River's Edge Map  (full-size PDF)

What is River's Edge Natural Area? 

River's Edge Natural Area was purchased by the City in 2011 as part of the former HP/Agilent property acquisition. Proceeds from the City’s Open Lands CEF (Capital Expansion Fee) fund were allocated for the acquisition, designating the site for open space uses only.  

In 2013, the HP/Agilent Open Space property was given a new name – River’s Edge Natural Area. More than 150 name suggestions were submitted, with references to local wildlife, plants, history, and people. “River’s Edge Natural Area” was selected based on the natural features and location of the site along the Big Thompson River. 

Following the 2013 Big Thompson flood, funds from a Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) Flood Recovery Grant, as well as FEMA flood recovery dollars, helped pay for reconstruction of trails, pond access points and wetlands damaged during the flood.

Colorado Native Plant Society Demonstration Gardens

Two demonstration garden areas were created in spring 2019 near Bass Pond and Sandpiper Pond with assistance from volunteers and members of the CO Native Plant Society (CoNPS). These native plantings will provide habitat for pollinators and educational opportunities for visitors. Funding from Larimer County Small Grants for Community Partnering made this project possible.

View more info about the native plants growing at River's Edge Natural Area

Milkweed for Monarchs Project

The "Milkweed for Monarchs" planting projects in 2016 and 2018 were a great success! Volunteers helped plant 4,000 showy milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) and swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) to provide habitat for monarch butterflies. The ongoing project is sponsored by the Loveland Initiative for Monarch Butterflies (LIMB). Thank you volunteers!

Contact Info

If you need additional information, please call the Parks & Recreation Administration Office at 970.962.2727. 

To report maintenance issues, please phone the on-call staff at 970.962.2730 (April to October).

Jayhawker Ponds at River's Edge Natural Area 
1st Street & Taft Avenue
Loveland, Colorado
Information: 970.962.2727

HANDOUT (PDF)

         

Located at the intersection of West 1st Street and South Taft Avenue. Parking is available at River's Edge Natural Area and Centennial Park (across 1st Street to the north).  

• Fishing Dock at Jayhawker North Pond
• Jayhawker South Pond stocked by Colorado Parks & Wildlife

• Fishing Reports 

• Walking Path/Recreation Trail
• Restrooms available at River's Edge main parking lot and Centennial Park
• Handicap accessible

Please see the Parks & Recreation Facilities Map HERE.

Hours of Availability:

Regular hours are from 6:00am-10:30pm.

Park & Open Space Rules & Regulations:

The following rules and regulations have been established by the City Parks & Recreation Department pursuant to Chapter 12.40 of the Loveland Municipal Code. City ordinance, Site Rules and Colorado Parks and Wildlife regulations are in effect unless otherwise or additionally posted onsite.

• Hours: 6:00A to 10:30P

• Report accidents and emergencies directly to the Loveland Police Department (911); 
   non-emergency police: 970.667.2151 

• Report park maintenance concerns or vandalism to the Parks & Recreation Department, 970.962.2727

• Parking is in designated areas & cannot be saved or blocked off

• The City’s public-use space is not intended for commercial or retail activities or for long-term or a series of consecutive uses

• Small pop-up tents are allowed in parks for events and must be weighted down (10 ft. x 10 ft. max); no camping for privacy

• Stakes may NOT be driven into the ground more than 6 inches for any reason 

• Noise ordinance is strictly enforced

• Bicycling permitted on designated trails only (not permitted at Morey Wildlife Reserve or Mariana Butte Trails); Type I and II e-bikes are allowed where bikes are allowed (except Prairie Ridge Natural Area –  NO e-bikes)

• Failure to obey park rules and closing times, allowing unruliness by members of the group or harassment of park employees warrant forfeiture of all shelter/pavilion reservation deposits

• Fishing is regulated by Colorado State Regulations (site-specific regulations apply); all anglers age 16 and older are required to have a Colorado Fishing License

• Use of hang gliders, paragliders and powered paragliders within all City of Loveland Parks & Recreation facilities is prohibited; approval of the City Manager is required to perform takeoff or landing of any aircraft within city limits (including hot air balloons and helicopters)

• Remote control (RC) motorized vehicles are not allowed; no drones (except for seasonal allowances at Barnes Park, Centennial Park, Fairgrounds Park, Loveland Sports Park, Mehaffey Park and North Lake Park).   Please see the Parks and Recreation Unmanned Aerial Systems ("UAS") Policy.

