City Park is Denver's largest urban park. At more than 300 acres, it offers a variety of amenities including tennis courts and athletic fields, a network of paths, an event venue, and cultural institutions such as the Denver Zoo and Denver Museum of Nature & Science. At any given time, multiple projects may be underway in City Park. Explore the following sections to learn more about current and recent projects.
Sign up for project updates
DPR has started the process to rebuild the City Park bandstand, which was heavily damaged in a fire in late March 2026.
A structural assessment of the bandshell found the remaining structure is not salvageable. DPR has contracted the firm Mundus Bishop to lead design of a new bandshell. Demolition of the existing structure is planned for this fall, with construction on a new structure beginning by the end of the year and a new bandstand open in time for the 2027 City Park Jazz season. Denver Parks & Recreation (DPR) recognizes the importance of a cautious removal, to minimize impacts on wildlife and the lake. When removal of the structure occurs, the area surrounding the Bandstand will be closed off, but should not impact general access in the park.
The Bandstand was a cherished gathering place for communities across Denver, serving as a hub for events, concerts, and celebrations for 97 years. Although it holds an important place in local history, both the Denver Landmark program and the National Register classify it as a non-contributing structure. This is because the current bandstand is a replica built in 1984. Before this version, the structure had been replaced in 1924, and the original was constructed in 1896.
DPR extends gratitude to Next with Kyle Clark, the Denver Park Trust, City Park Alliance, City Park Friends and Neighbors, and residents for their support of the rebuild. The department and its partners are working to raise $250,000 to cover the insurance deductible and support the rebuild effort.
Community Survey:
What do you value most about the bandstand? Take the survey by July 9, 2026 as DPR prepares for its reconstruction.
Rehabilitation Fact Sheet
History & Chronology
- City Park Bandstand is a non-contributing structure (structure within a historic district that does not add to the neighborhood's historic, architectural, or cultural significance) within two historic districts – City Park Pavilion Historic District (a Denver Landmark District) and the Denver Parks and Parkways system listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
- The period of significance is from 1880 to 1936.
- The current structure was repaired/rebuilt in 1994 and is the third structure to serve as a bandstand within City Park.
- A sequence of Bandstands within City Park can be traced back to 1896.
Existing Condition & Assessment
- In March 2026, a fire substantially damaged the City Park Bandstand, rendering the structure and decking unusable and beyond repair.
- Denver Fire Department classified the cause of the fire as undetermined.
- During assessment, Swallow nests were found in the City Park Bandstand below the decking in the structure. Swallows are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
- Hazmat was conducted during assessment, and no contaminants were found at the City Park Bandstand and adjacent Ferril Lake.
- The boat rental kiosk lost power in the fire. DPR is working to get power back and resume boat rentals this summer.
- The lake is currently closed to boating activities due to safety concerns. DPR is working to get a lakeside barricade to keep people at a safe distance from the bandstand. Once the barricade is installed, lake activities will resume.
- The extent of damage found during assessment requires the bandstand to be rebuilt while keeping the original stone piers and and salvaging the steel beams that were deemed reusable by a structural engineer.
- The assessment provides guidance for design and construction of a new bandstand that balances preservation and historic character with modern safety, accessibility, and performance needs.
- Rehabilitation for the City Park Bandstand will continue throughout 2026 and into 2027. Completion of the new bandstand will be in June 2027.
Denver Parks and Recreation is planning to improve safety within City Park by redesigning the roadways on the west side of the park. This proposed project will restripe and reorganize the roadways in City Park to simplify vehicle circulation and create new pedestrian and bicycle space on the roadways to help people walk and bike around and through the park. The project would include new striping for the roadways, signage to provide clarity to drivers about circulation and destinations and may include new physical barriers between the vehicle space and the pedestrian/bicycle space. Implementation is tentatively scheduled for late 2026. If you have comments, please email parksandrecreation@denvergov.org by June 5, 2026.
Community Open House: May 19, 2026
Denver Parks & Recreation (DPR) aims to improve road safety within City Park by redesigning the roadways on the west side of the park. Through restriping and reorganizing the roadways, DPR will simplify vehicle circulation and create new pedestrian and bicycle space. Neighbors were invited to learn more about the design and share their thoughts at an open house at Carla Madison Recreation Center.
