park in overflow, plan for an additional 5 to 10 minutes of walking time to reach the field.
Facilities & Rules
These rules help protect the field and keep the facility safe and usable for all teams. Please share them with players and families before arriving.
- Water only on the field
- No food or drinks are allowed on the turf, except water. This includes sports drinks, flavored drinks, coffee, and snacks. Post-game snacks must be eaten outside of the field premises.
- Portable restrooms
- Portable restrooms are available on-site. There are no permanent restroom facilities at the field.
- No dogs or other animals
- Dogs and other animals are not allowed at the field. Please make sure families know this before they arrive.
- Keep the area clean
- Please clean up your sideline area before leaving. Trash cans are available outside the main gain.
- Respect shared spaces
- The field is located near school and community spaces. Please be respectful of surrounding areas, other activities, and any posted rules.
What to Bring
Visitors do not need anything unusual, but the turf surface, limited seating, and limited shade make a few items especially helpful.
Bring more than you think you need, especially on warm days.
Spectator seating is limited, so families should bring their own seating.
Tents are allowed only if they are secured with weights and never staked into the turf.
Shade may be limited, and turf can make warm days feel hotter.
Regular soccer cleats are allowed. Metal studded cleats are not allowed.
Overflow parking may add 5 to 10 minutes of walking time.