The South Platte River is getting some sprucing up along an 11-mile stretch in Denver that will see five parks pop up by the end of next year.
The total project is a $24.5 million investment to restore natural areas along the riverbanks — from Grant Frontier Park in southwest Denver to Confluence Park just outside downtown — areas that had been neglected until recently.
“There are opportunities to densify and infill if we can make the river an amenity,” said Michael Bouchard, project manager and senior landscape architect for Denver Parks and Recreation.
Historically, these areas have been treated as dumps and sewers, industrial areas with pipes that spilled sewage into the river. Now the areas can help with flood control.
The city has been eyeing this project since 2010 when the South Platte River Vision Implementation Plan was explored and completed. By 2013, Denver Parks and Recreation had the necessary $24.5 million in the bank to begin planning and implementing the revitalization.
The city put up the highest amount at just under $9 million. Great Outdoors Colorado invested nearly $5 million with $1 million going to trail improvements at all the parks. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and Urban Drainage each contributed just over $3 million. In all, 13 organizations, including the city, contributed to the project.
“We’re at a point where, in the next 18 months we will be able to realize all $24.5 million in the ground, constructed and ready for the public,” Bouchard said.
Mayor Michael Hancock identified the projects along the river in his State of the City address in July.
“It’s a great way to leverage our natural resources and create natural and economic stimulus,” Hancock said.
The first completed project will be Weir Gulch in the Sun Valley neighborhood. The park will transform the area where the gulch spills into the South Platte River, and it will provide a park for one of the most underserved communities in the city. There will be a splash pad and playground in the area.
The Weir Gulch project cost $3.2 million and broke ground in January. It will be open in September.
Urban Drainage was heavily invested in this project, and executive director Paul Hindman said his group is supporting revitalization projects along rivers now because it’s always good to have extra eyes on the area.
“Any project along the river where we can help make flood flows go through better, we’re a supporter,” Hindman said.
Urban Drainage was formed by the state legislature in 1969 to take care of main drainage areas in the Denver metro area.
Sun Valley Youth Center director Kris Rollerson said she has noticed a lot of excitement from the children she watches during the day. She said the kids are invested in the area and already are discussing the possibility of a graffiti wall to prevent tagging in other parts of the park.
“They’ve been part of the process,” Rollerson said of the kids. “I think it’s pretty cool.”
Johnson Habitat will be the second project completed, bordering the Athmar Park neighborhood south of Alameda Avenue. The project broke ground in April and should be open by April 2015. Bouchard said this will be the flagship park of this project, costing $7.2 million.
The Greenway Foundation and Denver Public Schools will make much use of the site as they give kids a chance to camp there with a new fire pit without having to go the mountains. The amenities will focus on nature play with natural materials.
The other projects — Confluence Park, Florida to Ashbury Reach and Grant Frontier to Pasqiunel’s Landing — will break ground between this fall and early next year.
“There is nothing more important that we can be doing than restore the area on the riverbanks,” Hancock said.
Joe Vaccarelli: 303-954-2396, jvaccarelli@denverpost.com or twitter.com/joe_vacc
