Forest Park Improvement Project

A project to improve the Municipal Pool, remodel the Band Shell and improve Ninth Avenue is being discussed by the El Dorado City Commission. Following public input through a city-wide survey, the Commission has decided on a direction for the projects, which will include a November ballot question for a sales tax to fund the projects. Together, these investments reflect the City’s commitment to preserving Forest Park while improving its facilities and infrastructure for residents and visitors to enjoy for years to come.

Below you can watch the video with City Manager David Dillner, where he shares the presentation on the survey results given to the City Commission during a Work Session on Jan. 14, 2026. You can also view the survey results presentation.

  1. Aquatic Center Project 
  2. Band Shell Project 
  3. Ninth Avenue Project

May 2023 - $185,000 was proposed to be provided in the 2024 Capital Improvement Plan for the amphitheater.

September 2024 - Residents came before the City Commission to ask the Commission to start the process of creating an Aquatic Center

October 2024 - A Request For Qualifications was sent out for a design consultant to assist with planning an aquatic center facility
 -  Gravity::Works Architecture submitted a request for proposal for the amphitheater project.

November 2024 - The Aquatic Center Committee reviewed the proposals from five firms interested in providing services; the Committee narrowed that to three firms to be interviewed

February 2025 - The Commission approved the planning services agreement with Garver

March 2025 - A survey was conducted to get input from the community

April 1, 2025 -  At the City Commission meeting, the Excess Sales Tax Committee recommendation to fund the amphitheater project for $300,000 was presented and approved as part of the Excess Sales Tax recommendations.

April 30, 2025 - The five-year Capital Improvement Plan was presented to the Commission at a Work Session for review. This plan included funding $300,000 for the amphitheater in 2025. 
   - Options for three designs were presented to the Commission.

July 2025 - Input is gathered at Fourth of July Celebration, Municipal Band Concert and Baseball Game.
 - Citizens took part in a survey to give input on their preferred design option. Citizens expressed a desire to see an option to save the existing band shell in Forest Park.

August 2025 - Gravity::Works prepared a concept to preserve the existing band shell in Forest Park and make it more accessible.
  - Design options were changed to two Gordy Park designs and the remodeled Band Shell at Forest Park.

September 2025 - A basic plan for renovations to extend the life of the current facility was created as an option.
  - Input was gathered at Gold Fest.
  - Citizens could stop by the booth at Gold Fest to give their input on two design options at Gordy Park or the Forest Park Band Shell.

September 2025 - City Commission determines more community input is needed on a design.

November 2025 - Survey to be mailed out to residents for further input.

December 2025 - Deadline to have surveys returned.

January 2026 - Summary of survey results presented to the Commission.