Aviation Park Takes Off at Special Dedication

Join Mayor Steve Burkholder and the Lakewood City Council when they dedicate Aviation Park, the newest addition to Lakewood's parks, at 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 18, at 1890 Teller St. in Lakewood.

This gem is a 2.6-acre park, which features a playground, picnic shelter, playfield and horseshoe pit. On display are five modern kinetic sculpture pieces produced by Colorado artists Bryan Andrews, Mark Guilbeau, Erick Johnson, Rian Kerrane, Joseph Riche and Jon Stiles.

Aviation Park is located on a piece of historic Lakewood property. Once the home to the Broadmoor Country Club, the original building at 1890 Teller St. was built in 1925 by the Ott family, a family of Denver entertainment entrepreneurs. Dinner and dancing were favorite pastimes at the Broadmoor, and entertainment included Eddie Howard's Orchestra, Kay Star, Gordon McCrae, and Lawrence Welk. Famous for its Sunday brunches, the Broadmoor was a sophisticated place enjoyed by Lakewood and Denver residents.

In 1948, the Broadmoor transitioned into the Aviation Country Club, a social and country club for employees of aviation companies and members of flying groups. Pilots, stewardesses, and retired and active Air Force personnel enjoyed the facilities, with membership growing to over 4,000 members. The facility began to falter in the 70s and 80s and eventually fell into bankruptcy, leading to the demolition of the buildings in 1995. However, the design of the park pays tribute to its historic past by incorporating aviation themes and elements.

Aviation Park was funded and supported by Great Outdoors of Colorado, Jefferson County Open Space, Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, Edgewood Neighborhood Association, West Colfax Community Association and many others.

Information posted July 13, 2007