Natural fit, modern function

Colorado National Monument Saddlehorn Amphitheater and Trails

Logan Simpson led a team to create conceptual designs and develop construction documents for updates and repairs to this disused Mission 66 facility in Colorado National Monument (COLM). A preferred plan for improvements to the amphitheater, parking area, and connecting trails was developed through intensive site layout and grading studies to provide facilities that would meet current building codes or accessibility standards while having minimal impacts on the surrounding slow-growing desert vegetation. The design included a new stage and performance cover with a retractable screen; refurbished wood benches using original timber; accessible viewing spaces and seat backs for companion seating areas; and regraded, widened, and realigned access trails including and a new trail to provide universal accessibility to seating and the performance stage. Both ADA and ABAAS accessibility standards were applied to different areas of the project. Materials for the amphitheater and trails were selected to minimize their visual impact and local materials were utilized for trail surfacing, walls, and drainage and dissipation structures.

Services Provided

Hardscape Design, Landscape Design

Location

Colorado

Highlights

Restoring historic recreation to modern standards
Improving accessible experiences in primitive settings
Design to reduce impact to the physical environment and visual experience
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