Update to Soft Gold Park

  • Project typeExisting Park - Update
  • Project valueTBD
  • Project scheduleTBD
A brightly colored playground surrounded by trees

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

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.

Address: 520 Hickory St.

 

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

Preplanning

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 

Additional City Resources

 

What Belongs in a Neighborhood Park?

Information on neighborhood parks as described in the Parks and 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.

Location

520 Hickory Street, Fort Collins, CO 80524  View Map

Google Map

Department Information

Phone

970-416-8033

Email

ParkPlanning@fortcollins.gov

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