View the May 19 slideshow recording
View the meeting boards(PDF, 30MB)
Beginning May 2025:
Denver Parks and Recreation will be implementing improvements to the waterway channel in City Park. The project is scheduled for completion by the end of summer 2025. Due to this construction, a section of the Mile High Loop Trail within the park will be temporarily closed. The Nature Play playground will remain open throughout construction. The map below outlines the areas impacted. Please use caution when present in the general area.
View the construction and closure map(PDF, 1MB)
This project will celebrate and educate visitors about environmental resiliency and the native and indigenous people, animals, and land of Denver. This project will include:
Project Schedule:
- 2025-2026: Public Outreach
- 2025: Concept Design
- 2026: Final Design (Gather & Heal)
- 2026: Construction (Restore)
- 2027: Construction (Gather & Heal)
Community Outreach:
Neighbor's Meeting with DMNS: June 3, 2026
Project Update Meeting: Stop by the City Park Neighbor’s meeting with the Denver Museum of Nature and Science on June 3 at 5:30 PM. Meet at the construction fence at the east side of the Museum as we will start with a tour of their new space.
Print a meeting flyer for your community(PDF, 101KB)
Starting in late May, you will begin to see initial irrigation work as DPR prepares to transform the area into a more naturalized native meadow that reflects the region's historic landscape.
By updating the existing irrigation equipment, the area will be prepared for the existing turf to be replaced with a native short grass prairie. The irrigation schedule will shift from a current high-water-use irrigation schedule to a lower-water-use approach during this effort. Later this fall, the area will undergo soil steaming, which is a pilot approach with CASR and Indigenous community partners for vegetation control that aims to keep a healthy soil during the process, followed by the installation of native meadow plantings. In addition, new walkways will be added.
Public Meeting: June 26, 2025
Join Denver Parks and Recreation to discuss the intertribal Living Land Project at City Park. The project aims to celebrate and educate City Park visitors about environmental resiliency and the native and indigenous people, animals, and land of Denver. This project consists of improvements in the south meadow, former eastern playground, and Lily Pond. Conceptual designs for gathering spaces, a medicinal garden, and an arbor will be presented.
- When: Thursday, June 26 | 5:30-7:00 PM
- Where: Carla Madison Recreation Center Rooftop Event Space, 2401 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206
Informational Meeting: April 23, 2025
Join Denver Parks & Recreation (DPR) and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science (DMNS) for updates on the following projects:
- Living Land
- City Park Roadway Improvements
- Lily Pond Historicorps, Phase 2
- Nature Play
- DMNS East Plaza
- DMNS Gems & Minerals Renovation
WHEN: Wednesday, April 23, 2025 | 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
WHERE: Denver Museum of Nature & Science | West Atrium | 2001 N. Colorado Blvd, Denver 80205
Download and print the meeting flyer(PDF, 452KB)
Spanish language interpretation will be available. It is your right to access oral or written language assistance, sign language interpretation, real-time captioning via CART, or disability-related accommodations. To request any of these services at no cost to you, please reach out to parksandrecreation@denvergov.org with three business days’ notice.
Spring 2026 Update:
Nest-building season has arrived at Duck Lake in City Park. In March 2026, cormorants were observed building new nests on all of the habitat structures installed in 2025, an encouraging sign that the improvements are supporting local wildlife. These new nesting areas are expected to provide habitat for future generations of fledglings at Duck Lake.
Later this spring, the Denver Parks and Recreation Volunteer Program will begin work to refresh and revitalize the floating wetlands on the lake. While some plant loss occurred in 2025, regular inspections showed young fish continuing to use the wetlands for shelter and shade provided by the root systems. From fish to fledglings, the ongoing improvements at Duck Lake are helping create a healthier and more resilient habitat for wildlife in City Park.
Picture above by Andrew Allamong: Cormorants building nests on City Park's Duck Lake
The Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance is partnering with Denver Parks and Recreation to pilot the re-opening of the West Entrance of the Zoo. If you have comments on this pilot in City Park, please take this quick survey.
Complete as of fall 2024:
In partnership with the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.
Complete as of summer 2024:
As the recipient of Colorado Parks and Wildlife's Fishing is Fun grant, DPR restored the banks of the pond, creating crusher-fine trail access, and planting wetland species to enhance water quality and habitat. Native shrubs and vegetation were also planted to help stabilize slopes leading to the water's edge.
Complete as of fall 2023:
