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Gold Strike Park Prepared for the City of Arvada February 2024 Schematic Design Report ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Arvada KEY STAFF Maki Boyle, Senior Landscape Architect Darin DeLay, Planning and Urban Design Manager Enessa Janes, Director of Vibrant Community and Neighborhoods (VCN) Sean Star, VCN Communications Manager TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Adelle Burton, Special Events Coordinator Anna Hoover, Nature Center Director Anthony Baros, Arvada Police Department Daniel Riley, former Executive Director of Arvada Economic Development Association Chris Humphreys, Arvada Police Department Izabela Petrykowaska, Economic Development Manager Lance Carpenter, former Parks Supervisor (District 1) Jacob Moyer, Stormwater Administrator Jacqueline Rhoades, Director of Public Works Jeffrey Orndorff, Arvada Police Department John Firouzi, Mobility Planning and Innovation Manager John Kalista, Parks Supervisor (District 1) Kellee Van Bruggen, Transportation Planner Kelly Sheehan, Arvada Police Department Arvada Parks Advisory Committee Alex Williams Allan Horton Amanda Malozzi Caron Holmes David Maxwell Jackie Marquis Jeanne O'Connor John Mariott John Lacroix Design Team PRIME CONSULTANT Wenk Associates, Inc. Landscape Architects Nicole Horst, Principal Kaitlin Bernal, Project Manager Jennifer Mahan, Landscape Designer SUPPORTING CONSULTANTS NHN Consulting LLC Public Engagement ICON Engineering Inc. Civil and Water Resources Engineering Birch Ecology Ecologist Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds Nature Play Acknowledgments Mazedur Hossain, Engineering Manager Melanie Walter, Engineering Manager Patty McCartney, Senior Planner Paul Brunett, Arvada Police Department Rob Smetana, Manager of City Planning and Development Robert Bromley, Open Space Supervisor Ryan Stachelski, former Director of Community and Economic Development Stephen Padilla, former Grants Administrator Steve Gustafson, Parks Manager Sam Rogers, Civil Engineer III Shane Greenburg, Senior Planner External Stakeholders Kellie Flowers, Hyland Hills Recreation District Rachel Brenna, Jefferson County Hillary Merrit, Jefferson County Dan Hill, Mile High Flood District Allan Gill, Adams County Benny Paiz, City of Wheat Ridge Bridget Hart, CDOT Karen Miller, Arvada Historical Society Scott Staley, Arvada Historical Society Anita Marcussen, Arvada Historical Society Karen Gerbatsch Karen Miller Kristin Memmott Madison Brannigan Max Koxholt Mayra Grace Dowling Michael Miller Rebecca Hoeschen Tim Sloan 2 Gold Strike Park Schematic Design Report ---PAGE BREAK--- Table of Contents Acknowledgments 2 Table of Contents 3 Executive Summary 4 Executive Summary 5 Project Introduction 6 Project Overview 7 Site History 9 Project Process and Schedule 10 Engagement Window Visioning 11 Engagement Window Site Alternatives 12 Engagement Window Preferred Plan 12 What We Heard 13 Existing Conditions 14 Site Context 15 Existing Site Conditions 16 Topography 17 Vegetation 18 Floodplain 20 Site Opportunities and Constraints 22 Design 23 Project Goals & Vision 24 Phase 1: Visioning 25 Phase II: Conceptual-Schematic Design 26 Phase II: Conceptual-Schematic Design 27 Concept A - Wandering Creek 28 Concept B - Adventure Destination 30 Final Plan 32 Final Plan Overview 33 Final Plan: Option A - Bicycle Playground 34 Final Plan: Option B - Dog Park/Community Garden 35 Options A and B: Alternative Elements 36 Circulation Plan 37 Structures 38 Perspective View 40 Perspective View 41 Implementation 42 Phasing Plan 43 Appendix Separate PDF 3 Gold Strike Park Schematic Design Report ---PAGE BREAK--- ES Executive Summary ---PAGE BREAK--- Executive Summary Gold Strike Park sits at the eastern gateway to the City of Arvada. Its prox imity to Olde Town and its blank canvas provides an opportunity to build a true destination and the next great amenity for Arvada that has long been awaited since its first master planning effort lead by the Arvada Historical Society in 2000, and more recent prioritization in both the 2016 Parks, Trails and Open Space Master Plan and the 2019 Clear Creek Corridor Plan. With the support of our partners at Jefferson County, Mile High Flood District and oth ers, the City is thrilled to see its full potential realized over the next 5-6 years. The regional impact of Gold Strike Park is twofold. Not only is it a prime location for the City's newest nature playground and park, but also sitting at the confluence of Ralston and Clear Creeks, it offers an opportunity to provide flood mitigation and back water storage for large rain events, safeguarding residential homes and adjacent industrial infrastructure. The final design for this currently 7.6-acre park highlights a large nature playground with access to water and a low-flow crossing at Ralston Creek, a bouldering feature with additional access to Ralston Creek further south, a communal flexible event lawn with educational pavilion, plumbed restrooms, and two mid-sized parking lots as well as bus drop-off for school events. To the west and across a centralized pedestrian bridge lies native plant and interpretive gardens with a shaded picnic area and a 25,000 square foot flexible space that includes options for a bike park, dog park, or community garden. The latter two options providing new volunteering opportunities for the public. To support this tremendous effort and as shown in the following document, the City and design team have completed a robust public engagement that incorporated feedback from the public at large, Arvada Parks Advisory Committee, Arvada Historical Society, Mile High Flood District, Jefferson and Adams Counties, the City of Wheat Ridge, Highland Hills Recreation, as well as the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes. We continue to rely on close coordina tion with many of these groups as we move into the preliminary stages before construction. The final report is laid out into five chapters: 1) Introduction, 2) Existing Conditions, 3) Design, 4) Final Plan, and 5) Implementation. Within the introduction is the project overview, history, as well as process and sched ule for public engagement. The existing conditions section provides the site context, an existing conditions map, a discussion of topography, vegetation, and floodplain, as well as a graphic site opportunities and constraints map. The conceptual design alternatives and their components are laid out in the design section with the final design detailed next. Finally, the phased approach and potential grant opportunities are outlined in the implemen tation section. Executive Summary 5 Gold Strike Park Schematic Design Report ---PAGE BREAK--- 1 Project Introduction ---PAGE BREAK--- Gold Strike Park is currently an underutilized 7.6-acre open space that holds tremendous potential to become a popular gathering place and prime destination for Arvada residents and adjacent communities alike. In making Gold Strike Park a destination, it will activate the site making it more accessible to all that visit. It’s unique location adjacent to the confluence of Ralston and Clear Creeks brings unique features that are not found in other parks in Arvada. This park will be the southeast gateway into the city from the Sheridan Boulevard and Clear Creek Corridor, and holds the potential to be Arvada's newest great amenity. Previous Plans Three significant planning efforts precede this plan. All have helped informed and develop the Schematic Design goals for this project. (See Section 2000 Gold Strike Park Master Plan The City of Arvada completed a comprehensive plan report for Gold Strike Park in 2000. The plan focuses on the naturalist stream environment and enhancing the existing riparian areas. Some of the other proposed amenities in the plan include a gateway interpretive center, an open air pavilion, and a terraced amphitheater within the sloped topography. The plan delineated eight planning principles for the redesign of Gold Strike Park. - The park should commemorate Colorado's first documented gold find, and Lewis Ralston's role in the founding of Arvada, Jefferson County, and Colorado. - The park will be an educational and interpretive facility that accommodates students of all ages and abilities. - The site's riparian, wetland, and upland landscape zones will be preserved and enhanced. - Gold Strike Park will be a dynamic and inviting gateway into the City of Arvada. It will serve as a primary destination for residents and visitors. - Gold Strike Park will be a critical linkage in Arvada's larger systems. - Gold Strike Park will accommodate a wide range of transportation modes including school buses, cars, [bicycles], [pedestrian