Howelsen Park Charette

Howelsen Park is a large and treasured community asset that hosts a variety of different uses and different user groups, in particular the general public. The Park is home to Howelsen Hill, the oldest continuously operated ski area in North America. Additional major features of the park include an indoor ice rink, a professional rodeo arena with accompanying campground, four baseball/softball fields, three sand volleyball courts, a basketball court, a children’s playground, a skate park, bmx track, access to the Emerald Mountain trail network, the Parks and Recreation Department office building, numerous maintenance buildings and spaces, and historic Howelsen Lodge.

The Park is utilized by a wide range of recreation-based community groups as well as multiple special events throughout the year. These groups and events can occasionally exceed parks capacity for parking and usage. The city is currently working with an outside consultant on a parking and traffic management study for Howelsen Park. This study seeks to provide a current baseline of parking availability and impacts and to provide direction on parking and traffic management strategies to help alleviate congestion during large events and to assist in future planning and development efforts.

This engagement effort seeks to gain input from our various user groups and the general public on their experience in programming at the park, challenges, opportunities, and future growth potential while considering existing uses and contractual obligations.