Tucked into a small sliver of vacant land between a high school sports stadium and a highway, the Sunset Valley Farmers Market was looking to relocate to a larger space where they had room to expand, add a formal structure for shade and shelter, and better connect to the City’s trail network.

As the city’s Landscape Architect, Mend worked with the City team, community, and the Farmers Market stakeholder group to envision a relocated formal market in a larger vacant parcel east of the current location. This strategy allows the market to expand amenities, adding performance spaces, gathering areas, and stormwater management installations. The new configuration blends the market into a new path and trail system through the property, allowing the market to expand and contract as needed based on vendor volume. The trail system meanders the property, connecting visitors to the city’s greater trail and sidewalk network while demonstrating ecological restoration of neglected space.

The vision plan for The Uplands was approved in mid-2025, and construction design will commence in 2026.