Closed School Properties

The former Kullerstrand and Wilmore-Davis school properties represent an opportunity to preserve valuable community spaces for future generations.

City Council is discussing options to preserve the parks and athletic fields at these closed schools for continued public use. Protecting these assets would help maintain recreational opportunities and open space while meeting the needs of a growing community.

Preservation of the former school properties was among the highest-supported priorities identified in the city's recent community survey, reflecting strong community interest in maintaining these spaces as public assets.

Why It Matters

Land suitable for parks becomes increasingly difficult—and significantly more expensive—to acquire over time.

These properties already function as important community recreation spaces through youth athletics, informal recreation, playground use, and neighborhood gathering.

Acquiring these properties would help preserve these benefits for future generations.

Wilmore-Davis Elementary

Community Need

Wilmore-Davis represents an opportunity to create a neighborhood park in an area identified by the Trust for Public Land as having moderate to high park need. Although Happiness Gardens provides an important community amenity adjacent to the site, nearby residents have limited access to traditional neighborhood parks. Several nearby residential developments continue to increase demand for parks and recreation opportunities.

Existing Uses

Current uses include:

• Informal recreation
• Open green space
• Existing playground
• Baseball fields
• Soccer practice space

The City's long-term vision is to preserve open space while creating a neighborhood park featuring amenities identified through future community engagement.

Potential amenities could include:

• Playground
• Open lawn
• Walking paths
• Gathering spaces
• Soccer fields
• Baseball field
• Additional recreation amenities

Future Development Opportunities

The City is also exploring potential partnerships that would allow portions of the existing school property to be redeveloped while preserving public parkland. This approach could create complementary land uses while maintaining community access to recreation space.

Kullerstrand Elementary

Community Need

Kullerstrand serves an area identified by the Trust for Public Land as having moderate park need. The property is one of the closest recreation opportunities for residents of Clear Creek Crossing and surrounding neighborhoods. There is currently no traditional neighborhood park within convenient walking distance south of Clear Creek.

Existing Athletic Use

Kullerstrand currently contains:

• One 9-v-9 soccer field
• One 7-v-7 soccer field
• Existing playground

These fields are heavily utilized by City recreation programs and local competitive soccer organizations. Maintaining both fields is an important priority, as the City currently has limited replacement capacity for 9-v-9 soccer fields.

Playground

The existing playground was constructed in 2020 using grant funding supported through a partnership between the City, Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), and the School District. Current agreements require that the playground remain open to the public, appropriately maintained, and insured through approximately 2040. Should ownership change, amendments to the existing grant agreement and intergovernmental agreement would likely be required.

Operations

City Parks staff already maintain the existing soccer fields through current agreements with the School District. Preserving these facilities would maintain valuable recreation infrastructure while minimizing additional maintenance responsibilities associated with the athletic fields.

Benefits to the Community

Potential benefits include:

• Expanded park access
• Preservation of neighborhood open space
• Additional athletic field capacity
• Continued public playground access
• Recreation opportunities close to home
• Community gathering spaces
• Improved quality of life

Fast Facts

• Properties: Wilmore-Davis Elementary & Kullerstrand Elementary
• Current Status: Acquisition opportunities under evaluation
• Existing Athletic Programming: Kullerstrand Elementary is heavily used by both the City of Wheat Ridge’s internal soccer program and by the local Wheat Ridge Avalanche Club Soccer team. The fields are used Monday-Friday from 5-8pm and Saturday/Sunday from 8am-5pm in both the Spring and Fall seasons. Wilmore-Davis has been utilized in prior years for soccer practices but is not currently being used in 2026.
• Annual Participants: 300 rec soccer players and approximately 100 club soccer players annually.
• Existing Soccer Fields: 9v9 soccer field and 7v7 soccer field at Kullerstrand and space for a 9v9 or 7v7 field is available at Wilmore Davis.
• Existing Playground: Yes
• Kullerstrand Playground Protection via state (GOCO) Grant: Through 2040 (subject to amendment upon transfer of ownership)
• Trust for Public Land: Moderate to High Park Need Areas
• Nearby Housing Growth: Multiple recent and planned developments