Bridging Communities and Restoring Connectivity Through Urban Design

About the tour:  For nearly 60 years, the neighboring Denver communities of Elyria-Swansea were divided by the intrusive presence of I-70, displacing families and cutting off connections between residents and vital resources. Over the decades, this physical and social divide was deeply felt by the community. Through this landmark project, as part of the broader Central 70 initiative, Civitas has now transformed what was once a noisy, divisive stretch of freeway into four acres of parks, green spaces, playgrounds, and sports fields. This innovative project stitches these neighborhoods back together, creating a vibrant public space that serves as both a vital community asset and a corrective measure for decades of disruption.

The design of the I-70 Cover Park required a complex and thoughtful approach to urban planning and landscape design. As a part of the broader Central 70 project, the expansion and reconfiguration of I-70 needed to address not only transportation needs but also crucial environmental and social factors. Civitas collaborated with partners, including Kiewit Construction and WSP Design Engineers, on the project execution, ensuring it met its complex requirements. Civitas also conducted extensive community outreach, working closely with residents and community leaders to design a space that offers meaningful, lasting benefits. The design addresses the community’s complex needs, carefully reconnecting the previously fragmented areas. The park features intentionally designed pathways to promote walkability, with green spaces and seating areas strategically placed to create an inviting environment. The fields and open spaces serve as both recreational outlets and gathering spots, while the park’s placement seamlessly connects the two surrounding neighborhoods. Civitas emphasized the positive, transformative impact the cover park would have on the area by routing traffic beneath the park, reducing noise and pollution that once troubled the neighborhood, and ensuring the park remains a peaceful refuge that fosters interaction, community events, and recreation.

About the guides: Mark Naylor, PLA. Mark Naylor is a highly experienced project director and Landscape Architect at Civitas, where he has held various positions throughout his decades-long tenure, including IT Manager, Director of Operations, Principal, and award-winning Landscape Designer. A native of Santa Monica, California, Mark has always had a deep passion for the outdoors, which eventually led him to become a Landscape Architect. Mark has made significant contributions to the organization over the years, leveraging his exceptional creativity and leadership skills to inspire and guide project teams, designers, and clients. His contributions have played a key role in pushing the boundaries of traditional work practices, ensuring that Civitas provides unparalleled value to its clients. Mark has been instrumental in some of Civitas’s most prominent projects across the United States, including the iconic Commons Park in Denver, the Clark County Government Center in Las Vegas, the redevelopment of the sprawling 26-acre Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park in Tampa, and the development of Belleview Station, a. 52-acre transit-oriented project in Denver’s Tech Center. Mark is a registered Landscape Architect in Colorado and holds a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture from Cal Poly Pomona. His expertise, experience, and dedication make him an invaluable asset to Civitas and the broader Landscape Architectural industry.

Heath Therrien, P.E., PMP. Heath is a passionate transportation industry leader who has worked on transformative projects in Colorado and nationwide. As the Cover Design Manager for the lead designer of CDOT’s Central 70 project, he led a multi-firm, multidisciplinary team on the design of the Cover structure, all tunnel systems (fire/life safety, ventilation, ITS, lighting), and the Cover Park.

Accessibility: The tour will be ADA-accessible.

Refund policy: The Denver Architecture Foundation is a nonprofit educational organization. Ticket sales support the Foundation in continuing to provide quality events to the public. We are unable to provide refunds or credits for any reason less than 48 days prior to the event.

Please note that DAF tours take place rain, snow or shine. If your tour includes an outdoor portion, please dress for the weather. DAF staff will contact all attendees directly should a tour be cancelled for any reason.

Photo provided courtesy of Civitas