Summary Guide to the Community Vision Plan

A GUIDE TO

THE

COMMUNITY VISION PLAN FOR THE HIGH LINE CANAL

Charting Our Course for the Next Century April 2017

INTRODUCTION

A Shared for Our Canal

What is the Vision Plan?

The Vision Plan is a community-driven, forwardlooking story of what the Canal can be in the future.

Vision

The High Line Canal Conservancy and Denver Water, in close collaboration with a host of regional partners, facilitated unprecedented community engagement throughout the course of 2016 to develop this Vision Plan. Bringing together thousands of residents from all over the region, this initiative inspired participants to think big about their vision for the Canal’s future.

This Vision Plan will ensure the Canal reaches its greatest potential as an environmental, recreational, social, historic and economic asset along all of its 71 miles.

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THE PROCESS

An Inclusive and Passionate Conversation More than 3,500 community members helped write the High Line Canal Vision Plan.

They came to open houses, filled in online surveys, participated in community events, engaged along the Canal itself and welcomed focused discussions in their meeting rooms and neighborhoods.

This open, broad and inclusive process is the foundation of the shared vision summarized in this document.

A Summer of Outreach Along the Entire Reach of the Canal 12 Community

500 online

3,500 people engaged

8 strategic

Open Houses

1,200 event attendees

70 community events in communities along the 71 miles 2

survey participants

input sessions reaching over 40 leaders

125 youth

engaged through events and activities

100 community

leaders engaged

60 engagements with community leaders and governmental sta

30 informational presentations

ADAMS CITY & COUNTY OF DENVER

AURORA ENGLEWOOD

ARAPAHOE

CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE GREENWOOD VILLAGE

LITTLETON

South Suburban Parks & Recreation District

CENTENNIAL

Highlands Ranch Metro District

Community Open Houses Other Events

DOUGLAS 3

PLANNING CONTEXT

Why Plan Now?

Dug by hand in the late 1800s, the Canal was originally constructed as an irrigation ditch to bring South Platte River water to surrounding farmlands. Today, the Canal serves as a water delivery method for a fraction of its original water users. However, since its adjacent maintenance road opened as a recreational trail for the region in the 1970s, recreational and municipal desires for use of the Canal have grown and adjacent residential developments began concentrating stormwater runoff.

The historic Canal has always faced challenges as an irrigation delivery system due in part to its water right’s junior priority date and high rate of seepage and evaporation. Today, as the Denver region experiences unprecedented growth in numbers and in diversity, and as water is a limited precious resource, the High Line Canal is a prime example of how we, as responsible stewards, must look at the future differently than the past.

The Vision Plan explores opportunities to preserve and enhance the Canal’s natural beauty, environmental benefits and recreational value that make it a treasured resource.

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The Historic Canal

The Canal’s Evolving Role From irrigation water delivery infrastructure to regional greenway 1859: Gold rush and settling of the South Platte and Cherry Creek regions 1881: Canal construction starts 1883: Canal construction completed 1924: Canal acquired by Denver Water

The Canal Today

1970: Sections of the Canal service road opened to the public for recreational use 2002: Severe drought and Rocky Mountain Arsenal ponds no longer being served from the Canal resulted in a significant reduction in annual irrigation flows in the Canal 2010: High Line Canal Working Group formed 2012: Core Team formed 2014: High Line Canal Conservancy formed 2016: Regional planning for future of the Canal creates Vision Plan 2017: Today, the High Line Canal sees over 500,000 recreational users each year

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THE VISION

Our Canal

An Experi Like The High Line Canal extends from the foothills of the great Rocky Mountains to the expansive prairie stretching to the distant horizon. Along the way, this connective thread weaves through many dierent ecosystems and communities. Now, and in the future, the Canal oers residents and visitors the unique experience of exploring the incredible mosaic of people, places and wildlife of the region.

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ence No Other

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THE VISION

VISION STATEMENT

The High Line Canal’s 71 preserved and enhanced as connects people to nature communities together from

GUIDING PRINCIPLES The community’s priorities inspired the vision, distilled into these five guiding principles.

By moving forward under the guidance of these principles, the Canal will be a natural, connected and continuous, varied, managed and enhanced resource for the region— now and for future generations.

