Sentinel Northglen 6-20-13
Northglenn -Thornton
June 20, 2013
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A Colorado Community Media Publication
ournorthglennnews.com, ourthorntonnews.com
Adams County, Colorado • Volume 49, Issue 45
The county’s ‘hidden gem’
The Regional Park is home to seven major indoor facilities (not including the golf course facilities) which includes the Parks and CSU Extension Administration Building, shown here. Photos courtesy of Adams County
Regional Park offers wide variety of activities By Tammy Kranz
tkranz@ourcoloradonews.com
W
ith two golf courses, two fishing lakes, trails and a nature preserve among other things, the Regional Park offers more than the setting for the Adams County Fair every year. “The Regional Park hosts over 800 events annually ranging from livestock shows to weddings and quinceaneras (celebration for a girl’s 15th birthday),” said Melanie Snodell, co-fair manager. The park, 9755 Henderson Road in Brighton, has about 310,000 visitors annually, with about 60,000 of those for the county fair, said Kurt Carlson, Regional Park manager. “There are such a variety of things to do here,” he said. “The size, diversity and
wonderful setting just lend itself for a place to get away from the urban setting. We’re kind of a hidden gem out here.” The park used to be home to Henderson Island, which was the first permanent settlement in the South Platte River Valley. In 1859, Jack Henderson built a ranch, trading post and hotel on Henderson Island, according to Wikipedia. The land later became the Denver Poor Farm and was purchased by Adams County from the City and County of Denver on April 11, 1960. “The deed stated the property included about 180 acres that was intended to be used for a golf course, 60 acres to construct a fairgrounds and the remainder for recreational uses,” Carlson said. “Today, the Adams County Regional Park and Fairgrounds encompasses over 1,150 acres and shares the space with the Adams County Historical Society/Museum and two 18-hole Championship Golf Courses (Riverdale Knolls and Dunes).” The golf course clubhouse has a restaurant, banquet facilities and is the home of the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame. “It truly has it all for the serious or novice golfing enthusiast,” Carlson said.
An aerial view of the Adams County Regional Park taken in the 1970s. Most of the facilities at the park were constructed in the mid- to late-1960s. POSTAL ADDRESS
County park still evolving Trail expansion, new fishing lakes on the horizon By Tammy Kranz
tkranz@ourcoloradonews.com The Adams County Regional Park has evolved a lot since it was purchased in 1960. It has gone from 180 to 1,150 acres and the evolution continues. Kurt Carlson, park manager, highlighted two future projects that will add to the park’s attraction for users — the addition of about 300 acres, which will
The park manages seven major indoor facilities which include the Parks and CSU Extension Administration Building, Waymire Dome, Al Lesser Building, exhibit hall, indoor arena, Old Red Cross Building and the sale barn.
include three new fishing lakes and extending the South Platte River Trail. “(The 300 acres) has been part of the Regional Park for some time. It used to be farmland, but was mined for gravel since the mid-1980s and will now be reclaimed as three interconnected (lakes),” Carlson said. “Once the area is fully reclaimed, the (lakes) will be filled by a third party.” Of the 300 acres, one lake will have 45 surface acres, a second 59 and the third 56, according to Carlson. Park continues on Page 18
“Most of the facilities were constructed in the mid- to late-1960s,” he said. “The Al Lesser Building was renovated in 2003, the exhibit hall was renovated in 2005 and the Gem continues on Page 18
A 2005 aerial view of the Adams County Regional Park, 9755 Henderson Road in Brighton, which is 1,150 acres and includes golf courses, fishing lakes and trails, among other things.
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