Denver Water

                  

Denver Recycles Water for Parks

 In her July 2009 newsletter, Denver District 5 Councilwoman Marcia Johnson announced that several parks in the district will be using recycled water for irrigation.

Denver will be installing new pipes for the system, and some traffic may be diverted while this work occurs.  Impacted District 5 parks include McNichols Park, Crescent Park, Verbena Park and Denison Park.

The four parks will join 13 Denver parks that are already using recycled water.

Other parks are undergoing irrigation improvement programs.  It is estimated that the improvments will save 450 million gallons of Denver drinking water.

To link to Marcia Johnson’s article, click here.

debpallai@comcast.net

www.debpallai.com

Walk Score Comes to Denver Metrolist

Denver Metrolist has added a new field to its program:  walk score.

Brokers can now search for homes for their clients by putting a minimum walk score into the search parameters.

A home’s walk score is calculated by locating nearby stores, parks, restaurants and more. 

Metrolist is responding to the growing demand by some buyers to purchase homes in neighborhoods where their environmental footprints will be reduced.  The demand for homes that are located in areas where one can live a car-light or car-free lifestyle is increasing.  Although public transportation is not part of the walk score calculation, light rail has added to the consciousness about this issue.

The higher the score, the less driving required to live in the neighborhood.

• 0-24       Car-dependent.  Virtually no destinations within walking distance.
• 25-49     Car-dependent.  Few destinations within walking distance.
• 50-69     Somewhat walkable.
• 70-89     Very walkable.  It is possible to manage without a car.
• 90-100   Walkers paradise.  Most errands can be done on foot and many folks in the neighborhood don’t own cars.      

For more information go to www.walkscore.com.

If you’d like help calculating the walk score of your current home, please email me at debpallai@comcast.net or call me at 303–883-8837.

Neighborhood Profile: Heather Gardens

Yale Avenue and I-225

A community designed for active adults, Heather Gardens offers townhomes, patio homes and high-rise condominiums.

Located on almost 200 acres, the amenities are numerous, and the community activities abundant.

Amenities include:

• Community center with indoor and outdoor pool
• Auditorium
• Restaurant and bar with dance floor and banquet facilities
• Crafts rooms
• Workout rooms with men’s and women’s locker rooms
• Tennis courts
• Billiard room
• Ping pong room
• 9 hole golf course
• Putting green
• Meeting rooms
• Off-campus trips
• Classes including:  ceramics, bridge, aerobics, dance, yoga, woodworking, painting, pilates and more.

24/7 security.

Dogs and cats permitted.

Heather Gardens

Neighborhood Profile: Bonnie Brae

Exposition to Mississippi, Steele Street to University Blvd.

A Scottish village in Denver:  this was the vision of S. R. DeBoer when he platted the neighborhood in 1923.  Bonnie Brae means “Pleasant Hill” in Gaelic, an appropriate name for the area.  Curvy streets that discourage car traffic makes this a great walking neighborhood.

Homes range from small to grand, and include brick ranches, Tudors and Cape Cods.

With easy access to shops on University Boulevard, Washington Park and Cherry Creek, this residential oasis provides among the best of Denver city living.

Neighborhood Profile: Candlewyck Condominiums

Mississippi and Parker

Candlewyck Condominiums are two high rise buildings located on sprawling lovely grounds.  Gated at night and with secure building entries, this community offers an abundance of amenities including:

• Indoor pool
• Sauna
• Whirlpool
• Steam Room
• Party Room
• Exercise Room
• Hobby Room
• Card Room
• Billiards and Pool Room
• Library with computer
• Laundry Room
• 3 Tennis Courts
• 2 Racquetball/Handball Courts
• Gazebo with barbeque grills
• Guest Rooms

No dogs permitted.  Cats allowed.  Close to Highline Canal.

Neighborhood Profile: Country Club

 

from Alameda to 8th Avenue, Downing to University

Country Club boasts grand homes (many on huge lots), mature stately trees, and an architectural mix.  There are Victorian, Mediterranean, Spanish, Georgian, Tudor and other home styles in the neighborhood.

Developed in the early 20th century, 142 acres of the original 400 acres were dedicated to the development of The Denver Country Club, an exclusive private recreation club.  The balance of the 400 acres was developed as a residential community.

With quick access to The Cherry Creek Shopping Center, Cheesman Park and downtown, the neighborhood attracks well-heeled folks who want to live in the city.

Neighborhood Profile: Montclair

6th Avenue to Colfax, Monaco to Quebec

Big homes and small homes.  Big lots and small lots.  Traditional and modern.  Montclair offers quite the mix. 

It even has a castle.  Baron Walter von Richtofen, uncle to “The Red Baron”, built his 35 room castle in 1887.  This property is located at 7020 E. 12th Ave.

Montclair is dotted with small parks, and therefore is a great walking neighborhood.

With homes in a broad price range, this is a lovely neighborhood to explore if you are buying a home in Denver.

Neighborhood Profile: Stapleton

 

from Montview Boulevard to 56th Avenue, Quebec and east (eastern boundary is irregular)

Built on the abandoned grounds of Stapleton Airport, Stapleton was conceived as a new-style urban community.

Restaurants, retail shops, sports and recreational facilities, schools and office space make this development almost self-contained.

30% of Stapleton is open space and parks!

The 80-acre Central Park has increased Denver’s park system by 25%.  Pocket parks throughout the development nurture the sense of community, welcoming walkers, dog-walkers, and baby carriages.  Many homes were built with large front porches, encouraging neighbors to get to know each other.

With a mix of single family homes, lofts, condominiums and townhomes, many different lifestyles are accommodated.

Sustainability is a fundamental principle of the developers, Forest City Enterprises, Inc.  Since 2006, all new homes have been Energy Star certified.

There’s so much to explore and experience at Stapleton:

http://stapletondenver.com/

Neighborhood Profile: WINDSOR GARDENS

 Alameda Avenue and Clinton Street

Designed and run for adults 55 and over, Windsor Gardens is located on 143 acres. 

With 3500 residents, this community bustles with activity.  There’s a 3 hole golf course and a huge community center offering  a restaurant, classrooms, an auditorium, meeting rooms and a library.  Windsor Gardens may be for “older” folks, but provides an abundance of goings-on for the healthy and energetic member. 

Among the classes available are yoga, ballroom dance, tap dance, bridge, Spanish, chorus and ceramics.

There’s an outdoor pool and jacuzzi, and a community shuttle bus.

Twenty-four hour security and the Highline Canal make this a pleasant place for walkers.

If you are over 55, and are thinking of condominium/townhome living, Windsor Gardens is certainly worth exploring.

Neighborhood Profile: Barnum

 From Alameda to 6th Avenues, Federal Boulevard to Shreridan Boulevard

This west side neighborhood was established in 1882, when P.T. Barnum purchased 760 acres to house his circus during the winter months.

A major landmark in the neighborhood is the Wiiliam Bowman House, built in 1910, and located at King Street and 4th Avenue.  This grand home is on the National Historic Register of Places.

Barnum Park at Julian and 4th offers fishing, an outdoor pool, a soccer field and tennis courts.  The park also has an off-leash section where you can let your dog run free.

With easy access to downtown Denver, I-25 and U.S. 6, and some destination restaurants, this area is a great option for affordable home ownership.