Englewood committee outlines $41.5 million parks bond plan, hires project manager and sets timelines

The Englewood City Parks Bond Oversight Committee on an informational meeting reviewed plans for a $41,500,000 bond package that will fund improvements to two city facilities and eight parks, described hiring steps for a dedicated project manager and set expected design and construction timelines.

Committee presenters said the bond allocates about $22,000,000 for park projects and approximately $14,000,000 for two facilities, the recreation center and Pirates Cove. The committee reported the project manager position has been posted, interviews are scheduled, and the hire is expected to be a multi-year contract (posted for up to three years with a potential extension to five years) to oversee day-to-day bond work.

The committee identified the bond sale as scheduled for April; staff said design work will begin after the bond sale and construction sequencing will start with Cushing Park, which the committee described as construction-ready. Rotolo and Emerson were said to be in late design and expected to go out to bid once final design documents are complete; staff estimated mid- to late summer or early fall construction starts for those two sites.

Why it matters: the package aims to address aging park infrastructure, ADA access, irrigation efficiency and park activation across Englewood. Staff emphasized sustainability and reduced long-term maintenance costs from irrigation and landscape upgrades, and said they must spend 85% of the bond funds by the end of year three of the program.

Key project and timing details - Cushing Park: described as construction-ready; the presentation lists a budget of $600,000 and a construction estimate returned at $617,000. Plans include a fully fenced small and large dog area, a replaced playground and interpretation tied to a gold-rush theme. Staff said the goal is to complete this project before the end of the year.

- Rotolo and Emerson parks: both are in the design phase and were described as close to construction documents; staff expects to bid and build these parks following final design review, with construction likely in mid/late summer to early fall.

- Recreation Center and Pirates Cove (facilities): staff said the Recreation Center and Pirates Cove are part of the facility allocation (~$14 million total). Pirates Cove design work is in procurement (an RFP for design was due the week of the meeting); proposed changes include replacing the large east pool with more water-efficient slide/tube features, adding a three-lane deep-water pool, and expanded lounge and pavilion areas. Staff estimated construction for Pirates Cove could occur in September 2026 or September 2027 with an opening targeted for May 2028.

- Other parks: Bard Park (budgeted at $700,000) includes replacing a non-ADA bridge that connects to Charles Hay World School, new pathways, a nature playground and landscaping; Clarkson Park will see a nature-playground and community garden; Miller Field will be reconfigured to preserve the historic sign while adding a playground, splash pad, pavilion and restrooms with on-street parking replacing an existing lot; Northwest Greenbelt upgrades include a restroom and drought-tolerant plantings; Bellevue Park work is now constrained by FEMA floodplain requirements and staff said the historic Kernert Farm cannot remain in its current location if modifications are made, so they are evaluating relocation options nearby to keep it connected to the train area.

Funding and scope notes - Total bond: $41,500,000; parks portion: $22,000,000; facilities portion: $14,000,000. Staff said irrigation work is planned at most parks and that irrigation installation is a significant cost driver; they also noted the possibility of an additional $3,000,000 in funding to address parks not included in the bond if surplus funds are available.

Community engagement, accessibility and risk Staff described an outreach plan that includes public meetings, survey links on Englewood Engage and a project website, yard signage and social media campaigns. The committee emphasized ADA improvements across parks. Bellevue Park’s location in a FEMA-designated floodplain was identified as a project risk that requires relocation of certain elements (staff said the farm is historic and they are seeking a nearby alternative location and noted existing contingency plans to move animals and people in the event of a flood).

Communications and project tracking Staff said the city communications team will run public-facing campaigns, use yard and park signage (“your tax dollars at work”), and maintain a GIS dashboard and project tracker showing design and spending progress (e.g., percent-complete indicators). The city has drone footage of project sites that will be posted to the asset bank for public use.

Next steps Committee members said they expect to on-board the project manager after interviews, complete the April bond sale, begin design work immediately after the sale and start construction at Cushing Park first. The committee scheduled its next meeting for April 24 at 2 p.m., in person and virtually, and invited continued community input via the project website and Englewood Engage.

Ending No formal council votes were taken during this overview meeting; staff described the presentation and schedule as informational and preparatory for upcoming procurement, design and construction steps. The committee asked staff to continue regular updates to the GIS dashboard and public communications as projects move into design and construction.