Gardens on Spring Creek

The Gardens on Spring Creek transform a floodway site into a flourishing botanical destination where specialty gardens, a 1,500-person performance lawn, and intuitive pathways create a year-round community experience.

GOALS

The Gardens on Spring Creek expansion built upon the vision set by previous master planning efforts, bringing nature’s rejuvenating splendor to life through low water use, native horticultural diversity and botanical landscapes. RVi (formerly Russell + Mills Studio) aimed to weave specialty gardens, a performance venue, and intuitive circulation together while navigating floodway conditions and supporting fundraising strategies, creating a vibrant backdrop for community enrichment.

OUTCOMES

The Gardens on Spring Creek is a vibrant public destination showcasing regional biodiversity enriched with community programming and resilient design. A series of themed and specialty gardens invite visitors to wander at their own pace, discovering hundreds of plant species across distinct ecological expressions. Prairie-inspired plantings, foothills flora, edible gardens, and areas dedicated to children’s discovery each offer unique environments curated to create a dynamic, educational, and sensory-rich experience.

Meandering pathways guide guests through rock gardens, a xeric strip, and the signature “Undaunted Garden” featuring drought-tolerant species curated locally. Casual, intuitive circulation reflects the character of Colorado’s terrain across the naturalistic, yet polished, segments. Strategic parking and access improvements support safety and accessibility, offering designated drop-off zones for school groups and elderly visitors. Pedestrian and bike paths are protected—and educational, with informational placards designed for readability in motion.
At the center of the Gardens, Everitt Pavillion activates a half-acre event lawn, accommodating performances and gatherings for up to 1,500 guests. Thorough acoustic analyses informed the construction of sound walls to meet noise ordinances and provide a sound buffer for surrounding neighborhoods. A no-rise, no-fill approach to grading and garden layouts helped RVi to protect the site’s hydrologic function and enable development without compromising environmental performance.

Finally, engaging graphics were developed to support fundraising efforts, which gained more than $2.1 million to ensure feasible delivery and long-term viability.