The scope of projects at DC is larger than one might expect, and is always growing. Recently DC was commissioned by Oz Architects to advise and manage the logistics on a Denver Public School endeavor to replace all the fencing in the district. Design Concepts was asked to aid in the project because of their knowledge of park structures and fencing from its placement in previous DC projects. This involved detailing the installation, choosing the fence type, and coordinating the documents that would need to be submitted to the city and the school district to make the overhaul possible.

Presently, the fencing surrounding district sports fields is outdated and dangerous, composed largely of barbed wire (see photo), and so DPS has set up a new standard for security sport field fencing. Dave, Sarah, and Amanda—the DC employees who have been working on the project—decided a more attractive 10’ fence with a 3’ wire mesh top would replace that which was in place. In compliance with the goal of the original barbed-wire fence, this new material will deter intruders with its climb proof qualities, but it will also be safer.

In addition to changing the fencing in the DPS district, the bleachers in the grandstands are also being changed. This has been necessitated by new codes that have come to pass since the structure was first built. New bleachers are being installed, the isles are being widened, and handrails are being added.

Luckily, the school district has been responsive to DC’s ideas and the project is moving along without many hitches. The bid-set was submitted today and Dave is confident construction will be under way this summer so that it will be complete in time for fall sports.

On the boards: 38th & Kipling Park

We've got a great new project we're working on for the City of Wheatridge. This site has sat empty for a long time and it's finally getting a park. The design is based on the theme of different aspects of the local mountains with a focus on the trees. The design includes a grass multi-use practice field, a small grass bowl amphitheater, a large plaza area with a shelter, splash pad, and a future restroom building, and a nice size aged separated play area based on the forest theme. The older and middle age play areas are themed around tree tops and tree houses and include a climbing wall in the future. The younger kids' area is based around the theme of the forest floor incorporating mushrooms, bugs and grasses. There's an existing ditch on the site which will be used as a natural water play area and possibly a source of irrigation. Our current design is for phases 1 and 2, planned for construction late this year through next year. Phase 3 of the park includes a skate park.

Erie Community Park

The growing town of Erie has been in the process of developing a civic precinct that will encompass a community center, a library, an amphitheater, a softball complex, an array of multi-use grass areas, tennis courts, and solar power-lit sport fields. Design Concepts currently has the opportunity to contribute to this local development by designing much of the outdoor space, including the amphitheater grounds.

In line with our efforts to develop in sustainable ways, this park--located west of I-25 and north of Highway 7--is focusing on using the sun and wind to power the area. The project will also use green building materials for all the outdoor structures. Design Concepts has been a part of the master planning and design and, as with other projects, we have committed to working around themes for Erie City Park: Prairie and Mining. The area is in fact being developed on the site of the old mines that first lead to the population of Erie, and indeed the East Boulder County area.

Currently the Erie Community Center and Library have finished construction and are open to the public.

DC Achieves a LEED-Gold certification

Last week Design Concepts was informed we'd received a LEED-Gold certification on Prairie View Middle School in Brighton. Congratulations go out to Sarah and Carol for this awesome accomplishment! The first public school to achieve LEED-Gold in Colorado was Aspen Middle School, which we also worked on.
Originally the goal had been 35 LEED points for Prairie View, and the thought was that a few points would be lost during the review. However, four points were instead GAINED--with two design points awarded during the review and two additional construction points submited--giving us a total of 39 points, which is certifiable at the Gold level. Every point that we went after was awarded, something the project lead designer/architect Nora informed us never happens.

There are only a few Colorado public schools which have achieved LEED certification, and Design Concepts is proud to have been a part of some of the few that are! We are currently attempting LEED Gold for Casey Middle School in the Boulder Valley School District. For a list of LEED certified projects click here (as of this posting Prairie View is still registered as "Brighton Middle School #3").

Virtual Arboretum: Westlands Park

We just added Westlands Park, an award-winning Design Concepts project in Greenwood Village, to our Virtual Arboretum. The park is looking great and the trees are happy happy! Visit our website for maps, directions, and more information.