An Open Letter to the Community
Jun 14, 2017
Dear Neighbor,
We are writing to share information on Denver’s Platte to Park Hill: Stormwater Systems program. This vital public infrastructure will provide critical flood protection to at-risk neighborhoods and create the backbone for a system we can build upon in the future while preserving and creating opportunities to improve parks and open space. The need for this program is clear, as are its goals and benefits.
Updating a Century-Old Stormwater Network
This effort is needed to provide flood protection to Denver neighborhoods north and east of downtown. With no natural drainage creek or stream in the area, and a century-old network of underground pipes that are aging and undersized, these neighborhoods are the most at-risk for flooding in Denver. The need for Platte to Park Hill is well documented and it is one of many programs paid for by stormwater management fees.
A Sustainable Approach to Infrastructure Modernization
Open stormwater systems in the form of naturalized waterways, like those being integrated throughout Platte to Park Hill, are a nationally recognized engineering best practice. This type of sustainable infrastructure provides opportunities to create more urban green-space in the heart of our city. It also improves water quality through natural filtration and ultraviolet purification from sunlight, ultimately benefitting the health of our community and the South Platte River.
Integrating stormwater detention in existing parks, including golf courses, is a sustainable and very common practice because of the many environmental, public safety and recreational benefits it provides. Locally and nationally, golf courses have a proven track record of providing neighboring communities with effective flood control. Ultimately, the four Platte to Park Hill projects will work together to control stormwater in a manner that is safe and environmentally friendly.
Conceptual design of the community trail along the new 39th Avenue Greenway
City Park Golf Course will always be one of Denver’s most beloved 18-hole courses
Creating Neighborhood Amenities
In addition to environmental protections, this sustainable design approach creates new neighborhood amenities and green spaces for community enjoyment, including:
- New Recreational Open Spaces: Creation of 12 acres of new recreational open space, including a roughly two-mile long biking/walking trail that connects people to neighborhood destinations along the new 39th Avenue Greenway and Open Channel
- Upgrades and Expansion of Globeville Landing Park: The addition of about a half an acre of new parkland, and new park amenities, at Globeville Landing Park
- City Park Golf Course: The redesign will preserve the best features of the current course and enhance how all elements fit together. Panoramic views, tree-lined fairways, small undulating greens and an accessible clubhouse will continue to be enjoyed by golfers and neighbors alike for generations to come
- Community Connectivity: Opportunities to safely improve pedestrian and bicycle connections in and around each of the Platte to Park Hill projects
Collaborative and Community-Focused
Community input has been vital to the development of these projects. Since the planning process began in the summer of 2015, the City has:
- Held dozens of community meetings and met with nearly 2,500 individuals
- Received nearly 1,000 community input surveys and comments
- Signed-up nearly 1,500 subscribers for project updates
The City continues to involve community representatives in the design-build team selection for these projects, and community outreach will be ongoing during final design and construction.
Please visit our website at www.denvergov.org/PlatteToParkHill for the latest information and to sign up for project updates, or email PlatteToParkHill@denvergov.org to reach the project team directly.
Sincerely,
Allegra "Happy" Haynes
Executive Director
Denver Parks and Recreation
George Delaney
Interim Executive Director
Denver Public Works