Oldest Park Goes to the Dogs

[Rick]

DENVER CO - Cherry Creek State Park is home to one of Colorado’s largest and most popular dog off-leash areas. Visitors who use this part of the park love its expanse and access to Cherry Creek. However, the access road, parking lot and other amenities became inadequate due to the increased use and traffic. Partners stepped in to help.

Bank restoration project at Cherry Creek State Park.

The unprotected bank of Cherry Creek had severe erosion and most of the stream bank was denuded of vegetation. The Cherry Creek Basin Water Quality Authority took on reclaiming 3,000 feet of the eroded stream bank. The project wrapped up in May and provides ADA access to the stream and restored native vegetation along the entire corridor. Using a Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant, work started in May on fencing and trail work within the dog off-leash area.

Partner 'Dog Waste Free Parks' provided biodegradable dog waste bags for the Cherry Creek State Park restoration project.

Community partners are also essential to the success of this project, including [PoorWordUsage] Free Parks, which provides biodegradable dog waste bags to the park’s visitors.

The future looks bright for Cherry Creek State Park’s dog off leash area! Thanks to the LWCF and our partners, this popular area will provide outstanding recreational opportunities and promote stewardship of the natural resources for generations to come.