Park construction began this fall on the $3.5-million first phase of construction for the new Centennial Park in Rifle. Lafayette’s Design Concepts designed the park. ECI Site Construction Management of Loveland is the contractor.

The 14-acre linear park is located in the heart of Rifle between the Park and Railroad avenues residential neighborhoods. It connects to the historic downtown on the south end and the county fairgrounds on the north end.

It will feature a “walk through time” along Rifle Creek, with interpretive areas that tell the story of the city over the past century.

New municipal infrastructure includes six pedestrian bridges, parking lots, an irrigation pump station and a dam on Rifle Creek. Environmental education components include outdoor classrooms and opportunities to teach the community about stream health, hydrology, native vegetation, and wildlife. Gateways to the park will be located at 3rd Street, 5th Street and Railroad Avenue.