Cottonwood Creek Park

Planning a visit to Cottonwood Creek Park? Below you will find park and facility details, the sporting events held here, and upcoming events. Visit Cottonwood Creek Park →

Venue Overview

Cottonwood Creek Park is a City of Colorado Springs park on the city’s north side, set along the creek that gives it its name and shaded by tall cottonwood trees with views of Pikes Peak. It combines a lighted ballfield complex, four soccer fields, tennis courts, an in-line hockey court and a disc golf course with paved, wheelchair accessible paths along the Cottonwood Creek Trail. It suits flat road races, field sports and disc golf, with an indoor recreation center on site.

About Cottonwood Creek Park

• Operated by the City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department.
• Three lighted softball and baseball fields with artificial turf.
• Four soccer fields.
• Tennis courts and an in-line hockey court.
• Disc golf course.
• Walking and running paths that are wheelchair accessible, plus a paved section of the Cottonwood Creek Trail.
• Playground, picnic tables and a sledding area.
• Cottonwood Creek Recreation Center, a YMCA facility with an indoor wave pool, slide and lazy river.
• Restrooms at the east and west ends of the sports fields.

History

The park’s Fantasy Playground opened in 2001, one of a series of themed playgrounds the city built at Palmer Park, Memorial Park and Cottonwood Creek. In 2020, crews began converting the three softball fields to artificial turf, a project funded by ballot measure 2B, which Colorado Springs voters approved in November 2019. The turf saves water and lets the lighted complex host other sports, such as soccer, without damaging the playing surface. The fields reopened for reservations in spring 2021.

Trails, Fields and Courts in Colorado Springs

The Cottonwood Creek Trail is a paved urban trail that follows the creek across northern Colorado Springs and links toward downtown via the Santa Fe Regional Trail and Pikes Peak Greenway. Inside the park, a loop around the sports fields and along the creek runs about 3.1 miles with modest elevation gain, passing under Rangewood Drive through a tunnel with a view of Pikes Peak.

Events Held Here

• Running: the Chilly Willy 5K, 10K and Half Marathon in winter and the Popsicle 5K, 10K and Half in summer, both run by Five Star NTP on out and back courses along the Cottonwood Creek Trail.
• Softball and baseball: games and tournaments on the three lighted turf fields.
• Soccer: youth and adult matches on four soccer fields and the turf complex.
• Disc golf: casual rounds and informal club play on the park course.

Upcoming events at this venue are listed below.

Lessons, Coaching & Programs

The YMCA runs swimming, fitness and family programs at Cottonwood Creek Recreation Center, and the City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department organizes youth and adult sports leagues that use city fields. Check the YMCA and the city’s parks and sports pages for programs that meet at this park.

Food, Drink & Amenities

• Picnic tables throughout the park.
• Restrooms at both ends of the sports fields, including an ADA accessible unit.
• Playground and sledding area.

Private Events & Groups

The turf ballfields are reservable through the City of Colorado Springs, and city park pavilions are booked through the city’s online reservation portal. Walks, runs and gatherings that go beyond a standard rental require a city Park Special Event Permit.

Access

The park sits between Rangewood Drive and Dublin Boulevard in northeast Colorado Springs, with free parking in several lots around the fields and the recreation center, including ADA spaces. The park follows the city’s seasonal park hours. Dogs are welcome on a leash.

Contact & Links

For park details and reservations, visit the City of Colorado Springs Cottonwood Creek Park page.

Questions About Cottonwood Creek Park

Where is Cottonwood Creek Park?

Cottonwood Creek Park is on the north side of Colorado Springs, between Rangewood Drive and Dublin Boulevard, in the 80918 area.

What sports facilities does Cottonwood Creek Park have?

The park has three lighted turf softball and baseball fields, four soccer fields, tennis courts, an in-line hockey court and a disc golf course.

Can I run at Cottonwood Creek Park?

Yes. Paved, wheelchair accessible paths and the Cottonwood Creek Trail run through the park, and a loop around the fields and creek is about 3.1 miles.

What races are held at Cottonwood Creek Park?

The Chilly Willy 5K, 10K and Half Marathon in winter and the Popsicle 5K, 10K and Half in summer use out and back courses on the Cottonwood Creek Trail.

Are dogs allowed at Cottonwood Creek Park?

Yes, dogs are allowed on a leash.

Can I reserve the fields at Cottonwood Creek Park?

Yes. The turf ballfields can be reserved through the City of Colorado Springs, and larger gatherings or races need a Park Special Event Permit.

How do I list my event?

Listing is free on Colorado Under Par at coloradounderpar.com/submit-event/, and it takes less than five minutes.

Planning Your Event Here

The flat creekside trail suits 5K, 10K and half marathon formats, and an out and back or double loop keeps the start and finish in one spot near the fields, where parking, restrooms and open space for packet pickup are close together. Plan for runners sharing the trail with walkers, cyclists and dog owners, and mark the Rangewood Drive underpass and turnarounds clearly. City park restrooms can be seasonal, so confirm availability or bring portable units for a winter race. Expect cold mornings and possible ice on shaded sections in winter. Any race needs a city Park Special Event Permit. Contact the venue for current pricing and availability.

Hosting an Event at Cottonwood Creek Park? List It on Colorado Under Par

Running a winter 5K, a charity half marathon, a softball tournament, a youth soccer day or a disc golf outing at Cottonwood Creek Park? List your event for free on Colorado Under Par. It takes less than five minutes at coloradounderpar.com/submit-event/.