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Advisory board approves renaming Civic Area to Boulder Creek Park after public hearing
Summary
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board approved a motion to rename Civic Area as Boulder Creek Park after staff presented community engagement results; public commenters urged preserving wetland areas and advancing a botanic garden instead of additional courts.
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board voted to rename the Civic Area as "Boulder Creek Park" after a staff presentation and a public hearing where several speakers urged protecting wetlands and advancing a botanic garden.
Shihomi Kiriagawa, the city's senior landscape architect and project manager for the Civic Area, told the board the naming recommendation follows a multi-month engagement process including youth brainstorming, community feedback and a May discussion with the advisory board. "This item tonight is an action request to change the name of Civic Area. So from Civic Area to Boulder Creek Park as a part of the Phase 2 improvements," she said.
The hearing drew multiple public comments calling for cultural recognition and ecological protection of the South Boulder Creek wetlands. Speakers representing the Save South Boulder group and organizers of a proposed botanic garden argued the wetland and adjacent features are home to culturally significant species and have deep Indigenous ties. One commenter said the site "deserves to be protected" and warned that tennis and pickleball courts would harm habitat and cultural values.
Parks staff responded that environmental and hydrologic studies for the East Boulder Community Park project are publicly available and said the court proposal would occupy less than one-third of the parcel, leaving room for other uses. Director Allie Rhodes said the department remains "open to a community-led proposal for botanic gardens" while continuing the court design process.
A board member moved to approve the name Boulder Creek Park for the property formerly known as Civic Area; the motion carried by voice vote. The board also noted a July 23 celebration tied to the naming and urged continued engagement with Indigenous partners and community groups about stewardship and programming.
The item now moves into implementation planning and a public celebration; staff said they will circulate invitations and next steps for partnership and feasibility work.
