Neighbors and patrons of Stanley Marketplace in northwest Aurora will see the transformation of the Westerly Creek area and fields just west of the marketplace. In December, Aurora Water and Aurora Parks, Recreation and Open Space began construction on a multi-million dollar project that is designed to improve stormwater management, enhance water quality, and increase connectivity of walking and biking trails in the vicinity.

Clint Weisz, capital projects manager with Aurora Water, said the scope of work has grown substantially in recent years. Originally the plan was to build a small water quality pond on less than an acre. “Since then, the project has evolved into something much bigger and will be a much greater asset to the community,” says Weisz.

Currently, the creek is a straight, industrial-looking ditch that flows along the west side of the marketplace. Weisz says the creek will be moved further west—across the field—toward Beeler St. “The channel will be reconstructed as a more natural-looking and natural-behaving channel. It will have curves in it and more grasses in it. It will be a healthier channel from a nature standpoint.”

One of the biggest innovations won’t be visible to the public. There will be an underground structure that will pull down debris—such as cans, bottles, and plastic bags—that is often found in urban waterways. The debris will be held in an underground tank, and water operations staff will regularly clean it out so that the garbage doesn’t travel downstream. Natural grasses will also help filter out toxins in the water.

In addition, the new channel will be better able to handle surges of stormwater runoff. “Any sort of rain that enters into the storm sewer system will be directed to this area,” says Weisz. “Anything from a small trickle up to larger events. It will all run through there.”

The second major goal of the project is to build more bridges and trails for bicyclists and pedestrians. Nicole Ankeny, manager of parks planning, design, and construction for the City of Aurora, calls it a “win-win project” since it will enable planners to extend the trail system and fill in gaps in the existing pathways where Aurora meets Denver. “There’s going to be a lot more connectivity,” says Ankeny.

Ally Fredeen, general manager of Stanley Marketplace, is excited about the project and says the enhanced trails will make it easier for people to leave their cars at home when visiting the stores and restaurants at the Stanley. “Stretching across Montview and bringing the neighborhood together through these new trails is going to be wonderful. It will encourage more walking and biking. I think people will feel like there’s a safer way to get around than on the streets, so it will be nice for families as well as the new apartment dwellers in the area.”

Stanley Marketplace owns much of the land that will be reconstructed and has been an active partner in the planning. Because the land is a flood plain, buildings or parking structures cannot be built on it, but Fredeen says the open space area will be enhanced for the kinds of events that the marketplace has offered for years: festivals, concerts, sporting events, puppy yoga, and much more. “There will be steps where people can sit and hang out. It will be more of a space where you want to spend time, where you will really be able to enjoy the ambience of the creek,” says Fredeen.

The project has been in the works for many years, and is currently in the permitting phase. Ankeney says it’s been a complicated process involving many entities and partners. “We cross a lot of different parcels of land throughout this project but we’re trying to ensure that all of those partners are on the same page and that we’re meeting all of the different requirements and needs of those project partners.”

Another complication was trying to have as little disruption as possible for the Village Farms at Stanley. In November, Village Farms at Stanley  packed up its gardening tools, lumber, and sheds to make way for the construction.

For five years, Village Farms has provided new immigrants with workforce training, a sense of community, and culturally-appropriate foods. Participants take part in a 22-week paid internship program that is offered May through October. The crops that they grow help stock a food pantry and are sold to area businesses, including Annette restaurant. They also grow flowers that are sold at the Stanley Farmer’s Market, as well as through Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) subscriptions.

“A lot of our participants come from farming backgrounds but the climate here is very different, so we teach them about the growing seasons in Colorado,” says Sydney Quynn, the farm’s program manager. The non-profit also helps with resume writing and interview training so participants can get jobs at small urban farms, greenhouses, or landscaping businesses in the area.

The farm relies on volunteers year-round to help plant seedlings, work in the gardens, and fundraise.

Next April, the farm will relocate to the northwest corner of the Stanley field, where the classroom trailer, sheds, gardens, and raised beds will be reestablished on a one-and-a-half-acre plot. Westerly Creek will be moved so it flows through the farm’s former location.

Overall completion of the Westerly Creek Project isn’t expected until the end of 2025 or beginning of 2026. But Fredeen is confident that it’s all going to be worth the wait and she says the project fits right in with Stanley Marketplace’s mission statement. “In our Stanifesto, we talk about bringing people together and connecting communities. And I think what this project will do is continue that mission beyond Stanley Marketplace and we look forward to seeing it take shape.”

Illustrations courtesy of the City of Aurora