Sand Creek Regional Greenway Prepares for its 10th Anniversary

In the mid-1990s, with Stapleton slated for closure, the planning process began for a park infrastructure that would turn a blighted waterway in an industrial corridor into the Sand Creek Regional Greenway that today boasts 13.5 miles of trail through Commerce City, Denver and Aurora.

Five founding volunteers – Beth Conover, Pat McClearn, Happy Haynes, René Bullock, and Nadine Caldwell – spearheaded the concept. The Greenway opened to the public on June 8th, 2002.

The Greenway ushers in its 10th anniversary this year with plans to complete at least one construction project in each of the three cities, to honor city partners and to get people out to the trail with a robust schedule of activities.

The organization’s long-term goals include partnering to build trail connections to the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Refuge and improving the connection to the High Line Canal trail.

“We love our spine, but it’s meaningless unless people can get to it,” said Executive Director Kate Kramer.

Sand Creek made headlines last November after a spill from Suncor Energy’s refinery polluted its waters. According to Kramer, Suncor was quick to respond and have kept stakeholders abreast of their cleanup progress.

“We have been nothing but impressed with their commitment to the environment and community,” said Kramer. “We’re fans.”

Community Outreach Manager Caroline Fry oversees most organized activity on the greenway, including the Next Generation Program – a youth outreach program launched last year to bring students to the Greenway for environmental education and exercise.

“The Greenway is a fantastic resource to use educationally and recreationally,” said Fry.

For more information, visit sandcreekgreenway.org or call 303-468-3260.