Boone Family Mountain Center

YMCA of the Rockies (Estes Park, CO)

This 10,000-square-foot facility serves as “base camp” for nature, environmental, and high-adventure activities. Who comes to the new Mountain Center? YMCA members, guests, and neighbors from the community are all looking for advice on where to hike and what they might see or experience.

ECOS worked closely with the architect/contractor and other team members to weave in natural rockwork, floor treatments, murals, and sculptures that serve the placemaking and storytelling: Right here in these Rocky Mountains! A large walk-around topographic relief map with affiliated reader rail graphics helps orient visitors to the area and shows off many of the local lakes, trails, and mountain peaks.

In addition to housing a hands-on education nature center and two-story climbing wall, the Mountain Center serves as the staging and information launch pad for fishing, mountain biking, archery, low and high ropes courses, and the zip line.