Wheat Ridge’s Prospect Park received the statewide Starburst Award from the Colorado Lottery for renovations completed between 2017 and 2022.
The renovations were done in two phases, totaling over $1.2 million dollars, which was funded by Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) and the Conservation Trust Fund (CTF). The park now hosts two ballfields, six pickleball courts, a football field, two playgrounds, two fishing piers, a 150-person pavilion, restrooms, permanent cornhole boards, horseshoe pits, and improved roads and walkways throughout the park.
“It is our goal to ensure that parks, trails and open space in Wheat Ridge remain attractive, inviting and safe for the community. We are so grateful for the opportunity to continue investing in these spaces so dear to our community and our team,” said Karen O'Donnell, Parks & Recreation Director.
Prospect Park is a regional, diverse-use park on W. 44th Ave. in Wheat Ridge between Kipling and Youngfield streets. The park is adjacent to the 300-acre Wheat Ridge Greenbelt, connects to the Peaks to Plains Trail (a National Recreation Trail, also known as the Clear Creek Trail, and one of the Colorado the Beautiful initiative’s priority trail systems).
Nearly 45,000 residents and visitors enjoy Prospect Park annually. The park renovations provide more opportunities for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities to be able to enjoy the park as the gateway to the regional Clear Creek Trail and Wheat Ridge greenbelt.
See all of the 2023 Starburst Award winners and more information on the award.
About Wheat Ridge Parks and Recreation
For 50 years, Wheat Ridge Parks and Recreation has been committed to offering quality parks and recreational opportunities to the community. The City of Wheat Ridge Parks and Recreation Department is accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies for excellence in operation and service, and Wheat Ridge is a “Tree City USA”. Services provided include aquatics, athletics, fitness and wellness, enrichment programs, camps, special events, therapeutic recreation and more. The Department maintains 20 parks on approximately 173 acres, three recreation facilities, 300 acres of open space, seven miles of trails and a community garden.
About Colorado Lottery
Since 1983, the Colorado Lottery has returned more than $4 billion to outdoor projects and schools through Great Outdoors Colorado, the Conservation Trust Fund, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Building Excellent Schools Today. Proceeds from sales of Colorado Lottery games – Scratch, Powerball, Mega Millions, Colorado Lotto+, Lucky for Life, Cash 5, and Pick 3 – enhance, protect, improve parks, trails, and open space in Colorado as well as contribute to school infrastructure. For more information, visit coloradolottery.com.