North Boulder Park Renovation

Currently staff have been working on an overall framework plan for upgrades to the park. These include:

• An elevated nature play experience for kids of all ages
• A teen space
• Picnic shelter renovation
• Circulation and universal access improvements
• Utilizing plants that require less watering and planting additional trees
• Addressing drainage and flooding issues by creating a dry creek bed that can also accommodate play features
• Integration of the new Alpine-Balsam Plaza and flood channel inlet

There is a need to dig up parts of the park to fix mentioned drainage issues, which allows us to take a climate-based water-wise approach increasing shade trees and native grasses in the park.

We will ensure to retain major activities after renovation is complete including informal activities on the green like picnicking, flying a kite, hunting for bugs, etc. and winter activities like cross country skiing.

Once we have a schematic design we will share it with the community during the next engagement window.

We anticipate that there will be park impacts on the south side due to the upcoming construction start for the nearby Western City Campus.

The City of Boulder Parks & Recreation (BPR) is renovating the northern end of one of the City’s most beloved neighborhood parks, North Boulder Park.

The design for this active part of the neighborhood park has the potential to reimagine the look, feel, and function that is unique to this community. The new park will focus on youth including teens, wellness and fitness, green infrastructure and stormwater mitigation.

Para recibir más información en español, por favor llame al 303-413-7200 x9.

Boulder Parks and Recreation has selected a design team for the park and playground renovation and is looking forward to kicking off the schematic design process as soon as contracting has been completed. In the meantime, Parks Planning is coordinating with Utilities - Public Works and Facilities to ensure a seamless tie-in between the anticipated storm water infrastructure upgrades, Alpine-Balsam Project and the park.

A public engagement event is being planned for late summer/early fall 2024.

The new Fitness Court® is installed and available for use at North Boulder Park. We celebrated the grand opening on a chilly October 27 morning! Download the free Fitness Court App to gain access to the largest free outdoor gym network and expert training wherever you go. Learn more about this Fitness Court ®.

Additionally, staff are coordinating stormwater management improvements and park renovations. Boulder Parks and Recreation interviewed consultants for the design of the north end of the park on Friday, Nov. 17. The selected consultant will build upon community outreach that was completed in 2022.

Concept Plan Text Description

Based on feedback from the community and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB), staff developed two concept plans for the North Boulder Park Site Plan.

The two concept plans are posted above for your reference. For more details, see the October PRAB packet starting on page 12.

The concept plans consist of active play areas and areas for passive recreation and gathering. The active play areas in both plans contain the playground equipment for 2 to 5 and 5 to 12 age ranges, and water play opportunities.

The passive spaces in both alternatives include the shelter, bermed areas, and open turf. Teen-friendly features and amenities are also incorporated into both active and passive recreation areas.

The fitness equipment would be relocated and updated. It would also include adjacent space to provide opportunities for health and wellness programs.

The proposed active and passive space areas in each alternative would minimize impacts to the existing park site, including mature trees, to the greatest extent possible.

Both concepts place their focus on an expanded playground consisting of more natural materials and play elements along with better circulation and improved universal access.

Concept A foresees the new fitness court spatially separated from the playground to avoid conflicts between different user groups. A gathering space north of the existing shade shelter is being proposed along with a resurfacing of the existing bike tot track.

Concept B proposes the gathering space to the northwest of the existing shade shelter and seeks the addition of a teen space in the northern part of the area that is being renovated.

Community feedback to these two concepts was received in late 2022 and will influence the schematic design, where the programming will be further solidified.