Little Dry Creek Park & Plaza Improvements

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Project Description

The City of Englewood and the Englewood Downtown Development Authority (EDDA) are working together to enhance Little Dry Creek Park and Plaza in the heart of downtown. The reimagined plaza will become a vibrant, accessible public space that celebrates nature, art, and community creating a welcoming place to gather, relax, and enjoy the outdoors.

Project Design

The proposed plan for Little Dry Creek Park and Plaza includes terraced seating, shaded areas, a pollinator garden, xeric plantings, decorative paving, site furnishings, natural play area, public art opportunities, interpretive signage, new lighting throughout and improved pedestrian connections. The goal is to create a welcoming public space that enhances access to nature, supports community gatherings and strengthens connections between downtown Englewood and the creek.

The plan integrates universal design and CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) principles to support people of all ages and abilities, encourage positive activity, and strengthen connections to downtown, neighborhoods, Little Dry Creek and the regional trail system.

Design elements that improve safety in the park include:

  • Removal of dead trees and selective vegetation management to improve visibility and sightlines.
  • New lighting for paths and plazas for security and evening use.
  • Clearly defined circulation, and landscape elements create a more comfortable, predictable, and secure environment.
  • Improved circulation and access points with flexible spaces for programming and small events
  • Overall improvements encourage more people to visit the park, providing more “eyes on the park.”

Click here to view more project renderings

Little Dry Creek Plaza – Activation and Shared Use

The proposed design for Little Dry Creek Plaza supports the goals of the Englewood Downtown Plan and is intentionally designed as a welcoming, active, accessible, and safe public space. The current concept integrates universal design and CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) principles to support people of all ages and abilities, encourage positive activity and strengthen connections to downtown, neighborhoods, Little Dry Creek and the regional trail system.

Design elements incorporated into the current plan include:

  • Access and Connectivity
    • New pedestrian connections from S. Broadway, Hampden Ave. and Festival Street to encourage more people to visit the park.
    • Accessible connections between the upper and lower plazas and Little Dry Creek.
    • Clearly defined regional bike trail through the plaza with paving, landscape edges, signage and wayfinding.
    • Connections to the broader regional trail system and surrounding downtown destinations.
    • Universal design principles incorporated throughout routes, gathering areas, and amenities.
  • Gathering and Community Activity
    • Connected upper and lower plazas provide a variety of settings for gathering, recreation, and social interaction.
    • Flexible spaces accommodate everyday use, community programming, performances, markets, and special events.
    • Shaded seating and comfortable gathering areas encourage people to linger and socialize, providing activity support and more “eyes on the park.”
    • Public art and distinctive landscape elements reinforce community identity and create focal points.
  • Nature and Recreation
    • Pollinator gardens, drought-tolerant plantings, and natural features provide habitat, seasonal interest, and a stronger connection to nature.
    • A climbing boulder provides informal recreation and play.
    • The design strengthens the visual and physical connection to Little Dry Creek.
  • Safety and Comfort
    • CPTED principle including natural surveillance, natural access control, territorial reinforcement, and activity support are incorporated into the layout.
    • Removal of dead trees and selective vegetation management improve visibility and sightlines.
    • New lighting for paths and plazas, clearly defined circulation, and landscape elements create a more comfortable, predictable, and secure environment.
  • Stewardship and Long-Term Value
    • Durable materials, sustainable plantings, and efficient landscape design support long-term maintenance and management.
    • This project also includes cleaning of existing stone walls.
    • The flexible design can adapt to changing community programming and needs.
    • An attractive, active public space contributes to community vitality and surrounding property values.

Together, these elements make accessibility, connectivity, safety, activity, nature and stewardship integral components of the current design, creating a safe, vibrant public space that connects downtown Englewood with Little Dry Creek and the broader regional trail network.

View the Full Design Plan

Project Funding

This project is a collaborative investment between the City of Englewood and the Englewood Downtown Development Authority (EDDA). The combined funding will support the creation of a more vibrant, accessible and welcoming public space in the heart of downtown.

City of Englewood Contribution:

  • 2026: Public Improvement Fund $600,000 (Approved)
  • 2027: Public Improvement Fund $560,000

City Total: $1,060,000

EDDA Contribution:

  • 2026: $600,500 (Approved)
  • 2027: $1,400,000

EDDA Total: $2,000,500

Project Description

The City of Englewood and the Englewood Downtown Development Authority (EDDA) are working together to enhance Little Dry Creek Park and Plaza in the heart of downtown. The reimagined plaza will become a vibrant, accessible public space that celebrates nature, art, and community creating a welcoming place to gather, relax, and enjoy the outdoors.

