Lafayette officials launch public outreach for 701 Pocket Park in Old Town

LAFAYETTE, Colo. — City staff on April 22 opened public engagement for the 701 Pocket Park project, a proposed 6,283-square-foot green space at the corner of Kimbark Street and South Public Road aimed at adding a small gathering place south of Emma Boulevard.

Bridget Keating, Lafayette’s economic development director, said staff would begin community visioning this spring and issue a design request for proposals in May or June. "We're really excited to be here tonight to kick off the 701 pocket park project," Keating said, describing the presentation as the start of a multi-step outreach process.

The project team framed the park as a catalytic infill investment for East Old Town that would tie into streetscape improvements funded by the Lafayette Urban Renewal Authority (LURA) on the 700 block of South Public Road. Dennis Warrington, parks and open-space manager, said the site sits where a 10-minute walking radius currently lacks a nearby green space and that the park could help fill that gap for nearby residents.

Staff stressed that the conceptual images shown at the workshop were illustrative only. The city plans a design procurement this summer, followed by a construction procurement in early 2026. The goal is to complete the park before the end of 2026, pending design, permitting and contractor selection. Demolition of the existing building on the lot was described as slated for spring or early summer once utility disconnects are cleared.

City officials described guiding principles for the site that include enhanced public gathering places, accessible design, low-maintenance and sustainable landscaping, and modest integrated play elements rather than a full playground. Keating and Warrington also described coordination with multiple boards and commissions: public art for selection of artworks, historic preservation for salvaging yellow brick from the existing building, and the Sustainability and Resilience Advisory Board to align elements with the city’s Climate Action Plan.

Staff outlined the outreach approach they plan to use: a Lafayette Listens project website launching in May, pop-up engagement at Art Night Out, the farmers market and the Lafayette Music Festival, targeted focus groups, and translation and Spanish-language outreach to reflect Old Town demographics. Keating noted that roughly 19% of Lafayette residents identify as Hispanic or Latino citywide and that the Old Town quarter-mile buffer rises to about 30%, and she said the project team planned to prioritize engagement with adjacent mobile-home park residents.

Council members asked about coordination with LURA’s streetscape work, the timing of board and commission touchpoints, and whether the site could support temporary programming such as food trucks. Keating said the corner on Kimbark could be configured to allow a curb cut for occasional food-truck parking and that the city’s Downtown Development Authority might help with ongoing programming.

No formal council action was taken at the April 22 workshop; staff sought feedback and outlined next steps. Keating said the team would return with design proposals and contract approvals in later steps that will require council authorization.

For now, staff asked council to help publicize outreach events and to expect design and construction contracts for future council review and approval.