Wonderland Lake Integrated Site Project (ISP)
Project Updates
Engagement Window #2
To help create a set of management actions for Wonderland Lake area, Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) is seeking to gauge the level of support for various ideas the department heard from community members this summer.
Please provide your feedback on the ideas community members shared for the Wonderland Lake area during Engagement Window #1 earlier this year through this questionnaire. This input opportunity, Engagement Window #2 will help OSMP gauge the level of support for the various ideas shared. The questionnaire will be available from Dec 2 through midnight, Dec 16. Please note: There may be difficulties in accessing this questionnaire when using the Firefox or Internet Explorer web browsers; Google Chrome is recommended.
Provide Feedback - Engagement Window #2 Questionnaire
If you would like to provide additional comments, please use the comment form.
This document captures the unique comments and questions 
provided by community members during Engagement Window #1 that are not specific on-the-ground actions or could not for another reason be included in the questionnaire/”matrix of options”. This document includes staff’s answers to questions, provides an explanation of how OSMP will or already is addressing the comment and why the comment was not included in the questionnaire/ “matrix of options”.
OSMP will host two “open office” sessions to answer any questions or provide assistance in completing the questionnaire. These will be held in the South Community Room of the OSMP HUB at 2520 55th Street at:
- 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Wed. Dec. 4
- 3 to 5 p.m. on Wed, Dec. 11
Staff will use this input to guide the development of a preliminary site plan for the area, which will be presented to the community in early 2020 for refinement. OSMP will then present the site plan to the Open Space Board of Trustees later in 2020.
Wading will not be considered
Wading is not among the potential actions or activities that will presented in the questionnaire and will not be further considered. As part of OSMP’s effort to prepare for this community engagement window, the department began investigating the feasibility and likely requirements to allow wading in Wonderland Lake. In light of the possibility of harmful algae blooms at lakes and ponds across the city and Colorado, including Wonderland Lake, allowing wading has been determined to be infeasible.
Project Area
The Wonderland Lake Integrated Site Project (ISP) area includes the Wonderland Lake Loop Trail (on OSMP lands) and area that encircles Wonderland Lake, and the Wonderland Lake Trailhead, with associated Foothills Nature Center. Map of the Wonderland Lake ISP project area .
This ISP does not include the trail improvements identified in the North Trail Study Area (TSA) for the foothills west and north of the lake.
OSMP will not initiate or implement any ISP associated changes in 2019, however regular maintenance, small trail sustainability projects and existing junior ranger and educational and outreach activities will continue.
Overall Process
This comprehensive community engagement effort will honor what has already been heard from the community, aim to strengthen relationships with the community, and build a shared understanding of OSMP Charter purposes and goals for the area. The process aims to result in alignment on a set of actions for the area that:
- best protect the ecological and scenic integrity of the Wonderland Lake area;
- improve visitor’s enjoyment;
- help youth connect with nature;
- advance goals from approved plans or confirm that existing conditions are in alignment with and meet the goals of approved plans; and
- improve the Foothills Nature Center for Junior Ranger, education, and nature programs.
With broad community involvement in discussing ways goals from approved plans can be met and evaluating new ideas, staff is confident that we can find alignment with the community on actions for the Wonderland Lake ISP that fit the character of the Wonderland Lake area.
Based on previous community feedback:
- The preliminary alternatives that were designed last fall have been set aside.
- A pier and a boardwalk will no longer be considered as means to achieve North TSA Plan goals for the area.
Through this process the name-change application, submitted by a community group, for the lake area to be re-named a “wildlife sanctuary” will also be considered.
The following graphic outlines the community engagement. There will be three "engagement windows" - which are specific timeframes where the department seeks public input - that will build on the previous one. More information on the upcoming Community Engagements will be provided closer to each engagement window.
Past Public Engagement Documents
Engagement Window #1 (June 2019)
Community Engagement Window #1 Staff Presentation
Previous Design and Public Engagement (Oct. 2018 – Feb. 2019)
Record of Public Comments from Email and City Webforms 11/30/2018 – 1/5/2019
| Date | Public Engagement | Comments Received |
|---|---|---|
| Oct. 27 | Trail-side engagement to discuss concepts | Community Input |
| Nov. 14 | Public meeting to reveal preliminary alternatives | Community Input |
| Nov. 15-Dec. 4 | Online questionnaire on preliminary alternatives | Questionnaire Results |
| Dec. 18 | Schoolchildren engagement | Schoolchildren Input |
| Dec. 19 | On site meeting with local neighbor leaders to discuss concerns over preliminary alternatives, specifically the fishing pier and boardwalk. | N/A |
| Jan. 15 | Community listening session | Meeting Comments FAQ |
| Project Paused | ||
Watch the Jan. 15 Community Meeting
Preliminary Alternatives (these have been set aside and are no longer being considered)