Attachment B - Engagement Window 3 Summary

B OUL D ER C I V I C AR EA

Window 3 Engagement Feedback The City of Boulder is committed to digital accessibility. Some content may not be fully accessible due to technical limitations or issues. For alternate formats or accommodations, please contact 303-413-7200 x5 or accessibility@bouldercolorado.gov. OCTOBER 15, 2025 RIOS Boulder Civic Area Phase 2 Reimagining

Window 3 Engagement Feedback

10/15/2025

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Window 3 Engagement by the Numbers JULY - AUGUST: PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

MARCH - JULY: YOUTH ENGAGEMENT

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Boulder High School Engagement Sessions w/ Growing Up Boulder (GUB)

1

6

Design Charrette with CU Environmental Design Students

RIOS Boulder Civic Area Phase 2 Reimagining

Boulder High School Zonta Club Engagement Sessions w/ GUB

2

Walking Field Trips with Whittier Elementary

3

Walking Field Trips with Boulder Day Nursery

1

Public Open House for Concept Plan Feedback & Kids Concert in Central Park

Construction of

Wild Woods

Temporary Nature Play Area for Space Activation – Built w/ CU Design Students’ Ideas

2

Community Organization Meetings

5

Pop-Ups (2 Library + 3 Rec. Center)

Online Questionnaire

Roll & Stroll w/ Disability Community

Window 3 Engagement Feedback

Community Connectors in Residence Milestone Meeting

10/15/2025

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Overview

During Engagement Window #3, building off of the programming recommended from the community in the previous window of engagement, the project team shared the final concept plan for the Civic Area. Community members were asked to vote on their favorite feature within each zone and their favorite element overall.

* Youth Hub

Creek Viewing Deck

Park Patio & Creek Steps

centro juvenil

Patio y escalones del arroyo

Art / Signage / Storytelling

North Creek Overlook

arte / señalización / contar historias

Entry Plaza

Mirador del arroyo del norte

Artful Elements

Entrada a la plaza

Arte

Café

Wayfinding Signage

Nature Play + Splash Pad

Paneles informativos

Juegos en la naturaleza y el agua

ZONE 3 East End

PARKING

PENFIELD TATE II MUNICIPAL BUILDING

LIBRARY

THE ATRIUM: YEAR ROUND MARKET HALL

SISTER CITIES PLAZA

NEW EAST BOOKEND DEVELOPMENT

Zona 3: Extremo este

ET

EXISTING PHASE I PARK

STR E

Boulder Civic Area

Farmers Market & Festival Street

Mercado de agricultores y granjeros & Calle para festivales

Enhanced Bandshell Anfiteatro “Bandshell” renovado

Cafeteria

Zona 1: Extremo oeste

Área cívica de Boulder

Beer Garden & Market Hall

MARKET DISTRICT

Jardín cervecero y mercado de agricultores

9TH

Teahouse Garden 14TH STREET

Nuevo puente peatonal

Mobility Hub

Centro de movilidad

La terraza

CANYON BLVD

ZONE 1 West End New Pedestrian Bridge

“The Porch”

Acceso mejorado y mirador panorámico

TEAHOUSE

Fishing Access BROADWAY

Acceso de pesca

Boardwalk Sendero elevado

EXISTING PLAYGROUND

S&T BLDG

Overview

Jardín para tomar el té

Overview

Shaded Areas & Canopy áreas bajo la sombra y carpa

The Civic Area Phase 2 Project will build on the 2015 Park Plan and continue the design effort to transform this important public space to encompass vibrant urban living, diverse cultural events, a connection to nature, and a place that celebrates all cultures and stories of the area while serving the community of Boulder.

New, Connected Green Park Nueva zona verde en el parque

NEW EAST BOOKEND DEVELOPMENT WITH PARKING

La Fase 2 del proyecto de renovación del Área cívica es parte del Plan de parques del 2015. Esta fase da continuidad al diseño para transformar este importante espacio público con el fin de crear una zona urbana vibrante, con diversos eventos culturales, conexiones con la naturaleza y que sea una zona que celebre todas las culturas e historia del área y en beneficio de la comunidad de Boulder.

LIBRARY PARKING

We Need Your Input!

ARAPAHOE AVE

Contemplative Garden

Art Tunnel

Jardín contemplativo

Túnel artístico

Nature Discovery Descubriendo la naturaleza

We Need Your Input!

The South Shore

Food Truck Plaza

La costa del sur

Accessible Shallow Kids Creek

Plaza para camiones de comida

Swing Forest

Playa Boulder

Orilla baja del arroyo accesible para niños

ZONE 2 Boulder Beach Zona 2: Playa Boulder

Nature Hub

Tubing Eddy + Rental Return

w/Restrooms, Info Kiosk, Youth Programming, Food & Beverage

*

*

Bosque de columpios

Boulder Beach

Flotadores Eddy + devoluciónde alquileres

Centro juvenil con un área de patinaje

Outdoor Classroom Riparian Garden Overlook

Salón de clase al aire libre

This concept plan shows the most popular elements based on community feedback over the past year and a half. Your input today will help us further refine which options are advanced in Phase 2.

