Circulation and access was a major concern in the planning procedure. Hazardous areas existed, particularly at the site's north end. Access to the campus stadium is via a bridge across the creek. Existing bridges over the creek path were set at right angles to the path, creating blind corners; pedestrians, bicycles, roller-bladers and baby carriages directly crossed the path of spectators and emergency vehicles trying to get to the stadium.

To alleviate these problems, a section of the path was relocated to the opposite bank to reduce the number of creek crossings. Where pedestrians needed access to the high school stadium on the opposite side of the creek, the bridge was elevated above the creek path. Since the new flood-safe bridge also served as the ticket sales and entry control point for the stadium, a large pedestrian plaza was designed for the end of the bridge. The plaza now serves as the gathering place before the games, and is a pleasant space for students and the general public to enjoy at other times. It also serves as the emergency vehicle access to the new two-lane bridge.

Firm Principal Robby Layton, ASLA outlines, "The most restrictive part of the site hydraulically was also the "busiest" part of the site. Placing ticket booths, lights, benches, railings, etc. all in this critical flood zone required close collaboration between the Landscape Architects and the engineers." He continues, "This area was a bottleneck on what may be one of the busiest bike/pedestrian paths in the country. The plaza, grade-separation, and relocating the bike path all contributed to solving this problem."

A new element introduced by the designers was decorative paving using pre-cast modular paving stones. A large medallion of pavers in the center of the plaza alleviates a large expanse of concrete. Because the plaza serves as the emergency access to the stadium, the pavers are used in repeating themes, including a large semi-circular medallion at the front door of the building. In other places, the pavers are used to make tree grates, or simply placed as random squares for visual interest. Rows of pavers signal cyclists and roller-bladers to slow down as they enter pedestrian zones.

Careful flood mitigation planning was required to make sure the new fields could accommodate heavy flows of water. Metal railings and gates at the end of the fields "break away" in the event of a flood to allow the waters to pass. Fences, walls and gates were carefully designed to meet the critical hydraulic requirements of the site including metal railings that would break away in a flood, yet stand up to the effects of high school students climbing, sitting, or leaning on them.

The design team chose benches, lighting, trash receptacles, and other furnishings that fit the character of the building, and also for resistance to skateboarders and vandalism. The ticket booths presented an interesting design challenge and were not in conformance with the city's floodplain regulations. The new structures are made of steel, with decorative panels of sandstone. They are designed to provide a comfortable and functional place for ticket agents to work in during all types of weather. They also have copper roofs that were treated with a special "tea" to provide an instant patina. The booths are not bolted down, but they do have adjustable leveling screws on their bases to allow for them to sit level on the sloping surface of the plaza.

Another concern was the preservation of trees existing on the site. With the addition of two soccer fields, a practice football field, and a 250-foot softball field, the loss of some trees was inevitable. With sensitive planning, several specimen trees were saved at the perimeter of the fields. American Lindens and other long-lived trees were chosen for the open lawn areas for the reason that as they mature, they will form a stately appearance for this significant landmark in Central Boulder. Many decades from now, this site will probably still be used as it is now, and the Lindens will provide a majestic presence to the landscape. Old cottonwoods along the creek and a grove of spruces at the west end of the site were preserved while. Both species blend with existing riparian landscape along the creek.

The Landscape Architects' role on this project was facilitative as well as technical. A big part of the firm's role was to blend the needs of the city with those of the school district, and to blend the engineering requirements as addressed by Love and Associates, Engineers, with the aesthetic and programming needs of the school and the use of the site as a park and as practice fields. This role showed the value of Landscape Architects as project facilitators, and not just technical consultants for landscape features.

With the removal of the structures in the creek corridor and creation of a park setting, the character of the area has completely changed. What was once a congested area is now an "open" area with spectacular views of the Flatirons. Firm Principal Axel Bishop, ASLA, explains, "In a city that puts every project under a microscope, this project created safer passage for bike trail users, connected the campus across the creek in a way that had never occurred before, and turned flood-prone run-down housing into beautiful, recreational green space in a city that lacked core area breathing room." Before these improvements were made, students were envious of other high schools in the region that had newer stadiums and plenty of practice field space. Now, the students are proud of their campus when other schools come here for games. lasn