uses], and rail travel. - The site's facilities will support educational and interpretive program. - Gold Strike Park will be a fun place that people like to visit. Rendered view of Gold Strike Park Concept Plan (2018 Clear Creek Corridor Master Plan) Aerial sketch view of Gold Strike Park Master Plan (2000 Gold Strike Park Master Plan) Project Overview 7 Gold Strike Park Schematic Design Report Project Introduction ---PAGE BREAK--- 2016 Parks, Trails and Open Space Master Plan Gold Strike Park Conceptual Plan (2018 Clear Creek Corridor Master Plan) 2016 Parks, Trails, and Open Space Master Plan The City of Arvada also completed a Parks, Trails, and Open Space Master Plan in 2016 in which the park was designated an historical site, defined as "locations where important historical sites have been preserved due to their important cultural heritage or natural history value." It goes on to indicate that these important sites "provide opportunities for communities to interact with their past." The Gold Strike Park improvements were identified as near-term priority projects. Potential land acquisition in support of Gold Strike Park was also deemed an open space priority project. Lastly, improvements along Ralston Creek Regional Trail and the connection to Clear Creek Regional Trail were additionally highlighted in this plan. 2018 Clear Creek Corridor Master Plan Most recently, Gold Strike Park was noted as an park opportunity site for future park development in the Clear Creek Corridor Master Plan. The report recommended site design components that carried through to this project as well as the final design including a hierarchy of trails, creekside outdoor educational programs, nature play and river access, Ralston Creek low- flow crossing, community lawn, additional parking, and preservation and enhancement of park landscape types. Recommended ecological restoration components included invasive plant species remediation, establishment of healthy plant communities, improved ecological health, and encouraging habitat awareness and stewardship. All these are recommendations of this final site plan. 8 Gold Strike Park Schematic Design Report Project Introduction ---PAGE BREAK--- Gold Strike Park has an extraordinary site history. From the first occupation of the Cheyenne, Arapaho, Ute, and Lakota nations to the discovery of gold which began the Colorado Gold Rush, this site has much to teach visitors of all walks of life. As the name of the park reflects, on June 22, 1850, a Cherokee wagon train including a gold miner named Lewis Ralston stopped at the confluence of what is now called Ralston and Clear Creeks and discovered gold. Understanding and expanding on the comprehensive history of the site is a key element to the success of Gold Strike Park today. Using the site's history as inspiration to develop details and site elements that commemorate the past will continue to be explored in later phases of this project, but that is not to negate the power of flexible outdoor spaces that facilitate less formalized interpretations and allow for the history of the site to grow with the site itself. Ralston Gold Discovery Site The plaque on the right commemorates the Cherokee party and discovery of gold. The photo below shows the confluence of Clear Creek and Ralston Creek circa 1926. (Courtesy Colorado Historical Society Library) Interpreting Site History at Gold Strike Park Today (Top) An informational kiosk commemorates the Cherokee party and discovery of gold. (Bottom images) Charles Parson's “Structural Underbelly” series of sculptures are inspired by the Western landscape and were installed 2012. Site History 9 Gold Strike Park Schematic Design Report Project Introduction ---PAGE BREAK--- 2023 2024 APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC VISIONING SITE DESIGN ALTERNATIVES PREFERRED SITE PLAN SITE PLAN ADOPTION While building on previous planning and community input, the “Envision” Gold Strike Park planning effort looked again to the community to further inform the development of the design and program for Gold Strike Park. Along with the robust outward-facing public engagement process highlighted below, an external stakeholder group made up of representatives from partnering municipalities provided insight on park design and placed it within the context of the larger front range as a whole. In addition, a technical advisory committee consisting of City staff from multiple departments provided key feedback regarding feasibility and long-term goals of the schematic design. The Arvada Parks Advisory Committee (APAC) and the Arvada Historical Society (AHS) were also briefed and offered input at three key intervals over the course of the design effort. Public Engagement Overview The public engagement process included significant bi-lingual public outreach efforts in Spanish and English, including online public meetings, digital surveys, and multiple outreach events staffed by members of the design team and City of Arvada staff. The three "Engagement Windows" as shown in the project schedule graphic below and what they entailed are further described on the following pages. Surveys, event details, survey results, and project updates were advertised using a branded project newsletter, a brief project video in English and Spanish posted on the project website, individual emails and digital event flyers to community partners and churches, social media posts at key intervals leading up to events and survey deadlines, a five-week promotional banner in the on-line La Voz Colorado Spanish-language newspaper, news coverage and event promotion on Spanish language radio, and news articles in the City’s Arvada News electronic city newsletter. Survey summaries were made publicly available on the park’s project website and are included in the Appendix. SURVEY #1 SURVEY #2 Arvada Kite Festival Foster Elementary Cafecito Virtual Public Meeting Arvada Days Festival Foster Elementary School Carnival Arvada Winterfest* APAC Introduction Online Presentation APAC Update Online announcement* APAC Update* *Note: Scheduled for Q1 of 2024 Project Process and Schedule 10 Gold Strike Park Schematic Design Report Project Introduction ---PAGE BREAK--- The first engagement window aimed to understand the current conditions of the park site and develop the vision and goals for the park. Public Survey #1 APRIL 13 – JUNE 5, 2023 Survey #1 gathered information about current conditions at the park, desired amenities, and future goals for park improvements and activation. Five themes emerged relating to play, learning, gathering, growing, and connecting that helped organize the site design and program. (318 respondents*) APAC APRIL 12, 2023 City staff introduced the project to APAC. Arvada Kite Festival APRIL 16, 2023 At this tremendously popular community event, the project team paired with designers from Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds to create a “loose parts” area for kids to design their own nature playgrounds. Team members observed children at play, took notes on recurring themes and behaviors associated with nature play choices, and discussed the benefits of nature play features with parents. Virtual Public Meeting MAY 4, 2023 The design team provided an overview of the Gold Strike Park design initiative, promoted, and encouraged participation in the first survey, and increased awareness of the project before developing plan alternatives. Foster Elementary Cafecita MAY 19, 2023 City staff met with parents and teachers at Foster Elementary to introduce the project and encourage participation in the Spanish online survey. *See Appendix for Survey Summary and more detailed survey results information. Engagement Window Visioning 11 Gold Strike Park Schematic Design Report An overview of “What We Heard” during Engagement Window #1 is included in Section 3 Visioning of this report. The feedback was used to develop two concept alternatives for the park. Project Introduction ---PAGE BREAK--- The second engagement window aimed to gather feedback on the two park design alternatives that were developed based on feedback gathered during Engagement Window Public Survey #2 w/ Online Presentation AUGUST 18 – SEPTEMBER 11, 2023 Survey #2 asked respondents to provide feedback on their preferred design of the two alternatives provided. A corresponding online presentation was posted that described the two designs in detail. 