Mirador del jardín de la ribera

FUTURE FOOD AND BEVERAGE DEVELOPMENT

BO

UL

DE

R

Within each zone, what is

CR

EE

Centro natural con baños, quiosco informativo, programación juvenil, alimentos y bebidas

Mini Cafe

This concept plan shows the most popular elements based on community feedback over the past year and a half. Your input today will help us further refine which options are advanced in Phase 2.

Youth Hub w/ Skate Feature

*

ZONE 4 The Arboretum Path

K

1 your favorite element?

PA TH

¿Dentro de cada zona, cual es su elemento favorito?

Vote on your favorite

2 element overall.

El sendero Arboretum

Mini jardín

Climate Education Gardens Jardines para la educación ambiental

Vota por su elemento general favorito.

Elevated Boardwalk Sendero elevado

Viewing Tower Foraging Gardens

Iluminación experiencial

Jardines para la recolección

Escriba su elemento favorito de cada zona en un formulario en papel.

Write your favorite feature overall on the slips provided. Escriba su element general favorito en su formulario en papel.

Torre mirador

Experiential Lighting

Write your favorite feature for each zone on the slips provided.

NEW CONFERENCE CENTER PARKING STRUCTURE

N Alpine Garden & Fitness Stairs Jardín y entrada Alpine Escaleras de entrenamiento

RIOS Boulder Civic Area Phase 2 Reimagining

Window 3 Engagement Feedback

10/15/2025

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Favorite Features

This chart highlights the top 10 favorite features that community members selected from across the entire project.

VOTE COUNT

* = Prioritized by Historically Excluded Groups

Boulder Beach*

RIOS Boulder Civic Area Phase 2 Reimagining

Farmers Market & Festival Street*

Beer Garden Nature Play Nature & Market with Splash Hub with Hall* Pad* Restrooms*

Accessible Elevated Boardwalk*

Swing Forest*

Accessible Boardwalk Experiential Shallow Kids (West End)* Lighting Creek* (Arboretum)*

FEATURE Window 3 Engagement Feedback

10/15/2025

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Farmers Market & Festival Street

Accessible Shallow Kids Creek

Boardwalk

CANYON BLVD

Beer Garden & Market Hall

THE ATRIUM

TATE BLDG

S&T BLDG NEW EAST BOOKEND DEVELOPMENT

14th STREET

9th

BROADWAY

STR E

ET

LIBRARY

Nature Play with Splash Pad

LIBRARY

ARAPAHOE AVE

Boulder Beach BO

UL

DE

Nature Hub with Restrooms

R

CR

EE

Swing Forest

K

PA TH

Accessible Elevated Boardwalk

Top 5 Top 10

Favorite Features RIOS Boulder Civic Area Phase 2 Reimagining RIOS Boulder Civic Area Phase 2 Reimagining

NEW CONFERENCE CENTER PARKING STRUCTURE

Experiential Lighting

N 0’

100’

200’

400’

Window 3 Engagement Feedback Concept Design Package 10/15/2025 07.23.2025

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VOTE COUNT

Bandshell Programming

Concerts*

Movie Nights*

Theater, Symphony, Musicals

Cultural Events ACTIVITY

RIOS Boulder Civic Area Phase 2 Reimagining

Picnic Space

Art Installations & Lighting

Dance, Yoga, or Exercise Class

An enhanced Bandshell with new AV capabilities and improved seating could allow this historic venue to host more events. Community members were asked to vote on which activity they would most like to see at the Bandshell.

Concerts

Movie Nights

Theater, Symphony, Musicals

Cultural Events

Picnic Space

Art Installations & Lighting

Dance, Yoga, or Exercise Class

* = Prioritized by Historically Excluded Groups

Window 3 Engagement Feedback

10/15/2025

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The Ditch New, Connected Green Park

Existing Ditch

Extended Farmers Market Plaza

Extended Farmers Market Plaza Maintain Existing Ditch

Expanded Green Space

VOTE COUNT

Extended Creek Access + Overlook

OR Splash Pad Nature Play

Extended Creek Access + Overlook

Community members were asked to vote between maintaining the existing ditch or building a land bridge to create a new, connected green park. A cohesive green space above the Ditch would provide a connected green space and unify Central Park into a single, flexible area for both daily use and large events, while also enabling new interactive water and nature play opportunities outside of the irrigation waterway. • Entire Community: 67% Voted for a New, Connected Green Park • Historically Excluded Groups: 70% Voted for a New, Connected Green Park * = Prioritized by Historically Excluded Groups New Connected Green Park*

