Parks and Open Space Department
The Open Space and Natural Resources Division manages over 6,000 acres of open space and natural areas. Listed below are the largest sites, location, general information and links to other organizations involved in open space. Update: Aurora Park Rangers begin inspections for Zebra Mussels – READ MORE
Mailing Address: 15151 E. Alameda Parkway, Room 4600, Aurora, CO 80012 303-326-8948 – 303-739-7143 (fax) or opensp@auroragov.org
Star K Ranch – Located between Chambers Road and Airport Boulevard, just south of Smith Road, is on of Aurora’s best stream related open space areas. Star K Ranch is a 200-acre natural area and home to Aurora’s Morrison Nature Center. Star K Ranch provides important habitat for wildlife and has several trails for nature exploration. You can also access the Sand Creek Greenway Trail from the property. Parking for Star K Ranch is off Smith Road, ½ mile east of Chambers Road on Laredo Street. MAP
Jewell Wetland - This 50-acre wooded wetland located at the northwest corner of Potomac and Jewell Avenue (just east of Utah Park) features over a mile of soft and hard surface trails, a boardwalk/deck access into the wetland and a butterfly garden. A small parking area is located on the Jewell Avenue side of the wetland property. MAP
		DeLaney Farm – Site of Aurora’s famous round barn, DeLaney Farm has 130 acres of open space, trails with access to the High Line Canal, a historic farm with two structures on the National Register of Historic Places, and an organic garden. The site is also home to Aurora Trails Day 2008. Parking is off Chambers Road, about ¼ mile north of Alameda Parkway. For information about the historic buildings, call 303-739-6667. Denver Urban Gardens operates the organic farm; learn more at http://www.dug.org or call 303-292-9900. MAP
Plains Conservation Center - 1100 acres of native shortgrass prairie are preserved at the Plains Conservation Center. The site is located north of Hampden Ave. at Picadilly. The West Arapahoe Conservation District manages the site for the city. The District provides a wide variety of educational programs. Learn more by calling 303-693-3621 or http://www.plainscenter.org. MAP
		Horseshoe Park – This 110-acre site, located at 2141 S. Kittredge Way, is Aurora’s hub for regional trails. Toll Gate Creek Trail winds through a riparian area, past a softball field and playground. The parking lot is off of Kalispell, turning north off of Iliff, ½ mile east of Chambers Road. MAP
Coal Creek Arena – The Coal Creek Arena hosts many small rodeos throughout the summer months. In the winter, it’s a great place to view coyotes, hawks and bald eagles. Access is from Sixth Avenue/Highway 30, two miles east of Airport Boulevard. You can rent the arena for your own event.
	Sand Creek – Discover the wildlife-rich riparian corridor that connects Aurora, Denver, and Commerce City. The Sand Creek Greenway Trail follows the corridor for 14 miles total. Access the trail from Aurora’s Morrison Nature Center at Star K Ranch or Sand Creek Park. The Greenway trail also connects to the High Line Canal in Aurora at Airport Blvd. To learn more visit http://www.sandcreekgreenway.org. Horses are welcome throughout the Aurora section of trail. MAP Sand Creek Park – Just east of Peoria Street, ¾ mile north of Colfax, sits Sand Creek Park. The 113-acre site currently provides parking for the Sand Creek Greenway Trail. Additional facilities are planned for the park. Sand Creek Riparian Reserve – East of Springhill Golf Course, the city owns over 130 acres of Sand Creek floodplain and upland prairie. A prairie dog preserve occupies a portion of the site. To access the site, park at the Coal Creek Arena and walk west along the Creek trail. One of the best sites to view bald eagles during the winter!
OTHER SITES: Grandview Dog Park – Dogs must be “on leash” throughout Aurora’s open space system. If you are looking for a park to play with your dog “off leash,” visit the Grandview Dog Park. The park is accessed from Quincy Avenue, ¼ mile east of Buckley Road. MAP
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RULES and REGULATIONS for Parks, Open Space and Reservoirs (Updated 04/07)