63% of respondents voted for Concept A: Wandering Creek, which promoted a natural approach to the design and highlighted elements such as a natural splash pad. (161 respondents) Arvada Days Festival AUGUST 19, 2023 & Foster Elementary School Carnival AUGUST 31, 2023 Boards illustrating the two site alternatives with images representing the proposed site amenities were shared at each of the events. Attendees were encouraged to vote on their preferences using dot stickers. Project interpreters engaged directly with 20 Spanish speaking families at the Foster School Carnival event. APAC SEPTEMBER 13, 2023 City staff presented the concepts to APAC to get feedback from the board. *See Appendix for Survey Summary and more detailed survey results information. Engagement Window Site Alternatives An overview of “What We Heard” during Engagement Window #2 is included in Section 4 Concept Alternatives of this report. Feedback from this second round of outreach resulted in a final preferred plan with two option variations intended for review by the City of Arvada. The final engagement window is intended to share the final preferred plan with the public in early 2024. Per previous engagement windows, the City plans to meet internally with all the departments to share the final design. The design team also plans to present the design to external partners, APAC, and the Arvada Historical Society. All final plans and supporting documentation will be online once reviewed and approved by leadership. Engagement Window Preferred Plan 12 Gold Strike Park Schematic Design Report Project Introduction ---PAGE BREAK--- What We Heard The following summarizes What We Heard during the engagement process in terms of program and activities desired at Gold Strike Park by the community as they relate to the five major themes — Play, Gather, Grow, Connect, and Learn. This input directly informed the final design. *See Appendix for Survey Summary and more detailed survey results information. nature play play that interacts with the creek water play / natural splash pad interpretive play passive and peaceful elements family friendly and spaces for all ages bouldering hammock garden dog park and dog amenities PLAY GATHER create a community destination and gateway into Arvada flexible space for gathering and community events (movie nights and art exhibits) flexible lawn restrooms shaded areas with shaded seating improve visibility picnic areas LEARN celebrate site history through education and interpretation gold panning indigenous and ancestral history ecological education opportunities playful educational elements wildlife viewing sensory opportunities GROW native wildflower habitats pollinator gardens wetland boardwalks and creek overlooks access to nature and places to explore expanded tree canopy for shade and habitat bird and bat nest boxes improved stream habitat CONNECT trail types variety - hard and soft surface soft trails for walking and nature observation regional trail connections creek crossings walking loops improved signage and wayfinding trail lighting crossings at trail/street intersections ADA accessibility bike parking trail seating 13 Gold Strike Park Schematic Design Report Project Introduction ---PAGE BREAK--- 2 Existing Conditions ---PAGE BREAK--- Gold Strike Park sits at the confluence of Ralston and Clear Creeks and serves as the southeast gateway into the city of Arvada. The Site Context & Existing Arvada Recreation Amenities Map shown on the right details the existing parks/open spaces, nature playgrounds, dog parks, disc golf courses, pickleball courts, bike parks, and skate parks within the city, along with existing/proposed trail systems and creeks. This information was used to assess the potential need for common and trending park amenities to be included at Gold Strike Park. Within a mile radius of the park (shown in the dashed gold line), there exists five other parks - none with creek access. Inspiration Point Park in the Denver city limits has a nature play area, and Clear Creek Park and Tennyson Knolls have pickleball courts. Otherwise, there are two dog parks in Arvada, two disc golf courses, three skate parks, no nature playgrounds, three areas with pickleball courts, six community gardens, and currently no bike parks or bicycle playgrounds. Background Information and Analysis 0 1 MI Arvada Amenities Map Site Context Map & Existing Arvada Recreation Amenities Site Context 15 Gold Strike Park Schematic Design Report ---PAGE BREAK--- Background Information and Analysis Existing Site Conditions Map 0’ 100’ Existing Site Conditions 56TH AVE RALSTON RD SHERIDAN BLVD CLEAR CRE EK RAL ST O N C R E EK G O LD S TR IK E B RI DG E 5 6TH A V E BRIDG E 30 parking spaces Vehicular Entry Pedestrian Entry Pedestrian Entry RAMP TO I-76 Gold Strike Park sits at the confluence of Ralston Creek and Clear Creek. It is 7.6 acres with 51% of the site currently within the 100-year floodplain. There are two existing sculptures intended to remain in place on the west upland area of the park. Arvada’s regional bike trail runs along Ralston Creek bisecting the park. The trail connects to the Clear Creek regional bike trail to the south via a pedestrian bridge. The park is located within a developed landscape that abuts light industrial land uses and two major transportation corridors at Ralston Road and Sheridan Boulevard. The project area is bounded by Ralston Road and 56th Avenue to the north; by an auto wrecking lot and concrete plant to the west and south; by the Clear Creek corridor to the southeast; and by an auto repair facility to the east. Sheridan Boulevard is just east of the auto repair shop and I-76 is located south of Clear Creek. Vehicular access to the park is located in the northwest portion of the site off 56th Avenue. The 30-car gravel lot serves as the only existing parking on site and trailhead for the regional trails. 16 Gold Strike Park Schematic Design Report ---PAGE BREAK--- Background Information and Analysis Existing Topography Map 0’ 100’ Topography HEADWALL BANKS TO MITIGATE BLUFF HEADWALLS 5260 5260 5265 5255 5255 5255 5250 5250 The site is gently sloping towards Ralston Creek in the middle of the site with steeper slopes within 100 feet of the creek. The grades drop about 13 feet in elevation on the east side of Ralston Creek and as much as 16 feet on the west side. Two concrete head walls are located at the 56th Avenue Bridge as well as at the entrance of the pedestrian Gold Strike Bridge. There are no other existing walls on site. There is a bluff at the southern end of the site overlooking the con fluence of the two creeks. The bluff contains areas of steep grades that would benefit from erosion con trol measures if the grades are to remain. The banks of Ralston Creek are another area where existing grades are steep and strategies to mitigate erosion are recommended. 56TH AVE RALSTON RD CL EAR CR E E K RAL STO N C REE K G O LD ST RIK E B RID GE 56T H AV E BRID GE REGI ON AL T R A IL 17 Gold Strike Park Schematic Design Report ---PAGE BREAK--- Vegetation Existing Conditions Disturbed and weedy uplands are the most abundant vegetation type at Gold Strike Park, and they dominate the landscape east and west of the riparian corridor. Within this community, there is a patchy cover of native grasses that appear to have been seeded. Establishment of the grass seeding is limited due to competition from dense growth of weeds. The Riparian Habitat along Ralston Creek supports a diversity of native and introduced species. There are a few large, mature plains cottonwood (Populus deltoides) trees; however, weedy Siberian elms are the dominant overstory tree, and are classified as a noxious weed. Likewise, Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) trees, another state-listed noxious weed, are present in several areas. Additionally, the riparian corridor commonly supports green ash (Fraxinus with the natives boxelder (Acer negundo), netleaf hackberry (Celtis reticulata), and peachleaf willow (Salix amygdaloides) being less abundant. In the shrub layer, sandbar willows (Salix exigua) dominate the saturated soil habitats of the floodplain and gravel bars, where they grow with introduced reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea) and the natives Emory sedge (Carex emoryi) and western goldentop (Euthamia occidentalis). Mock cucumber (Echinocystis lobata), a native vine, can also be found climbing across the tops of willows and other shrubs. Hairy willowherb (Epilobium hirsutum), a serious List A Noxious Weed, was also identified in the saturated soil habitat of the wetlands. In the shallow water, there are stands of narrowleaf cattails (Typha angustifolia). Weeds are common in disturbed areas along the outer edge of the riparian corridor. Vegetation Recommendations Noxious weeds and other aggressive, introduced plants have the potential to significantly degrade the habitat value of both upland and riparian habitats at Gold Strike Park. Weed management should be a key goal as the park is redeveloped. Siberian