From Degradation to Destination: Tabor Lake’s Transformation

This presentation traces the lifecycle of Tabor Lake from a former industrial gravel pit into a thriving habitat, recreation destination, and neighborhood asset.

Tabor Lake is an anchor destination within an area that is reinventing itself through interdepartmental collaboration to holistically address housing, recreation, and landscape restoration. A former hotel was converted into workforce housing. The Tabor Lake trail will directly connect to this housing, giving residents access to nature and recreation. Additionally, the trail completes a missing connection between the regional Clear Creek Trail and a transit station – providing important first- and last-mile connectivity.

Tabor Lake’s success is the result of partnerships between state, local, and regional agencies. Presenters explore those partnerships and their value, the importance of timing, and lessons learned. City restoration and recreation practitioners explain specific considerations for balancing recreation in sensitive habitats while meeting demand for additional trails and navigating the inherent challenges of mitigating the former gravel pit.

Leave with an understanding of the importance of system-wide plans in advancing site-specific projects. The 2023 Open Space Management Plan articulated, illustrated, and established action items for Tabor Lake. An illustrative concept communicated the vision and cost estimates realistically identified funding needs.