Westlands Park
A Legacy Park For All Seasons
Westlands Park is unique to the front range area because it contains many features not found at the "average" park. Whether it's winter, spring, summer, or fall, Westlands Park expresses its theme, A Park for All Seasons, in a number of ways.
Our team extended the idea of seasons to include the celestial cycles of the sun and moon, as well as the idea of seasons of life. A giant sundial, a zodiac plaza with a lunar calendar, and a time capsule are literal expressions of the theme, while a changing-leaf motif expresses the annual seasons. Artists incorporated this theme in a variety of ways throughout the site, including metal fabrications, sandblasting, and custom form liners for concrete walls.
A simple hillside of grass serves as an amphitheater and the stage is backdropped by a computer-controlled interactive water feature. Other water features include granite columns that glisten with water in the summer and ice over for an ever-changing sculpture in the winter, and a waterwall cascading over colorful sandstone. An activity pad serves the needs of roller hockey, basketball, and a possible future ice rink.
The multi-level adventure playground takes advantage of a sloping site to create a "land slide" that is the main entry into the playground. Bridges on another level allow direct access for wheelchairs to the upper decks of the play structure, and a custom-designed two-story treehouse in the middle of a wooded nature play area is accessed by wooden bridges through the treetops. Climbing features for the playground portray the art and architecture of the park as well.
The site contains three restroom buildings, one of which is earth-sheltered with a plaza atop the building. This plaza overlooks the playground, and provides same-level access to the soccer, lacrosse, and softball fields behind it.
Project Awards
ASLA Colorado - Design Merit Award
