The Outdoor Downtown is a 20-year master plan to provide the City of Denver with a visionary and actionable list of policies, programs, and projects that will make Downtown's parks and public spaces world-class destinations. This vision is being implemented through various projects and programs in the downtown area.
Read the plan for The Outdoor Downtown(PDF, 19MB)
Downtown Denver Parks: 2023 Highlights and 2024 Look Ahead
New native plantings, long-term vision planning, and vibrant new artwork – a lot of exciting projects are in the works for the parks in Downtown Denver. See the latest annual report to check out the highlights from 2023 and learn about what’s coming up for 2024.
Download the 2023 Downtown Parks Annual Report(PDF, 5MB)
See highlights from Previous Years
Download the PDF for Downtown Denver Parks(PDF, 5MB)
Greek Theater, Central Promenade and South Plaza Implementation
Located at the heart of the city and surrounded by many of our key civic and cultural institutions, Civic Center has served as Denver’s most significant gathering spot for cultural events, festivals, and First Amendment rallies for over 100 years. It is Denver’s first National Historic Landmark and honoring its history is critical as we envision its future. The project partners are working together to bring the 2005 park Master Plan to life by creating a vision for key features of Civic Center that will accommodate its traditional uses and also encourage daily active use.
In Early 2024, Denver Parks & Recreation contracted with Studio Gang to lead the Phase 1 design of the Civic Center Next 100 plan, which includes improvements to the Greek Theater, Central Promenade and South Plaza.
Public Outreach
Vision Plan Update & Conversation | October 29, 2024
Join us for a public update and conversation about the first implementation phases of the Civic Center Next 100 plan with Denver Parks & Recreation, the Civic Center Conservancy, and the Design Team. Please RSVP to attend, and download the meeting flyer(PDF, 541KB).
When: Tuesday, October 29, 2024 | 5:30 – 7:00 PM
Where: Former Denver Post Building Atrium | 101 W Colfax, Denver, CO 80202
Schedule:
2021 - 2022: Concept Design + Public Engagement (complete)
Q1 2024 - Q2 2025: Final Design of Phase 1
Q3 2025: Start of Phase 1 Construction
Q1 2027: Substantial Completion of Phase 1
* Phase 1 Implementation includes improvements to the Greek Theater, Central Promenade, and South Plaza
Civic Center Next 100: Concept Design & Engagement
Download the final concept plan(PDF, 13MB)
Workshop #1 | February 11, 2021
The first public meeting covered Civic Center's history and current conditions and invited feedback from the community on how key features of the area should be used, bringing the 2005 park Master Plan to life.
Workshop #2 | June 10, 2021
Workshop #3 | September 23, 2021
At the final public workshop, preferred concept designs were reviewed with the community.
Learn more(PDF, 888KB) | En Español(PDF, 864KB)
Learn more about the Phase I Bannock Street improvements.
Learn more about the Civic Center Conservancy.
If you are unable to access any of the materials presented on this page, please email the project manager to be connected to another resource.
Skyline Park will be an authentic and contemporary expression of Denver's urban outdoor lifestyle.
Project Overview
Located between 15th and 18th Streets along Arapahoe Street, Skyline Park is at the heart of Denver’s downtown. This project will adapt this critical park space for a new era of more accessible and vibrant experiences for residents, workers, students, and visitors.
A community-based vision was created for all three blocks of Skyline Park to transform it into a public park that is...
- A welcoming destination that equitably brings people together through a mix of experiences
- A cultural icon that celebrates the arts, cultural, and Denver community
- A connected place that integrates with its edges and plays an active role in the multi-modal network
- A resilient oasis that improves ecological health and individual wellness
- A catalytic spark that contributes to an active, thriving, and vibrant downtown
Funding
Project visioning and construction of phase one are being funded by the Elevate Denver Bond Program for a total of $2.5 million. Additional funding is being provided by Denver Parks and Recreation and other partners.
Public Outreach
Survey | Closes September 13, 2024
Exciting changes are coming to Skyline Park in the heart of downtown Denver! Thank you for your feedback. This survey closed on September 13, 2024.
Current Phase | Block 2 Final Design
The Concept Design completed in 2021 was shaped by over 2,370 channels of public input. Community engagement will continue to be an integral part of the design process in this current phase of detailed design development for Block 2. To make sure you don’t miss any updates on public input opportunities for Skyline Park or other downtown Denver parks, join our email list.
Sign up for project updates
Survey | Closes September 13, 2024
Exciting changes are coming to Skyline Park in the heart of downtown Denver! The current phase is focused on Block 2, the central block with the iconic D&F Tower (clock tower). The planned improvements will soon bring transformative changes to the look & feel of Block 2.
Take the survey!
Public Update Meeting | August 15, 2024
Download the presentation (English) (PDF, 14MB)
Community Open House | September 12, 2023
Denver Parks and Recreation (DPR) celebrated the unveiling of the improvements planned for Skyline Park, Block 2. Learn more about the planned design updates from the project team.
Download the presentation (English)(PDF, 55MB)
30% Design Community Survey | Closed October 2023
Download the survey feedback summary(PDF, 2MB)
Concept Plan Phase
Workshop #1: July 16, 2020
Workshop #2: March 4, 2021
Workshop #3: June 30, 2021
Project Status | Block 2 Design (2022-2025)
Denver Parks & Recreation (DPR) has kicked off a detailed design for the first phase of implementation of the Skyline Park project: Block 2 (between the 16th Street Mall and 17th Street). The middle of the overall 3-block Skyline Park, Block 2 is designed to energize downtown with state-of-the-art amenities that will improve experiences for residents, tourists, workers, students, and visitors, while also infusing life into downtown Denver.
The Block 2 design includes a winter ice-skating rink and loop, which converts to an interactive water play area and flexible summer event plaza. Block 2 will also feature a year-round food and beverage pavilion, shady trees and green infrastructure, and an enhanced bike lane connecting to key downtown destinations. The existing Halprin sculpture will remain, reimagined as a vibrant educational garden using best practices for urban ecology.
Timeline
Creating the Big Idea (Complete)
Working Out the Details (Currently Active!)
Making it a Reality
- Q3 2025: Begin construction for Block 2
- Q1 2027: Substantial completion