Safe Routes to Parks Program, Wheat Ridge

_{Updated June 2025}

In December 2023, the Safe Routes Partnership awarded a $10,000 grant to Bike Jeffco to facilitate a technical assistance program aimed at improving safe and equitable park access in the City of Wheat Ridge.

In 2024, Bike Jeffco worked closely with the City of Wheat Ridge and the Active Transportation Advisory Team (ATAT) to select a site for implementing an early action project by the end of the year. The program also developed a long-term action plan for future efforts to improve biking and walking access to parks in Wheat Ridge.

Community engagement meetings were held in February and March to gather input from local stakeholders. On April 30, an all-day workshop was held with representatives from organizations including Bike Jeffco, ATAT, Wheat Ridge Parks and Recreation, Wheat Ridge Public Works, the Colorado Department of Transportation, Jefferson County Transportation & Engineering, Jefferson County Open Space, the Denver Regional Council of Governments, the Colorado Department of Wildlife, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and two members of Wheat Ridge City Council. Brandon Altenburg, Grants and Special Projects Administrator for Wheat Ridge, and Vanessa Cascio, Program & Policy Manager with Safe Routes Partnership, coordinated the event.

At the workshop, two potential sites for early action were visited: Miller Street near Fruitdale Park and W. 32nd Street near Crown Hill Park. Discussions focused on the feasibility of short-, medium-, and long-term solutions to improve connectivity and safety at both locations.

The afternoon session addressed funding opportunities and resources from Colorado state partners, as well as new federal funding available for biking and walking infrastructure. The group made significant progress in identifying funding sources and opportunities for collaboration. The meeting concluded with a discussion on the role of elected officials, agencies, community groups, and advocates in Wheat Ridge and Jefferson County. The group also explored partnership models and long-term goals for local collaboration.

In September 2024, the early action project was implemented on Miller Street, near Fruitdale Park, Compass Montessori, and Mountain Phoenix Community School. Murals were painted on the street to help reduce speeding and increase pedestrian visibility, especially for children. The project was a success for the community and provided an opportunity for Bike Jeffco to strengthen its network of partners and advocates.