Last updated: January 31, 2024
Article
Rooted in Community: Repairing community trust through the creation of Platte Farm Open Space
Image courtesy of Valerian LLC
GROUNDWORK DENVER
Metal smelting and refining operations took place in Denver’s Globeville neighborhood starting in 1886, leading to a buildup of heavy metals (including cadmium, arsenic, and lead) and to the contamination of soil, sediment, groundwater, and surface water. In 2006, a group of residents contacted Groundwork Denver to help them clean up a local 5.5-acre brownfield site and create a safe, accessible, inviting open space.
Over the course of the next seven years, Groundwork Denver played a key role in this project’s visioning, planning, and implementation. The team supported the process to purchase the brownfield site, remediate the soil, and create a beneficial neighborhood asset. They secured funding on behalf of the neighborhood to plan for the space, then connected local leaders with landscape architects, environmental consultants, and survey experts who could help bring their vision to life.
Building trust was a crucial aspect of this work. Over the years, there had been a lack of communication around the status and safety of this site, and limited opportunity for the community to participate in planning for its future. In fact, this project was the first time the city designed an open space in such a collaborative partnership with the community. Groundwork Denver helped create a thorough design process where all stakeholders discussed every detail of what was to be in the space — from fencing options to preservation of existing assets to incorporating green infrastructure. Throughout, they worked intentionally to break down barriers and pave the way for more involved community engagement—collecting hundreds of signatures from neighbors, businesses, and schools in support of the project, and hosting countless meetings to gather input and provide updates.
“In order to be successful, you have to stay rooted in the community and remain focused on their goals—the community should always be included in a conversation that will affect them and their space.”
Cindy Chang, Executive Director Groundwork Denver
Completed in 2020, Platte Farm Open Space is now an official park in the Denver Park System. The new space works to solve a handful of issues that the Globeville neighborhood has historically faced: an overwhelmed stormwater system; blight caused by illegal dumping and neglect; and limited access to natural open spaces. It features short-grass prairie, walking trails, pollinator gardens, a play space, and stormwater infrastructure — providing ample opportunity for Globeville residents to enjoy and reconnect with nature in a neighborhood surrounded by industry.
Q+A with Cindy Chang, Executive Director, Groundwork Denver
What is the history of Platte Farm Open Space and how did it become contaminated?
The Globeville Asarco smelting plant and surrounding areas were a superfund site until 2014. Metal and refining operations took place from 1886 to 2006, leading to buildup of heavy metals like cadmium, arsenic, and lead, and to the contamination of soil, sediment, groundwater, and surface water. Despite these contaminants, the surrounding area near the open space was developed in the 1950’s as a residential neighborhood for employees from the smelting plant. The open space, historically used as a grazing space for the neighborhood, had become in recent years a site for illegal dumping.
What was Groundwork Denver’s role in this project?
A group of residents focused on cleaning up a local 5.5-acre brownfield within the larger superfund site being remediated by EPA. When first considering what to do with the space, residents reached out to their council woman —she referred them to us. We served as a connector between residents and city officials, mainly in a facilitating role as we worked to develop trust between these two groups. We participated in numerous meetings ensuring that residents had an equal position in the decision-making process and helped guide the vision and implementation of this project. We also facilitated the arduous process of transferring land from the utility to the city.
What unique capabilities did Groundwork Denver bring to this project?
We had persistence as a team, but especially from staff members leading this project. There were many challenges, but everyone involved demonstrated passion and a willingness to stick with it. We also have strong facilitation and communication skills that support the process of bringing voices together.
What are some of the features of the open space?
This was the first time the city designed an open space in such a collaborative partnership with the community. There was a long design process where all stakeholders talked about every detail of what was to be in the space. For example, we discussed the details of fencing. This was a big discussion — we wanted the area to feel welcoming and not closed off, but we also had to consider past habits (for example, people joyriding on the site). We agreed to use boulders as barriers, and residents were a part of that decision from the beginning. The space also features two large cottonwood trees special to the community, and a new walking trail. Green infrastructure was another concern, and we incorporated stormwater drainage throughout the space.
