Longmont’s Dickens Farm Nature Area has been selected as the 2020 recipient of the “Parks and Trails” award for a large community given out by the Colorado chapter of the American Public Works Association (CO APWA). The award traditionally would have been presented at the Colorado chapter’s annual conference, which has been cancelled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, a member of the CO APWA board is expected to present the award virtually at the Tuesday, Nov. 17, meeting of the Longmont City Council.

Dickens Farm Nature Area is an interactive nature area where the St. Vrain Creek runs right through. Located on a 52-acre site bordered by Main and Martin Streets to the west and east and by the Harvest Junction North shopping center and Boston Avenue to the north and south, Dickens Farm Nature Area brings nature to the heart of the city. Visitors can get to the nature area via multiple modalities, including bicycle, nearby bus route or on foot, and a dedicated parking area allows them to drive to this trailhead for the St. Vrain Greenway trail system and access the trail in either direction.

Highlights of Dickens Farm Nature Area include:

• A 0.6-mile float course that is free to use
• Discovery Island, an ADA-accessible nature discovery area with exploration trail
• Novice bike skills course on easy rolling terrain and built with various natural materials
• Slower-moving water play areas
• Passive recreation areas
• Multiple shelter areas, including a large group shelter

Total cost to construct the Dickens Farm Nature Area was just under $10 million. This cost included approximately $6.6 million for creek work and trail improvements that were completed as part of the Resilient St. Vrain City Reach 1 project, and approximately $3 million for the final Dickens Farm Nature Area improvements.

This newest nature area in Longmont’s parks system opened to the public in the spring, but the spread of the novel coronavirus cancelled plans for a grand opening. The lack of ceremony proved not to matter though, as residents and visitors from outside the area flocked to Dickens Farm to enjoy fresh air, water access, and time with family and friends.

A project summary excerpt from the award application reads: “With the completion of the Dickens Farm Nature Area, the City of Longmont has been able to provide a wildly popular natural amenity and major non-motorized transportation route in the heart of the city that also protects people and property from future flood risks. The float course, Discovery Island discovery area and novice bike skills course are accessible and suitable for all ages, providing the opportunity for all members of our community to have access to nature and water, two crucial elements of a healthy lifestyle. And it was completed just in time for residents and others to be able to enjoy it amidst the chaos and uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Other members of the award-winning project team include engineering and design firms Jacobs (formerly CH2M), MIG, Confluent Design, Recreational Engineering Planning and Biohabitats, along with contractors Zak Dirt (RSVP City Reach 1) and HPM, Inc (Dickens Farm Nature Area).

“Completion of Dickens Farm Nature Area has given our Longmont community a great place to play, while also providing local wildlife a safe passage along the creek corridor,” said Dale Rademacher, City of Longmont Deputy City Manager. “This project continues to show the ability of the City of Longmont to turn the tragedy of the 2013 flood into success, while keeping the environment and wildlife as important project priorities as well.”

This is the 35th year of the CO APWA awards program. Award criteria included innovation, achievement, transference and cooperation. The Dickens Farm project is highlighted on page 16 of a Special Awards Issue.

Learn more about the amenities at Dickens Farm Nature area at bit.ly/dickens-farm or call 303-651-8416.