The City has announced that the department representing the City’s golf, museum, library, theater, open lands & trails, public art, parks and recreation service areas has a new name. The Community Placemaking Department was introduced at City Council Tuesday night.  

“We are very proud to share that we are your Community Placemaking Department, where PLACE represents our commitment to Providing Lifelong Access to Connections and Experiences,” said Kara Kish, director of the community placemaking department. “We know that our greatest strength comes when we truly operate as One City, One Team. This allows us to coordinate more effectively and provide more consistent, efficient service to our community. After several months, our team has found our voice and our identity.” 

The name Community Placemaking reflects the collective impact that these services and critical contributions provide to the Loveland community. It is built on the foundation that connections made through City-provided programs, services, facilities and public lands are foundational to Loveland’s thriving and vibrant community.  

Kish added that, “Community Placemaking connects people to each other, to the quiet and beauty of nature, to knowledge and learning, play, history, health and well-being. Placemaking is not passive; it is action oriented, it is intentional. Our parks, library, museum, theater, natural areas, trails, public art, golf courses, and recreation and senior centers are not simply places on a map. They are vibrant, living spaces, activated every day by people gathering together, exploring, celebrating, and learning. This is public and social infrastructure at its greatest strength: always active and always in service to our community.” 

Earlier this year, the City of Loveland announced a new strategic alignment aimed at strengthening collaboration and efficiency. As part of this alignment, programs and services provided through the Library, Cultural Services, and Parks & Recreation were unified into one department. The new, unified department brings together numerous City services highly valued by Loveland residents. Lovelanders shared high marks for local open space amenities and cultural, arts, and music opportunities in the 2024 National Community Survey.