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Commerce City reviews designs for two ARPA‑funded community gardens at Freedom Park and Bison Ridge
Summary
City staff and consultant SCJ Alliance presented final designs for two community gardens funded through the ACT program (ARPA). Freedom Park design is estimated at about $200,000; Bison Ridge remains a larger, later-phase project. Staff will seek construction funding and refine operations plans.
Milo Hay, a policy analyst with the city manager’s office, and consultant Jenna Beyond Willow of SCJ Alliance presented final plans for two community gardens that grew out of the city’s ACT program and ARPA funding. The designs call for a larger garden at Bison Ridge Recreation Center with both in‑ground and programming space and a smaller, fully accessible garden at Freedom Park featuring raised ADA garden beds, a produce‑share box and several fruit trees.
"I'm the project manager and the lead designer for the community garden project," Jenna Beyond Willow said as she reviewed the site selection, public engagement and concept plans. She told the council the consultant team conducted GIS mapping, two rounds of public meetings and site visits that narrowed potential locations to Bison Ridge in the north and Freedom Park in the south. The Freedom Park design is intended to go to 100% construction documents and a grading permit; Bison Ridge will move forward to 90% as a future phase.
Council members asked about construction and ongoing sustainability costs. Milo Hay said the Freedom Park build‑out is roughly estimated at $200,000; he said Bison Ridge will be more substantial and remains under internal review. "So the 200,000 is gonna be for the Freedom Park site," Hay said. Staff explained that finding initial construction funding is the immediate step, and that operations and maintenance (O&M) approaches — including whether garden beds are rented, subsidized, or supported through programming — will be refined after funding is identified.
On design details, the consultant recommended black‑coated chain‑link fencing for longevity and cost efficiency, augmented by vine plantings and garden beds to soften the visual effect. The team also built ADA parking and accessible garden beds into the plans and included a produce wash station and outdoor classroom at one site.
The council voiced broad support for the gardens and asked staff to return with funding pathways and options for O&M and programming. No formal action was taken; staff said they will pursue grant and county/state avenues and return with more detailed costing and a construction timeline.
