Dartmouth Gulch Restoration and Public Access Preliminary Design
The City of Denver needed to develop a high-level landscape design study for the City’s 3-acre Dartmouth Gulch to help secure donor funding for the restoration of the site. Through ecological assessment, stakeholder collaboration, and cost-informed planning, Dudek delivered a concept that balances habitat restoration with recreation, unlocking the site’s potential.
Project Facts
- Denver, Colorado
- City of Denver Parks and Recreation
- 3-acre undeveloped parkland site
- Habitat and recreation design concepts and cost estimates received donor approval for implementation
The Challenge
The Dartmouth Gulch property is a 3-acre undeveloped site in southwest Denver, owned by the City. Featuring a small stream and natural landscape with stormwater drainage potential, the park offers a unique opportunity for revitalization. However, to unlock potential funding from a prospective donor for detailed design and implementation, the City first needed a compelling, high-level design study, exploring alternative concepts for site improvements.
The Solution
To showcase the site’s potential and guide future investment, Dudek led a multidisciplinary effort that included site analysis, habitat assessment, and stakeholder collaboration. After reviewing existing documentation and evaluating ecological conditions and design constraints, our landscape architects developed two alternative concepts: one focusing on restoration and the other blending restoration with recreation.
Our team also provided cost estimates for planning, permitting, and construction to support decision-making and further refined the preferred design concept based on City feedback. The preliminary design plan successfully secured donor approval, paving the way for revitalization.
The Impact
This project lays the groundwork for transforming Dartmouth Gulch into a vibrant, ecologically rich public space. By aligning habitat restoration with community recreation, the final design supports biodiversity, enhances environmental resilience, and creates meaningful outdoor experiences for residents.
The donor-approved concept not only unlocked funding for implementation but also demonstrates how thoughtful, multidisciplinary planning can turn underutilized land into a lasting community asset.
What We Did
Next Project
Boulder County Parks and Open Space Breeding Bird Data Analysis
Boulder County Parks and Open Space (BCPOS) needed to conduct breeding bird data analysis for data from 25 individual properties throughout the County. Dudek analyzed the data to assess the effects of various land management actions on the avian population and identify trends in bird populations at each property over time to determine potential correlations related to environmental and anthropogenic factors.
View ProjectReady to Du More? Find out how we can help achieve your goal!