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The Essential Need for Parks During a Pandemic

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For 40 years, we have lived by the belief that our community deserves plenty of outdoor spaces to recreate and enjoy nature. With all the changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic this year, parks and green spaces have become even more vital for maintaining health and happiness during tough times. We recently came across a report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, detailing the importance of open spaces in relation to physical and mental health, and we thought we’d share some of the highlights – as well our own thoughts on the subject!

 

Physical Activity Reduces COVID-19 Risk Factors

We all know that physical activity benefits your overall health, but studies show that outdoor activity and exposure to nature specifically correlate to reducing COVID-19 risk factors. Exercise is proven to lower the chances of developing cardiovascular disease, obesity, hypertension, and diabetes – all of which are linked to intensifying symptoms of COVID-19.

 

Mental Health Benefits of Experiencing Nature

Mental illness has been dubbed the unspoken collateral damage of the COVID-19 pandemic. The debilitating mental side effects of isolation and lack of human interaction can be very harmful for those who already struggle with mental health issues. Exercising and spending time in nature reduce stress and depression, as well as release endorphins that improve mental wellbeing.

 

Socially Distanced, Safe and Still Moving

Even as public places have started reopening, many don’t feel comfortable being enclosed in a gym. Fortunately, experts are saying that outdoor spaces are relatively safe during a pandemic when people stay more than six feet apart, wear face masks, and refrain from long conversations with others. With a beautiful Colorado fall on the horizon, parks and outdoor spaces are the perfect place to engage in physical activity.

 

Recommendations for Urban Areas in the Future

The CDC article notes that those who live in dense urban areas may be at a higher risk for contracting COVID-19 and have limited access to parks and open spaces. A couple ideas for resolving this issue include an “open streets” style initiative, in which city blocks are closed off for a day to encourage outdoor activity. Additionally, transforming unused natural spaces in urban areas into functioning recreational pockets have tremendous benefits, not only on residents’ wellbeing but on the environment as well. Learn more about this concept with our newest RiNO Promenade project.

 

Colorado Parks to Explore

Itching to get out of the house and spend some quality time at Colorado parks? Here are just a few pandemic-friendly outdoor spaces that ECI has created:

 

 

 

7 Colorado Parks to Visit This Summer

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We’re not going to sugarcoat it – the beginning of spring is shaping up to be a rough season for Colorado (and for the rest of the world). But since we’re a “glass half full” kind of company, we like to focus on the silver lining and provide hope whenever possible. The good news is that these dreary days won’t last forever, and soon we’ll be back to our normal lives and enjoying the many beautiful outdoor spaces Colorado has to offer.

 

While you’re stuck at home and dreaming of brighter days, we’re here to remind you to put these fantastic Colorado parks on your post-quarantine day trip list:

 

1 | Poudre River Whitewater Park, Fort Collins

This revolutionary venue is the only whitewater park in northern Colorado. Whether you’re a killer kayaker, terrific tuber, or just someone who enjoys relaxing next to the rushing rapids, the Poudre River Whitewater Park is the place for you. Officially opened to the public in October 2019, the park is located in north Fort Collins and boasts an enormous pedestrian bridge, children’s play area, new paved trails and plenty of boating features for an adventurous day.

 

2 | Woodbriar Park, Greeley

This spacious park has been a Greeley staple since its original construction in the 1970s. Over the last few years, the City of Greeley decided the entire park needed a revamp with a new neighborhood park and improved stormwater system that was better coordinated with city departments. The redesigned Woodbriar Park was unveiled in 2018 and included a natural style of playground and adjacent structures that were repurposed from existing trees.

 

3 | Confluence Park, Denver

Confluence Park and Shoemaker Plaza have been dubbed “The Heart of Denver,” and we couldn’t agree more! This iconic landmark was one of our largest – and most challenging – projects a few years back. During the shore work, buried coal tar was discovered, requiring construction to pause for a year to address water treatment and filtering. Today, the ADA-sensitive plaza serves as a gathering space for Denver residents, with the South Platte River running alongside it.