• Battery powered RC boats are allowed for use on small City owned bodies of water ONLY; suggested sites are Foote Lagoon or North Lake Park Duck Pond.  RC boating questions: Colorado Parks & Wildlife Division, Fort Collins office: 970.472.4300

PROHIBITED

• Overnight parking or camping

• Glass containers/bottles

• Open fires or flames (except in provided grills)

• Gathering or cutting firewood

• Smoking or vaping (except in designated areas)

• Motorized vehicles outside of established streets and parking areas (except authorized) 

• Littering, graffiti or markings on parks, facilities or trail

• Alcoholic beverages (allowed when purchasing an alcohol beverage permit which are allowed ONLY in conjunction with a shelter/pavilion or special event reservation; alcohol permits expire at 10:00P on the day of the reservation)

• Swimming, wading, boating, ice skating, ice fishing and bow fishing (float tube “belly boat” fishing allowed ONLY at River’s Edge Natural Area except at Jayhawker North Pond)

• Jump castles, dunk tanks, pony rides or other similar set-ups

• Silly String, paint or any other item that may contain dyes and permanently mark up areas

• Horses in parks, open lands or on trails (except police) 

• Feeding, trapping, hunting or disturbing wildlife 

• Discharge or use of firearms, projectiles or fireworks

• Collecting, removing, destroying or defacing any natural or manmade object or surface area including but not limited to: turf, concrete, flower beds, shelters/pavilions & picnic tables

• Vending in parks, open lands or on trails (except with prior permission/permit from the Parks & Recreation Department)

• Private landscaping or use of parks, open lands or trails (and easements on which they are located) including extensions of backyard landscaping, trash or rubbish dumping or other unauthorized use

• Any encroachment or storage of privately owned items in parks, open lands or on trails

2013 Big Thompson Flood and Reconstruction

The 2013 Big Thompson Flood severely impacted River's Edge Natural Area just prior to its original scheduled Grand Opening.  Flood damage required major cleanup and reconstruction.  Please read on for the historical account of these events.  

2015 Construction

8/5/15 Update:  Construction progress.

With improved weather conditions in July, the contractor made substantial progress.  The stone amphitheater is nearly complete, many trails and pond access points have been repaired, and shoring up of the picnic shelters is underway.  The buried "cutoff wall" below the parking lot is complete, providing protection in the event of a future flood.  Concrete walks in the Core Area and asphalt paving of the access road should be starting soon.

The majority of the site is OPEN during construction. Signage and fencing indicate areas temporarily closed (see MAP). Please observe construction closure areas for safety.  Note that construction traffic uses the 1st St. entrance - pedestrians please use caution. 

4/23/15 Update:  Construction of flood-related repairs began the week of April 13, 2015. 

Parking is available at Centennial Park with walk-in access to River’s Edge via the Recreation Trail underpass at 1st Street.  Access and parking are also available at the Thompson School District parking lot at 800 S. Taft Ave via Carlisle Dr.   Access from the Recreation Trail is available at the northeast corner of Bass Pond during construction, and from Jayhawker Ponds via the pedestrian bridge between Jayhawker South and Sandpiper Pond.  

Damaged areas are identified with signage – visitors should proceed with caution in these areas. Temporary fencing has been installed around the "core area" (parking lot and picnic pavilions), which will remain closed until permanent repairs are completed for safety. 

River's Edge Natural Area sustained significant damage as a result of the September 2013 flood. Permanent repairs will be completed during 2015, and a grand re-opening is planned for summer 2015. 

Funds from a Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) Flood Recovery Grant, as well as FEMA flood recovery dollars, will help pay for reconstruction of damaged trails, pond access points and wetlands.

