Bird Conservancy of the Rockies - Environmental Learning Center
Barr Lake State Park - Brighton, CO
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Confluent Design was retained by the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory to design Phase 1 and Phase 2 of their Environmental Learning Center. To support this important grant-funded project, we donated 80% of our services for project management, conceptual design and construction documents, volunteer coordination, and construction observation. The Center was inaugurated at RMBO’s annual picnic in August 2011 with 360 guests, including Governor Hickenlooper and Brighton Mayor Dick McLean.
Phase 1 scope of work included two accessible crusher fines trails (Prairie Trail and Grove Trail), an amphitheater for 50 guests, a parking lot for 35 cars and two buses/trailers, 15 interpretive signs, and an entry monument and welcome kiosk. All features were designed to be compatible with the historic 1890 Bruderlin House that anchors the site and serves as RMBO’s headquarters. Construction was completed with a combination of contractors and many volunteers, including the following groups:
• Mile High Youth Corps
• Southwest Airlines
• Wildlands Restoration Volunteers
• Vestas
Low-impact design features included bioswales for water quality enhancement and infiltration, porous pavement, a native planting and seeding palette, locally sourced and recycled materials, and an integrated weed management program. An ongoing program to phase out non-native trees with native species continued in October 2011 with another Wildlands Restoration Volunteers planting project. Finding creative opportunities like these for involving the community in building and caring for cherished places is a hallmark of our work at Confluent Design.
Phase 2 included additional prairie and woodland restoration, a restroom, and custom shade structure.
Based on the success of this project, Barr Lake State park retained the services of Confluent Design and Natural Resources, Inc., to design a new trail system and interpretive signs at another location in the Park.
Phase 1 scope of work included two accessible crusher fines trails (Prairie Trail and Grove Trail), an amphitheater for 50 guests, a parking lot for 35 cars and two buses/trailers, 15 interpretive signs, and an entry monument and welcome kiosk. All features were designed to be compatible with the historic 1890 Bruderlin House that anchors the site and serves as RMBO’s headquarters. Construction was completed with a combination of contractors and many volunteers, including the following groups:
• Mile High Youth Corps
• Southwest Airlines
• Wildlands Restoration Volunteers
• Vestas
Low-impact design features included bioswales for water quality enhancement and infiltration, porous pavement, a native planting and seeding palette, locally sourced and recycled materials, and an integrated weed management program. An ongoing program to phase out non-native trees with native species continued in October 2011 with another Wildlands Restoration Volunteers planting project. Finding creative opportunities like these for involving the community in building and caring for cherished places is a hallmark of our work at Confluent Design.
Phase 2 included additional prairie and woodland restoration, a restroom, and custom shade structure.
Based on the success of this project, Barr Lake State park retained the services of Confluent Design and Natural Resources, Inc., to design a new trail system and interpretive signs at another location in the Park.
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