Carpio Sanguinette Heron Pond Park

The park is located in the area of a historic smelter, meatpacking plant, and former stockyards. After the EPA completed environmental remediation. A consolidation of four neglected land parcels became the 80-acre park intended to serve the needs of a disenfranchised community.

Located in north Denver, the site was poised to serve a north Denver community that had long suffered the ill effects of the former uses of the project site. Dig Studio worked with Wilson & Company and Biohabitats to develop the park master plan with extensive involvement and feedback from a stakeholder committee and the community. The resulting vision plan goals were to restore the native ecology, connect people to the park and the South Platte River, promote community health and well-being, and activate the park with cultural, educational and economic opportunities.

As Denver’s largest natural area, the park design responds to the hefty vision plan infrastructure, environmental and community-serving recommendations in numerous ways that come together beautifully. A stormwater quality facility serves over 650-acres of tributary area from communities to the west. The South Platte River trail, creating connectivity and visibility to this once-hidden parcel of land. A pollinator-themed playground reflects the park’s purpose as a natural area. Community gathering areas, picnic areas, an amphitheater, interpretive trail system, disc golf course, and a pump track serve community members with diverse interests with recreational and social gathering opportunities. The park will be completed in 2025.