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Ravines Open Space

Acquired by Lakewood in 1975, the Ravines Open Space is approximately 49 acres and serves the two primary purposes of stormwater drainage and conservation of open space. The Ravines provide remnant, short grass prairie habitat dominated by native and non-native grasses interspersed with riparian habitat along a drainage way. Shrubs are present throughout the open space, including rabbit brush and three-leaf sumac. The area hosts an active wildlife corridor for a variety of species including coyotes, rabbits, nesting birds and hunting raptors.

Updates (6/28/2024)
The Green Mountain Water and Sanitation District Manager has shared the middle structure is in the early design stages. He also encouraged any questions or comments be directed to customerservice@greenmountainwater.org.

The City is awaiting feedback from the District regarding an agreement for oversight of the Ravines structures.

Updates (11/20/2023)
The City is still awaiting more information from Green Mountain Water and Sanitation District regarding an agreement for oversight of the Ravines structures.

Update (5/17/2023)
City staff met on May 16 to discuss options that might satisfy the concerns presented by Green Mountain Water and Sanitation District. Currently, staff is waiting for a new contract language proposal from the District.

Update (4/7/2023)
The city has offered Green Mountain Water and Sanitation District two potential options in regard to the structures across the Ravines Open Space. We anticipate that the Green Mountain Board will be discussing these options on Tuesday, April 11. We are hopeful they will reach consensus at that time.

Update (3/13/2023)
Negotiations are in progress between the City of Lakewood and Green Mountain Water and Sanitation District.

Updates (2/8/2023)
Green Mountain Water and Sanitation District (GMWSD) owns and operates three sewer and water structures that cross the Ravines Open Space. Since the structures were built decades ago, residents in the area have used the surface of these structures to cross the ravine both for recreational purposes and as a safe route to the nearby schools, Devinny Elementary School, and Dunstan Middle School. GMWSD has indicated the intent to close all three structures to pedestrian use. The City of Lakewood is actively pursuing a collaborative resolution to neighborhood concerns about closing these pedestrian connections.

In an effort to allow for continued pedestrian access to the structures and to continue the mutually beneficial relationship of both entities, Lakewood proposed the following resolution to the district on Feb. 8:

Lakewood will assume all potential liability from damage or harm resulting from pedestrian use of the three structures. This could be accomplished in a number of ways, but most simply the city could have a long-term lease of the surface of each structure. Lakewood is willing to discuss this and other options for resolving this liability issue. Additionally, Lakewood would agree to maintain and operate the surface of each structure for the purposes of pedestrian use.
Lakewood would also agree to work cooperatively toward mitigating erosion near the structures as a result of the flow of water into the ravine.

Lakewood is willing to discuss these and any other feasible solutions to this issue that meet the needs of both entities.

Ravines Open Space History

12501 W Jewell Ave

Because of the neighborhood concerns about closure of these structures, the city has received numerous questions about the history and ownership of the park, and the following provides information about those topics.

The Peterson family owned the land that has become the Ravines Open Space until they sold it to Green Mountain Inc., the residential development company that built a large portion of the homes in the Green Mountain neighborhoods. The sale occurred in two transactions, the first in February 1963 and the second in March 1965. These transactions and home building occurred prior to Lakewood becoming a city in 1969.

In January 1970, just weeks after Lakewood was incorporated as a city, Green Mountain Inc. deeded the Ravines property to the South Jeffco Metropolitan Recreation and Park District, currently known as Foothills Park and Recreation District. The deed contained a reverter clause, which stated that if the property was not used for or developed as a park within five years, it would revert back to Green Mountain Inc. ownership. While the park remained undeveloped, South Jeffco granted several easements across the Ravines property to the Green Mountain Park Water and Sanitation District, currently Green Mountain Water and Sanitation District, in March 1972 for installation of water and sewer lines.

In 1972, Green Mountain Inc. developed the area north and west of the Ravines property into residential homes. These homes required water and sewer service that included installing structures to provide a gravity-fed main line across the ravine in three locations in the previously provided easements. A water line was upgraded at the northern structure crossing the ravine in 2004.

South Jeffco relinquished ownership of the Ravines property, which returned the ownership to Green Mountain Inc. in February 1975. Green Mountain Inc. granted an additional easement to Green Mountain Park Water and Sanitation District in May 1975 for a water line in the southeast area of the Ravines property. Green Mountain Inc. also deeded the 49-acre Ravines property to the City of Lakewood in June 1975, which allowed the city to become owner of the land. Lakewood City Council accepted the property by Ordinance 1975-46 for open space, recreational and park purposes. Today, the park includes more than the original 49 acres the city acquired in 1975 because Green Mountain Inc. dedicated several additional parcels to the city as part of its continued residential construction.

Map of Ravines Open Space(JPG, 6MB)

This area remains open space with many social trails created by nearby residents. The only improvements made to the Ravines Open Space occurred in 1996 when Dunstan Middle School submitted a Neighborhood Participation Program application for an outdoor classroom on the Ravines property, and the City Council awarded a grant for development of the classroom.

Location

12501 West Jewell Ave., Lakewood, CO 80228 View Map

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Facility Snapshot

Features

Walking Trails Unpaved