Soft Gold Park Update || Park Planning & Development

Project Summary#

Soft Gold Park, built in 2004, is a sixteen-acre neighborhood park located in north Fort Collins. With funding from the voter-approved 2050 Tax Initiative, the City of Fort Collins will begin planning for a park update in 2026.

The park and surrounding area have experienced significant change over the last two decades, with more growth on the horizon. This update will evaluate existing amenities, explore opportunities for new activities and programming and engage nearby residents to help shape a park that reflects the community's needs.

Project Milestones#

Park Established: 2004

520 Hickory St.

Soft Gold Park provides a mix of recreational amenities—including a playground, courts, baseball field, volleyball, dog park and pump track—along with mature tree canopy and direct access to Magpie Meander Natural Area.
Grant Project: Volleyball Court Addition: 2019

A joint effort between The Hickory Village Neighbors, Community Development and Neighborhood Services and Larimer County Built Environment Program resulted in the installation of a sand volleyball court.
Willox Farms Development Proposal: 2023 & 2025

Through the City of Fort Collins development review process, an easement was established within the park that would allow the developer of Willox Farms to route electrical service for the residential neighborhood. The remaining portion of soft surface path within the park will also be paved in concrete to complete the main loop walking path as part of the final development agreement.
Park Identified for Update: 2025

The park update prioritization assessment identified Soft Gold Park as a candidate park based on changing surrounding contextual land uses and an opportunity to activate the park with more users ensuring community needs are met.
Budget Identified for Project: 2025

The 2050 Tax Initiative, approved by Fort Collins voters in 2023, allocates funds specifically to Parks, Recreation, Transit, and Climate. Funds invested through the Parks Department will support the replacement, upgrade, maintenance, and accessibility of park facilities.

The project scope will include the assessment and potential replacement of existing amenities within the park property and the opportunity to provide additional activities and programming.
Concept Development: 2026

In early 2026 a process will be established for the park update involving community engagement opportunities. All updates will be posted on this website.

Additional Information#

URA North Fort Collins Community Engagement (2020)#

Gathered through a series of workshops, the URA engaged with community members and stakeholders to inform strategic priorities they should focus on within the North Fort Collins Plan area. Feedback specifically related to the park included:

Safe connectivity to neighboring mobile home parks
Improved lighting within the park and connections
Considerations of adding a water feature, grills, exercise equipment and soccer fields

North College Open House October 10, 2025#

Northside Aztlan Community Center, 112 Willow St, Fort Collins, CO 80524

Community Connectors Meeting October 11, 2025#

At the open house and subsequent meeting, neighbors shared ideas on future amenities, features, and programming. Early feedback highlighted:

Strong use of the dog park and pump track, with interest in upgrades.
A desire for stronger trail connectivity, especially north toward the Poudre Mobile Home Park. A new trail segment is currently being planned in conjunction with City transportation planners.
Excitement for more events and active programming, potentially including activities such as soccer, to bring consistent activity to the park.
Interest in a park theme that reflects the vibrant Hispanic and Latino culture of the North College community, where more than 75% of residents identified as Hispanic or Latino in the 2020 Census.

Operations & Maintenance#

As part of the update, the City will explore opportunities to improve long-term park operations, including:

Improving restroom connection to nearby sanitary sewer service line
Evaluating future raw water irrigation opportunities
Partnering with the Willox Farms development on infrastructure connections and easements

Natural Areas Poudre River Zone: Poudre River Zone - City of Fort Collins
Magpie Meander Natural Area: Magpie Meander Natural Area - City of Fort Collins
Fort Collins Strategic Trails Plan: Strategic Trails Plan | Our City
Fort Collins Urban Renewal Authority North College Investment Plan: North College Community Investment Plan - Urban Renewal Authority
Art in Public Places: Art in Public Places - City of Fort Collins
Community Capital Improvement Program Line Item: Poudre River- River Health, Access, Parks and Trails $8,000,000 & $20,000 O&M funds. (This project will leverage Parks, Stormwater, and Natural Areas goals and projects to enhance the Poudre River and access for residents. The focus area is north of Lee Martinez Park and west of College Avenue.) Community Capital Improvement Program - City of Fort Collins

What belongs in a neighborhood park?

Information on neighborhood parks as described in the Parks & Recreation Master Plan:

Neighborhood parks serve the needs of residents within walking distance of their homes. Neighborhood parks should strike a balance between passive and active recreational opportunities. They are intended for residents from adjacent neighborhoods and should not seek to attract visitors from too much further.
Neighborhood parks should be accessible by way of the city’s sidewalks, low-stress bicycle network, and local streets. They should be easily accessible from the surrounding neighborhood with no physical barriers or busy streets restricting access. Where possible, trails should also connect to neighborhood parks. Neighborhood parks should have street parking nearby.

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