Planning For The Future Of Historic Downtown Colorado Springs Parks Enters Next Phase

The master planning process for three downtown Colorado Springs historic parks moves into the next phase with a public meeting Tuesday.

The city's Historic Park Master Plan focuses on Acacia Park, Antlers Park, and Alamo Square Park.
Courtesy photo / City of Colorado Springs
The city's Historic Park Master Plan focuses on Acacia Park, Antlers Park, and Alamo Square Park.

Acacia, Antlers and Alamo Square Parks are all located within a few blocks of City Hall.

A survey last fall found downtown park-goers are most concerned about safety and cleanliness, as well as adding playgrounds and art features and preserving nature at the parks. The survey also revealed people are concerned about issues related to homelessness. Results from that survey as well as design goals and other information will be presented for community feedback at the meeting.

Read the results of the survey here

Connie Schmeisser, landscape architect for the city of Colorado Springs, says she hopes a second phase survey will reach downtown residents and people from other parts of town.

A graph showing responses about Alamo Square Park.
Credit Screenshot from survey results / City of Colorado Springs
A graph showing responses about Alamo Square Park.

“When they come down, why would they come down? What are they interested in seeing in these parks?” she says.

All three of the parks were were original to General William Palmer’s vision and plan when he founded Colorado Springs. Schmeisser says the city is drawing inspiration for the parks’ future from quote attributed to Palmer:  

“That the parks shall be so maintained that the great benefit and enjoyment there of may be obtained by all the people.”

A graph showing survey responses for Antlers Park.
Credit Screenshot from survey results / City of Colorado Springs
A graph showing survey responses for Antlers Park.

The meeting starts at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 28 at the Historic City Auditorium on East Kiowa Street. 

A graph showing the survey results for Acacia Park.
Credit Screenshot from survey results / City of Colorado Springs
A graph showing the survey results for Acacia Park.

A second phase survey will be available on the city’s website following the meeting and is expected to remain open for around two weeks.

Questions and comments can be submitted via email to [email protected]