The Emerald Park playground in Steamboat Springs will close Monday, April 20 as construction crews remove the current structure and begin work on a new, larger play area designed for children of all ages and abilities, according to a statement released on Wednesday. 

While the project is underway, the park’s parking lot, athletic fields and restrooms will remain open. Crews expect to finish construction and reopen the playground in fall of this year.

Plans call for two age-specific play structures, a 60-foot zipline, swings, a spinner, digital play riders, benches, shaded picnic tables, boulder seating and new sidewalks. The redesign also includes native landscaping, a rubberized play surface, drainage improvements and a water-efficient irrigation system.

“Playgrounds are important community spaces that support physical activity, learning, and social connection across generations,” said Steamboat Springs Deputy Director of Land Management Stephanie Munro in the statement. “This project represents a significant investment in creating a more accessible, engaging, and dynamic play environment for the community.”

City officials said the design incorporates community feedback gathered last year and expands the playground’s footprint to better accommodate visitors. 

The city asks residents to stay clear of all fenced and active construction zones during the project.