Who are your key partners and funders? What roles did they play?
The City of Denver was a key partner and funder — they supported both the decision-making process and the construction of the site. Platte Farm received a $550,000 grant from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and funding from Great Outdoors Colorado to help construct and maintain the site. We were also able to access some supplemental environmental funding through a broader legal settlement.* Citywide policies also supported this work. For instance, the city is committed to having open space within a 10-minute walk of any resident of Denver—Platte Farm Open Space allowed them to hold to that commitment in Globeville. It’s worth noting that the passage of a Ballot Measure 2A was a great achievement for Denver-based environmental justice leaders working to ensure that diverse communities have access to urban nature. The measure, approved by voters in 2018, calls for a quarter percent increase in Denver’s sales tax to be channeled toward expanding the city’s park system.
What advice would you give to a group looking to identify their own partners and funders?
Money can be found in city government if people are willing to work with you. Trust develops overtime, eventually opening budgets and pockets. Pro bono lawyers save a lot of money in the long run. We were lucky to have an amazing lawyer on our board who was able to get pro bono support from her law firm, Hogan Lovells. Overall, be creative!
How much staff was needed to complete this project?
One staff person worked on this project for 7 years with support from the executive director.
What are/were some of your biggest challenges?
It was challenging to facilitate the relationship between the city and residents, especially when historically residents did not trust government due to lack of communication around the Superfund site and reassurances that the land and air were safe. Groundwork Denver’s priority was to ensure that community voice was part of every step of the process, which takes longer but ensures that the plan is reflective of community needs. Through this process we were able to break down many barriers and pave the way for more involved community engagement.Funding was another challenge —having enough money to purchase a portion of the property from the utility, and to fully embark on the community engagement and design process that residents wanted to see. There were design and planning challenges due to a patchwork of zoning and property owners; we went through many different iterations of a park plan before construction could begin. Finally, there were years of discussion around who would own and maintain the open space, resulting in the City of Denver designating the property as a city park.
How does gentrification affect your work, and how does Groundwork Denver respond to that?
The neighborhoods we work in are prone to gentrification, and there are worries that projects like this will further encourage it. We partner with the Globeville, Elyria-Swansea Coalition Organizing for Health and Housing Justice (“GES Coalition”) and support their efforts to affect policy change and organize community members against preying developers. We support current residents in reducing their energy costs so they can afford to stay in their own homes. We also hire folks from the community to ensure their voice and expertise are part of our decision-making as an organization. And most of all, we listen and respond to the immediate needs we hear from the community.
Who now manages the space?
The Platte Farm Open Space is an official park in the city park system. A park crew manages the space from trash collection to irrigation to tree trimming.
Do you plan to continue work at this space?
Conversations continue with the community and city about the space. Right now, we are thinking about a phase 2 -- when and if there is energy to fundraise. From this experience, we can also be seen as a partner for city parks going forward. We work in seven other neighborhoods, and now we have the opportunity to engage with the city to think about more green infrastructure and increased tree planting. We are changing the conversation about what open space is.
What advice would you give to someone just starting a community project?
Stay rooted in community. There are a lot of distractions to chase funding sources and get away from your base. Be realistic about what you can do. This is a long-term fight, and we must sustain ourselves as much as we need to sustain our communities. You can't help others if you are drained yourself. And the community should always be included in a conversation that will affect them and their neighborhood.
* In 2009 WildEarth Guardians filed a lawsuit in federal court against Xcel Energy for the company’s alleged failure to monitor and limit emissions from the smokestacks of the 800 megawatt Cherokee coal-fired power plant. As part of the settlement, Xcel Energy has agreed to provide $447,000 to Groundwork Denver. These funds were used to complete energy efficiency projects for 142 homes, install solar panels on one or more public buildings, and were also used to support the development of the Platte Farm Open Space.
GROUNDWORK DENVER
Established: 2002
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