Emerald Playground
The Emerald Park playground project is a comprehensive redesign and expansion that will transform the existing play area into a modern, inclusive destination for residents and visitors of all ages and abilities. Building on community input gathered during the planning process, the project reimagines the space to better support recreation, learning, and social connection while enhancing the overall park experience.
The new design will significantly expand beyond the current playground footprint and introduce a variety of upgraded and accessible play features, including two age-appropriate play structures, a 60-foot zipline, swings, a spinner, digi-riders, and a rubberized play surface. Supporting amenities such as benches, tables with umbrellas, seating boulders, sidewalks, and native landscaping will help create a welcoming, comfortable environment for families and caregivers.
In addition to the new play experiences, the project includes important site improvements such as resolving existing drainage issues and installing a modern, water-efficient irrigation system to support long-term sustainability. Wayfinding enhancements and thoughtful site design will improve navigation and connectivity throughout Emerald Park, while integrating existing natural elements to preserve the character of the space and strengthen its role as a community gathering place.
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A New Chapter Begins For Emerald Park Playground
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Community Invited To Celebrate New Playground Sept. 30 Grand Opening
Steamboat Springs, Colorado-September 16, 2026-The wait is over: Emerald Park has a new place to climb, slide, swing, spin, ride and explore. The city will celebrate the opening of the Emerald Park Playground from 3:30-5:30pm on Wednesday, September 30, with a community celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony around 4pm.
“This project gave us an opportunity to think beyond simply replacing an aging playground and reimagine what this space could be for the community,” said Interim Parks & Recreation Director Stephanie Munro. “We heard from residents throughout the process and worked to create a place that encourages kids to play, families to spend time together and people of all ages and abilities to enjoy Emerald Park.”
The Emerald Park Playground is the city’s largest playground project to date, transforming the former play area into a larger, modern and inclusive space. Native landscaping, new irrigation system, drainage improvements, and site furnishings complement the expanded play area and create a welcoming space for the community.
Kids can climb, swing, zip, spin and ride across the playground, which features two age-appropriate play structures, a 60-foot zipline, four slides, a two-person swing, a spinner and two digi-riders. Benches, tables with umbrellas and seating boulders provide places for families to gather, while sidewalks and a rubberized play surface improve accessibility and the overall experience.
Improvements extend beyond the playground itself. Drainage improvements addressed existing issues in this area of the park, while a modern, water-efficient irrigation system supports more sustainable landscaping and long-term maintenance. New concrete sidewalks and gravel paths create durable surfaces for navigating in and around the playground while native shrubs, grasses, flowers and trees add to the aesthetic appeal of the area and will provide shade once fully established.
Community input helped shape the project throughout the planning and design process. Concepts focused on destination play, discovery and learning, and water-conscious irrigation, with the goal of creating a space that encourages exploration and serves multiple generations.
“This is an investment not only in a playground, but in the community spaces that bring people together,” continued Munro. “Emerald Park is a place where families gather, people recreate and residents connect with one another. This project will add to that experience for years to come.”
The Sept. 30 celebration will give residents and visitors an opportunity to explore the playground, meet members of the Parks & Recreation project team and hear from city representatives. The formal ceremony will include remarks from Parks & Recreation and City Council, followed by the ribbon cutting at approximately 4 pm.
Contact
Email Stephanie Munro, Interim Parks & Recreation Director, or call 970-871-7011
Email Patrick Campion, Parks Project Manager, or call 970-871-8208
Email Emily Hines, Marketing and Communications Supervisor, or call 970-871-7031
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Emerald Park Playground Closes For Replacement Project
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New, Modern Play Area Planned For Completion In Fall 2026
Steamboat Springs, Colorado-April 15, 2026-Emerald Park’s playground will close Monday, April 20, 2026, as crews prepare to remove the existing structure and begin construction on a new, expanded playground designed to serve a wide range of ages and abilities.
“Playgrounds are important community spaces that support physical activity, learning, and social connection across generations,” said Deputy Parks and Recreation Director–Land Management Stephanie Munro. “This project represents a significant investment in creating a more accessible, engaging, and dynamic play environment for the community.”
The Emerald Park parking lot, athletic fields and restrooms will remain open and accessible during construction. The playground is anticipated to reopen in fall 2026.
The new playground will feature two age-appropriate play structures, a 60-foot zipline, swings, a spinner, two digi-riders, benches, tables with umbrellas, seating boulders, sidewalks, a rubberized play surface and native landscaping.
In addition to new play equipment, the project will address existing drainage issues in the park and include installation of a modern, water-efficient irrigation system.
The project reflects community input gathered throughout the design process last year and will replace the existing playground with a modern, inclusive play space designed to serve a wide range of ages and abilities. The redesigned playground will also expand beyond the existing footprint to improve site functionality and enhance the overall park experience.
“This redesign allows us to reimagine the space to better serve today’s needs while improving long-term sustainability and usability,” continued Munro.
Residents and visitors are asked to respect all closures and construction areas for safety.
Contact
Patrick Campion, Parks & Recreation Project Manager, 970-871-8208 or email
Stephanie Munro, Deputy Parks & Recreation Director–Land Management, 970-871-7011 or email
Emily Hines, Marketing & Communications Supervisor, 970-871-7031 or email -
New Emerald Park Playground Swings Into Design Phase
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Community Input Invited On Desired Features & Functionality During Open Houses
Steamboat Springs, Colorado-March 6, 2025-Slide, climb, swing, tumble, ponder, skip and run your way to be a part of the envisioning process for the new Emerald Park Playground as the city embarks on the design and construction of a new playground space in this popular park.
“As we know, playgrounds are hands-on spaces that promote physical activity, improve motor skills, spark learning, develop social interaction and serve as gathering spot for the community across generations,” said Deputy Parks & Recreation Director-Land Management Stephanie Munro. “We want the new space to be something everyone enjoys and are seeking your involvement in the process.”
This project will be the largest playground replacement to date and includes site improvements, wayfinding, and new amenities to enhance the overall play experience. The area will move beyond the existing playground footprint, introducing additional play features, seating spaces, shade structures, and upgraded site amenities to enhance the overall experience.
As part of the process, two open houses are currently planned to gather input and feedback on the project. Open houses are scheduled from 5pm to 6:30pm on March 19 and April 30 at the Howelsen Ice Arena community room. Designs will be finalized over the summer with construction scheduled to begin this fall and completion anticipated for the 2026 summer.
Concepts will look to blend three elements: destination play (whimsical, creative play environments to spark multi-generational play), discovery landscapes (innovative play and learning spaces) and irrigation design (water conservation and ease of maintenance) into the overall project.
The current playground, installed mostly in-house in 1999 with financial support from Great Outdoors Colorado, has significantly outlived its lifespan. The new space will be a modern, inclusive, and dynamic site for all age groups and abilities. The existing boulders will be integrated into the design and surrounding site improvements. In addition, new wayfinding will improve navigation at Emerald Park, making it easier to find amenities, sport fields, the botanic park and core trail.
The city is teaming with Design Concepts, an award-winning landscape architectural planning and design firm founded in 1981. This Colorado-based firm creates places that strengthen and foster communities behind a belief that excellence in design of outdoor spaces creates community, improves public health, and naturally preserves and enhances environments.
Contact
Stephanie Munro, Deputy Parks and Recreation Director – Land Management, 970-871-7011 or email
Emily Hines, Marketing & Communications Supervisor, 970-871-7031 or email
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Phone 970-871-8208 Email pcampion@steamboatsprings.net -
Phone 970-871-7011 Email smunro@steamboatsprings.net
