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Ford Park

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 Vail, 81657

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About

Ford Park is one of Vail's two community parks, the spread of lawns, sports fields and gardens along Gore Creek just east of Vail Village. It holds more than most visitors expect from a town park: Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, the Bill Wright Tennis Center, the Vail Recreation District's main athletic fields, and a custom-built playground with a picnic shelter beside it.

It suits families who want a playground and a picnic within reach of the village, anyone heading to a summer concert or a tournament, and visitors who simply want a quieter green space by the creek. Most of what happens here happens in summer.

The lower bench: playground and picnics

The Town of Vail custom designs and builds its playgrounds, often with an artist on the design team, and Ford Park's play area sits on the park's lower bench next to open lawn, picnic tables under a shelter, half-court basketball and the Moroles sculpture area. The park is available for casual gatherings on a first-come, first-served basis. Leave the dog at home: Town rules exclude Ford Park from the parks where leashed dogs are allowed.

Fields and courts

The Vail Recreation District runs softball, soccer, lacrosse, rugby and football fields here, the hub for its summer sports camps, adult leagues and events such as the Vail Lacrosse Tournament and 3v3 Soccer Tournament. A further soccer field and sand volleyball courts sit just south along Vail Valley Drive, and the tennis center offers lessons and leagues.

Getting there and parking

From Vail Village it is an easy walk east; from Golden Peak, follow Vail Valley Drive east for about five minutes to the stairs down to the creek and cross the bridge. The free East Vail bus stops at Ford Park. Drivers use the Ford Park lot off South Frontage Road East, which is paid by the hour in summer and charges a flat fee on scheduled event days, so check the FAQ and the Town's event calendar before a concert.

What is in the park

Betty Ford Alpine Gardens: the botanical gardens and education center inside the park, with tours and programs. Visit its own listing for hours.

Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater: the open-air summer stage for concerts, the Bravo! Vail music festival and dance performances. Tickets and schedules are on its listing.

Bill Wright Tennis Center: the Vail Recreation District's tennis courts, with youth and adult lessons and leagues. Call 970-479-2294.

Athletic fields: run by the Vail Recreation District for leagues, camps and tournaments; contact its sports department for field use.

Vail Nature Center: close by on Vail Valley Drive and listed by the Town among Ford Park's programming partners, with guided walks and youth and adult programs.

Sources: Town of Vail parks and playgrounds, Vail Recreation District athletic fields, Town of Vail summer parking. Checked September 23, 2026.

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Contact Information

Company Name
Ford Park
Location
646 Vail Valley Dr
Vail, 81657

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About Ford Park

Quick answer: Ford Park is a business at 646 Vail Valley Dr, Vail, CO 81657. Ford Park, just east of Vail Village: playground, picnic shelter, sports fields, tennis, Betty Ford Alpine Gardens and the Ford Amphitheater.

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Ford Park is one of Vail's two community parks, the spread of lawns, sports fields and gardens along Gore Creek just east of Vail Village. It holds more than most visitors expect from a town park: Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, the Bill Wright Tennis Center, the Vail Recreation District's main athletic fields, and a custom-built playground with a picnic shelter beside it.

It suits families who want a playground and a picnic within reach of the village, anyone heading to a summer concert or a tournament, and visitors who simply want a quieter green space by the creek. Most of what happens here happens in summer.

The lower bench: playground and picnics

The Town of Vail custom designs and builds its playgrounds, often with an artist on the design team, and Ford Park's play area sits on the park's lower bench next to open lawn, picnic tables under a shelter, half-court basketball and the Moroles sculpture area. The park is available for casual gatherings on a first-come, first-served basis. Leave the dog at home: Town rules exclude Ford Park from the parks where leashed dogs are allowed.

Fields and courts

The Vail Recreation District runs softball, soccer, lacrosse, rugby and football fields here, the hub for its summer sports camps, adult leagues and events such as the Vail Lacrosse Tournament and 3v3 Soccer Tournament. A further soccer field and sand volleyball courts sit just south along Vail Valley Drive, and the tennis center offers lessons and leagues.

Getting there and parking

From Vail Village it is an easy walk east; from Golden Peak, follow Vail Valley Drive east for about five minutes to the stairs down to the creek and cross the bridge. The free East Vail bus stops at Ford Park. Drivers use the Ford Park lot off South Frontage Road East, which is paid by the hour in summer and charges a flat fee on scheduled event days, so check the FAQ and the Town's event calendar before a concert.

