A $5 million renovation project at downtown’s Skyline Park will close the sculpture-driven area at least through spring 2027, according to city officials — and that includes shutting down the popular, outdoor ice skating rink on the edge of 16th Street.
The three-block public park, located between 15th and 17th streets on Arapahoe Street, is anchored by the historic D&F Clocktower and has often hosted food carts, themed events and short-term sports activations. City and nonprofit workers also have worked to address the unhoused population that sets up there in recent years as downtown Denver struggles to return to pre-pandemic levels of pedestrian traffic.
Due to the reconstruction of Skyline Park, the rink will not be operational for the 2025–2026 season. But when Skyline returns in 2027, it will be much improved, project leaders said.
“This area will energize downtown with vibrant new amenities while embracing and connecting iconic features like the D&F Tower and the sunken Halprin sculpture,” wrote architecture firm Rios, which is handling landscape and other design for the $5 million project — itself part of $100 million earmarked for downtown Denver revival projects by the Downtown Development Authority (see also Christkindlmarket getting booted to the Auraria Campus this year due to Civic Center park renovations).
“By removing barriers like stairways and walls and adding green spaces for community activities, the redesign of Skyline Park will offer unobstructed views and improved accessibility,” Rios wrote on its website. “The result is an open, welcoming space that invites exploration and enjoyment for all visitors.”
Specifically, that includes consistent hardscape and greenery across all three blocks of the park, cooling fountains for hot weather, reducing the width of Arapahoe Street, more pedestrian- and bike-friendly features, a tiered garden, a new cafe, safety and lighting improvements, and a performance stage.
Crews have often worked hard to clean up and maintain the park in recent years, with public events, lunchtime crowds and unhoused people occupying it much of the time. It formerly hosted the popular Denver Christkindlmarket before that holiday festival moved to Civic Center in 2020 for lack of space.
“Originally designed by Lawrence Halprin, one of the most influential landscape architects of the 20th century, Skyline Park was created during the 1960s Urban Renewal era,” according to Rios. “The park has served as a sanctuary for visitors and residents in Downtown Denver, with its sculptural design inspired by the abstract geometries of Colorado’s natural landscapes. Over the years, the park has seen various additions, including the recently renovated 16th Street Mall, resulting in a patchwork of diverse urban elements.”
Denver Parks & Recreation in August also opened two lighted, turf-laden street-soccer courts and an adjacent classroom/clubhouse at Skyline.
“The new installation creates a vibrant public space designed to bring people together, foster youth development, and strengthen the local community,” Denver Parks & Recreation said of the fields, which precede the 2026 FIFA World Cup (not being held in Denver), in a statement.