Eagerly anticipated Niwot Children's Park celebrates grand opening

The Niwot Children's Park has had many eyes on it, especially those of little children, for a number of months as they've awaited the opening of the park for play. Their anticipation was finally alleviated when the park finally opened on a sunny afternoon on Sunday, Oct. 2.

It was not only eagerly awaited by children though. The many adults who have been working on this project to bring it to fruition were excited that the park is finally open. Fundraising Coordinator Riki Frea had a hard time finding the words when asked how she was doing.

"I'm so relieved," Frea said. "It's been such a emotional day and process."

Along with Frea, other members of the building committee included Biff Warren, Dale Terrell, Jim Fletemeyer, Chad Fletemeyer, Jeff Lambert, Crystal Wise and Tim Wise. Board members of the Niwot Cultural Arts Association (NCAA) were also heavily involved in the process, including Alyson Bell, Satir DeMarco, Michelle Henzel, Vicki Maurer, Anne Postle and Holly Saia.

The event started off with the Niwot Semi-Marching Free Grange Band performing a series of songs with kids helping to conduct. Following the concert, a dedication ceremony recognized and thanked many people who had a hand in creation of the park, including the neighbors surrounding the park, whom Warren said were an important part of the project.

Warren also explained some of the land's history before it became a park. He said the earliest record of the park land was from the 1870s, when it was purchased by Porter Hinman, a friend of Chief Niwot, and Ambrose Murray, from the Colorado Central Railroad. Hinman and Murray platted the town of Niwot in 1975, which included block 18, where the park is now located.

In the early 1900s people played baseball on the land, some of whom still have descendants around the Niwot area. In the 1940s, houses were built on the land. Chuck and Idell Leinweber built a home on the park site in 1969, which was purchased by Jeff and Cynthia Lambert, who originally bought the site to build a children's park on in 2009.

After going through the process of acquiring permits through Boulder County, they decided to bring in some outside help from the NCAA. The NCAA worked with Boulder County and Great Outdoors Colorado to purchase the land from the Lamberts for a modest $200,000 in 2013, with a $40,000 discount by the Lamberts, $140,000 from GOCO, and $20,000 from community donors.

The earlier permit had expired, so the process began again. "It took a lot longer than we thought, but we think you'll appreciate the detail that will make it the best park around," Warren said.

The Lamberts also donated half of the park's total $500,000 development budget; the rest was up to the community to raise, which Frea said they exceeded. Toward the end of fundraising when funds were getting tight, County Commissioners Elise Jones, Deb Gardner and Cindy Domenico made a sizable donation to the project to help close the gap.

Warren emphasized the importance of keeping the park clean and well maintained by the people who use it. "This is your park," he stated. "We need your help in taking care of the park."

After recognition of the many donors, contractors and vendors who were part of this project, including JPJ EnterpriZes, West Grove Landscape, Colorado Custom Paintworks and Terrell Construction, it was time to cut the ribbon and let the children run free.

Once the park was officially open, hundreds of kids raced in to enjoy the many unique pieces of equipment including a gaga ball pit, zip line, slack line, reading tree, the woolly mammoth and more.

Regardless of how many years it took to complete the project, one thing is for sure: the Niwot Children's Park will be enjoyed by generations for years to come.