Why Are Improvements Needed?

Today, floodwaters move through the park and downstream toward neighborhoods north of Yale Avenue and Iliff Avenue. While improvements proposed elsewhere in the corridor can help reduce flooding, additional flood storage within Bible Park is needed to provide meaningful protection during larger storm events.

At the same time, Bible Park is one of the most loved and frequently used areas along Goldsmith Gulch. Any improvements must balance flood protection with the trails, open space, recreation opportunities, and natural character that residents value.

What We Heard in Phase 1 Engagement

Top Community Priorities Included:

What Will Change?

Yale Avenue Flood Protection Improvements

Yale Avenue Flood Protection Improvements

The existing berm along Yale Avenue already helps hold back floodwaters during major storm events.

One option being considered would modestly raise portions of the berm to increase flood storage and reduce downstream flooding while minimizing impacts to existing trees, park views, and amenities. Most areas of the berm would be raised less than one foot, with slightly larger increases in select locations east of the park entrance.

Potential Benefits

  • Improved flood protection downstream
  • Reduced flood impacts throughout the corridor
  • Minimal changes to the appearance of Bible Park
  • Preservation of most existing trees and park features
Image of the northern end of Bible park showcasing the berm elevation changes and tree removal and relocation necessary to improve flooding risks.

Strengthening Flood Protection at Yale Avenue

This concept illustrates potential improvements to the existing berm along Yale Avenue, which already helps reduce flooding downstream. Modest increases in berm height could provide additional flood storage during major storms while minimizing impacts to existing park features, views, and trees. The design team is exploring ways to balance flood protection benefits with preservation of the park character residents value today.

Safer Trail Connections

Safer Trail Connections

Flood storage improvements would require modification of the existing Yale Avenue pedestrian underpass.

Because the current underpass regularly floods and can become unsafe during storm events, the project team is exploring relocating the primary crossing to the nearby High Line Canal crossing location. This could create a safer and more reliable connection for people walking and bicycling.

Potential Benefits

  • Improved trail connectivity
  • Reduced flooding in underpass areas
  • Safer year-round pedestrian and bicycle access
  • Better connections between regional trail systems
Image showcases the relocation of the existing underpass at Yale Avenue.

Safer and More Reliable Trail Connections

This concept explores relocating the existing Yale Avenue underpass to a new crossing near the High Line Canal. The current underpass frequently experiences flooding during storm events, which can create safety concerns and maintenance challenges. A new crossing could provide a safer, more reliable connection between Bible Park, Goldsmith Gulch, and the regional trail network while supporting broader flood protection improvements throughout the corridor.

Nature Based Flood Storage Areas

Nature-Based Flood Storage Areas

Several concepts explore creating new flood storage areas within the less-used southern portions of Bible Park.

These concepts would temporarily store runoff during larger storms while expanding riparian habitat, wetland features, native vegetation, and wildlife habitat. Because these areas currently have limited programming and fewer trail connections, impacts to existing park uses would be relatively small.

Potential Benefits

  • Significant flood reduction benefits
  • Expanded wildlife habitat
  • Enhanced wetland and stream ecosystems
  • Improved ecological health throughout the corridor
Conceptual flood storage and habitat enhancements in Bible Park designed to reduce flooding while improving natural areas and trails.

Flood Protection Working Together with Nature

This concept shows how the southern portion of Bible Park could temporarily store stormwater during larger flood events while enhancing habitat, wetlands, and natural open space. New trails, overlooks, and ecological restoration areas could improve the park experience while helping reduce flood risk for downstream neighborhoods. The area would continue to function as parkland during normal conditions and provide additional flood storage when needed.

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