Our History to Ensure Open Space -- S. Platte Park and Aspen Grove
Did you know that the rezoning of agricultural land along South Santa Fe Drive adjacent to South Platte Park was one of the first major projects for a fledgling SMLC?
Before Aspen Grove was opened in 2001 there had been efforts to rezone the parcel upon which Aspen Grove would eventually be built. Citizens in the south metro region were deeply concerned about the loss of open space and natural areas to development. It’s worth noting that this concern was prevalent throughout the State of Colorado; some of us still remember the photo of a sprawling housing development on the cover of National Geographic with the mountains as back-drop – and it wasn’t meant as complimentary.
South Platte Park has its own unique history as a result of the 1965 S. Platte River flood (you can read more about it here: https://www.ssprd.org/Portals/0/South%20Platte%20Park/Park%20History%20Brochure.pdf. By the 1990s citizens were solidly in support of S. Platte Park being a vast natural park and they wanted to be sure that the City of Littleton was doing everything it could to protect it. SMLC’s founding member and long-time Board Member, Bobbie Sheffield, was one of the seven people appointed by the City of Littleton to its “Open Space Task Force” in early 1996. The Task Force’s charge was to make buffer recommendations that would mitigate the effects of development on S. Platte Park.
The Task Force -- chaired by then-Council Member Pat Cronenberger, now current SMLC Board President -- identified five properties to be added to S. Platte Park’s boundaries in order to buffer the park and enhance its viability. One recommended buffer, 25-acres at the Newton Property, was part of the original land zoned for what would become Aspen Grove. At that time, SMLC was in the lead in the purchase of the property which was eventually executed with significant financial help from the City of Littleton, Great Outdoors Colorado and South Suburban Parks and Recreation.
During subsequent years, all identified buffers were either added to the park or became uses that complement and enhance the park. As always, it helps to have a plan and the will to accomplish it!