If you’re booked on a Wild Sky tandem paragliding flight — or coming along to watch someone else fly — Foothills Community Park in North Boulder is where your experience begins and ends. It’s the meeting point, the landing zone, and the place where non-flying guests spend their time while the pilot and passenger are in the air.
Here’s everything you need to know before you arrive.
Where is Foothills Community Park?
Foothills Community Park is located in North Boulder at the intersection of 6th Street and Locust Avenue. It sits at the base of the Wonderland Hill trail system and borders Wonderland Lake Open Space — a wildlife-rich preserve with a flat loop trail around the lake.
The park is approximately 2 miles north of downtown Boulder, about a 7-minute drive from Pearl Street. It is well-signed and easy to find once you’re in the North Boulder neighborhood.
For Google Maps: search “Foothills Community Park Boulder” or use the coordinates provided in your booking confirmation. Wild Sky will also send you the exact meeting point and parking details the evening before your flight.
The meeting point
Wild Sky flights meet at 6th and Locust, right at the main entrance to Foothills Community Park. Your pilot will be there to greet you and the rest of your group. Arrive at the time specified in your booking — not ten minutes late. The flight schedule depends on weather windows, and a late start can affect the thermal conditions your pilot is planning around.
If you’re driving from downtown Boulder, take Broadway north, turn left on Violet Avenue, then right on 6th Street. The park entrance will be on your right.
Parking
Foothills Community Park has a dedicated parking lot with free parking. In summer, the lot fills up on weekend mornings — primarily from hikers accessing the Wonderland Hill and Wonderland Lake trails. Aim to arrive at least 10 minutes before your scheduled meeting time to account for parking.
If the main lot is full, street parking is available on 6th Street and nearby residential streets. The walk from street parking to the park entrance is short.
What happens when you arrive
Your pilot will introduce themselves, confirm the group, and go over the basics of what to expect. If you haven’t filled out paperwork already, that happens here. Once everyone is accounted for, you drive to the trailhead together for the hike up to the launch site.
The drive to the trailhead takes about five minutes. From there, it’s a 15-minute hike up the Wonderland Hill ridgeline to the launch site. Your pilot carries the wing and gear. You just walk.
The landing zone
Wild Sky flights land back in Foothills Community Park, in the open grass area near the park’s main field. The approach comes in from the west — you’ll see the wing descend over the foothills and come in over the tree line before touching down on the grass.
The landing area is large, well-maintained, and clear of obstacles. Your pilot manages the entire approach and landing. As a passenger, your only job is to lift your feet as you come in. The touchdown is typically smooth — most guests are surprised by how gentle it is.
For non-flying guests
If you’re coming to watch someone else fly, Foothills Community Park is a genuinely nice place to spend an hour or two. Here’s what to know:
- Wonderland Lake loop: The flat trail around Wonderland Lake starts directly from the park and takes about 45 minutes at a relaxed pace. Wildlife — herons, ducks, prairie dogs, and occasionally deer — is visible year-round. It’s a great way to fill the time while the flyer is on the ridge.
- Picnic area: The park has picnic tables and open grass areas. Bring food and a blanket if you want to set up and watch the skies while you wait.
- Playground: There is a children’s playground near the parking lot — useful if you’re bringing kids who aren’t flying.
- Dogs welcome: The park allows dogs on leash. Keep them clear of the landing area during the flight approach.
You’ll be able to see the paraglider in the air from the park during most of the flight. On calm days the flight path brings the wing directly over the park before landing. On thermal days when the pilot is working higher altitude, look up and to the west to track the wing above the ridge.
What to bring to the park
- Water — the park does not have water fountains near the main field
- Sunscreen — the park is largely open and exposed, especially in summer
- A light layer — mornings in the park can be cool even in July
- A camera or charged phone — the landing approach makes for great photos
- Snacks — there are no food vendors at the park
After the flight
Once the pilot and passenger land, there’s typically 10 to 15 minutes of gear-down time, photos, and post-flight debrief before everyone heads back to their cars. Several guests choose to walk the Wonderland Lake loop together after the flight — it’s a natural way to decompress and keep the morning going before heading into the rest of Boulder.
Ready to book?
Wild Sky Paragliding operates tandem flights above the Wonderland Hill ridgeline, launching from above Foothills Community Park and landing back in the park below. Flights are $335 per person and run April through October.
Book at wildskyparagliding.com or call (303) 442-3783. Your booking confirmation will include detailed directions, meeting point instructions, and any day-of updates.