Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Call: (303) 455-3779 Our Work

Aylor Open Space Master Plan

Thornton, Colorado

Aylor Open Space, a diverse and beautiful site, is situated on a hill in eastern Thornton with views including the Denver skyline, Pikes Peak, and the eastern plains. Historically a former working farm, the City of Thornton acquired this 140-acre property because of its ecological value and its location, which allows for the completion of the Regional Heritage Trail system. This property features rich ecosystems including a riparian corridor, wetlands and several small ponds, prairie grassland, and large trees with nesting opportunities for raptors. Aylor Open Space is also located on top of oil and gas reserves. Although the City owns the surface and mineral rights for the property, the previous owner sold the property’s drilling rights to an oil company and they are ready to start fracking on site.

Moving Forward

StudioCPG was asked by the City of Thornton to prepare a Conceptual Open Space Master Plan for the site within a quick time frame. The Open Space Plan focuses on protecting natural resources and habitats, designating passive recreational use areas, highlighting historic sites, and creating important regional and local trail connections. Unique to the plan, StudioCPG also provided a study of potential drilling pad locations within the site that considered short- and long-term impacts of the pads in relationship to the topography, viewsheds, proximity and visibility to neighboring properties, COGCC allowable drilling windows, internal and external access roads, and noise pollution, in addition to the traditional issues for open space plans.

View More of This Project

View More Projects

More Planning projects below:

DENVER COMPLETE STREETS DESIGN GUIDELINES

Denver, Colorado

StudioCPG collaborated with a multi-disciplinary team to create the Complete Streets Design Guidelines for the City and County of Denver.

Read More
CITY OF WESTMINSTER 2014 OPEN SPACE STEWARDSHIP PLAN

Westminster, Colorado

After several decades of planning and acquisition, the City of Westminster’s open space system now requires a thoughtful approach to long term management of its treasured and valuable assets.

Read More
Historic District Guidelines

Manitou Springs, Colorado

Starting in 1994, the City of Manitou Springs began to draft design guidelines for their Historic District, which is nestled into the steep foothills beneath Pike’s Peak.

Read More
Parks and Open Space Master Plan: 2012 & 2015

Thornton, Colorado

StudioCPG has been contracted twice by City of Thornton to update – as required – Parks and Open Space Master Plan

Read More