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The Stapleton Development Plan's vision is to echo many of the design elements found in Denver's older neighborhoods. These are many of the design elements promoted by the New Urbanist movement. Certainly new technology, changing lifestyles and the reality of the automobile will modify these traditions, but the essence of creating community is still the driving vision behind Stapleton.
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Drive down a typical street in any suburban community. What do you experience? Houses with garage doors as the dominant house facade, large lots with private (or not so private) open space in the rear yard, generally no sidewalks (nothing close to walk to), strip shopping centers with a sea of parking as its front entry, and workplaces that are miles (and sometimes hours) away.
Stapleton offers house facades that feature a front porch (the garage is accessed from the rear alley), smaller lots with public open space (parks) as gathering places, sidewalks with tree lawns to encourage pedestrian activity, village shops and restaurants within walking distance of most residences (higher density and sidewalks make these easy to get to), workplaces and cultural venues close to housing (no need to get on the interstate).
The conventional suburban model promotes sprawl, the traditional neighborhood design (TND) promotes community. New Urbanism sets out specific strategies to accomplish Smart Growth goals. New Urbanism addresses the implementation challenges of building walkable neighborhoods and maintaining healthy regions. New Urbanism integrates community and economic development policies with design and development strategies.
Nearly 30% of Stapleton is reserved for parks and open space
Parks and open space define many of Denver's great neighborhoods. Washington Park, Cheesman Park, Congress Park, City Park and many others are grand public spaces that are part of Denver's legacy. Stapleton will build on that tradition devoting nearly 30% of its 4,700 acres to parks and open space, increasing the size of the Denver Park system by more than 25%.
The centerpiece of Stapleton's 1,116-acre regional park system will be the 80-acre "Central Park", nearly the size of Denver's Washington Park. Bikeways and paths, similar to those found along Denver's Cherry Creek will grace Stapleton's Sand Creek and Westerly Creek Greenways. On Stapleton's northern border, the community's extensive bike and trail system will link into the 17,000-acre Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge.
Portions of Stapleton's open space system already exist. The 123-acre Bluff Lake Nature Center and the 23-acre Urban Farm at Stapleton regularly host urban school children yearning for knowledge about nature and the country life. The 30-acre Fred Thomas Park always finds local residents picnicking or playing soccer. The Bladium Sports Club, formerly one of the Stapleton Airport hangers, offers two in-line skating rinks as well as extensive exercise opportunities.
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Randy Bell - Home Real Estate
13111 E. Briarwood Ave., Suite 370
Centennial, Colorado 80112
Phone: 720.373.4700
FAX: 720.221.0575
randy@sellcolorado.com
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