Event Pavilion and Cafe Revealed as Part of Ongoing Park Revitalization
Centennial Park Conservancy is excited to share an update regarding elements of the ongoing Centennial Park Revitalization plan. Below is an recent overview of portions of the new things planned at Centennial Park. News of the new event pavilion and cafe can also be found in these media outlets:
Overview: As part of the ongoing Centennial Park Revitalization, the upcoming improvements to the Northern section of the park will introduce a new vehicular grand entrance along Park Plaza, repurpose the historic Croquet Clubhouse into a cafe, build a new Event Pavilion along Lake Watauga, and provide a bevy of walkability enhancements through new pathways. All work will occur in the north sector of Centennial Park and include:
Pathways and Access: Conceptualized planned improvement will increase vehicular access along the Park’s northern boundary, as well as create new multi-modal pathways from the corner of 31st Avenue and Park Plaza. These enhancements will improve pedestrian access from the 28th Ave Connector and overall connectivity.
New Events Pavilion: A new 6,465-square-foot event pavilion will be constructed — the first structure built in the park since 1963. The Event Pavilion will be a world-class gathering space nestled on Centennial Park’s Lake Watauga. It will bring our community together by serving as a destination for public and private events, including the park's popular Big Band Dances. This new pavilion will shelter a large open space that provides flexibility for various community celebrations and event configurations, including theater, banquet, and cocktail party settings, which are anticipated to accommodate over 400 people seated in a banquet setting and 1,250 standing.
Croquet Clubhouse Revitalization: The park’s historic Croquet Clubhouse structure will be repurposed into a cafe to serve park visitors with quality concessions. This new park amenity will offer affordable food, refreshments, and merchandise to neighbors and visitors. The cafe will also feature public restrooms, an often requested need in recent visitor surveys. With an expansive outdoor courtyard, public restrooms, and indoor seating, the cafe will refresh visitors while utilizing its proceeds to help support park enhancements.
The design phase for the event pavilion and the cafe projects is currently being finalized. Construction is expected to begin in early 2024 and be completed in 2025.
Members of the design team that are contributing to this project include: Metro Parks Planning Department, Collier Engineering, HDLA, Dryden Architecture and Design, and Centennial Park Conservancy.