elms, a state-listed noxious weed, are the dominant overstory tree along the riparian corridor. These trees are displacing more desirable native species that would otherwise grow in the area, such as cottonwoods, boxelders, and peach leaf willows. We recommend a phased removal and replacement of Siberian elm and green ash trees with native cottonwoods and willows. Likewise, Russian olive trees are another state-listed noxious weed growing along the riparian corridor of Ralston Creek. All Russian olive trees should be removed using a “cut stump” method with an approved herbicide. It will be important to regularly monitor and remove these invasive woody plants since there are abundant seed sources in the area. It will be important to consider the seed bank when integrating the existing vegetation with the proposed park programming. Along the edge of the riparian corridor, the soil and its weedy seed bank will likely remain – therefore managing existing noxious weeds should be a high priority, to promote more desirable, native vegetation and reduce competition. In contrast, the disturbed and weedy uplands east and west of the park will be significantly altered during overlot grading. This could be an opportunity to import quality topsoil that lacks a weedy seed bank. The Confluence area where Ralston Creek flows into Clear Creek has the potential to be one of the park highlights – but this area is currently quite degraded. It should be a priority to reclaim this key habitat feature and create a secluded area to experience nature, away from the busy regional trail. A list of recommended native species for restoring and enhancing the native habitats of Gold Strike Park has been provided and can be found in the Appendix. Pollinators are in decline across the Western U.S., and habitat loss is one of the largest contributors. For this reason, we highly recommend the incorporation of pollinator-friendly habitat at Gold Strike Park to support ecological goals and provide opportunities for education. Creating valuable habitat for pollinators includes providing two key features: 1) a variety of native flowering plant species for food, and 2) the proper conditions for successful overwintering. If a formal wetland delineation of the project area has not yet been completed, we recommend this as a next step for project planning. It will help to define the regulatory areas and should be a part of the design process – which is required to minimize and avoid impacts to wetlands. Understanding potential wetland permitting scenarios can help to inform the design and development of the project schedule. Vegetation 18 Gold Strike Park Schematic Design Report ---PAGE BREAK--- Vegetation Type Map 19 Gold Strike Park Schematic Design Report ---PAGE BREAK--- Floodplain Existing Conditions The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regulates flood risks along Ralston Creek and Clear Creek as part of the City of Arvada’s participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The mapped risks identify the flood risk that has a 1 percent annual chance of occurrence – often known as the 100 year flood – a statistically rare event. This mapped area is known as the “Special Flood Hazard Area”. It is special, because other flood events will happen far more frequently on these creeks, but are not likely to exceed the mapped limits of the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). Within this area, the City maintains building and earthwork restrictions to ensure any project has No Adverse Impact on adjacent properties, particularly insurable structures. Therefore, any work at Gold Strike Park will be evaluated in a hydraulic model to confirm there is no adverse impact to adjacent public and private property. The City, Mile High Flood District, and FEMA will review and concur with the no adverse impact findings and provide official documentation at the conclusion of the project. More specifically, the Special Flood Hazard Area at the Gold Strike Park site has a few key characteristics: Backwater from Sheridan Boulevard. The most significant hydrau lic feature controlling the SFHA for this site is the bridge at Sheridan Boulevard. The bridge opening is modeled such that water backs up behind it and increases the flood depth for 1000 feet upstream to E. 56th Ave – covering most of the park area. - This is advantageous for initial phases of work in the park area because minor grading (less than 1 foot depth) and improvements (shorter than 24”) are not likely to impact a backwater floodplain. - This is a disadvantage to the ultimate design because significant grading and improvements may cause increased risk on adjacent private property and the insurable structures thereon. Encroachment. The backwater condition is further complicated by improvements to adjacent properties in approximately 2002. The Ralston and Clear Creek floodplains need a natural river corridor to spread out and flow in a reasonable manner. The north bank of this confluence area has seen encroachments and fill that have pushed the floodplain out of its banks and overflowing to the north. This ‘north overflow’ continues for several miles on the north side of I-76. Floodplain Proposed Conditions The proposed Gold Strike Park project can benefit from hydraulic improvements in the Ralston Creek and Clear Creek corridor. At the same time, and at much higher benefit-to-cost ratio, many of the adjacent and private properties will see a significant decrease in flood risk. This is likely to increase property values and attract land uses with higher function and resilience to future flood disasters. In general, the proposed conditions can be coordinated with key stakeholders to achieve: Bridge improvements long term. Identification of a future bridge improvement at Sheridan Boulevard to raise the low-chord the bridge will provide a future resilience for CDOT critical infrastructure as well as reduced backwater conditions during 100-year and even 500-year storm events. Bridge improvements short term. Design and installation of bridge abutment improvements and optimization of armoring can maximize Sheridan Road bridge conveyance until the larger bridge project is completed. These relatively minor improvements use improved mod eling, materials, and methods to provide increased protection of the bridge infrastructure with less backwater across the Ralston Creek confluence area. North bank improvements. With the increased hydraulic efficiency of the short-term bridge improvements, the earthwork grading along the north side of the park can be configured in a way to reduce flood depth on Ralston Road and reduce the flood risk on properties along W. 56th Avenue. Resilient park improvements. Correlated with the flood risk reduction is a configuration of the park improvements to ensure inundation from smaller, more frequent storm events is absorbed in the natural features of the grading, vegetation, and improvements. Open spaces, flood fringe connectivity, and open stream corridors can pass the frequent storms with little to no impact. Larger and more robust improvements are aligned with the less frequent but higher flows that bring faster water and a higher chance of scour, erosion, and debris. These hardened features act as resilient infrastructure actually protecting the natural environment. A trail surface and bridge abutment that is aligned with the rock riffle in the creek acts an armored weir surface to dissipate hydraulic energy in a manner transparent to the ordinary park user. Floodplain 20 Gold Strike Park Schematic Design Report ---PAGE BREAK--- Background Information and Analysis 100 YEAR FLOOD BOUNDARY *NOTE: FLOODPLAIN SHOWN REFLECTS LATEST FUTURE CLEAR CREEK FHAD NOT YET APPROVED BY FEMA CENTERLINE OF NORTH OVERFLOW ROUTE (CURRENT) 500 YEAR FLOOD BOUNDARY EFFECTIVE FLOODWAY The Gold Strike Park project is a highly functional use that is well aligned with the natural features and forces of the confluence of two significant flood sources in the metro area. The park, and associated flood risk mitigation activities, can reduce risk and improve the value of adjacent developed properties as well as the historically significant natural areas. 