• River's Edge Master Plan (PDF)
• Pond Edge Enhancements (PDF) 

2013 Construction

September 4, 2013 Update

• Wetland plantings are 80% complete and wildlife protection fencing is installed. 
• Larimer County Youth Corps was on-site July 29th - August 7th to install fencing and remove additional Russian Olive trees as part of the GOCO Grant awarded to the project. Parks staff has installed remaining site fencing. 
• Boardwalk construction is underway at the edge of Bass Pond.
• Bridge to Jayhawker Ponds has been installed.
• Parks staff will continue to install additional site amenities prior to opening.

July 29, 2013 Update

• Two new picnic pavilions have been installed in the core area.
• Fishing and float tube access points on Bass Pond are receiving finishing touches, rounding out the boulder work on-site.
• Wetland plant material is progressing in the nursery and will be available to plant by early August.
• Core area fine grading is being completed.
• Crews have begun preparations for the new fence installation project consisting of a two-rail round timber fence to replace the existing 8' chain-link fence around the site. Larimer County Youth Corps will install new fencing and remove additional Russian olive trees as part of the GOCO grant awarded to the project.

July 9, 2013 Update

• Final lift of the parking lot paving was completed on 6/17 with access being restricted for one week to allow curing to occur. 
• All trails have been cut and graded, trail material is being re-worked in all locations.
• Boulder walls at Bass Pond’s edge and around the new pavilions are under construction. Installation of pavilion foundations, boardwalk, and amphitheater will follow.
• Wetland areas on 2 of 3 ponds are prepared and fenced off ready for plant installation.

Loveland Open Lands’ newest property is expected to be open for public access in Fall 2013, providing excellent recreational opportunities for fishing, hiking, bicycling, wildlife viewing, and environmental education. A combination of Open Space tax dollars, Capital Expansion Fees (CEFs), and grants made the acquisition and development of River’s Edge possible. The site will be accessible via a new entrance road at 960 West 1st Street, leading visitors through woodlands and restored gravel ponds to a paved parking area with public restrooms, picnic shelters, and a trailhead kiosk. Trail connections will enable additional access to the site from the existing Recreation Trail along the Big Thompson River. A new wetland boardwalk and boulder seating walls will provide a unique up-close experience along the water’s edge of Bass Pond. All three ponds on the property will feature trails leading to fishing and float tube access points, as well as an ADA-accessible fishing dock on Dragonfly Pond. Funding for this portion of the project was leveraged with a Fishing is Fun Grant awarded by Colorado Parks & Wildlife. Two miles of new trails throughout the site will provide ample opportunities for bird watching and wildlife viewing in a natural setting. Crews have removed hundreds of invasive Russian olive trees, and National Honor Society volunteers from Loveland High School planted over 170 native trees and shrubs during a recent Arbor Day project to improve habitat. Wetland enhancements are underway on all ponds, creating fish habitat and providing waterfowl, songbirds, and mammals with valuable forage and cover along the Big Thompson River corridor. A new bridge over Ryan Gulch will connect trails from River’s Edge to the adjacent Jayhawker Ponds, where fishing is currently allowed.

The Loveland Open Lands Division was awarded a Great Outdoors Colorado (Lottery) grant to fund the Larimer County Youth Corps for three weeks to install new boundary fencing. Wildlife-friendly split-rail fencing and walk-through access points will replace the existing chain link fencing along West 1st Street and around the site. The Open Lands Division will also be recruiting Volunteer Trail Hosts to provide stewardship, assist and educate visitors, and answer questions about the site. 

• River's Edge Master Plan (PDF)
• Pond Edge Enhancements (PDF) 

If you require further information, please call the
Parks & Recreation Administration Office at: (970) 962-2727.

Master Plan

In April 2012, the City presented the Preferred Plan for River's Edge Natural Area at a Public Open House. Approximately 50 citizens attended the meeting where they had the opportunity to review the preferred plan and provide feedback. Below is the River's Edge Preferred Plan prepared by AECOM on behalf of the City. Also below is an illustration of potential pond edge enhancements to improve habitat around the ponds. These documents were used to guide the development of River's Edge for public access.  