RIOS Boulder Civic Area Phase 2 Reimagining

Keep Existing Ditch

Window 3 Engagement Feedback

10/15/2025

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Historically Excluded Groups The project team met with Downtown Community Connectors, Community Connectors in Residence, and people in the disability community to gather additional comments about the concept plan. These discussions focused on Civic Area as a space that will: • Tell the stories of the land and people who have previously lived in the area, and have these stories be a major focal point of the design and park experience • Build community and be welcoming for all • Serve the local community as well as visitors • Balance protecting nature while creating recreational opportunities in this downtown urban space • Serve all community members through universal accessible design

RIOS Boulder Civic Area Phase 2 Reimagining

Window 3 Engagement Feedback

10/15/2025

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Roll & Stroll Accessibility Takeaways

Design Suggestions

Sensory Experiences

Nature Play

Programming

• Lie-back stations in nature for looking up • View points for people sitting in mobility devices • Bandshell accessible seating not forced front and center • Pull-outs from main paths to get into nature • Spaciousness (in paths, play, seating, parking) - helps with maneuvering • Accessible fishing dock • Crusher fines nature paths (avoid mulch for mobility devices) • Min. 10’ height in parking garages • Adult size changing tables

• Touching the water • Hearing the birds • Feeling the trees/textures • Getting close to things to see and touch • Dappled Light • Movement stimulation (like bumpy paths and swings) • High contrast colors, specifically on black backgrounds • Pure sounds • Sensory Trail

• Raised sand box • Some stump seats should be large and have backs • Railings into climbing pit and climbing structure • Low climbing surfaces for crawling • More overhang on maker tables • Non-steep slides with long ending at the bottom • Adult size changing tables • Uneven surfaces cause balance challenges • Low barriers at thresholds (one foot balancing is difficult)

• Early access (30 minutes to an hour) at Farmers Market for disability community • Accessible equipment for rent at the Nature Hub • Volunteer escorts at Bandshell events for directing foot traffic

RIOS Boulder Civic Area Phase 2 Reimagining

Window 3 Engagement Feedback

10/15/2025

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Wild Woods Nature Discovery Area The project team worked with CU Environmental Design students to create a temporary nature discovery area in Central Park. Three students who submitted design proposals during Window 2 of engagement were selected to co-create the Central Park installation with the project team. The end result – the Wild Woods Nature Discovery Area – combined ideas from all three of the student proposals. • Open from May of 2025 through the Summer • 50% reduction in police reported incidents • Partneships to run, program, and use the space included: – City of Boulder Park and Operations Staff – Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art – Police Department and Rangers for Safety – Farmers Market – City-wide events

RIOS Boulder Civic Area Phase 2 Reimagining

Window 3 Engagement Feedback

10/15/2025

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Youth Engagement For Engagement Window 3, the project team worked with Growing Up Boulder on sixteen (16) youth-oriented events and activities. The project team engaged with: • 66 Children 0-5 yrs • 54 Parents/caregivers • 36 School-age Youth • 30 Tweens • 130 Teens • 17 Teachers About half of these events focused on gaining feedback on youth ideas for Civic Area and specific park features for Civic Area. The other half focused on activating the park with kids and families.

RIOS Boulder Civic Area Phase 2 Reimagining

Window 3 Engagement Feedback

10/15/2025

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Youth Engagement Kids Age 0-10 Children at Boulder Day Nursery visited the Wild Woods Nature Discovery Area three times with GUB. The school then conducted many of their own field trips to the space. • 55% of parents now visit Wild Woods one or more times per week and prefer this type of play experience over traditional playgrounds • Teachers also reported they had never used the area near the bandshell until they were exposed to it through programs with Growing Up Boulder • 30% of teachers use it weekly, and 65% of teachers use it monthly Children ages five to ten gave direct feedback about how they want to use the park space. Based on a visual preference survey, results show they are most excited about: • Splash pad • Adventure play • Outdoor movie nights • Creek play • Nature-based art activities • Ice cream stand RIOS Boulder Civic Area Phase 2 Reimagining

Window 3 Engagement Feedback

10/15/2025

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Youth Engagement Teens + CU Students From the 130 teens engaged between February and March of 2025, results consistently emphasize five interconnected priorities that should guide development of the area: • Community Connection & Inclusivity: Creating spaces that foster meaningful social interaction across diverse groups • Relaxation & Comfort: Balancing active recreation with comfortable environments for downtime and reflection; variety of seating options • Affordability & Accessibility: Ensuring economic accessibility for all teens through low-cost food and recreation options and activities • Safety & Extended Hours: Enhancing usability beyond daylight hours through strategic lighting and design • Novel Activities & Experiences: Providing unique recreational opportunities currently unavailable in Boulder Specific features developed through Boulder High Student proposals include a teen-run cafe, outdoor seating area, ice skate/rollerblade venue, greenhouse, open green space, and movie night area. RIOS Boulder Civic Area Phase 2 Reimagining

Window 3 Engagement Feedback

10/15/2025

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