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meandering miles will be a cherished greenway that and binds varied the foothills to the plains.

NATURAL To preserve the natural character of the Canal, ensuring it continues to be a natural refuge for the region’s population and wildlife. The Canal’s natural, scenic beauty is integral to its identity.

CONNECTED & CONTINUOUS To maintain and increase the connectivity of the Canal along all 71 miles, preserving and enhancing the Canal’s use as an important continuous resource and as part of the regional environmental and trail network.

VARIED To respect the variety of communities and experiences along the Canal and to preserve its various physical characteristics of the different character zones through the course of its 71 miles.

MANAGED To work together in order to preserve and support a long-term, sustainable future for generations to come.

Our Canal is a critical, cherished asset for the region.

ENHANCED To enhance the enjoyment and use of the Canal in keeping with its natural and varied character.

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GUIDING PRINCIPLES

A Natural Refuge the Region—From Foothills to the Pla With different ecosystems along its length, the Canal offers opportunities to experience many aspects of the region’s environments and wildlife. The Canal threads together creeks, greenways and protected open spaces, making it an important environmental corridor. The vision is for the Canal to remain a healthy environmental resource as well as a place to connect with nature.

Green Connections The Canal is adjacent to 72 different green spaces ranging from pocket parks to state parks.

Together, the Canal system connects over 8,000 acres.

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A Home to the Region’s Wildlife The Canal is home to 199 species of birds, 28 species of mammals and 15 species of reptiles.

for the ins

NATURAL To preserve the natural character of the Canal, ensuring it continues to be a natural refuge for the region’s population and wildlife. The Canal’s natural, scenic beauty is integral to its identity.

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GUIDING PRINCIPLES

An Impressive Re 71 Connected Mi The High Line Canal was designed to stretch all the way from Waterton Canyon to just shy of the Denver International Airport. Comprising nearly 860 acres of land area (larger than Central Park in New York City!), the Canal system connects neighborhoods, other trails, schools, parks and other open spaces. It serves as a recreational resource throughout the region.

The vision is for the Canal to be a connected 71-mile ribbon from the foothills to the plains, with safe access for all neighborhoods and visitors.

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Connecting a Regional Network

Educational Connections

The Canal connects with 13 major trails and numerous other local and neighborhood trails.

It includes 13 existing underpasses (with 4 more planned/under development) and 85 at-grade crossings.

The Canal is within a quarter-mile of 28 public and private schools.

ach— les!

CONNECTED & CONTINUOUS To maintain and increase the connectivity of the Canal along all 71 miles, preserving and enhancing the Canal’s use as an important continuous resource and part of the regional environmental and trail network.

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GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Experiencing § ¦ ¨ the Canal: The Canal’s Five Character Zones 25

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CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER 287 7 70 40 28

DENVER 83

The character zones recognize the five distinct sections along the Canal and celebrate its diversity, each offering a unique identity and enjoyable experience.

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88

CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE

GREENW VILLAG

LITTLETON 75

South Suburban Parks & Recreation District

Woode CENTENNIAL

121

Highlands Ranch Metro District

CHATFIELD STATE PARK

470

Rolling Foothills 85

Mile 0 Diversion Structure

Canal Trail starts here

Wild Canyon

HERE YOU’LL FIND...

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Wild Canyon

Rolling Foothills

The Canal’s beginning in the foothills of the Rockies is its most rugged, wild section—a place to explore and look for wildlife including bears and bighorn sheep.

In this section, you will pass through rural landscapes and established and growing neighborhoods.

Spectacular views await around almost every corner!

ROCKY MOUNTAIN ARSENAL NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

ADAMS COUNTY

Green Valley Ranch

§ ¦ ¨ 70

Prairie Retreat

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AURORA § ¦ ¨ 225

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Urban Refuge

CHERRY CREEK STATE PARK

ARAPAHOE COUNTY

WOOD GE

ed Village

§ ¦ ¨ 25

DOUGLAS COUNTY

Wooded Village

Urban Refuge

Prairie Retreat

This zone is a shady, peaceful retreat for neighborhoods with wellmaintained trees and other vegetation and proximity to preserved conservation land.

