In 2018, 12-year-old Tommy Mark passed away in his sleep. The young boy embodied such a profound spirit of play that in his memory, his parents have established Tommy’s Field — new state-of-the-art sports fields meant to brighten the city with that same love of play that Tommy so believed in.

The first opened in Westwood in 2021, and the second just opened at Vista Del Mar school. Tommy’s parents, Doug and Nikki Mark, say Tommy’s legacy lives on through the spirit of play.

“It started to sharpen a vision that we could share Tommy’s spirit of play with the city he loved,” Nikki Mark said.

For Doug Mark, every new Tommy’s Field is a moment of pride.

“If he’s offering the world more spaces to play, that’s the legacy he would want,” he said.

Tommy’s Field at Vista Del Mar is for the school during school hours, but after hours and during the weekend, the field is open to the public. Doug and Nikki mark are hoping to open a third field, soon.