Parks
West 46th Avenue Boulevard
The included portion of West 46th Avenue Boulevard extends along the south boundary of Rocky Mountain Lake Park to Stuart Street, one block east of Berkeley Lake Park. West 46th Avenue Boulevard, Rocky Mountain Lake Park, and Berkeley Lake Park, are reminders of the series of water parks and connecting parkways proposed on Edward Rollandet's map of greenbelts for the entire city.
History
West 46th Avenue Boulevard acts as a greenbelt, connecting major public spaces and extending further west than any other boulevard parkway in the area. This boulevard forms a soft, transitional border to Rocky Mountain Lake Park, completed in 1910. Planting schemes by DeBoer exist on the west side of the park; however, no evidence exists of the designer of the parkway.
Historical Evolution
At Grove Street, the south tree lawn consisted of a double Honeylocust row, planted in a triangular pattern at a tight 18 foot spacing. Canopy trees, when planted at such close quarters, form an upright canopy, which give emphasis to the vertical nature of the tree trunk. The 65 year old Honeylocust planting scheme shows there may have been early concern for the monoculture of Elms as well as Dutch Elm Disease.
On the north side of West 46th Avenue Boulevard, linear rows of Plains Cottonwood occurred along the street, then a row of Lindens, then a walkway, another row of Lindens, and another row of towering Cottonwoods. A half circle entry at Irving Street (curbed with pink sandstone) is lined with Dolgo Crabapple surrounding flower beds. Effective focal point celebrates the entry into Rocky Mountain Lake Park. Trash receptacles intrude into this space, diminishing the experience of a formal entry.
Farther west, the right-of-way narrowed. Single rows of Honeylocust defined the street edge. The small leaves of the Honeylocust give a delicate appearance and formed a nice overhead canopy, which contrast with the massive Elm lined streets of some of the other parkways and boulevards.