Accessing Riverdale Regional Park and Fairgrounds

All traffic should enter through the main park entrance on Park Boulevard. Construction within Riverdale Regional Park may affect the flow of traffic into and out of the park at times. Please follow all marked signs.

Project Overview

The Riverdale Regional Park Improvements include improvements to the Brantner Gulch to remediate floodplain and drainage issues, upgraded site infrastructure and utilities, midway relocation for the safety and accessibility of users and visitors throughout the entire Fairgrounds, new barns with updated features, and the addition of an outdoor covered arena. The majority of the project was completed by August 2026, with the finalization of landscaping and lighting taking place throughout the Fall.

People enjoying a park beside large parking area and bus terminal

Tasks and Timelines
Task	Estimated Timeline	Progress Status	Responsibility
Brantner Gulch Stream Restoration and Flood Mitigation	Fall 2026	In Progress	Mile High Flood District/Muller/CEI
Infrastructure and Utility Modernization	December 2024-Mid-2026	Complete	Populous/Mortenson
Midway Redesign	January 2025-June 2025	Complete	DHM/Mortenson
Park Boulevard Construction	March 2026-June 2026	Complete	Mile High Flood District/Muller/CEI
Barns	April 2025-June 2026	Complete	DHM/Mortenson
Outdoor Covered Arena and Horse Barn	August 2025 – Mid-2026	Complete	Populous/Mortenson

The site infrastructure, utilities, and midway projects took place in unison with the Brantner Gulch improvements and began in December 2024. The midway was completed in July 2025, and two of the new barns were completed in December 2025. The outdoor arena and third barn were completed and opened for use in August 2026.

Brantner Gulch Improvements

The Brantner Gulch Project is a collaborative partnership with the Mile High Flood District to design and construct stream restoration and flood control improvements in the Riverdale Regional Park to address the Brantner Gulch capacity issues and reduce flood risk. The project had been studied and in the works for the past 17 years to fix the stormwater flows from this highly developed watershed causing damage to infrastructure and sending overflows into nearby storage lakes, which threatened the natural resources, wildlife, and surrounding residents and businesses. This project constructed a new gulch to protect people and property against flooding, enhance the stormwater quality within the stream, and change the floodplain map effectively taking the fairgrounds out of the floodplain. It also provided an opportunity to beautify the park further, naturalize the area, and create more spaces for enjoying nature. These improvements established a foundation for future progress of the park, created a secondary egress for emergency vehicles, and expanded Park Boulevard for more efficient traffic flows.

Work began in November 2024 and continued in phases to accommodate operations and events. The remaining work is to finish the lake front edge and gulch overlook with natural park features and a picnic shelter. The completion is planned in fall-2026.

Aerial view of a park with a winding path, parking lot, and adjacent water body

Aerial view of construction site with winding road, landscaping, and adjacent parking areas

Aerial view of a newly constructed road with fresh asphalt, lined with orange safety cones and lush green trees, surrounded by a construction area and small lake on the right

Site Infrastructure and Utilities

Riverdale Regional Park was in need of infrastructure improvements to maintain existing facilities and usage and to prepare for future expansion and the increase in visitor usage. The project entails upgraded electrical, sanitary and storm sewer, domestic, fire, and raw water, and fiber for internet service. It also includes site work, improved drainage, roadways, parking lots, pedestrian paving, landscaping, and lighting.

Midway Relocation and Barns

The new Midway is large enough for the entire current Fair layout, plus expansion space. It provides better access, pedestrian safety, and enhanced experiences. It creates a drop-off area in close proximity to events and a dedicated bus lane.

The new barns creates an “Ag land” atmosphere and support the Grandstands, Outdoor Covered Arena, Adams County Fair, and other agricultural and livestock events within the Park.

Outdoor Covered Arena

This is a covered, open-air arena with a dirt floor to support equestrian, livestock, and community groups such as 4-H. It was completed in time for the 2026 Adams County Fair.