Northglenn, Colo., is a 6.5-square-mile community in the Denver metropolitan area. The city rapidly is approaching built-out status and, consequently, has little land available for development of new parks and open spaces. However, the city values both, and it showed just how much with a comprehensive rehabilitation of its largest and most-used park.

The 39-acre E.B. Rains, Jr., Memorial Park had not undergone any significant improvements in its 34-year history. But its location, adjacent to the civic center complex — near City Hall and the city's recreation center — made it a popular stop for local residents. Its size and amenities also made it a favorite of residents in nearby communities.

In heavy demand for its recreational programming, the regional park featured an 11-acre, 114-year-old manmade irrigation detention pond — Webster Lake — that is one of the area's most important urban fisheries. Neglect and deferred maintenance had left the lake visually unappealing, with a deteriorated shoreline and degraded fish habitat.

During renovation, the lake was drained, deepened and reconstructed to allow for a more natural look and to improve fish habitat. A “Quiet Cove” was created to serve as a natural spawning ground.

The city improved the lake's aquatic plantings, as well as nearby trails and irrigation systems. It installed a PVC liner to help minimize groundwater loss, and it added various shoreline treatments to reduce erosion and to make the lake accessible for the disabled. A decorative geyser helps aerate the lake.

Park designers were able to add three acres to the park by reconstructing the adjacent above-ground canal that serves as the lake's primary water source so that it now is underground. It also built a small peninsula into the lake. Additionally, designers added an 80-foot “Millennium Bridge,” which contains about 2,000 brick pavers. A new boathouse is home to the pedal boat operation, which consistently operates near sell-out conditions.

The city also installed new picnic tables and sitting benches, as well as five pieces of public art that inaugurated the city's new Art on Parade program. The city further enhanced the park's aesthetics by adding three large volunteer-maintained flower beds and 30 new trees. It also upgraded lighting to extend the usable hours of the park and to improve security.

Park renovations cost slightly more than $2 million, which was provided by a number of local and state entities, including the city, the Colorado Lottery, the Adams County Open Space Tax Initiative, the state Division of Wildlife, Community Development Block Grants, and area residents and businesses. The renovation began in August 2000, and the park's Grand Reopening was July 4.

Agencies/companies involved: Goodland Construction, Golden, Colo.; PBS&J Engineering, Englewood, Colo.; and Tuttle Applegate, Denver.