What is in the park

Betty Ford Alpine Gardens: the botanical gardens and education center inside the park, with tours and programs. Visit its own listing for hours.

Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater: the open-air summer stage for concerts, the Bravo! Vail music festival and dance performances. Tickets and schedules are on its listing.

Bill Wright Tennis Center: the Vail Recreation District's tennis courts, with youth and adult lessons and leagues. Call 970-479-2294.

Athletic fields: run by the Vail Recreation District for leagues, camps and tournaments; contact its sports department for field use.

Vail Nature Center: close by on Vail Valley Drive and listed by the Town among Ford Park's programming partners, with guided walks and youth and adult programs.

Sources: Town of Vail parks and playgrounds, Vail Recreation District athletic fields, Town of Vail summer parking. Checked September 23, 2026.

Parks Playgrounds

Amenities at Ford Park

  • Playground
  • Picnic shelter
  • Picnic tables
  • Grills
  • Restrooms
  • Half-court basketball
  • Athletic fields
  • Tennis courts
  • Sand volleyball
  • Sculpture garden
  • Gardens
  • Amphitheater

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Ford Park?
Just east of Vail Village along Gore Creek in Vail, Colorado. The parking lot entrance is off South Frontage Road East, about 0.9 mile east of the main Vail roundabout (I-70 exit 176). The park holds the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, athletic fields, the Bill Wright Tennis Center and a playground.
How much is parking at Ford Park?
In summer the Ford Park lot is $2 per hour with the first hour free and a $10 maximum per transaction; on scheduled event days, event parking is $20 at entry. In winter the first 2 hours are free, then $10 on non-peak days and $20 on peak days. There is no overnight parking at the Ford Park lot. Walking from Vail Village (about 10 minutes) or the free town bus avoids the charge entirely.
Are dogs allowed in Ford Park?
No. Town of Vail rules allow leashed dogs in town parks except Ford Park, and dogs must also stay at least 100 feet from any athletic field. The town's off-leash dog areas are Bighorn Park in East Vail and Stephens Park in West Vail.
What is there to do at Ford Park?
Playground with slides, climbing features and swings, picnic areas with grills and restrooms, half-court basketball, a sculpture garden, and open lawns on the lower bench; Vail Recreation District athletic fields for softball, soccer, lacrosse, rugby and football; eight clay tennis courts at the Bill Wright Tennis Center in season; plus two attractions inside the park with their own listings: the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens (free, open dawn to dusk) and the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater for summer concerts and festivals.
Can I reserve Ford Park for a group or a picnic?
General park space and picnic tables are first-come, first-served. One exception: the Ford Park Sports Central picnic area can be reserved through the Town of Vail at 970-477-5278. For athletic field use, leagues or events, contact the Vail Recreation District sports department at 970-479-2280.
How do I play tennis at Ford Park?
The Bill Wright Tennis Center, run by the Vail Recreation District, has eight Har-Tru clay courts and a pro shop, open June through October. Courts are bookable by the hour (2026: $40 per hour in the morning, $30 per hour from 1 p.m.), with rentals, private lessons, clinics and season passes also available. Call 970-479-2294. The center is closed in winter.
Are concerts at Ford Park, and where do I get tickets?
Concerts take place at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, the open-air venue inside Ford Park (about 2,600 guests, covered pavilion plus lawn), operated by the Vail Valley Foundation. Its summer season includes Bravo! Vail, the Vail Dance Festival and the free Hot Summer Nights series. Schedules, tickets, seating and bag policy are on the Amphitheater's own listing and at grfavail.com; the park itself sells no tickets.
How do I get to Ford Park without a car?
Walk east from Vail Village along the Gore Creek path or South Frontage Road (about 10 minutes), or ride the free town bus: the East Vail bus from the Vail Transportation Center stops at Ford Park, and the Golf Course bus serves the Vail Valley Drive soccer field at the Soccer Field stop. From Golden Peak, walk east on Vail Valley Drive about five minutes to the stairs down to the creek bridge.
What is Ford Park like in winter?
The park grounds stay open and the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens are open daily from dawn to dusk year-round, but the athletic fields are out of season, the Bill Wright Tennis Center is closed, and the Amphitheater is dark until summer. Winter parking in the Ford Park lot is free for the first 2 hours.

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