An aerial view shows the enormity of the Westerly Creek North project. Currently, the channel has narrow, sharp curves. For a more effective floodplain, engineers have had to fill in the old channel and create a new wider channel (marked by the tan blankets) with gradual, meandering curves. (Photo by Jerry Sykora)

The new channel will flow where the tan blankets are laid. Construction crews hammered in 24-inch stakes to hold the blankets in place, a very labor-intensive process, according to Project Manager Tammy Bachli. Rocks at the foreground are purposely placed there to form a riffle, or a more shallow area of the channel with higher turbulence to slow the flow.

People traveling along Boston or Dayton streets north of Central Park Rec Center have probably noticed the massive pile of dirt or heard the clamor of construction. This is Westerly Creek North.

To the south, Westerly Creek has been rebuilt with meandering curves and wide gradual banks to carry storm water during heavy rainfall. Until recently, this northern section still had narrow, sharp turns and erosion created a deep channel can steep cliffs. As part of a $12-million project to revamp the remaining 64 acres of Westerly Creek Park, the channel is currently being rebuilt to match the southern portion, creating both an effective flood plain and an open space park. The park will have trail connections that seamlessly blend with the adjoining parks, Uplands Prairie East, Uplands Prairie West and Westerly Creek to the south.

Once completed, Westerly Creek North will be a natural wetlands habitat.

“Westerly Creek North is really the heart of the Sand Creek Greenway in Denver. It will be a gathering place for people all over the city,” says Kate Kramer, executive director of the Sand Creek Regional Greenway Partnership.

The project began in March and will be completed in two phases: phase one includes the earthwork and the pedestrian bridge; phase two will be the irrigation, trails and landscaping.

Despite the two major July storms while diversion of the channel was under construction, the drainage way was still able to accommodate floodwater and send it to Sand Creek. Though the actual channel required re-grading, and diversion points between the old and new channels needed to be re-established, the re-work due to the floods was minimal, according to Charlie Nicola, vice president of Forest City. But planting, originally planned for November, will now have to wait until spring due to recent flooding.

When the project is completed, Westerly Creek North will be a major link in a spine across the city for walkers and bikers. “We feel incredibly happy that this is being done and pleased and impressed with the design and construction of this park. It will be a beautiful part of nature for everyone,” Kramer says.

Bachli stands at the edge of the mound, which had been used as a dumping ground for concrete and construction materials, and the rubble has been a concern to residents. The top surface has been cleared of the old debris and a more gradual slope was built north of the mound as it approaches the drop-off. However the construction debris will not be removed from the steep cliff. It is embedded in the hillside and keeps it stable to accommodate high water during Sand Creek floods.

Project Manager Tammy Bachli stands on a mound in the Uplands East area. The mound was created using approximately 118,000 cubic yards of dirt removed when the Westerly Creek channel was regraded. The mound was built to block noise from the highway and modify the steep drop-off to Sand Creek.