Wash Park running trail improvements plan finalized | Sports & Recreation

After extensive community input, Denver Parks and Recreation (DPR) announces the finalized trail improvement plan for the north side of Washington Park. The final plan addresses several factors including safety issues, maintenance concerns and overall park stewardship. DPR is presenting the final plan to the Washington Park neighbors tonight at 6:00 pm at Steele Elementary just a few blocks away from the park.

“It is our hope that presenting this final design will show that the public process created an outcome that included feedback from the community in addition to balancing the other design elements important to the project”, said Lauri Dannemiller, Manager of Denver Parks and Recreation.

The three major areas of consideration public safety, maintenance concerns and park stewardship are addressed in the final plan. The public safety concerns are addressed with improved lighting, and re-routing the path to help address ice build-up, tripping hazards and conflicts with the fire station.  The new trail alignment will also support DPR maintenance efforts lessening the impact from broken sprinkler heads, soil compaction on tree roots and turf and overall trail maintenance. In addition, the new improved trail will maintain tranquil, quiet spaces for park users, passive use of the lily pond and create a more attractive park edge while at the same time greatly improving the overall park experience for runners and walkers.

The new plan will be implemented in May, 2012 with the support from Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado. This phase of the trail will cost approximately $160,000.00 provided through a private donation. An extensive public process accompanied this project starting in June, 2011, including several public meetings, over 100 comments from park users, and on-site stakeholders meetings.

Press Release