Ulysses Park Redevelopment Project
Project Start and Park Closure
Effective Nov. 25, 2024 – Fall 2025
The City is very excited to bring the much-anticipated park improvement project to Ulysses Park! We appreciate in advance understanding and patience during construction. Community safety and delivering a top-tier facility and amenities are our highest priorities.
Throughout the duration of the project, regular schedule and closure updates will be posted here on Guiding Golden.
Closure Details
- Full closures: South parking lot, dog park, playground, paths/sidewalks, and athletic fields.
- Limited access: North parking lot to the skate park.
A full closure of both the north lot and the skate park will begin Dec. 2024 and continue through Feb. 2025 (weather- and schedule-dependent).
Phased Approach
Portions of the park will open/re-open to the public as construction is completed, with priority given to re-opening the new dog park and north parking lot access for Spring 2025. The south parking lot will be closed for the project duration.
To provide public comment on this project, please plan to attend or write in to a Parks & Recreation Advisory Board meeting.
Dog Park Location Update - Spring 2023
Upon additional review, the Parks, Recreation and Museum Advisory Board (PRAM), design team, and city staff reconsidered the proposed location for the dog park in the initial design concept, and offered a second option for the public to consider. The final location for the dog park was chosen in the north portion of the complex.
Project Background & Overview
Multi-use fields have been a challenge for the City of Golden and local youth sports organizations due to a lack of available open land in Golden. The fields at Rooney Road Sports Complex opened in September of 2007 and provide five multi-use synthetic fields of various sizes. The fields were constructed on top of a landfill owned by Jefferson County and after 15 years of high use, the location has developed areas that present safety concerns. Alternative locations were considered by City Council in August of 2022 and staff was directed to research investment opportunities in existing city property at Ulysses Park Sports Complex.
Staff’s research of potential improvements for Ulysses Park includes field reconfiguration, use/impact analysis, turf, lighting, parking, financial resources, and other amenities, such as dog park, restrooms, shelter, and a playground replacement.
Public Engagement
Two public meetings were conducted in the fall of 2022.
- Sept. 7, 2022: Eight athletic groups attended a meeting to discuss field usage as well as future needs. These organizations represent current users at Ulysses Park.
- Oct. 13, 2022: 16 community members attended a public meeting to provide input and discuss the significance of park amenities, specifically the importance of a dog park, which rose to the top. Staff received an additional eight emails with similar comments.
Since then, architects presented two 30% renderings, which included all existing amenities reconfigured to make best use of the land. In May, renderings were presented during the Park, Recreation and Museum Advisory Board Meeting (PRAM) for public comment and for the board to provide input.
The preferred design plan was based on public input. Stay tuned and follow this page for project updates!