Silo Park

a park from a historic dairy farm

Greenwood Village, Colorado

This 11.5-acre site operated as a dairy farm for many years before the City of Greenwood Village purchased the historic site in 1994. Bordered by houses on the south and Orchard Road on the north, the biggest challenge came in forming a consensus between residents who wanted the site left as it was and residents who wanted an active park. However, after an intense series of public process meetings, collaboration prevailed. One of the neighbors who voiced concerns about the active uses within the park early in the process even changed his backyard fence from a six-inch closed fence to a low split rail fence to enjoy the new park. 

The original qualities of this beautiful site allowed for the various levels of activity found here. The original barn was preserved and renovated into a picnic shelter with restrooms, and the silo was preserved and structurally reinforced with a new roof. Both provide ambiance and give the park its focal point.

The "tot lot" playground continues the farm theme, with site amenities depicting farm animals and equipment. The multi-use playfield on the west portion of the site gives active enthusiasts plenty of room to recreate, while the east end remains native for  passive recreators. A boardwalk through the cattails and wetland areas entices one towards the gathering area formed by sculpted granite boulders. Abundant perennial and annual plantings decorate the landscape with bright splashes of color, intertwined with demonstration vegetable gardens. The concrete paths around the perimeter of the site allow the unique character of Silo Park to be enjoyed from all viewpoints.

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