Centennial Park: A vision to transform Golden’s riverfront is gaining momentum, as the Canyon to Confluence Initiative (C2Ci) garners growing support for the revitalization of Centennial Park, an underutilized green space tucked behind Oso and Mary’s Motel.
Led by Golden Community Economic Development (Golden CED), C2Ci aims to create a sustainable plan for how residents and visitors engage with the Kicking Horse River, from the canyon all the way to its meeting point with the Columbia. At the heart of the initiative is a simple philosophy: the vision must be created by the community, for the community.
“Every resident in Golden is invited to be part of this process,” said Jill Dewtie, Executive Director of Golden CED. “This is not just about protecting and enhancing the river corridor. It’s about shaping how we live with the river, how we move through our town, and how we support local business, health, and community pride.”
Centennial Park: A Flagship Opportunity
Through ongoing conversations with stakeholders, including Indigenous groups and local organizations, Centennial Park has emerged as a “poster child” project within the C2Ci framework. Already designated as a park and located at the edge of downtown, the site has been identified as a priority opportunity to demonstrate the broader potential of the initiative.
A concept sketch developed by Urban Systems reimagines the space as a more accessible, nature-forward park. The design proposes relocating the existing dike, forming it into a gentle arc away from the river and regrading the land to create an open, accessible waterfront greenspace, more ideal for gatherings, recreation, and river enjoyment.
According to Dewtie, the project’s benefits go far beyond beautification: “We see this as a way to support economic development, attract more visitors, and enhance the downtown experience for everyone. More people on the river is good for business, community health, and connection to place.”
Next Steps: Planning and Partnerships
Golden CED is partnering with the Rotary Club of Golden to raise the funds needed to complete a master plan for Centennial Park, with foundational support expected from the Economic Opportunity Fund, which is jointly administered by the CSRD and the Town of Golden.
They’ve also engaged The Confluence Group, a team of subject matter experts including Brace Lee and Larry Sparks, to manage the project day-to-day. Over the next six months, Lee and Sparks will focus on completing a conceptual design, estimating costs, and establishing a project timeline.
In parallel, C2Ci is collaborating with several community stakeholders to ensure the park redesign aligns with ecological values. If all goes to plan, construction could begin as early as 2027 or 2028.
Meet the C2Ci Team
Residents can learn more and share their ideas with the C2Ci team at two upcoming community events:
Fall Faire at the Golden Museum – September 13
2nd Annual Community River Day at Confluence Park – September 21
To stay updated or get involved, visit c2ci.org.
