CREJ - Journal

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48 / BUILDING DIALOGUE / MARCH 2015
I n 1974, a handful of visionaries took it upon
themselves to inspire the Denver community
to reinvest in what was perhaps its most ig-
nored, underutilized and blighted resource: the
South Platte River. The challenge was to change the
identity of the river from a force at odds with the
city to its current and evolving role as the city’s most
valuable resource. Themany partners of these efforts
include the city of Denver, The Greenway Founda-
tion, Great Outdoors Colorado, Trust for Public Land,
the Urban Drainage and
Flood Control District,
the Environmental Pro-
tection Agency, design
consultants, and various
other organizations and
individuals. What start-
ed as a vision is becoming
a reality, funded by over
$23 million in grants and
matching funds designated
for the river between 2010
and 2013.
The River Vision Imple-
mentation Plan for the South
Platte River translated the goals
outlined in previous plans into
tangible objectives, and prior-
itized sites along the river for
improvement. Johnson Habitat
Park, one of the top five priority
flagship projects under the Riv-
er Vision Implementation Plan,
is nearing completion as a unique
and surprising re-adaptation of the
site. While the site was once used in
the 1960s as a landfill and to seques-
ter debris from flood damage, the re-
design supports sustainable flooding
patterns, up to the extent of the 100-
year floodplain.
Johnson Habitat is being transformed
with educational, ecological and hab-
itat improvements, through wetland
creation, native plant establishment,
streambank restoration and recreational
improvements. Improved river access and
visibility were achieved by opening the
floodplain and riverbank, re-grading the
steep slopes and embankments, and creat-
ing formal access to the river through Amer-
icans with Disabilities Act concrete trails and
sculpted concrete jetties.
Recreation opportunities were integrated
through an improved and updated regional
trail section, educational interactive natural
play elements and traditional play equipment
outside of the floodplain. The site features are
designed to support environmental educational
activities, especially those that relate specifically
to the South Platte River and the native landscape of
Colorado. Interpretive environmental outdoor class-
rooms were integrated into the design for organiza-
tions such as South Platte River Environmental Edu-
cation and Denver Public Schools to utilize as part of
their curriculum.
Further downstream, the rehabilitation and resto-
ration of the Weir Gulch channel and its confluence
with the South Platte River have begun to realize the
ecological and social potentials of the award-winning
Mark Wilcox
Principal,
DHM Design
TRENDS in River Restoration
New access for kids at Sun Valley Park.