1. Gilbert, Arizona
Gilbert, a suburb of Phoenix, had a long-standing plan to expand Discovery Park into a sprawling multi-use green space. But those plans quietly changed in 2024 when the town council approved a public-private partnership with a defense contractor to build an underground emergency operations complex on the site. The area, once envisioned as a family-friendly park with trails and a fishing lake, is now an active construction zone surrounded by fencing and security signage. Local officials say the site will also have some “recreational uses,” but haven’t shared details.
The town points to water shortages and extreme heat as the rationale behind its pivot. They argue that an underground space can better serve as a cooling center and emergency shelter in the face of climate instability. Residents, however, feel blindsided by the lack of public input. A group of concerned parents has even launched a petition to restore the park plans.
2. Sandy, Utah
Nestled at the base of the Wasatch Mountains, Sandy has long been known for its stunning views and outdoor lifestyle. But lately, the city has turned its attention inward—literally—by approving permits for several underground “community resilience centers.” Local officials claim the centers will serve as emergency shelters in case of natural disasters or civil unrest. Critics argue that the land could have been used to expand park space in a city already short on green areas.
These bunkers aren’t just abstract ideas—they’re under construction beneath former park proposals like Sego Lily Plaza. That project was shelved in 2023 after rising costs and shifting priorities led the city to reallocate funding. Residents are torn: some appreciate the caution, while others miss the promise of trails and playgrounds. Either way, Sandy is carving out a future that’s as much about protection as it is about preservation.
3. Frisco, Texas
Frisco has seen explosive growth, morphing from a quiet Dallas suburb into a high-tech boomtown. Along with its data centers and corporate campuses, the city recently approved a plan to convert 18 acres of unused land—originally slated for a park—into a fortified community resource center. While the word “bunker” isn’t used in official documents, locals aren’t fooled by the euphemism. The facility will have blast-resistant infrastructure, underground fuel storage, and decontamination zones.
City leaders justify the shift by pointing to growing concerns over cyberattacks and grid failures. They say the facility could be vital if key systems go offline. But for many families, the promise of ball fields and splash pads is more tangible than theoretical threats. Some community groups are now pushing back, organizing to bring more traditional recreation space back into focus.
4. Centennial, Colorado
In Centennial, a suburb southeast of Denver, a newly approved development called “Haven Ridge” has sparked debate. The project will feature underground “community continuity pods” rather than the public parks initially pitched in early planning stages. The developer says the pods are built to withstand wildfires and provide long-term shelter in case of environmental collapse. That’s not exactly what families were expecting when they moved in, hoping for playgrounds and picnic tables.
Some residents support the idea, citing Colorado’s increasing wildfire risk. Others, though, are wary of what they see as a trend toward paranoia-based urban design. The original master plan included two new parks and a dog run—none of which will materialize under the revised blueprint. Instead, the focus is now on drills, rations, and high-efficiency air filtration systems.
5. Henderson, Nevada
Henderson, just outside Las Vegas, is no stranger to extreme temperatures and drought warnings. That’s one reason why a planned community near Lake Las Vegas shifted its recreational development underground. The complex, pitched as a “climate-adaptive wellness and safety hub,” includes reinforced underground chambers where residents can retreat during heatwaves or water shortages. The idea has earned praise from some urban resilience experts.
But others are concerned about what was lost in the process: a 22-acre public park that had been in planning since 2017. That park was supposed to include a splash pad, dog park, and shaded picnic areas—amenities now considered too vulnerable to climate extremes. While city officials say elements of the park could be “reintegrated” later, the timeline remains unclear. For now, residents get reinforced concrete instead of grass and trees.
6. Bellevue, Washington
Bellevue, often viewed as Seattle’s more polished cousin, is going subterranean with its newest public infrastructure. The city’s latest civic safety initiative includes an underground shelter beneath what was supposed to be the third phase of Bellevue Downtown Park. The shelter will double as a command center for emergency services and feature high-security access points and redundancies. Some say it reflects smart city planning in an increasingly unpredictable world.
But the move has not been universally applauded. Critics argue that Bellevue should prioritize open space in its rapidly densifying downtown. They point to a 2022 study showing the city already falls short on urban greenspace per capita. Instead of winding trails and family events, the site now hosts heavy equipment and a growing sense of unease.
