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Denver Designates First Natural Area
October 18, 2005
(DENVER) Denver Parks and Recreation will announce today, Tuesday, October 18, 2005, at 1:00 p.m. designation of Heron Pond Natural Area. Heron Pond Natural Area is the first Denver city and county site to gain the official status of a designated natural area. It is located in a cul-de-sac approximately 1/8 of a mile west of Franklin Street on East 53rd Avenue, near Northside Park along the South Platte River.
"The awesome number of birds finding haven at Heron Pond are an indicator of the promise of this city refuge," commented Kim Bailey, Manager of Denver Parks and Recreation. "Care and good stewardship of areas such as Heron Pond will allow future generations the opportunity to understand and experience native plant communities, wildlife and geology in an easy, accessible urban setting."
Today's designation is a culmination of over 6 years of work. In 1999, Denver Parks and Recreation created the city's "Natural Area Program". This program works to protect and restore natural open space within Denver's urban park systems. The program has worked to identify open space areas within the city boundaries for native restoration. Working toward restoring sites to more natural sustainable states improve the quality of the wildlife habitats, soil and air.
Denver is located between the Rocky Mountains and mixed grass prairies. This position once brought a complex tapestry of native grasses, trees, shrubs and wildflowers that a supported a diversity of wildlife. However, throughout this century, much of our historical open space has deteriorated due to such things as non-native plant species, development and urbanization.
Areas such as Heron Pond are a critical component of our park system, will serve to preserve our natural, historical heritage. Heron Pond marks one of several city parcels that will serve to provide a place where people can experience the cities original natural landscape, and provide urban refuge for wildlife.
Media Contacts
Tiffany Moehring
(720) 913-0633
tiffany.moehring@ci.denver.co.us
Lindy Eichenbaum Lent
(720) 865-9016
lindy.e.lent@ci.denver.co.us
