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A stone-lined river is crowded with people attending and event with tents in the background.

Four photos in this image. First, an old, black and white image shows the small town of Breckenridge with mountains in the background. Second, an old, colored photo shows the narrow Blue River surrounded by riprap. Third, the Blue River is under construction with bull dozers and trucks expanding it. Fourth, a modern image shows a man playing guitar on a set of stone slab tiers leading down to the Blue River with vegetated banks.

A hand drawn plan view shows the pond, parking lot, bridges, and adjacent buildings to the proposed Blue River.

Children explore the stone slab tiers that lead down to deep pools of the river.

Three photos in this image. First, children explore an art installation of hanging stone sculptures. Second, children play in the water of the river. Third, children climb on a large stone sculpture with the mountains in the background.

Three photos in this image. First, a close-up of a stacked stone wall with tension wire guardrails. Second, an old, stacked stone chimney. Third, rough cut stone steps ascend out of the frame.

A young child enjoys the grass barefoot near the river.

Along the turf banks of the river, people lounge in groups reading, chatting, and playing.

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Blue River Walkway

Breckenridge, CO

“The Riverwalk has become the transformative element in our historic downtown. It creates a synergy with the shopping district and defines the character of the special place that downtown has become.”

—
 Peter Grossheusch, Director of Community Development, Town of Breckenridge, Colorado
(2015)

Dredge mining operations to extract gold, silver, and other precious metals, would virtually destroy entire mountain valleys. Dredge mining operations devastated the Blue River Valley early in the 20th century, and left the Blue River with little aesthetic appeal or ecological value. In the 1990s, recognizing the River’s potential as a recreational and civic amenity, the Town of Breckenridge engaged Wenk Associates to rehabilitate the channel’s ecological function and create a major community gathering place and riverwalk at its edge.

The primary purpose of the project was to transform the former dredge-rock river channel into a naturalized greenbelt through the heart of the Town in keeping with the Town’s three primary goals:
1) Restore and reconstruct the Blue River and its banks.
2) Develop the River Walk Center, an events facility and a summer venue for the fine arts.
3) Continue use of the corridor for emergency access, utilities, and services for local businesses.

Historic hydraulic mining limited the possibility that the Valley could restore itself by removing all fine soil particles and leaving mounds of cobbles that never re-vegetated naturally after mining ceased years before. To re-establish a viable soil horizon and constant water level, a polyethylene liner was placed 45 feet below the new channel bottom to maintain a constant, year-round river flow. That reestablishment of the water table allowed successful reintroduction of native plant and aquatic communities and the former dredge rock river channel was transformed into a naturalized greenbelt.

The town’s mining history is reflected in the basic vocabulary of the site elements and materials; an extensive interpretation of the town’s history was incorporated into a new visitor center, located at the edge of the town square.

Over twenty years later, the Blue River Walkway project was not only successful in restoring the mined-out river, but the river, village green, performing arts center, and central Town Square that was created as part of the project have become the iconic center for civic activity in the historic downtown.

Client

Town of Breckenridge

Completion Year

1994

Awards

2015, ASLA Colorado/Wyoming Chapter, Landmark President's Award for Excellence in Design: Blue River Walkway, Breckenridge, CO

1997, The Waterfront Center, Honor Award for Design: Blue River Walkway, Breckenridge, CO

1996, Snow Country Magazine, Community Planning Award, National Ski Area Design Awards: Blue River Walkway, Breckenridge, CO

1995, American Consulting Engineers Council of Colorado, Engineering Excellence Honor Award: Blue River Walkway, Breckenridge, CO

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