7. Alpharetta, Georgia
In Alpharetta, one of Atlanta’s wealthiest suburbs, security is becoming a civic priority. A planned expansion of Wills Park was recently scrapped in favor of constructing a hardened emergency logistics center. City council members cite “national readiness goals” and the need for redundant communications networks in case of a major disruption. While the center will be technically open to the public, access will be tightly controlled.
The decision has sparked tension in a community known for its robust sports leagues and park events. Parents are particularly disappointed, as the park expansion would have added new baseball diamonds and a community garden. Instead, they’re getting underground fiber vaults and surveillance arrays. Some residents are asking whether the city’s fear of worst-case scenarios is overshadowing its duty to support daily life.
8. Livermore, California
Home to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, the city of Livermore has always lived a little closer to the edge of national defense. In 2023, a proposed public park near the lab was quietly converted into a fortified logistics site with below-ground chambers. The city says the facility is designed to store emergency medical and power supplies for the region. But the switch was never formally announced to the public—it came out through construction permit disclosures.
Residents are uneasy about the secrecy and the shift away from promised greenspace. The land was originally pitched as a “buffer zone park” to soften the edges of the lab’s perimeter. Now, it’s all fencing, concrete, and ventilation stacks poking out of the ground. The community feels like it traded swings and soccer fields for something they didn’t ask for—and barely understand.
9. Spring Hill, Tennessee
Spring Hill is a quiet suburb south of Nashville that’s quickly growing thanks to a boom in housing and auto manufacturing. In 2024, the city finalized plans to build a hardened operations center under a previously designated park area adjacent to a new high school. The facility is meant to serve both as a disaster coordination site and a student emergency shelter. Still, the timing and lack of transparency have raised eyebrows.
The park plans, which included an amphitheater and walking trails, had widespread community support. Many parents feel let down, arguing that the facility creates an atmosphere of fear rather than enrichment. City officials maintain it’s a forward-looking investment, especially in tornado-prone Tennessee. But for now, green dreams are being paved over—literally.
10. Reston, Virginia
Just outside Washington, D.C., Reston has a reputation for master-planned living and expansive common areas. So when local leaders greenlit a subterranean “continuity bunker” beneath a future town green, it caught many off guard. The site, originally marked for a central plaza and sculpture garden, is now being reinforced with steel and concrete to house sensitive infrastructure. Planners say it’s a “belt and suspenders” approach to national security.
The shift aligns with the town’s proximity to federal agencies and data centers, but it’s still sparked community concern. Critics say the move departs from Reston’s founding ideals of community space and natural integration. They worry that fear-based infrastructure is starting to replace open, civic-oriented design. And with no new parks slated for the next five years, the frustration is mounting.
11. Overland Park, Kansas
Overland Park was once voted one of the best places to raise a family, partly thanks to its extensive park system. But a new municipal project has rerouted $14 million from a planned rec center and nature preserve into a “civil defense command bunker” beneath City Hall. Officials claim it’s necessary due to the city’s role as a regional logistics hub. The facility will include secure communications and remote access to state emergency systems.
Families are less enthused, especially since the rec center was supposed to serve underserved parts of the city. The project had promised youth sports programs, trails, and even a small skate park. Instead, construction crews are boring deep into the ground while parents wonder what happened to the basketball courts. The mood is shifting from pride to skepticism.
12. Spokane Valley, Washington
Spokane Valley is taking a page from Cold War history with its recent decision to replace a planned neighborhood park with an underground emergency storage complex. The facility, tucked near industrial land, will stockpile food, fuel, and medical supplies. City planners say it’s designed to support up to 10,000 residents for at least a week during a crisis. But the land was initially promised to a low-income housing community as a shared recreational area.
The change came after a 2022 regional risk assessment identified Spokane Valley as underprepared for natural and human-caused disasters. Still, many residents say the city should have found another location. Parents and housing advocates alike are worried that outdoor spaces are being sacrificed in neighborhoods that need them most. For now, the swingsets are off the table—and the sandbags are in.
This post 12 U.S. Suburbs That Are Building Bunkers Instead of Parks was first published on American Charm.
