346 North Lincoln Ave 

Loveland, CO  80537 

Update: March 9, 2026

The Loveland Parks & Recreation Department has begun early planning for the redevelopment of Thompson Park, located at Fourth Street and North Lincoln Avenue in downtown Loveland. The project was introduced at the Loveland City Projects Fair on March 9, 2026, where attendees viewed informational exhibit boards and completed a public questionnaire to help identify priorities for future park amenities and activities.

Background 

Thompson Park occupies the former site of Loveland’s Palmer Building, at the corner of Fourth Street and Lincoln Avenue, which stood for nearly a century before being destroyed by fire in 1988. The park was constructed on the building’s footprint and remains the only publicly owned park space within the downtown core.

Nearly 40 years later, the approximately 5,000‑square‑foot pocket park sees limited daily use. Its dark, dated, and uninviting environment—combined with minimal updates since its original construction—has contributed to low activity levels. Meanwhile, downtown Loveland has transformed significantly, with major mixed‑use developments such as The Foundry, Patina Flats, Gallery Flats, and Lincoln Place Apartments adding more than 420 new residential units alongside commercial, retail, and restaurant spaces.

The City has also invested heavily in the Fourth Street Revitalization Project, part of the broader Heart Improvement Plan (HIP Streets). This work, located directly adjacent to Thompson Park, provides a strong foundation and visual catalyst for reimagining the park to better match the renewed downtown streetscape and meet the current needs of downtown residents and visitors.

Project Vision

The Thompson Park redevelopment project aims to re‑activate this important public space to better serve Loveland’s growing downtown population and complement the momentum created by HIP Streets. With guidance from the Loveland Downtown Development Authority (DDA), the new design will focus on:

•  Flexible event and gathering space to support festivals, performances, and community activities—opportunities not possible in the current layout.

• Daily-use amenities such as seating, tables, and small gathering areas for residents, workers, and visitors.
• Improved lighting, materials, and safety features to support year‑round use and extended hours.
• Upgraded utilities and infrastructure to enable expanded programming and events.
• A cohesive aesthetic that aligns with the revitalized Fourth Street corridor and strengthens downtown’s identity.

Timeline and Funding

Design work will continue through spring and summer 2026, including additional public engagement and ongoing collaboration with the DDA. Construction is anticipated to begin in late 2026.  The project will be funded by Parks Capital Expansion fees with no impact to Loveland’s General Fund.