Current Projects

Powers Park Construction to start in Fall

Powers Park temporarily fills with water after rainstorm.

South Suburban Parks and Recreation (SSPR) has drafted a design for Powers Park……SSPR has completed its first round of public outreach…… construction will start later this year!!

In 2021, SMLC funded a Vision Plan for the park to make it a place the neighbors will enjoy and connect with nature. SMLC’s Vision Plan led to both the City of Littleton and SSPR adding the Powers Park project to their Capital Improvement Plans thus committing major funding toward the construction of the park improvements. Partners also include Arapahoe County Open Spaces, South Metro Housing Options, North Littleton Promise, Colorado Department Public Health and Environment and a local foundation.

SMLC is deeply impressed with the careful thought and consideration the SSPR planners have given to the design. Powers Park’s main purpose has been as a stormwater detention facility to minimize local flooding since the 1970s but it has had minimal park amenities.

We have come a long way since meeting with officials in the park during the pandemic to get this project off the ground. It all started when the SMLC Board learned that South Metro Housing Options (SMHO, Littleton’s public housing authority) was planning a 51-unit apartment building on a corner of the park. SMHO was interested in ideas that could make this park a true asset for the seniors who will live there. SMLC was interested in seeing the park transform to serve seniors and all of the neighbors in this dense part of the City of Littleton.

Please check out SSPR's project page here: https://gameplan.ssprd.org/powers-park-improvement-project

 

IMG_1912
Residents of the nearby skilled nursing facility try to enjoy Powers Park under make-shift tent; they will soon have a beautiful picnic pavilion from which to enjoy the park.

Thirty for Thirty

SMLC thanks the community for its support for its inaugural tree planting program last year.  We made a contribution to the City of Sheridan to help with their neighborhood tree planting efforts.  We are continuing this program in 2025.  Every $30 donation will benefit local tree planting efforts and support our organization. Donate today!

Photo by Maureen Ravnik
This owl, photographed at South Platte Park, exhibiting rarely seen defensive behavior. Photo by Maureen Ravnik