In this section, the Canal is a natural refuge—but never far away from urban amenities.

Here you’ll pass schools, intersect with other trails and parks and see a variety of housing.

The northern stretch features prairie landscapes with spaces along the Canal to connect with others, play and learn.

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GUIDING PRINCIPLES

A Connected Thr Weaving Together Varied Communi and Ecosystems The 71 miles of the Canal pass through many different communities and ecosystems. The Canal changes with the seasons and offers different uses throughout—for walkers, cyclists, runners, equestrians and more. The trail itself also changes in physical form from wide in places to narrower in others, and differs in trail surface, vegetation and views. In addition, demographics and surrounding neighborhoods vary dramatically along the Canal. The vision is for the Canal to celebrate these differences and offer a diversity of experiences along its length.

Regional Partnerships The Canal passes through 11 distinct jurisdictions, including Adams County, Arapahoe County, the City and County of Denver, Douglas County, Aurora, Centennial, Cherry Hills Village, Greenwood Village, Littleton, Highlands Ranch Metro District and South Suburban Parks and Recreation District.

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ead, ties

VARIED To respect the variety of communities and experiences along the Canal and to preserve its various physical characteristics through the course of its 71 miles.

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GUIDING PRINCIPLES

A Cherished and Cared-for Greenway The vision is for the Canal to be a focal point for the community, robustly supported by committed citizens and local partners, and elevated by a strategic management structure.

Achieving this vision—and preserving the long-term health of the Canal— requires a managed effort with everyone working together. Careful adaptations like drip irrigation, new trees species and stormwater can nourish the Canal’s ecosystem, providing new models of responsible water management and stewardship.

Communities Working Together Tackling the challenges of a growing region requires different ways of thinking, increased collaboration and new kinds of partnerships. The High Line Canal Vision Plan represents a model of regional cooperation—led by an effective partnership between the High Line Canal Conservancy and Denver Water and supported with representatives from every jurisdiction actively and eagerly at the table.

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MANAGED To work together in order to preserve and support a long-term, sustainable future for generations to come. Our Canal is a critical, cherished asset for the region.

ADAMS COUNTY

CITY & COUNTY OF DENVER Aurora Cherry Hills Village

ARAPAHOE COUNTY

Littleton South Suburban Parks & Recreation District

Greenwood Village Centennial

Highlands Ranch Metro District

DOUGLAS COUNTY

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GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Enhancing the Na Enjoyable Experie The Canal is a well-loved regional resource, but basic amenities, such as wayfinding signage and benches, could enhance the safety and comfort for users. The vision is for Canal experiences to be enjoyable, easy to navigate and natural. Enhancing means thoughtfully and sensitively improving the experience along the different sections of the Canal, always respecting the Canal’s natural character.

Stormwater Opportunity: A New Life for a Regional Legacy Denver Water is considering whether the Canal could embrace additional use for stormwater management based on the potential benefits it might provide to municipalities and users of the Canal. Previous studies show that, in addition to improving water quality, diverting stormwater into the Canal could result in 100 more wet days each year for the Canal.

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tural, nce ENHANCED To enhance the enjoyment and use of the Canal in keeping with its natural and varied character.

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MOVING FORWARD

The Way Forward To fulfill the Vision Plan, the High Line Canal Conservancy, Denver Water and the adjacent jurisdictions will move forward under the guidance of these five strategies to implement and sustain the vision in coordination with local entities.

STRATEGY 1

Create a Roadmap for the Canal’s Future Physical Form STRATEGY 2

Build Awareness & Understanding of the Canal STRATEGY 3

Align the Canal’s Management & Funding Structure with the Vision STRATEGY 4

Harness the Community’s Passion to Promote Stewardship of the Canal STRATEGY 5

Capitalize on Existing Momentum to Take Action Now

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Focus on the next phase of planning and implementation—including Canal-wide planning with character zone plans, as well as considering stormwater opportunities and wayfinding signage.

Create a coordinated communications strategy, expand educational programs and develop materials like maps and signage to help users explore the Canal.

Focus on planning for the long-term future of the Canal’s management and identify funding sources. Key to this future will be continuing the successful collaboration among the Canal’s many jurisdictions, districts and agencies.