100-Year Floodplain Map 21 Gold Strike Park Schematic Design Report ---PAGE BREAK--- The site is located at the southeastern entrance to the City of Arvada, in relatively close proximity to Olde Town and the center of Arvada's urban renewal boundary. As such, this site presents a large opportunity to play many roles: host city programs and events, showcase a regional nature playground, provide regional connections, and so much more. As mentioned previously, Gold Strike Park is sited between US-76 to the south, Sheridan Boulevard to the east, Ralston Road to the north, and 56th Avenue to the northwest. The eastern and southwestern edges of the park border light industrial sites, which suggest adjacent park programs that would benefit from visually and programmatically buffering the rest of the site to maintain a quiet interior. Other opportunities and constraints include the close proximity to the creeks and associated floodplains. Due to the 100-year floodplain, permanent structures will need to be placed outside of those limits. The relatively flat areas outside the creek lend themselves well to accessible parking uses and lawn areas. Two existing sculptures lie on the eastern side, which are intended to remain and be celebrated. Other site opportunities include: integration with the wetland, using a high flat area on the south side for an overlook, using the narrowest part of Ralston Creek as a pedestrian crossing point, and maintaining views and access to Gold Strike Bridge and the regional trail that bisects the park. 0’ 100’ Site Opportunities and Constraints Map Site Opportunities and Constraints 22 Gold Strike Park Schematic Design Report ---PAGE BREAK--- 3 Design ---PAGE BREAK--- Vision The vision for the project was to create a schematic design plan that provides a vibrant park which includes active and passive recreational areas to service the existing and growing community, and where the environ mentally sensitive aspects of the park along the Ralston Creek Corridor are protected and enhanced. Providing multiple ways of activating the park is essen tial for the park to realize its full potential, making it a destination for the communities of Arvada and the larger Front Range. A regional nature playground will activate the park with families of all ages and abilities. Passive walking loops will bring individuals to explore all corners of the park. An events lawn will give opportunities for larger gatherings and community events such as movie nights. And, environmental enhancements to Gold Strike Park will restore the park's natural beauty and draw aquatic life and wildlife back to the area. Goals Multiple goals were identified through an internal and external engagement process and previous plans review. The goals followed five major themes that naturally emerged in the process. 1. PLAY – Introduce new types of learning through play and interpretation for all ages and abilities. Use play as a way to activate the park. Specifically explore nature play and how direct interactions with natural materials and planting can enhance and expand on the traditional play experience. 2. GATHER – Make this new gateway a desirable destination providing multiple programs and ways for people to gather and create community. Incorporate amenities that allow for someone to spend time in the park. Site amenities that would promote this include: accessible restrooms, places to sit along the trails, community pavilions, and flexible lawns. 3. GROW – Preserve and restore the riparian, wetland, and upland ecologies and encourage local stewardship. Nurture places for native habitat and wildlife to thrive along the creek corridor and incrementally transform the park into a diverse landscape that can support a variety of uses. 4. CONNECT – Connect trail, recreation, and ecological corridors. Enhance the existing regional bike trails of Ralston Creek Trail and Clear Creek Trail. Improve accessibility and add additional trails to build connectivity within the park including creek crossings and boardwalks. 5. LEARN – Commemorate the site's special history and acknowledge those who have contributed to it, such as Lois Celebrate the existing ecology through experiential learning. Include more than just additional signage, but also elements that can be engaged by all our senses both individually and in larger group settings. Although the site is currently open to the public, there is immense opportunity to bring more people to the park through implementing these goals and making it a true destination, and gateway that celebrates both the history of Colorado and the natural context of the site. Visioning PLAY GATHER LEARN GROW CONNECT Project Goals & Vision 24 Gold Strike Park Schematic Design Report ---PAGE BREAK--- Confirming the Scope of Work and Potential Acquisitions The intent of the Visioning Phase was to reevaluate and confirm the extent of the project scope, reviewing past plans to understand what is still relevant and dive deeper into potential challenges and opportunities within the existing conditions. In this phase the design team explored whether additional land acquisition would be beneficial to help meet the goals of the project. Adjacent parcels to the east of Gold Strike Park were identified and continue to be explored by the City as an opportunity to expand the park and create a stronger gateway into the City from Sheridan Boulevard and the Clear Creek Corridor. Right, precedent images were shared during the visioning process to spark the imagination and illustrate potential opportunities for the project. Visioning Phase 1: Visioning 25 Gold Strike Park Schematic Design Report ---PAGE BREAK--- Two alternative site plans were developed for Gold Strike Park that integrated: 1) feedback from the first round of public engagement, 2) existing conditions analysis, 3) site opportunities and constraints, and 4) an understanding of the other amenities already existing in Arvada and where they are located. While there were common elements in both plans as shown on the right, the following unique features were included in each concept: Concept A – Wandering Creek: a wetland boardwalk overlook, a natural splash pad, and pebbled gold panning play at Ralston Creek Concept B – Adventure Destination: a hammock garden, sandy creek play at Ralston Creek, and a large bouldering feature. These features are further described later in this section. The design team took the concepts to the public and stakeholders to get additional feedback with the intent to incorporate the most appropriate and desired elements from the alternatives and develop a hybridized final plan for the park. Concept Alternatives Concept A Wandering Creek Regional Nature Play Pebbled Gold Panning Play & Creek Access Natural Splash Pad Interpretive Elements Pollinator Gardens Natural Splash Pad Wetland Boardwalk & Overlook Restored Wetlands Bird Boxes Educational Pavilion/Terraced Classroom Flexible Lawn Themed Regional Play Themed Sandy Creek Play Nature Play Elements Central Flexible Lawn Educational Pavilion Creek Overlook Hammock Garden Bouldering Feature Concept B Adventure Destination Shaded Picnic Pavilion Concept Image Boards illustrate potential programming and design character for Gold Strike Park. Survey #2 : QUESTION 1 Select the design concept you prefer for Gold Strike Park? Concept A 109 (67.3%) Concept B 53 (32.7%) Common Elements Featured in All Concepts Flexible Event Lawn Creek Overlooks Low -Flow Creek Crossings Educational Signage Interpretive Elements Gold Strike Themed Play Regional Trail Improvements Enhanced Habitat + Walking Trails Nature Play Interactive PLAY • Nature Play (visible from road) • Gold Strike Themed Play • Historic + Interpretive Educational Elements Places to GATHER • Flexible Event Lawn • Shade (Structured and Trees) • Seating along Trails • Restrooms GROWing better habitats • Pollinator Meadow + Habitat Improvements • Interpretive Garden & Elements • Creek + Wetland Improvements • Landscape Buffers + Berming • Bird + Bat Boxes Better CONNECTions • Soft & Paved Trails • Low-Flow Creek Crossings • Pedestrian Bridge • Regional Trail Improvements Opportunities to facilitate LEARNing • Creek Overlooks • Covered and Uncovered Picnic Areas • Educational Pavilion Signage Educational Pavilion Pedestrian Bridge Common Elements Featured in All Concepts Phase II: Conceptual-Schematic Design 26 Gold Strike Park Schematic Design Report ---PAGE BREAK--- Design Elements In response to what we heard through our public engagement process, the design basis for Gold Strike Park is to maintain, integrate, and improve as many naturalistic features as possible. This includes a regional nature playground with organic materials and water play, low-flow crossings, and soft paths that allow passive access to creeks. It also includes boardwalks and overlooks that allow for wetland habitat viewing and educational opportunities. Built structures and pieces such as a bouldering wall, interpretive elements, and water play features use organic materials where appropriate and tie back to the native approach to park design. An educational pavilion and covered and uncovered picnic areas of various sizes throughout the park allow for both larger gatherings, classroom and small-scale learning