The Garrison Garden Paseo opened in October 2024, creating Arvada’s newest park.
Before its redevelopment, the Paseo was an uninviting, narrow, and steep pathway that felt unsafe for pedestrians and lacked visual interest or a sense of identity. Recognized as a vital community connector and a priority improvement as part of the Safe Routes to School initiative, the project transformed this area into a welcoming, functional, and visually engaging space.
Today, the Paseo serves as a critical pedestrian link, connecting the southern neighborhood to the newly completed affordable housing project at its northern end and further extending to the regional bike trail, park, and commercial amenities along Ralston Road. The design embraces the natural steep topography, creating terraced levels along the winding path and featuring a viewing platform that offers breathtaking, unobstructed views of the Flatirons and Front Range.
A standout feature of the Paseo is its innovative water element. Utilizing tailwater from the Swadley Ditch combined with seasonal storm runoff, the design incorporates a meandering cobblestone creek bed. This feature invites exploration, enhances the sensory experience with the sound of flowing water, and contributes to the space’s dynamic character.
The project also fosters community engagement through a partnership with the adjacent Arvada Gardeners, who are invited to plant and program demonstration gardens as an extension of their work. This collaboration enriches the Paseo’s role as a vibrant and multifaceted space that supports connectivity, recreation, and community interaction.
