Platte Farm Open Space
Platte Farm Open Space was a resident-led, brownfield to open-space project in Globeville. Completed in 2020, Platte Farm Open Space is now a unique and important example of how to re-purpose formerly contaminated land for community benefit. The 5.5-acre brownfields site features restored short-grass prairie, crusher fines trails, and play space.
The impetus for creating Platte Farm Open Space was persistent, illegal dumping, and general neglect of the site. In the eyes of residents, they could either work to activate the site or it would continue to be a dumping ground that negatively impacted their community.
PFOS was a community-led project that ultimately provides an opportunity for Globeville residents to enjoy and reconnect with nature in a neighborhood that is surrounded by industry.
More About Platte Farm Open Space
At the request of residents and the Globeville Civic Association #1, Groundwork Denver became involved with the visioning, planning, and implementation process for the project. Groundwork Denver acted as a liaison between the Platte Farm Open Space steering committee, property owners, and Denver’s Department of Parks and Recreation.
Throughout the years we secured funding on behalf of the Globeville neighborhood to plan for Platte Farm Open Space. Landscape architects helped transfer the neighborhood’s vision onto paper, environmental consultants and survey experts were involved to correctly manage the many parcels of land that make up the open space, and hundreds of signatures from neighbors, businesses, and schools were collected in support of implementing Platte Farm Open Space.
With this project, residents are emphasizing the importance of sustainable land use in their community. Platte Farm Open Space works to solve a handful of issues that the Globeville neighborhood faces: an overwhelmed stormwater system, blight caused by proximity to industry, and limited access to natural open spaces.
To learn more about the Platte Farm Open Space, contact info@groundworkcolorado.org.
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