The Yampa River Botanic Park is an innovative, perhaps unique, experiment in private/public development and maintenance of a public botanical gardens. The 6 acre park sits on land donated to the City of Steamboat Springs. The Park is maintained by an Association, a volunteer organization that was delegated by the City to manage the Park, raise funds, hire staff and design, create and maintain the gardens .
The Park is free and open to the public from dawn to dusk, May 1 through October 31. Free entry encourages people to visit often, to feel ownership in the Park, and encourages donations. The Park is high on the Chamber's list of tourist attractions.
Most plants in the Park are labeled with common and scientific names and show which plants are native only to Northwest Colorado (endemic).
Since 1999 the Park has hosted "Music on the Green", which is supported by local sponsors and is a partnership with Strings Music Festival. These events are free lunchtime classical and contemporary music concerts in a very informal atmosphere. Each season some 3,000 people attend these concerts, at least half of whom are visitors.
The Park is a popular venue for weddings and public events. Schools conduct classes here, summer camps regularly visit, The Green is used for live theater, opera, yoga, school classes and many other activities. In a corner of the Park is the Children's' Garden with gardens, bird nests, a play-house and an amphitheater. All through the park stepping-stones over streams, interesting trails, and sculptures attract children's attention.
