Release Date: 11-21-2007

Denver Parks and Recreation begins two-year analysis of historic mountain park system

(DENVER) Denver Parks and Recreation will begin a two-year master planning process for its historic 14,000 acre mountain park system in January 2007. The primary purpose of the mountain park master plan is to bring the 1914 vision that created the Denver Mountain Parks into the 21^st century, balancing recreation needs with preservation of natural and historic resources.  The 14,000 acres of mountain parks, located in four counties, make Denver Parks and Recreation’s system unique in the nation.   No other city has a park system that includes the top of a mountain (Mt. Evans), Red Rocks amphitheatre and park, a ski resort, bison, and Buffalo Bill’s grave. The system of scenic parks and roads was designed by nationally renowned Olmsted Brothers firm in Massachusetts and the system is registered on the National Register of Historic Places.  The master plan process will be broad in nature involving partners from four other counties, federal and state agencies, and residents in five counties.

“Denver’s early vision to build a mountain park system that captures the very essence of being in Colorado, yet close to home for urban visitors, is the envy of other cities,” commented Denver Parks and Recreation Manager, Kim Bailey.  “In 1920, visitors filled their radiators at the wells in each park; today, kids whiz down the mountain on the zip line at the city’s challenge course. Who knows what our grandchildren will be doing but we need to ensure that they will enjoy the parks as well.”

To support the funding of the mountain park master plan, Denver Parks and Recreation secured a 2006GreatOutdoors Colorado planning grant in the amount of $75,000.  In addition, the Denver Mountain Parks Foundation, a non-profit foundation dedicated to restoring the Denver Mountain Parks, contributed funds to conduct a survey of mountain park users.  The total funding for the master plan is estimated at $150,000.  Implementation of the plan will be funded by a combination of private and public dollars.

The lead consultant for Denver Mountain Parks master plan is Mundus Bishop Design, Inc., a Denver planning and landscape architecture firm that specializes in park design, urban design, and historic preservation. User surveys were completed last summer by the firm, Marketing Support.   Planning is expected begin this January and will include natural resource inventories and focus groups with specialized recreation groups. Other firms working on the project include Andrews and Anderson, P.C., The Trust for Public Lands, ERO Resources, Walden Group, Community Focus, Fehr & Peers, and CTM Mapping.

For more information about the Denver Mountain Park master planning process, contact Susan Baird, Denver Parks and Recreation, at 720-913-0617 or at susan.baird@ci.denver.co.us.  For more information about the Denver Mountain Parks Foundation, visit www.denvermountainparks.org.