SMART GROWTH AT GRAND PARK
By Cindy Harder / Photos Courtesy of Grand Park

The single-family homes located in the northwest corner of Cozens Meadow are clustered together to encourage the neighborhood feel, preserve larger tracts of open space and use infrastructure resources more efficiently.

Not only as a state, but also as a nation, our pattern of development has been questioned by experts in regard to long-term sustainability, economic cost and environmental health. Both the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency question the viability of urban sprawl and support the growing trend in development coined “Smart Growth.”

Principle definitions of Smart Growth include the trend in development to build and expand communities with attention to neighborhood density, preservation of open space, and community collaboration. Such are the goals for Grand Park, a multi-tiered development project located in the Fraser Valley between the towns of Winter Park and Fraser.

Grand Park’s plan is designed to preserve large tracts of open space, which comprises one-third of the Grand Park development, and also offer convenient commercial services.

Under the direction of Clark Lipscomb, Grand Park has been recognized as the only community in Grand County to earn its Built Green® Colorado certification. Built Green certification provides building project guidelines and standards that target energy efficiency and preservation of natural surroundings. “We believe it takes more than simply installing Energy Star appliances to build green homes … it’s really a mindset about how you create an entire [green] community,” Lipscomb says. The Smart Growth philosophy guides the blueprint development for Grand Park starting with homes, but also includes the preservation of open space and trails, and encompasses commercial services.

The cluster of single-family homes located in the northwest corner of Cozens Meadow, represents the first neighborhood in the Grand Park master plan. At first glance, one wonders why the homes are clustered along the edge of the meadow. “The homes are placed close together to encourage the feel of a neighborhood and interaction between families,” explains Kirsten Laraby, Marketing Director and homeowner at Grand Park. Grouping the homes also preserves larger tracts of open space and uses infrastructure resources more efficiently. Utility lines do not have to go so far, thus conserving time and money spent installing water, gas, and energy. Pathways and trails lead to other parts of the development including The Village, Grand Park Community Recreation Center, and open space.

All Grand Park homes feature energy efficient components: in-floor radiant heat, boilers known for clean combustion and extreme efficiency, spray polyurethane foam insulation, and low-E windows.

Homes include energy saving Warmboard® in-floor radiant heat, Buderus boilers (known for clean combustion and extreme efficiency), spray polyurethane foam insulation, and low-E windows. These energy efficient components are features for all the homes built by Grand Park. “The benefit is that our energy bills are half of what they were in our previous home,” Laraby states.

The Cozens Meadow alone spans over 100 acres of enhanced wetland and open space, one third of the Grand Park development. Laraby tells, “just yesterday, the kids and I walked down to the waterway in the meadow and we were calling the geese … they loved that.” Although there was speculation as to how development could trump Mother Nature, the wetland enhancements, which include a series of ponds that integrate with the flows from Leland and Vasquez Creek, have complimented the natural landscape for aquatic and wildlife habitat and the irrigation practices associated with hay production. The ponds create a natural filtration system that returns a clean flow into the Fraser River.

Grand Park has used a forestry management program since 2005. With their own equipment and staff, the forest is mitigated by removing dead and damaged trees attacked by the mountain pine beetle. Natural recycling and landscape efforts include transplanting small lodgepole pines throughout the development. The crew is also responsible for planting 10,000 saplings of various species to improve the health and future of the forest.

A clear view of Parry Peak from Grand Park's meadow.

The mature trees pulled from the forest have been slated for recycling as well. Harvested trees of size and quality will eventually be turned into poles and dimensional lumber. Hundreds of older trees have been used for fencing surrounding the Grand Park property while smaller trees are chipped for mulch to further clear the forest. “As the forest is opened up, more sun hits the forest floor and grass, and flowers and seedling trees are now taking root,” Laraby says. “With almost 1,700 acres, this is one of the most aggressive private efforts in Grand County,” adds Ron Cousineau of the Colorado State Forest Service.

Surrounding the south end of Cozens Meadow, The Village at Grand Park is emerging. Currently, the Winter Park Market, Park Café, Century 21 Winter Park Real Estate and the Grand Park Community Recreation Center anchor the retail and service aspect of the development. The Village will be clustered at the edge of the open space, thus connecting neighborhoods by a series of trails and pathways so as to encourage residents to walk or bike within the development.

Grand Park is committed to the community of the Fraser Valley. In addition to the $4-million land and infrastructure donation given for the new recreation center, the Cornerstone Community Foundation was formed, which, to date, has given over $100,000 to local non-profit organizations. The foundation, formed at the initial phase of the Grand Park development with $500,000 of seed money from Cornerstone Holdings, benefits:

> Fraser Creative Learning Center
> Grand Foundation
> Fraser Valley Recreation Foundation
> Grand Kids
> Fraser Valley Lions Club
> Winter Park Horseman’s Association
> Grand County Pet Pals

Our emerging awareness of the reality of a world of finite resources encourages us to recognize the benefits of Smart Growth. It is vitally important to offer a real estate product that is not only of the highest quality, but also one that reflects social responsibility and earth-friendly values. Grand Park hopes to attract a community of people who want to lessen their carbon footprint and who care about the quality of their environment.

READ MORE STORIES FROM THIS ISSUE:
• Green Parade: Rendezvous Home Provides a Healthy Happy Retreat
• Green Parade: A Brighter Shade Of Grassroots Green
• Green Parade: Consider an Energy Audit
• Restaurant: Morales Farms on the Menu
• Summer 2010 Articles