Dear Tennyson Knolls Neighbors,
Thank you for taking the time to attend our community meeting on November 19th to discuss the turf conversion and future improvements at Tennyson Knolls Park. We appreciated hearing directly from you about what matters most to your families and your neighborhood.
Here is the presentation in case you missed it.
What we heard
During our small group discussions, several clear themes emerged:
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Park maintenance: Many of you expressed concern about the maintenance of the remaining bluegrass areas in the park. We heard you, and we want to acknowledge that maintenance dipped below our standards earlier this year. We've worked hard to bring it back to the level everyone expects, and we're committed to maintaining that standard going forward.
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Active recreation space: We heard your concerns about maintaining space for informal sports and activities, particularly for children and families. It's important to note that Tennyson Knolls Park will retain more than 7 acres of irrigated bluegrass throughout the park for active recreation, even with the native grass conversion area.
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Safety and accessibility: Lighting, visibility, and overall park safety were raised as important considerations. These concerns will be incorporated into our planning for the comprehensive park improvement project.
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Usability of the native grass area: You shared thoughtful ideas about making the conversion area more welcoming and functional, including soft trails, native flowers, pollinator gardens, and educational elements.
- Communication: We heard your frustration about not being informed earlier in the process. We acknowledge that we should have engaged with the community sooner, and we're committed to improving our communication going forward.
Turf conversion moving forward
The turf conversion at Tennyson Knolls Park will continue as planned. This area was selected because it has historically struggled due to poor soil conditions and irrigation challenges. The conversion supports the City's commitment to water conservation. Once fully established, the native grass will save more than 830,000 gallons of water annually.
We recently overseeded the native grass area, and the establishment process will continue over the next several years. We understand this change has been difficult for many of you. In approximately three years, we will reevaluate the conversion area and gather community feedback about how it's working.
Near-term improvements
Based on your feedback, we're taking action on several fronts:
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Additional trash receptacles and dog waste stations: We will be installing new trash cans and a few dog waste bag stations throughout the park in the spring. Please note that the bag stations will require community members to supply their own waste bags, such as grocery bags or newspaper bags.
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Soft trail through native grass area: We are exploring the installation of a crushed granite walking trail through the conversion area to maintain accessibility and create a more intentional space for the community to enjoy. We anticipate work on this project to begin in the fall/winter of 2026.
- Bench maintenance: We are working with our vendor to recoat benches in the park to improve their appearance and longevity.
- Playground equipment: As mentioned during the meeting, we are in the process of replacing some of the playground surfacing that is in need of repair.
Looking ahead: Comprehensive park improvements
Within the next four to five years, Tennyson Knolls Park's playground will be due for replacement as part of the City's Taking Lasting Care program. Rather than simply replacing the playground in isolation, we believe there's a better opportunity to make a more significant investment in the park overall.
By combining funds from the Taking Lasting Care program with Adams County Open Space tax dollars that have accumulated over the past several years, we can undertake a comprehensive park overhaul that addresses multiple needs at once. This approach allows us to:
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Replace the aging playground with modern, accessible equipment
- Enhance pathways and trail connections
- Make strategic improvements to amenities based on community priorities
This comprehensive approach will deliver greater value and create a more cohesive park experience than tackling improvements piecemeal. The recently completed Marge Roberts Park overhaul project is a good example of this type of approach – a project that initially started as a playground renovation but grew to include several other improvements as part of an entire park overhaul.
Before this comprehensive project moves forward, we will conduct additional community engagement to ensure your input shapes the final design. Your participation will be essential in creating a park that truly serves the neighborhood's needs.
Stay connected
We're committed to keeping you informed as this project progresses. You'll receive email updates from us when significant milestones are reached.
Want to stay in the loop? If you know neighbors who couldn't attend the meeting but would like to receive updates about the park, please encourage them to sign up for the Tennyson Knolls Park email list.
Have questions or feedback? You can always reach out to us through Ask Arvada.
