The future of Englewood’s newest detention ponds has become clearer as city officials announce plans for public access in one year, despite previous uncertainties due to safety concerns.
Located along the west side of South Navajo Street, just south of West Radcliff Avenue, the detention ponds were developed as part of the $23 million South Englewood Flood Reduction Project. This initiative was designed to mitigate flooding risks in the south Englewood drainage basin, which faced serious disasters like the July 2018 flooding that tragically claimed the life of 32-year-old Rachael Haber, who drowned when floodwaters entrapped her in a basement on Acoma Street.
The South Englewood Flood Reduction Project, funded by stormwater fees, began construction in February 2024. As construction approaches completion, significant progress has been made, including the reopening of South Navajo Street from Quincy to Stanford avenues in mid-July. Final landscaping work is currently underway and expected to continue into the fall.
Since the initiation of the project in 2022, the City of Englewood promoted the detention pond area as a public space meant for recreation and passive use when not inundated with water. However, city officials announced that the area would remain closed indefinitely pending further safety evaluations.
This change in communication was due to safety concerns raised by the city’s insurance provider, CIRSA, which required modifications to the property before it could be opened to the public.
In a letter dated February, CIRSA highlighted the main safety concern: an eight-foot vertical drop into the concrete-lined Pond A, which poses a potential fall and drowning risk when filled with water. CIRSA recommended the installation of fencing to limit access to this specific area while still allowing public use of the larger, grassy detention pond.
Additionally, the insurance provider suggested that safety features, such as guardrails around the concrete pond, be put in place to ensure the safety of city maintenance workers.
The overall design of the detention pond serves a crucial purpose during storm events. It is intended to capture stormwater runoff and then slowly release it back into the stormwater system. The pond is designed to drain within 24 to 48 hours after the rain stops, transforming back into a grassy space suitable for public use.
Initially, city communications director Chris Harguth communicated with the Englewood Herald regarding the timeline for public accessibility, stating there was no definitive date available. He emphasized that any future use would require approval from the city council, and specific information regarding the suitability for community use was not yet determined.
However, after the publication of this information on July 23, Harguth issued an updated statement to Colorado Community Media. He indicated a revised plan to open the space to the public after one year, once safety precautions had been addressed.
In subsequent communications, the City of Englewood reinforced this commitment via social media, announcing that the area would undergo safety evaluations over the next year, culminating in public access equipped with increased safety measures.
The integration of public space into the detention pond area has been a focal point of the project’s promotion. In a video from the 2024 groundbreaking ceremony shared by the city, Public Works Deputy Director Tim Hoos emphasized the anticipated park amenity aspect, affirming that “it’ll be a park amenity the majority of the time.” He noted that while rain elevates water levels in the pond, it would take approximately three days to drain, enabling the return to a recreational space once the water recedes.
Englewood is not new to utilizing detention ponds for public benefits. Nearby Rotolo Park serves a similar function during storm events, showcasing the community’s innovative approach to managing flood risks while providing public recreational spaces.
As the city prepares for the future, residents can look forward to the eventual opening of the detention ponds, enabling them to enjoy both environmental benefits and recreational opportunities, while also ensuring safety is prioritized.
image source from：coloradocommunitymedia
