DeLong Park Planning

I live near DeLong Park and grew up across the street from a 5.5 acre park. I'd love to see a larger playground equipment and swings. The nearest park with swings is not within a reasonable walking distance. My parents will often take my son to the park across the street from their house just for the swings.

The design looks very nice so far!

I concur with other commenters that the first playground option (cypress) is the most exciting and seems most appropriate for Golden. I also agree that we should have at least 1 amenity targeting older kids (large climbing boulder or small basketball court) Keep up the great work, so excited for this park!

We love the plans for the park. We especially like the first playground area option (cypress), second runner up for us would be the second playground option (eagles nest). We do wish there could be a basketball court or a larger boulder for climbing for older kids and teens. Lastly, I agree with Edward Nunez about the attention to detail when putting together the different pieces of the park, especially in regards to color and style. I agree that the benches look more like something that would appear in a big city on the East Coast than what we'd expect to see out here in the West. It would be nice if they were an earthier style and I would say the same for the bridge. Thanks for all the hard work you're doing on this project-- it is shaping up to be amazing and a true asset to the neighborhood.

I attended the presentation by the park designer on Jan 22nd. I think the plan presented is indeed a good one and incorporates so many of the comments from people living near the park.

I absolutely agree with the female committee member that said that with so many items purchased from different companies, it is important to select items that work well with each other for a cohesive feel. I would go further, that the purchased items also provide a natural feel, a western feel.

I believe it is this attention to detail and the execution that will determine if this is a special park not just a good one. Details like the right earth tones for the rubber play area, the right play equipment (I vote for the fun and earthy “CYPRESS CANYON”play structure, bench swings that look like they belong in the west (the bench swing in the presentation decks looks like it belongs in Washington DC or London) and even the right trash cans, perhaps grey, or brown, not blue like the ones in the presentation deck.

The one item that I would like to see modified IS TO HAVE THE GRASS TURF AREA BE LIMITED TO THE BACK OF THE PARK in a rounded rectangle (or some form of curves) AND NOT EXTEND OUT TO THE SHELTER AND ALMOST TO THE STREET. I spoke to the designer and he agreed this idea has real merit. I believe that there were maintenance issues that have the grass extending out to the shelter and beyond towards the street, or another reason, but it wasn’t for good aesthetics. There is nothing natural looking about grass turf that needs mowing. As currently laid out, the grass turf will make Delong Park look like just another nondescript park.

For my dream request, I would like to suggest that some mounding be installed on the north side of the turf area to hide the turf. So from the street you don’t see the turf or very little. I borrowed this concept from the architectural masterpiece, the Gamble House in Pasadena. The Gamble House plan called for a semi-circular driveway in the front of the house but the architects designed a smooth grassy knoll that blocked any hint of the driveway. From the street it looks like a smooth grassy knoll with the house right behind it. But the driveway was there and as convenient and useful as any driveway (to see photos, https://gamblehouse.org/exterior) The grass turf area in DeLong park could also be hidden by mounding/and grasses to provide a natural look, but it would be there, as convenient and useful as the current design it would provide a unique and natural look.

This is great! So happy to have this nearby. I would echo others that desire bouldering elements to target older kids, teens, and even adults. As it is, it seems like it is overly skewed to younger children.

I really wish there wasn't going to be a playground. This doesn't allow for multi-generational use. There are plenty of parks around Golden with playgrounds. This is only inclusive for those who have children and children young enough to use the playground. As someone who lives next to the park I would prefer not to hear screaming children during the day.

Hey - the new park plan looks great! Nice work all around. Quick question: it looks like the "bouldering elements" concept was on the top of the list in the poll, but didn't really get included in the plan. A couple of the playground options have some kids-bouldering-type features, but there isn't really an option for the young adult crowd. Check out the bouldering park in Buena Vista as an example. Is it too expensive to add a boulder? Could that option be included in the next playground voting poll? It's something that Golden doesn't yet have anywhere, but is really popular throughout Colorado. Thanks!

We went to the meeting last night and liked the 1st playground area option. Is there a place where people can vote on their preferred option? We'd rather not see any plastic play structures. Kids love rocks (in this case manufactured rock and tree structures). The plan looks great. It is good to see so many of the comments were listened to and incorporated.

Concept 2 is reasonable, need covered play area for all the young children In the neighborhood. Portapotti on west side of playground, swings, exercise area for adults, covered picnic tables. No sand too many cats in neighborhood, no boulders too many rattlesnakes from mountain, half basketball court would be nice, can’t wait to have a park in my neighborhood, I’ve been here over 30 years so it’s about time. Thank you Delongs and Golden.

I think the young children and families need a safe place to play and gather off the street, with covered playground, picnic tables, swings, bike track and climbing structure. A grill would be helpful. Exercise area for adults. If there is a port o potty it should not be near the homes but closer to the ditch. So happy to be getting a park near My home.

I appreciated the opportunity to meet regarding DeLong Park. After listening to the most recent discussion, I envision:
1. The addition of a few benches; however, leaving the area in a relatively natural state
2. Allowing access only from 23rd Street.
To Parks & Rec. staff: Thanks for your efforts thus far! :) John McEncroe

Please consider being efficient with water when building the park using alternatives like subsurface irrigation, etc....

To appeal to a wide range of demographics and stay consistent with the historical nature of the site, we are generally in support of a more natural focused plan depicted in Concept #1 although without large picnic or shade structures & other high maintenance amenities. The nearby Southridge park already provides active sports play and picnic structure, and Discovery Park is an excellent source of interpretive play.
Preferred amenities for DeLong Park are wooden bridge, small turf area surrounded by native grasses and a walking path that can transition into single track hike/bike on the hills, and the educating pollinator and xeric garden beds. Small play area or structure for younger children and possibly a unique element like tire swing on the large tree for older age groups. We echo the Stoecker's sentiments in not providing any public restroom facilities on the site, due to relatively small size of park and the close proximity to many neighboring residents.

I live very close to the park and have a 3 year old. I would like a play structure for him to enjoy for years to come. I am very opposed to having any toilet facilities at the park.