We launched the Civic Area Phase 2 project earlier this year and asked for your feedback about this effort. Here’s what we asked, who we ask and what we heard from you.

In the city’s Civic Area, we’re rethinking urban park design for a strong connection to nature while cultivating recreation, community gathering, festivities and more. We launched the Civic Area Phase 2 project earlier this year and asked for your feedback about this effort. Here’s what we asked, who we ask and what we heard from you:

What we asked:

  • What do you envision doing in the Civic Area?
  • What are your top values and guiding principles that will help inform the Civic Area Phase 2 project?
  • What are your top concerns for the Civic Area and future design?
  • How would you like to connect to the Civic Area through the Arboretum?

Who we asked:

City staff, in collaboration with Downtown Community Connectors, held 13 engagement events. We intentionally met with diverse groups to elevate racial equity discussions, people experiencing disabilities, a wide range of age groups for intergenerational feedback, and groups from low-income populations and the unhoused. Through all of these in-person meetings, staff also provided an online questionnaire in Spanish and English and used as many photo-examples as possible for accessibility.

What we heard:

The Boulder community prioritized three top principles for what they want in the Civic Area:

  1. A place for community activities and the arts including family and child-friendly areas, community and cultural events, and interactive public art spaces.
  2. A place for outdoor culture and nature, through enhancing green spaces, promoting outdoor activities and recreation, community gardens and edible landscapes.
  3. An equitable, inclusive, and multicultural space that reflects Boulder's diversity, and has accessible and affordable activities and spaces.

Notable comments that community members also made were about:

  • The community expressed not feeling safe in some of the park spaces due to unsocial behaviors. They said it would feel safer using the space if it were activated and programmed year-round. They also expressed a humanitarian concern and sadness for people experiencing homelessness in Boulder.
  • More opportunities for dining and picnicking and interest in seeing the farmer’s market not only stay but also expand its presence in the Civic Area. Neighbors discussed how food can bring people together and unite friends, family and communities in the space.

More details about the engagement process and results can be found on the project web page

What we heard from the community will be incorporated into the planning for the project. We will provide further opportunities this year for community groups to give input to continue creating an inclusive and equitable engagement process.

Read the report that shows the feedback we heard and how the community ranked the guiding principles for the project

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