South Platte Park

Background | Criteria | Northwest Colorado | Northeast Colorado
Southwest Colorado | Southeast Colorado

South Platte Park
Arapahoe County

Size: 650 acres

Elevation: 5330 - 5380 feet

Habitats: Primary – open water, grassland

Secondary – lowland riparian, wetlands, shrubland, shore/bank

Ownership: Municipal (City of Littleton, South Suburban Park & Recreation District)

Land Use: Primary – nature and wildlife conservation, fishing, recreation/tourism, undeveloped, flood control, nature education/interpretation

Secondary – forestry, utility/right-of-way, research

IBA Criteria: 4 (waterfowl, landbirds), 5

Site description

Location: South Platte Park is located in Littleton, downstream from Chatfield State Park, along an unchannelized portion of the South Platte River.

Vegetative/natural features: The site is a lowland riparian ecosystem that includes wetlands, grasslands, mature cottonwood forests, and shrub thickets.

Ornithological Importance

Observers have recorded 225 species of birds at the site, and have confirmed over 50 species of breeding birds.

Breeding species:	Average #	Maximum #
Belted Kingfisher	3-5 pairs	6 pairs
Tree Swallow	6-10 pairs	10-15 pairs
N. Rough-winged Swallow	3-5 pairs	>6 pairs
Western Wood-Pewee	5-10 pairs	10-12 pairs
Common Yellowthroat	10-15 pairs	15 pairs
Yellow Warbler	10-20 pairs	30 pairs
Bullock’s Oriole	10-20 pairs	20 pairs
House Wren	40-50 pairs	60 pairs
Sora Rail	1-5 pairs	5 pairs
Virginia Rail	1-3 pairs	3 pairs
Common Merganser	1-2 pairs	2 pairs

Migrant species:	Average #	Maximum #
ducks (11-21 species)	700 (spring, fall)	1400 (spring) 1200 (fall)
geese (1-3 species)	2000 (spring) 4000 (fall)	3500 (spring) 5500 (fall)

Wintering species:	Average #	Maximum #
Bald Eagle	3-5	7-10
Belted Kingfisher	5-10	12
Great Blue Heron	5-10	15
ducks (11-21 species)	600	1000
geese (1-3 species)	3000	5000

Research and educational activities: The park serves 3 - 4,000 educational program participants yearly, with a variety of thematic nature walks and programs on such topics as Bald Eagles, waterfowl, and migration. Trained volunteers lead bird programs and conduct bird surveys. The on-site Carson Nature Center reaches over 11,000 visitors a year.

Conservation/Management Issues

Serious threats:
1. invasive/non-native plants (Canada thistle, leafy spurge, diffuse knapweed);
2. habitat conversion and development of surrounding area.

Minor threats:
1. introduced animals;
2. cowbird parasitism.

Potential threats:
1. pollution;
2. disturbance to birds;
3. hydrologic changes.

Efforts to address threats:
A program of chemical, cultural and biological weed control has been in place for 10-15 years. Park managers have been restoring grassland areas with native grasses, creating and enhancing wetlands, and planting native trees and shrubs to improve riparian habitat. The "South Platte Park Buffer Plan," adopted by the city of Littleton and the South Suburban Park & Recreation District, includes strategies to purchase land, down zone, utilize conservation easements, and create vegetated buffers on adjacent properties. Bird habitats within the park are protected through the designation of "wildlife areas," the use of which is restricted in type and extent.