Click the above button to learn more about construction in and around City Park Pond.

Big Dry Creek Streambank Restoration Project

What’s Happening Now:

Big Dry Creek Trail Temporary Detour Mid- May Through June 2024

The Big Dry Creek Trail in City Park between Eaton Street and the trail access point at 109th Circle will be closed temporarily during construction from mid-May through June 2024. Construction activities and heavy equipment will be re-shaping this area for two new stormwater ponds. Crews will also remove the existing concrete channel and vault to install a new outfall pipe to the creek.

Once this work is complete, we will remove the retention pond just upstream near the Westin Hotel. This will help us  realign Big Dry Creek to its native path. When complete, a new 10-foot-wide concrete trail with a 4-foot soft path side will be installed through this area.  

For safety, pedestrians and cyclists must use the posted detour around the construction area. Detour and information signs will be posted on the trail with advanced warning of the closure.  

Thank you for your patience as we complete improvements to City Park Pond and Big Dry Creek.

What to expect during construction:

The City of Westminster is teaming up with the Mile High Flood District to improve Big Dry Creek’s water quality and flood management capabilities through City Park.  

As crews prepare the work sites at City Park and near Big Dry Creek, tree removal has been completed. This project aims to build and support a healthy and thriving habitat for our native plants and animals. The first step is to remove the noxious and invasive tree species. Alive and dead trees will strategically remain for future habitat restoration and nesting. This project will plant and establish 425 trees, hundreds of willow whips, and thousands of native shrubs and plugs, build a wetland area, establish pollinator corridors, and install educational facilities. We ask for your patience as we work through these improvements to create these amenities for our citizens and wildlife.  

Current work includes: 

• Lining of the pond with large polyethylene sheets 
• Local channel grading and stabilization. 
• Sediment removal. 
• Reconstructing or replacing grade control structures, box culverts, and retaining walls. 
• Installation of water quality ponds for stormwater runoff 
• Vegetation management and replanting. 
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As work continues, please expect:  

• Crews will work Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.- 5 p.m. 
• Saturday work will only occur as needed. 
• No work will be performed on Sundays or major holidays. 
• Crews and heavy equipment will be in the streambed, pond and project vicinity. The stream will be rerouted during construction. 
• Construction equipment, including trucks and trailers, may be parked on surrounding streets within the City Park area and not within the neighborhoods. Construction access points will be off Sheridan at 107th Ave and off 104th Ave near the Tribute Garden parking lot. 
• Trail closures will be necessary throughout the project. Detours and maps will be posted when applicable. 
• Traffic control signs and detour routes will be posted as needed for the safety of drivers, pedestrians, and trail users.  
• Following construction, the area will be seeded with native grass seed. Once complete, it will take a few years for weed control, growth of native plantings, and revegetation.  

To follow the project through construction, visit here to view updated images on the project's progress. 

About The Project

The City of Westminster is teaming up with the Mile High Flood District to improve Big Dry Creek’s water quality and flood management capabilities, and make it more resilient to intense storm runoff events. Together, we are repairing and stabilizing streambanks from 112th Avenue to Wadsworth Boulevard. This project will address Big Dry Creek’s stream instability, flood management, and maintenance needs. Years of urban runoff has led to steep, unsafe streambanks. This degradation is also approaching sewer pipes and trails, which need to be protected from further damage. Mitigating these risks will allow our community to continue safely enjoying activities along the Big Dry Creek for years to come.

This project will address multiple project areas along the Big Dry Creek and the timeline for each area is below.

Typical project work includes:

• Site-specific construction activities that rebuild and reestablish existing, neglected, or damaged drainage facilities with structural problems, such as:
  • Local channel grading, stabilization, and replanting
  • Vegetation management
  • Trash and debris cleanup
  • Weed and noxious vegetation control
  • Tree thinning
  • Sediment removal
  • Revegetation
  • Reconstructing or replacing grade control structures, box culverts and retaining walls

Tree Removal and Planting: 

This project aims to build and support a healthy and thriving habitat for our native plants and animals. The first step is to remove the noxious and invasive tree species. Alive and dead trees will strategically remain for future habitat restoration and nesting. This project will plant and establish 425 trees, hundreds of willow whips, and thousands of native shrubs and plugs, build a wetland area, establish pollinator corridors, and install educational facilities. We ask for your patience as we work through these improvements to create these amenities for our citizens and wildlife. 

Sign up for project updates here!

Project Map

Project Work Phases:

Wadsworth Boulevard to Westcliff Parkway (Substantially Complete)

Phase 1:

• Wadsworth Boulevard to Westcliff Parkway Construction – Fall 2022-Spring 2023 

• Wadsworth Boulevard to Westcliff Parkway Vegetation Establishment and Growth – Summer 2023-2026 

Phase 2:

• Wadsworth Boulevard to Westcliff Parkway Construction – Fall 2023 - Spring 2024
• Wadsworth Boulevard to Westcliff Parkway Vegetation Establishment and Growth – 2025-2030

Project Photos

Before:

After Construction:

Re-Vegetation:

City Park

(Under Construction)

This project will improve sections of Big Dry Creek between W. 104th Avenue and Sheridan Boulevard near City Park and Highlands Creek near W. 104th Avenue. Reconnecting the natural floodplain along the Big Dry and Highlands creeks will result in the following benefits:

• Reduced maintenance costs
• A healthier stream
• Improved flood management
• Natural beauty
• More trees
• Nine new pedestrian bridges

Timeline: 

• City Park Construction – Winter 2024–Fall 2026
• City Park Vegetation Establishment and Growth – Summer 2026-2031

Detours: Trail detours will be noted once a construction plan is set.

Project map:

• Big Dry Creek Plan Graphic Phase 2 Grayed
• Big Dry Creek Plan Graphic - Reduced File Size Phase 2 Grayed

Sheridan Boulevard to 112th Avenue

(In Design)

The Big Dry Creek will be reconstructed between Sheridan Boulevard and 112th Avenue. The project will include trail extensions and realignments to improve flow and trail access.

Timeline: To be determined. 

Detours: Trail detours will be noted once a construction plan is set.