• River's Edge Master Plan (PDF)
• Pond Edge Enhancements (PDF) 

Summary of Public Design Workshop

In February 2012, the City hosted a Public Design Workshop to discuss the three design concepts for the River's Edge property (formerly known as HP/Agilent Open Space). More than 40 citizens attended the public meeting where they had the opportunity to review the design alternatives and provide feedback. Below are the three design concepts and the site analysis map completed by AECOM on behalf of the City. The three alternatives provide illustrations of potential site features. Also below is the slideshow that was presented at the meeting.

• 3 Design Concepts (PDF) 
• Presentation Slideshow 2/29/12 (PDF)
• Historic Survey (PDF)

What Features or Facilities are in an Open Space?

In order for the City to start the planning and design for River's Edge Natural Area, staff reviewed the site’s natural resource values and potential recreational uses. Staff refers to the City of Loveland Open Lands Plan (2003) regarding recommendations for public access and trails. These guidelines help staff and City officials determine appropriate activities and facilities for each open space property. The City of Loveland Natural Areas Sites (2008) rates wildlife habitat values, species diversity, and enhancement potential for each natural area inventoried in the city. These ratings are used to help determine appropriate management zones for public access, habitat restoration, and enhancement efforts.

The following is a list of features and amenities that are appropriate at River's Edge Natural Area:

• Natural Areas
• Pedestrian Trails
• Bicycle Trails
• Connections to Recreation Trail/Adjacent Properties
• Picnic Areas/ Group Picnic Shelters
• Drinking Fountains
• Restrooms
• On-Site Parking
• Wildlife Habitat
• Fishing Access 
• Benches
• Bicycle Racks
• Environmental Education Facilities
• Historical/Cultural Interpretive Facilities

Please note that horses are prohibited on City of Loveland Recreational Trails by Section 12.44.030 of the Municipal Code.

Media Releases:

• 4-12-12 (PDF) - Open House Scheduled for Preferred Master Plan Review on April 26, 2012
• 2-14-12 (PDF) - The City of Loveland hosts a public workshop for HP/Agilent Open Space
• 1-18-12 (PDF) – The City Hires AECOM for HP/Agilent Open Space Design

Statement of Environmental Conditions at River’s Edge Natural Area

The condition of the ponds and land at River’s Edge Natural Area were reviewed in 2011 when the City purchased the property.  In 1984, chemical releases were discovered beneath one of the buildings at the nearby Hewlett-Packard facility located on SW 14th Street, now the Rocky Mountain Center for Innovation and Technology (the “Site”). The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) required active remediation of the contaminants at the Site from 1990 to 2000. After more than a decade, CDPHE approved the removal of the remediation systems in 2004. Currently, no further active remediation is required by CDPHE or the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the Site. Additional safeguards have been established by recording and implementing an environmental covenant that now places restrictions on the use of the Site and some adjacent property. The Environmental Covenant does not affect any of the River’s Edge property north of the Big Thompson Ditch or the water in the River’s Edge ponds.

In an effort to identify and evaluate any continuing environmental concerns with respect to the land and water at River’s Edge, the City of Loveland contracted with Walsh Environmental Scientists and Engineers, LLC in 2011 to complete an Environmental Study of the entire Site and River’s Edge Natural Area. As a result of the study, the City further remediated several land surface areas located outside of the area covered by the environmental covenant. Remediation included soil screening, debris removal and disposal, and confirmation sampling. The environmental study also included an analysis of the water in the River’s Edge Ponds. The study indicated that at the time of analysis, the ponds were in compliance with applicable CDPHE contaminant thresholds. In 2012, CDPHE and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) conducted a study to investigate the presence of mercury contaminants in fish that could potentially be consumed by public anglers. All levels of mercury were well below CDPHE standards for fish consumption. Additional surveys completed by CPW (2012), found high-quality, viable fish populations in each pond. The City and CPW continue to actively monitor and manage the fisheries at River's Edge.

If you require further information, please call the Parks & Recreation Administration Office at: (970) 962-2727.