Heron Pond Master Plan

Re-envisioning an urban brownfield into a multifunctional park connects people in the neighborhood and results in a place to celebrate its history and culture.

Biohabitats supported the City and County of Denver Parks Department in an effort to consolidate, restore, and re-envision an urban brownfield and city property around Heron Pond to serve as a regional and local amenity. Working with Dig Studio, Biohabitats integrated natural resource management into the Master Plan for this 80-acre park along the South Platte River and across from the National Western complex.

Biohabitats’ role included working with a multidisciplinary design team to provide ecological guidance and program theme development that was embedded throughout the outreach and engagement efforts. Water storage and protection, soil building, reduced heat islands, wildlife habitat and pollination were some of the urban ecology functions that were highlighted for the Park. During public events at the park, Biohabitats led nature scavenger hunts and nature walks for families.

In 2018, the City’s Public Works and the Parks Departments joined forces and selected the Wilson & Company team, which included Biohabitats, to develop the design and construction of the park as envisioned in the Master Plan. For this phase of the project, Biohabitats is leading the City’s effort to achieve SITES accreditation for the project as well as providing ecology and design input into an experiential habitat trail and green infrastructure/stormwater features.

TAGS

• Analysis+Planning
• Assessment+Monitoring
• Design
• Ecological Restoration