Expand opportunities for the community to support the Canal through volunteer programs, strategic partnerships, on-the-Canal activities and community involvement.

Initiate quick-win projects to bring near-term improvements to the Canal. Crossing improvements, stormwater demonstration projects, pedestrian bridge upgrades and additional tours and programming are all opportunities to make visiting the Canal safer, more accessible and enjoyable for residents along its full length.

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MOVING FORWARD

What to Expect Next The community’s vision for the Canal is now written along with a comprehensive collection of recommended strategic actions designed to secure an exciting new future. Recommended steps include additional planning efforts for the Canal and its character zones, processes related to clarifying future funding and management, coordination of funding opportunities and a series of programs focusing on stewardship, activation and education.

Looking Ahead ■■

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Canal programs focusing on stewardship, activation and education, led by the Conservancy in partnership with other local organizations

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Wayfinding signage design

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Stormwater demonstration project implementation and Stormwater Program Study

Central to all of these initiatives moving forward is the sense that the community and its voice will continue to be welcomed and heard. To achieve the vision established by the community will take many years of hard work, cooperation and creativity. It is a journey that will shape and protect an incredible legacy for the region—one that will inspire, connect and nurture generations to come.

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Phase 2 Planning including the Framework Plan with Character Zone Plans, Landscape Design Guidelines, and Trail & Maintenance Standards

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Continued coordination with local jurisdictions, districts and other governing entities; cultural and community organizations, developers near the Canal and other stakeholders; and the broader public 25

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The Canal touches multiple diverse communities and it is their common passion and commitment that built this powerful Vision Plan. It is only through these varied voices, along with the great efforts of our partners, that we have been able to produce this transformational regional vision for the future of our historic and beloved High Line Canal.

High Line Canal Conservancy Board of Directors Nina Beardsley Itin Chair Dirk McDermott Vice Chair

Paula Herzmark David Lorenz

Marty Zeller Vice Chair

Tony Pickett

Karl Friedman Treasurer

Tracy Young

Mike Rosser Secretary Jock Bickert James Bolt Daniel Brogan

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Anthony Graves

Tom Waymire Nancy Sharpe Ex OďŹƒcio Harriet Crittenden LaMair Ex OďŹƒcio

Council of Advisors Mayor Michael B. Hancock Honorary Chair Mayor Steve Hogan Honorary Chair

Happy Haynes Judith Judd Kate Kramer Bob LeGare*

Elaine Asarch

Jim Lochhead

Pam Beardsley

Bill Mosher

Bruce Beckman*

Andy Nielson

Susan Beckman

Betsy Oudenhoven

Kendra Black*

Jim Petterson

Laura Christman*

Doug Robotham

Deedee Decker

Sarah Rockwell

Peter Decker

Trey Rogers

Nancy Doty*

Tom Roode

John Fielder

Je Shoemaker

Stacie Gilmore*

Harold Smethills

Tom Gougeon

Linda Strand

Judy Grant

Kathy Turley*

Newell Grant

Dean Winstanley

Kathy Green

*elected official

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HOW TO GET INVOLVED Become a member Donate Volunteer Stay engaged and involved in future planning Join activities and bring friends to the Canal Participate in stewardship events

For more information about the Canal and the Vision Plan process, visit the High Line Canal Conservancy’s website

highlinecanal.org 28

Photo Credits All images credited to Sasaki unless noted below. front & back cover High Line Canal Conservancy page 1 High Line Canal Conservancy page 2 PlaceMatters page 3, top High Line Canal Conservancy page 4, top Denver Water (album 28_Page 80_#1109) page 6-7 High Line Canal Conservancy page 10 High Line Canal Conservancy page 11, bottom High Line Canal Conservancy page 13, bottom High Line Canal Conservancy page 16, top John Fielder page 17, bottom High Line Canal Conservancy page 18 http://www.eenorth carolina.org/ educators-literacy-plan.html page 20 http://www.freepik.com/ free-photo/rest-trail-walknature-bench_667497.htm page 27 High Line Canal Conservancy page 28-29 High Line Canal Conservancy

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highlinecanal.org