 

4 | Twin Silo Park, Fort Collins

Who can forget when those two giant silos popped up in southeast Fort Collins? Located just south of Fossil Ridge High School, this relatively new community park was a gamechanger for the growing population in the region. The park is outfitted with a twisting slide connecting two relocated steel silos, a farmhouse-inspired shelter, pickleball courts, multi-purpose fields and a unique vertical grow wall. This summer, come out to enjoy a BMX riding area and water play area in McClelland’s Creek.

 

5 | Wellington Community Park, Wellington

As soon as we’re able to gather in crowds of more than 10, Wellington Community Park is the perfect venue for a summer softball league. Located near the Buffalo Creek subdivision, this 30-acre park includes ball fields, tennis courts, a dog park, playground, splash pad and multipurpose fields. In addition to the new amenities, ECI improved the park’s stormwater system. So pack up a picnic basket and bring a frisbee – this park has a little bit of everything for our Wellington friends.

 

6 | Mehaffey Park, Loveland

This gem in west Loveland has everything you need for a jam-packed day of family fun! Mehaffey Park includes an adventure playground with one-of-a-kind concrete climbing and retaining walls that simulate natural stone properties and shade shelters, a custom skatepark and post tension tennis courts. Plus, the park features a lovely waterfall structure with a stream that runs through the entire playground.

 

7 | Margaret Carpenter Park, Thornton

Completed in 2013, Margaret Carpenter Park is considered Thornton’s flagship park – and for good reason. This 150-acre park is like none other, featuring a carousel, boat rental house and dock, bocce ball and shuffleboard courts, professional sand volleyball pit, horseshoe pits, 500-seat amphitheater, skate park, playground, and much more.

 

Here’s to a better summer and sunny days at the park!

Let the Adventure Begin: Poudre River Whitewater Park is Now Open

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The idea of a local whitewater park had been a Fort Collins dream for years. Mixing the rushing rapids of mountain life with the adventurous spirit embodied by Coloradans young and old eventually propelled this vision into a reality. After much planning, designing and sheer hard work, the Poudre River Whitewater Park was officially born in October 2019. This is the very first whitewater park to open in northern Colorado, and ECI is proud to include it on our list of completed projects.

A One-of-a-Kind Venue

Construction for the park began in August 2018. It drew ample attention throughout the entire construction process – and for good reason. It includes numerous unique aspects that set it apart from other outdoor venues in the region. Along with boating features for kayaking and tubing, the park has an enormous pedestrian bridge, children’s play area, new paved trails and walkways, and it is adorned with 3,000 willow whips lining the river’s edge.

River Floodplain Improvements

The project purpose wasn’t just for recreation – our team significantly improved the river floodplain. The Poudre River 100-Year floodway was narrowed from 770 to 325 feet wide, and the conveyance of floodwater under the College Avenue Bridge increased from 12,271 to 13,900 cubic feet per second. Additionally, ECI designed, engineered and installed a coffer dam that met all state water requirements to fully divert the Poudre River, without allowing it to flood during construction activities.

Sustainability as a Chief Focus

As with all our projects, sustainability took a front seat during the entire project to preserve the natural habitat. More than 10,000 cubic yards of rock materials are included in the river, and 100 percent of river rock extracted from the Poudre River was repurposed within the park. Similarly, our design team strategically crafted three wooden benches that were repurposed from trees removed from the project site and were placed throughout the park. Our team delicately worked around the historical Coy diversion structure with links to the Poudre river’s storied agricultural past. Finally, as to not negatively impact river inhabitants, we worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife and a fish biologist to incorporate a fish passage in the Poudre River for safe transport of fish.

A Team Effort

It is because of numerous dedicated entities that the Poudre River Whitewater Park came into fruition. A very special thanks to the following crews: The City of Fort Collins, Anderson Consulting Engineers, BHA Design Inc., S2o Design, and a strategic subcontractor team.

Visit the park, located at 201 E. Vine Drive in Fort Collins, year-round from 5 a.m.-11 p.m.!