environments, and secluded private spaces within the local habitat. Right, precedent images depict proposed park features, elements, and design character. Phase II: Conceptual-Schematic Design 27 Gold Strike Park Schematic Design Report Preferred Plan Flexible Event Lawn Low -Flow Creek Crossings Interpretive Elements Seating Along Trail Improvements Educational Pavilion Pedestrian Bridge Shaded Picnic Pavilion Bird Boxes Regional Nature Play Educational Signage Improved Creek & Wetlands Enhanced Habitat + Walking Trails Water Play Creek Overlooks & Wetland Boardwalks Bouldering Feature ---PAGE BREAK--- PARKING LOT 5 ADA SPACES 63 STANDARD SPACES BUS DROP-OFF RALSTON CREEK CORRIDOR FLEXIBLE EVENT SPACE NATIVE PLANTING SHADED PICNIC & SCULPTURE VIEWING INTERPRETIVE GARDEN REGIONAL NATURE PLAY FLEXIBLE EVENT LAWN PARKING LOT 3 ADA SPACES 36 SPACES NATURAL SPLASH PAD RESTROOM PEBBLED GOLD PANNING PLAY PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE SHADE & SEATING 56TH AVE REGIONAL BIKE TRAIL RALSTON ROAD CLEAR CREEK RALSTON CREEK LOW-FLOW CROSSING OVERLOOK & BOARDWALK ACCESS OVERLOOK BOARDWALK OVERLOOK BIRD OR BAT BOXES ENTRY SIGNAGE & NATIVE PLANTING POLLINATOR GARDENS & PICNIC OVERLOOK EDUCATIONAL PAVILION NATURE PLAY GOLD STRIKE THEMED PLAY CREEK OVERLOOKS EXISTING SCULPTURE REGIONAL TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS LOW-FLOW CREEK CROSSING EDUCATIONAL SIGNAGE EDUCATIONAL PAVILION SHADED PICNIC STRUCTURE RESTROOM SEATING ALONG TRAILS PICNIC AREAS FLEXIBLE EVENT LAWN POLLINATOR GARDEN ENHANCED NATIVE HABITAT CREEK + WETLAND IMPROVEMENTS LANDSCAPE BUFFERS + BERMING BIRD OR BAT BOXES PARKING LOT WITH BUS DROP-OFF PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE WETLAND BOARDWALK & OVERLOOK NATURAL SPLASH PAD PEBBLED GOLD PANNING PLAY COMMON ELEMENTS UNIQUE ELEMENTS LEGEND PARK BOUNDARY REGIONAL BIKE TRAIL VEHICULAR PARK ENTRY RALSTON CREEK CROSSING ENHANCED PLANTING Concept A - Summary Concept A focuses on native plant and creek restoration that maintains and improves the existing riparian, wetland, and upland habitats, and more passive recreation that explores these enhancements. A high-visibility regional playground tied to an educational pavilion occupies the eastern half of Gold Strike Park, featuring a natural splash pad and pebbled gold panning play. To the west, an interpretive garden and native planting create a border between the regional trail and adjacent industrial properties. Interpretive walking loops traverse through the existing sculptures and connect to a wandering boardwalk within the newly restored wetlands. Planted berms offer visual barriers and opportunities for hillside features in both play areas. Parking is split evenly on either side of the park, with a bus drop-off on the eastern side adjacent to the playground and terraced classroom. The two sides are connected with a pedestrian bridge to the south and a low-flow boulder crossing to the north, and low-impact creek access while water play is sited between these crossings. Concept Alternatives Concept A - Wandering Creek 28 Gold Strike Park Schematic Design Report 0’ 100’ ---PAGE BREAK--- Concept A - Circulation Diagram The three areas of educational focus in Gold Strike Park are historic aspects of gold panning, indigenous history, and ecology. These areas are represented with three distinct sidewalk paving types which traverse through and intersect at points of significance, curating interpretative storytelling opportunities. Gold Panning Loop – Gold panning is presented along another 1/3 mile loop circumnavigating the park, pausing at built structures and creek overlooks. Indigenous History Loop – Opportunities to tell indigenous history are sited along a 1/3 mile walking loop that primarily circumnavigates the creek and westerly native planting area. Ecologic Education Loop – A more naturalistic 2/5-mile long path made from crusher fines and a boardwalk traverses through interpretative gardens and over a low-flow crossing over Ralston Creek. Each path begins at the educational pavilion, and converges at the pedestrian bridge towards the southern edge of the park and western shaded picnic area. Concept Alternatives 29 Gold Strike Park Schematic Design Report Gold Panning Indigenous History Ecologic Education PARKING LOT 5 ADA SPACES 63 STANDARD SPACES BUS DROP-OFF RALSTON CREEK CORRIDOR NATIVE PLANTING SHADED PICNIC & SCULPTURE VIEWING INTERPRETIVE GARDEN PARKING LOT 3 ADA SPACES 36 SPACES PEBBLED GOLD PANNING PLAY PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE SHADE & SEATING 56TH AVE REGIONAL BIKE TRAIL RALSTON ROAD CLEAR CREEK RALSTON CREEK LOW-FLOW CROSSING OVERLOOK & BOARDWALK ACCESS OVERLOOK BOARDWALK OVERLOOK BIRD OR BAT BOXES ENTRY SIGNAGE & NATIVE PLANTING POLLINATOR GARDENS & PICNIC OVERLOOK REGIONAL NATURE PLAY FLEXIBLE EVENT LAWN NATURAL SPLASH PAD RESTROOM EDUCATIONAL PAVILION FLEXIBLE EVENT SPACE Circulation Diagram & Potential Paving Surfaces PARKING LOT 5 ADA SPACES 63 STANDARD SPACES BUS DROP-OFF RALSTON CREEK CORRIDOR FLEXIBLE EVENT SPACE NATIVE PLANTING SHADED PICNIC & SCULPTURE VIEWING INTERPRETIVE GARDEN REGIONAL NATURE PLAY FLEXIBLE EVENT LAWN PARKING LOT 3 ADA SPACES 36 STANDARD. SPACES NATURAL SPLASH PAD RESTROOM PEBBLED GOLD PANNING PLAY PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE SHADE & SEATING 56TH AVE REGIONAL BIKE TRAIL RALSTON ROAD CLEAR CREEK RALSTON CREEK LOW-FLOW CROSSING OVERLOOK & BOARDWALK ACCESS OVERLOOK BOARDWALK OVERLOOK BIRD OR BAT BOXES ENTRY SIGNAGE & NATIVE PLANTING POLLINATOR GARDENS & PICNIC OVERLOOK EDUCATIONAL PAVILION CIRCULATION LEGEND GOLD PANNING - 1/4 MI INDIGENOUS HISTORY - 1/3 MI ECOLOGIC EDUCATION - 2/5 MI POINT OF SIGNIFICANT CONFLUENCE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SHARED STORIES / PATH CONFLUENCE LEGEND PARK BOUNDARY REGIONAL BIKE TRAIL VEHICULAR PARK ENTRY RALSTON CREEK CROSSING ORGANIZATIONAL AXIS 0’ 100’ ---PAGE BREAK--- PARKING LOT 5 ADA SPACES 63 STANDARD SPACES BUS DROP-OFF RALSTON CREEK CORRIDOR FLEXIBLE EVENT SPACE SHADED PICNIC INTERPRETIVE GARDEN REGIONAL NATURE PLAY EDUCATIONAL PAVILION FLEXIBLE LAWN PARKING LOT 3 ADA SPACES 36 SPACES BOULDERING FEATURE SANDY CREEK PLAY HAMMOCK GARDEN BIRD OR BAT BOXES PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE & OVERLOOK NATIVE PLANTING & POLLINATOR GARDENS 56TH AVE REGIONAL BIKE TRAIL RALSTON ROAD CLEAR CREEK RALSTON CREEK LOW-FLOW CROSSING ENTRY SIGNAGE & NATIVE PLANTING POLLINATOR GARDENS & PICNIC OVERLOOK RESTROOM NATURE PLAY GOLD STRIKE THEMED PLAY CREEK OVERLOOKS EXISTING SCULPTURE REGIONAL TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS LOW-FLOW CREEK CROSSING EDUCATIONAL SIGNAGE EDUCATIONAL PAVILION SHADED PICNIC STRUCTURE RESTROOM SEATING ALONG TRAILS PICNIC AREAS FLEXIBLE EVENT LAWN POLLINATOR GARDEN ENHANCED NATIVE HABITAT CREEK + WETLAND IMPROVEMENTS LANDSCAPE BUFFERS + BERMING BIRD OR BAT BOXES PARKING LOT WITH BUS DROP-OFF PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE HAMMOCK GARDEN SANDY CREEK PLAY BOULDERING FEATURE COMMON ELEMENTS UNIQUE ELEMENTS LEGEND PARK BOUNDARY REGIONAL BIKE TRAIL VEHICULAR PARK ENTRY RALSTON CREEK CROSSING ENHANCED PLANTING Concept B - Summary This concept features more active play elements, such as a bouldering feature and sandy creek play sited along Ralston Creek. The western side focuses on restorative planting along Arvada’s regional bicycle trail, which also helps to visually conceal the neighboring industrial properties. To the east, gold-discovery-themed traditional and vanguard play structures lie both above and within the 100-year floodplain, and hammock posts and nature play elements border Ralston Creek. Also on this side, a large, shaded classroom pavilion faces an expansive open field to be used for informal sports and events. Parking is split evenly on either side of the park, with a bus drop- off on the east. The two sides are connected by a centralized pedestrian bridge and a low-flow boulder crossing to the north. This concept features significant wetland improvements with more creek disturbance and additional access sited near the crossings. Concept Alternatives Concept B - Adventure Destination 30 Gold Strike Park Schematic Design Report 0’ 100’ ---PAGE BREAK--- Concept B - Circulation Diagram Concept B proposes three paved interpretive walking loops. Historic gold panning, indigenous elements, and ecologic educational elements, are explored by traversing through unique parts of the park. Gold Panning Loop – Gold panning elements are explored in a ¼-mile loop that is located in closer proximity to the built structures of the park, including the existing sculptures on the west side. Indigenous History Loop – Indigenous history is told along a 1/3-mile path through