Project Design

The proposed plan for Little Dry Creek Park and Plaza includes terraced seating, shaded areas, a pollinator garden, xeric plantings, decorative paving, site furnishings, natural play area, public art opportunities, interpretive signage, new lighting throughout and improved pedestrian connections. The goal is to create a welcoming public space that enhances access to nature, supports community gatherings and strengthens connections between downtown Englewood and the creek.

The plan integrates universal design and CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) principles to support people of all ages and abilities, encourage positive activity, and strengthen connections to downtown, neighborhoods, Little Dry Creek and the regional trail system.

Design elements that improve safety in the park include:

  • Removal of dead trees and selective vegetation management to improve visibility and sightlines.
  • New lighting for paths and plazas for security and evening use.
  • Clearly defined circulation, and landscape elements create a more comfortable, predictable, and secure environment.
  • Improved circulation and access points with flexible spaces for programming and small events
  • Overall improvements encourage more people to visit the park, providing more “eyes on the park.”

Click here to view more project renderings

Little Dry Creek Plaza – Activation and Shared Use

The proposed design for Little Dry Creek Plaza supports the goals of the Englewood Downtown Plan and is intentionally designed as a welcoming, active, accessible, and safe public space. The current concept integrates universal design and CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) principles to support people of all ages and abilities, encourage positive activity and strengthen connections to downtown, neighborhoods, Little Dry Creek and the regional trail system.

Design elements incorporated into the current plan include:

  • Access and Connectivity
    • New pedestrian connections from S. Broadway, Hampden Ave. and Festival Street to encourage more people to visit the park.
    • Accessible connections between the upper and lower plazas and Little Dry Creek.
    • Clearly defined regional bike trail through the plaza with paving, landscape edges, signage and wayfinding.
    • Connections to the broader regional trail system and surrounding downtown destinations.
    • Universal design principles incorporated throughout routes, gathering areas, and amenities.
  • Gathering and Community Activity
    • Connected upper and lower plazas provide a variety of settings for gathering, recreation, and social interaction.
    • Flexible spaces accommodate everyday use, community programming, performances, markets, and special events.
    • Shaded seating and comfortable gathering areas encourage people to linger and socialize, providing activity support and more “eyes on the park.”
    • Public art and distinctive landscape elements reinforce community identity and create focal points.
  • Nature and Recreation
    • Pollinator gardens, drought-tolerant plantings, and natural features provide habitat, seasonal interest, and a stronger connection to nature.
    • A climbing boulder provides informal recreation and play.
    • The design strengthens the visual and physical connection to Little Dry Creek.
  • Safety and Comfort
    • CPTED principle including natural surveillance, natural access control, territorial reinforcement, and activity support are incorporated into the layout.
    • Removal of dead trees and selective vegetation management improve visibility and sightlines.
    • New lighting for paths and plazas, clearly defined circulation, and landscape elements create a more comfortable, predictable, and secure environment.
  • Stewardship and Long-Term Value
    • Durable materials, sustainable plantings, and efficient landscape design support long-term maintenance and management.
    • This project also includes cleaning of existing stone walls.
    • The flexible design can adapt to changing community programming and needs.
    • An attractive, active public space contributes to community vitality and surrounding property values.

Together, these elements make accessibility, connectivity, safety, activity, nature and stewardship integral components of the current design, creating a safe, vibrant public space that connects downtown Englewood with Little Dry Creek and the broader regional trail network.

View the Full Design Plan

Project Funding

This project is a collaborative investment between the City of Englewood and the Englewood Downtown Development Authority (EDDA). The combined funding will support the creation of a more vibrant, accessible and welcoming public space in the heart of downtown.

City of Englewood Contribution:

  • 2026: Public Improvement Fund $600,000 (Approved)
  • 2027: Public Improvement Fund $560,000

City Total: $1,060,000

EDDA Contribution:

  • 2026: $600,500 (Approved)
  • 2027: $1,400,000

EDDA Total: $2,000,500

Page last updated: 23 Sep 2026, 03:17 PM