Scott Carpenter Park Playground Refresh Blasts Off this Spring

Some of the playground equipment at the park that was installed in 1999 will be removed and replaced. But don’t worry, the rocket ship, asteroid climbing structure and the sand play crater will stay. The park is named after astronaut Scott Carpenter, who was born in Boulder and lived in Colorado much of his life.

Based on community feedback and outreach, the playground refresh will keep these play elements and enhance two age-appropriate areas, 2-5 years old and 5-12 years old, and add a new space designed for teens. The proposed new playground equipment includes swings, slides, a climbing structure, and a sand play area. These amenities were selected based upon community input during the design of the enhancements to the adjacent pool. The playground area will still have tables and trees, and the existing shelter will remain.

While the design of the teen space is still being finalized, proposed features include hammock swings, interactive benches with programmable LEDs, and a climbing structure. These proposed features are based on feedback from Growing Up Boulder, an organization that includes and elevates child and youth voices in the city, to make a space at the park that would appeal to teens. This teen space is scheduled to be built during this construction window, but may take a little longer.

“The existing playground equipment has lived out its useful life and will be replaced as part of the Parks Department’s annual maintenance program,” said Senior Landscape Architect Doug Godfrey. “It’s one of the city’s most popular and heavily used playgrounds, so we’re excited to update it for kids and teens alike.”

Construction will start at the end of March. Work should be done by Memorial Day, Monday, May 30.

While the playground is closed, community members can visit nearby playgrounds at Emma Gomez Martinez Park and Arapahoe Ridge Park, and use nature play opportunities in the Civic Area.

Thank you for your patience during construction as we work to refresh the playground before the summer and work to promote the health and well-being of our Boulder community.