interpretive gardens, and along a Ralston Creek as well as at the wetland overlook to the south. Ecologic Education Loop – Ecologic elements are highlighted along a 2/5 mile loop trail that passes by bird and/or bat boxes, a low-flow crossing, and native planting. The three converge on either side of the pedestrian bridge and at the educational pavilion to the east. Concept Alternatives 31 Gold Strike Park Schematic Design Report PARKING LOT 5 ADA SPACES 63 STANDARD SPACES BUS DROP-OFF RALSTON CREEK CORRIDOR SHADED PICNIC INTERPRETIVE GARDEN REGIONAL NATURE PLAY PARKING LOT 3 ADA SPACES 36 STANDARD. SPACES BOULDERING FEATURE SANDY CREEK PLAY HAMMOCK GARDEN BIRD OR BAT BOXES PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE & OVERLOOK NATIVE PLANTING & POLLINATOR GARDENS 56TH AVE REGIONAL BIKE TRAIL RALSTON ROAD CLEAR CREEK RALSTON CREEK LOW-FLOW CROSSING ENTRY SIGNAGE & NATIVE PLANTING POLLINATOR GARDENS & PICNIC OVERLOOK RESTROOM EDUCATIONAL PAVILION FLEXIBLE LAWN FLEXIBLE EVENT SPACE Gold Panning Indigenous History Ecologic Education Circulation Diagram & Potential Paving Surfaces CIRCULATION LEGEND GOLD PANNING - 1/4 MI INDIGENOUS HISTORY - 1/3 MI ECOLOGIC EDUCATION - 2/5 MI POINT OF SIGNIFICANT CONFLUENCE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SHARED STORIES / PATH CONFLUENCE LEGEND PARK BOUNDARY REGIONAL BIKE TRAIL VEHICULAR PARK ENTRY RALSTON CREEK CROSSING ORGANIZATIONAL AXIS 0’ 100’ ---PAGE BREAK--- 4 Final Plan ---PAGE BREAK--- The final plan for Gold Strike Park hybridizes the most desired elements and layout from the Adventure Destination and Wandering Creek concepts shown in the previous section. There are two options for the final plan with the difference being in the southeast corner where Option 1 shows a bicycle playground and in Option 2 it is replaced with a community garden or dog park. Final plan elements are highlighted in the images and box to the right and described in more detail on the following page. Right, precedent images depict several proposed park features and elements. Final Plan Overview 33 Gold Strike Park Schematic Design Report Preferred Plan Interactive PLAY • Nature Play • Water Play • Historic + Interpretive Educational Elements Places to GATHER • Flexible Event Lawn • Shade Structure and Trees) • Seating along Trails • Restrooms GROWing better habitats • Pollinator Meadow + Habitat Improvements • Interpretive Garden & Elements • Creek + Wetland Improvements • Landscape Buffers + Berming • Bird + Bat Boxes Better CONNECTions • Soft & Paved Trails • Low-Flow Creek Crossings • Pedestrian Bridge • Regional Trail Improvements Opportunities to facilitate LEARNing • Creek Overlooks • Covered and Uncovered Picnic Areas • Educational Pavilion Signage Pollinator Meadows/Enhanced Habitat Regional Nature Play Restored Wetlands/Creek Improvements Flexible Event Lawn Educational Signage Regional Trail Improvements Shaded Picnic Pavilion Low-flow Creek Crossing ---PAGE BREAK--- Option A Summary In the final plan, a pedestrian bridge forms a central spine connecting a shaded picnic area to the west and an educational pavilion to the east. Two low-flow creek crossings on either side of the bridge define the northern and southern edges of Gold Strike Park, and a wetland boardwalk and creek access trails improve site-wide connectivity to Ralston Creek. To the east, the naturalistic regional playground with an adjacent plumbed restroom borders the flexible event lawn and extends to the creek. Other nature play pockets with a bouldering feature and picnic tables extend towards the south and traverse near bird and bat boxes. An overlook at the confluence of Ralston and Clear Creeks is possible dependent on land acquisition. A family-oriented bicycle playground and progressive skills park lies out of the floodplain in the southeast corner and helps to conceal the adjacent industrial properties. Existing sculptures surrounded by planting improvements and interpretive gardens are also located towards the west. Two parking lots include ADA spaces and drop-off areas with a water quality planting area dedicated to treat surface runoff. Trailside seating, regional trail improvements, a bike repair station, educational signage, and enhanced native habitat exist throughout the park. BIRD OR BAT BOXES PARKING LOT 5 ADA SPACES 64 STANDARD SPACES BUS DROP-OFF RALSTON CREEK CORRIDOR BICYCLE PLAYGROUND SHADED PICNIC & SCULPTURE VIEWING INTERPRETIVE GARDEN REGIONAL NATURE PLAY FLEXIBLE EVENT LAWN PARKING LOT 3 ADA SPACES 36 STANDARD SPACES BUS DROP-OFF NATURE PLAY RESTROOM PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE 56TH AVE REGIONAL BIKE TRAIL CLEAR CREEK RALSTON CREEK RALSTON CREEK LOW-FLOW CROSSING LOW-FLOW CROSSING OVERLOOK & BOARDWALK ACCESS POTENTIAL OVERLOOK BOARDWALK OVERLOOK PICNIC AREAS ENTRY SIGNAGE & NATIVE PLANTING EDUCATIONAL PAVILION WATER QUALITY AREA WATER QUALITY AREA RALSTON ROAD RALSTON FRONTAGE ROAD WATER PLAY BOULDERING FEATURE NATIVE PLANTING EXISTING SCULPTURE EXISTING SCULPTURE NATURE PLAY WATER PLAY NATURAL SPLASH AREA CREEK OVERLOOKS EXISTING SCULPTURE REGIONAL TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS LOW-FLOW CREEK CROSSING EDUCATIONAL SIGNAGE EDUCATIONAL PAVILION SHADED PICNIC STRUCTURE RESTROOM STRUCTURE SEATING ALONG TRAILS PICNIC AREAS FLEXIBLE EVENT LAWN POLLINATOR GARDEN ENHANCED NATIVE HABITAT CREEK + WETLAND IMPROVEMENTS LANDSCAPE BUFFERS + BERMING BIRD OR BAT BOXES WETLAND BOARDWALK & OVERLOOK PARKING LOT WITH BUS DROP-OFF PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE BOULDERING FEATURE BICYCLE PLAYGROUND COMMON ELEMENTS UNIQUE ELEMENT LEGEND PARK BOUNDARY REGIONAL BIKE TRAIL VEHICULAR PARK ENTRY RALSTON CREEK CROSSING ENHANCED PLANTING 0’ 100’ Final Plan: Option A - Bicycle Playground 34 Gold Strike Park Schematic Design Report Preferred Plan ---PAGE BREAK--- RALSTON CREEK CORRIDOR DOG PARK OR COMMUNITY GARDEN NATIVE PLANTING INTERPRETIVE GARDEN RESTROOM 56TH AVE RALSTON ROAD WATER QUALITY AREA OVERLOOK & BOARDWALK ACCESS ENTRY SIGNAGE & NATIVE PLANTING WATER PLAY NATURE PLAY BOULDERING FEATURE PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE BOARDWALK OVERLOOK BIRD OR BAT BOXES PICNIC AREAS POTENTIAL OVERLOOK REGIONAL BIKE TRAIL CLEAR CREEK RALSTON CREEK RALSTON CREEK LOW-FLOW CROSSING LOW-FLOW CROSSING PARKING LOT 5 ADA SPACES 64 STANDARD SPACES BUS DROP-OFF PARKING LOT 3 ADA SPACES 36 STANDARD SPACES BUS DROP-OFF RALSTON FRONTAGE ROAD REGIONAL NATURE PLAY FLEXIBLE EVENT LAWN EDUCATIONAL PAVILION WATER QUALITY AREA EXISTING SCULPTURE EXISTING SCULPTURE SHADED PICNIC & SCULPTURE VIEWING NATURE PLAY WATER PLAY NATURAL SPLASH AREA CREEK OVERLOOKS EXISTING SCULPTURE REGIONAL TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS LOW-FLOW CREEK CROSSING EDUCATIONAL SIGNAGE EDUCATIONAL PAVILION SHADED PICNIC STRUCTURE RESTROOM STRUCTURE SEATING ALONG TRAILS PICNIC AREAS FLEXIBLE EVENT LAWN POLLINATOR GARDEN ENHANCED NATIVE HABITAT CREEK + WETLAND IMPROVEMENTS LANDSCAPE BUFFERS + BERMING BIRD OR BAT BOXES WETLAND BOARDWALK & OVERLOOK PARKING LOT WITH BUS DROP-OFF PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE BOULDERING FEATURE DOG PARK OR COMMUNITY GARDEN COMMON ELEMENTS UNIQUE ELEMENT LEGEND PARK BOUNDARY REGIONAL BIKE TRAIL VEHICULAR PARK ENTRY RALSTON CREEK CROSSING ENHANCED PLANTING 0’ 100’ Option B Summary Option B for Gold Strike Park is identical in all elements and layout to Option A except for the southeast corner in which the bicycle playground is replaced with a community garden or dog park. The dashed red line on the adjacent plan outlines this alternative program area. Alternative Program Area Final Plan: Option B - Dog Park/Community Garden 35 Gold Strike Park Schematic Design Report Preferred Plan ---PAGE BREAK--- A1 - Bicycle Playground A bicycle playground is a family-oriented playground designed with progressive elements for young children to ride. Features such as highly visible ladder bridges, rollers, tunnels, and teeter- totters along soft or paved trails offer a variety of fun obstacles to safely build cycling confidence, and can be thematically designed. These playgrounds can also provide places to gather and develop social skills, learn balance, work towards achieving goals, and motivation to get outside. The proposed children's bicycle playground in Gold Strike Park is sited out of the 100-year floodplain adjacent to the eastern parking lot and just off the regional bike trail, providing greater connectivity to Arvada, and provides a dedicated space to learn to ride that keeps children away from busy streets. This type of playground does not currently exist in Arvada. B1 - Community Garden Community gardens can provide a space where people of all ages and all levels of gardening