Wheatlands Park

Purpose and Approach

Wheatlands Park was an existing 5.3-acre park that was deeply underserving the community. The park had one small play structure for toddlers and one small shade structure with two picnic tables. The remaining area of the park was underutilized lawn. The client envisioned a park that would bring together children and adults of all ages for a variety of activities in this diverse and growing community. To realize that vision, the landscape architect developed a concept for the park design that incorporates whimsy, activity, and socialization. The resulting vibrant and unique park is the centerpiece of the community that encourages residents to gather and play.

The design of Wheatlands Park responded to the existing site features with a two-tiered custom playground to take advantage of the grade and preserve numerous mature pine trees. The addition of a full-sized basketball court and a multi-sport court responded to community desires for play opportunities for both youth and adults. To further expand experiences for all ages, the landscape architect proposed a “neighborhood patio” to include yard games, game tables, a ping pong table, a hammock grove, and gathering areas for socializing. Shade, seating areas, and xeric plantings were included around all new park amenities. A central lawn was preserved to provide space for unprogrammed games of catch and kite flying.

Role

The landscape architect served as the lead consultant guiding a multidisciplinary team that included a surveyor; civil, electrical, and structural engineers; an irrigation consultant; sign fabricators; contractors; representatives from the City of Aurora; and representatives from the Wheatlands Metropolitan District Board. The landscape architect developed the master plan, conducted public outreach, guided the project through the city review and approval process, developed construction documents, and provided construction administration services.

This project was constructed in two phases. The landscape architect collaborated with the client to determine the most appropriate phasing plan based on project budget and construction access/methods. The landscape architect also collaborated with the contractor during construction. This created a streamlined construction phase and ensured that the integrity of the design was maintained during the construction of such a unique and custom park.

Context

The Wheatlands neighborhood is located in Aurora, a southeastern suburb of Denver. The park site is surrounded on three sides by neighborhood streets and homes. The fourth side of the park borders a YMCA facility that provides complementary programming and recreation opportunities. Consideration of the proximity of the homes guided the location of site amenities, programmed areas, and entrances into the park.

Park uses with higher activity and noise are located toward the center of the park to provide a quiet buffer for surrounding homes. Additionally, berms and trees (both existing and newly planted) enhance the buffer and provide separation from the street for park users.

Users of this park access it primarily through walking and biking which makes connections to adjacent streets and sidewalks and connections to the YMCA important.

Special Factors

The design of the playground was inspired by a child’s exploration of their own backyard. Crumbling dirt, tree roots, earthworms, ants, spiders, and bumblebees can all be found in a child’s yard or when exploring at the park. The custom design features provide whimsy and an oversized experience of these otherwise tiny creatures. Children are greeted at the entrance of the playground with a spiral ‘shrinking’ path. As they follow the trail of ants, they find the ants are getting larger and they are feeling smaller. As children enter the playground, the oversized feeling of the natural elements is combined with traditional playground equipment to provide an imaginative environment and a holistic play experience.

The playground was part of the first phase of implementation. The immense success of this phase led to community support and the Board’s financial support for the second phase. Even though this park was designed as a neighborhood park, its reach is far greater. Residents of adjacent communities regularly visit the park and have sited Wheatlands Park as an example of desired park upgrades for their own neighborhoods.

Environmental Sensitivity and Sustainability

A xeric plant palette provides color, vegetative interest, and water saving opportunities for the landscape. In keeping with the playground’s insect theme, pollinator plants were included at thoughtful locations throughout the park. Water use in the park was significantly reduced by eliminating 1.5 acres of underutilized bluegrass, an important 30% reduction in Aurora’s semi-arid climate. Site drainage carefully utilized passive runoff reduction and distributed detention practices. Improved site drainage eliminated high maintenance challenges and hazardous conditions.

Significance

This underused and non-descript park was transformed to become a beloved and well-used gathering space for the Wheatlands community. The park is used throughout the day, every day and provides exponentially more play and social value than the previous space. Neighbors gather for play, socializing, and community events in the new space. It has inspired adjacent communities to update their under-used park spaces and consider imaginative play and social gathering spaces in addition to traditional park amenities.