Englewood parks bond projects remain on track as pool work nears

Englewood’s $41.5 million parks bond program remains on track, with construction on the Recreation Center pool scheduled to begin Sept. 8 and most projects expected to be completed in 2028.

Voters approved the general-obligation bond in November 2024 for improvements to eight parks, the Englewood Recreation Center and Pirates Cove Water Park. The city’s Aug. 24–30 Renew and Recreate progress report says 85% of the work must be completed within three years and lists every project as on track.

The report does not provide cumulative spending, project-level expenditures, amounts paid or encumbered, a remaining bond balance, or final completion dates for most projects. It lists Cushing Park as completed in April 2026.

Recreation Center pool work

The pool was scheduled to close and be drained Aug. 31, with construction scheduled to start Sept. 8. The report does not provide a reopening date for the pool or the broader Recreation Center.

Earlier staff estimates, discussed in a Parks and Recreation Commission meeting recording, indicated the facility could reopen without the pool while pool and regular locker-room work continued through spring 2027. Those estimates did not establish a firm pool reopening date.

Pirates Cove demolition

At Pirates Cove, the slide-tower area had been cleared by Aug. 26 and exterior fencing removed in preparation for pool-deck removal. The report scheduled site demolition for Aug. 31 through Sept. 11. That window does not establish that demolition is complete or provide a final project completion date.

Park construction and design milestones

Belleview Park reached the 90% design milestone when construction documents were submitted Aug. 28. The city expected 100% bid documents by Oct. 8, but the report does not provide a final completion date.

Clarkson Park was expected to receive 100% construction documents by Sept. 30, followed by a request for proposals in late 2026 or early 2027 jointly with Barde Park. Emerson Park was expected to receive a pergola with a permanent concrete slab in September. Miller Field’s bid documents were expected Sept. 25, with City Council consideration of a contract targeted for Dec. 15.

At Rotolo Park, restroom floors and walls had been built. The city’s project page estimates the improvement cost at $755,000; that is an estimated project cost, not verified spending to date.

Northwest Greenbelt’s design team was revising plans in response to building-department comments. The Northwest Greenbelt construction contract and a Phase 2 Rotolo Park contract were scheduled for City Council consideration Sept. 21.

Available records do not show that either contract had been approved, awarded or executed. Sept. 21 was a scheduled consideration date, not evidence of completed council action.