experience growing their own vegetables, flowers, and herbs. A community garden in Gold Strike Park would also increase green space, habitat for insects and animals, and sites for gardening education. This area would be sited adjacent to the eastern parking lot and outside of the 100-year floodplain (allowing for easy access to harvests) and would require new water hookups to irrigate crops. This garden would rely heavily on volunteers and could provide one of Arvada's existing community gardens with a place to expand their current operations if needed or desired. B2 - Dog Park Alternatively, the space in Option B can be used as an off-leash dog park, which offers a dedicated space where dogs can exercise, play, socialize, and explore. The park is sited adjacent to industrial properties to the east and west, and buffers those areas from the rest of the park. Additionally, the adjacency to the regional trail offers easy access to passers-by. This is also intended as a social space for dog owners, and can incorporate places for seating, gathering, and walking. The off-leash dog area should have soft and hard paved surfaces and seating areas for owners. The community garden should have raised beds, trellis- grown produce, and soft walking surfaces between plots. The bicycle playground should contain hard and soft surfaces and have progressive features for tots to teenagers. Approximately 25,000 square feet of space is allocated for this programming. Options A and B: Alternative Elements 36 Gold Strike Park Schematic Design Report Preferred Plan ---PAGE BREAK--- Similar to the conceptual site plans shown in the previous section, the final plan integrates three distinct paving types to guide visitors through interpretive walking loops within the park. Indigenous elements, historic gold aspects, and ecologic areas converge on either side of the centralized pedestrian bridge and Ralston Creek before diverging towards uniquely significant features. Interpretive Walking Loops Gold History Path – Arvada's gold history is told along a 2/5-mile walking loop that traverses from the educational pavilion around the regional play areas, over the northern low-flow crossing, back over the central pedestrian bridge, and along the flexible lawn. Indigenous History Path – Stories of Arvada's indigenous history are told and experienced along a 1/3-mile path that begins at the educational pavilion, moves towards more quiet and secluded edges of the park, crosses Ralston Creek at the southern low-flow crossing, travels northward towards the interpretive garden, and back over the pedestrian bridge and lawn. Ecologic Path – An ecologic education path winds for 2/5-miles and focuses around Ralston Creek, using soft paths and the wetland boardwalk to closely view and access the improved creek habitat. Circulation Diagram Circulation Plan 37 Gold Strike Park Schematic Design Report Preferred Plan 0’ 100’ ---PAGE BREAK--- Regional Nature Play One of the key goals for this project is to introduce non-traditional types of play, learning, and interpretation for all ages and abilities. Given the adjacency the park has with Ralston Creek as well as the feedback from the community, nature play was strongly desired. The final plan shows a regional nature play space encompassing about 0.6 acres on the east side of the park. The goal of this large footprint is to intermix pockets of play areas within different sized planting beds. Intermixing the two will allow manipulation of the edges and the creation of thresholds that provide more play opportunities as well as spaces for people to sit and observe the more formalized play structures. Water Feature Water play is also an important element to the design and is meant to provide a safe opportunity to touch, play, and redirect water. The water feature shall complement the natural feature of Ralston Creek providing accessible play when access to the creek is not feasible, safe, or desired. Water play was consistently highly desired by the community in the public outreach process. Working with stakeholders, the team learned that a potable water source that is filtered into the landscape is the most practical for Gold Strike Park. The feature will have controls and limitations on how much water can flow through the system at any given time and would be turned off through the winter months. Movable parts of the water feature are valuable to the design and could include loose rocks, both large and small, as well as adjustable levees or dams. Right, precedent images depict potential play features. Structures 38 Gold Strike Park Schematic Design Report Preferred Plan ---PAGE BREAK--- Shaded education pavilion with seating options Shaded picnic pavilion - different levels of shelter and size throughout the park Open-air park restroom structure with visible and shared hand-washing stations Public Restrooms A plumbed restroom structure is sited out of the 100-year floodplain, and between the eastern parking lot and regional playground. The primary design consideration is improved safety by increasing visibility, achieved through features like undercut doors and material choices, and by separating hand-washing stations from toilet areas to be in view of the public eye. Other elements to consider include ADA-compliant fixtures and access, and the potential for water stations. Picnic Shelters Picnic areas of various scales are placed throughout Gold Strike Park and can include an associated structure where appropriate. One significant reservable picnic structure is sited on the west side of the park near the parking lot and out of the 100-year floodplain, and provides sheltered viewing opportunities towards existing sculptures, the regional trail, and community area in the southwest corner of the park. This structure is sized for large gatherings of approximately 40 people, and may include a solid roof for protection from the elements. Smaller, open-air pergola structures dispersed in the park can provide shade while maintaining high visibility to the users. Educational Pavilion This educational pavilion anchors the east side of the park, facing west towards the pedestrian bridge and large picnic shelter. It is intended as a classroom space, point of departure for interpretive walking loops, home to a collection of educational signage, and a centralized backdrop for celebrations and events. The structure is highly visible and accessible from the larger eastern parking lot and bus drop-off, regional nature play areas, and flexible event lawn. The pavilion is sited out of the 100-year floodplain. 39 Gold Strike Park Schematic Design Report Preferred Plan ---PAGE BREAK--- Rendered perspective image depicts pedestrian bridge, flexible event lawn, educational pavilion, and nature play along Ralston Creek. Perspective View Nature Play Along Ralston Creek 40 Gold Strike Park Schematic Design Report Preferred Plan ---PAGE BREAK--- Rendered image depicts the boardwalk, low-flow crossing, the bouldering feature, and wetland along the Ralston Creek corridor. Perspective View Boardwalk, Low-Flow Crossing and Wetlands along Ralston Creek 41 Gold Strike Park Schematic Design Report Preferred Plan ---PAGE BREAK--- 5 Implementation ---PAGE BREAK--- It is anticipated that Gold Strike Park will be phased over several years, with each phase being implemented as funding is available. The City has external partners who are excited and ready to make commitments to building this park. At the same time, the City is looking into multiple grants to supplement these dollars (see blue box below). To responsibly approach building out this park, the design team has phased the construction. There is a natural divide of the park created by Ralston Creek. The phasing strategy used this natural dividing line to create clear boundaries for the phases. Phase 1: East Side of Ralston Creek – This phase is focused on both the community amenities that will help activate the park and the restoration of the creek along the east side. The City currently has funding earmarked for the construction documentation and a portion of the construction for this phase. The remainder must be supplemented by grants from partners. Phase 2: West Side of Ralston Creek – This phase would include the creek crossings to connect to phase one improvements. Phasing Diagram 0’ 100’ Phasing Plan Grant Road Map for Gold Strike Park • Property Acquisition Reserve - Mile High Flood District • Land Conservation Program - Jefferson County • Community Impact Grant - Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) • Outdoor Equity Grant Program Fund - Colorado Parks & Wildlife • Outdoor Regional Partnership Initiative - Colorado Parks & Wildlife 43 Gold Strike Park Schematic Design Report