Centennial Center Park
community gathering area | adventure play | splash pad
The City of Centennial, Colorado, wanted to create a central gathering for their 100,000 residents. Our team worked with their staff and residents to create a strong community park design to bring this dream to life at Center Park.
The park's theme of "100 Years of History and 10,000 Years of Human Habitation" highlights Centennial’s part Colorado history. The themed detailing begins as you enter the park through a large custom designed gateway by Chevo Studios. After the gateway visitors are led through the park by a series of trail and interpretative signs and wayfinding components. The main plaza displays a timeline of the history of the Cherry Creek Basin, and the amphitheater depicts four epochs of human history.
A gathering point in the center of the park connects the grand entryway, playgrounds, amphitheater, and parking. We designed outdoor rooms radiating from a hub to provide a variety of experiences and to allow people to be both near one another and remain protected and private with their own parties.
Landform was used as a major design component creating outdoor rooms, overlooks, viewing corridors and an overall feeling of comfort and protection from the elements. Dirt was moved from one place to another on the site to sustainably reuse existing materials.
A Town Plaza Gives Residents Space for Community Connections
The central gathering space, Festival Plaza, ties together the park's components. This is a flexible space used for farmers' markets and other community events. The layout of spaces throughout the park promotes bringing people together to interact and socialize.
Splash Pad Wins Top 10 Readers’ Choice Award
The splash pad and water play area in Center Park is not to be missed. Don't just take our word for it, users voted it one of the best in the country!
Project Awards
USA Today 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards - 10 Best Splash Pads
Great Outdoors Colorado - Starburst Award
ENR Mountain States - Best Project Awar
Check out the city's online park features
Click to explore the City's interactive park map
Click to download the park's kids' activity book
Visit the City's page for more information including shelter reservations and concert schedule
