In 2025, Duck Lake in Denver City Park will undergo significant upgrades to enhance birding experiences and improve the environment.
The lake, which is about five acres, has had its share of issues, but now it’s getting a makeover. They’re adding water filtration to tackle that pesky summer algae and building new nesting structures to help the trees. Plus, there’s a public art project on the way that will really brighten up the northeast side of the lake.
Georgia Garnsey, who heads up City Park Friends and Neighbors, mentioned that since the pandemic, more people have been discovering the beauty of Duck Lake. With bald eagles hunting nearby, it’s become a hotspot for birdwatchers.
Duck Lake isn’t just home to ducks; it attracts all sorts of birds like cormorants, geese, and herons. It’s different from the larger Ferril Lake and sits right next to the Denver Zoo.
The park has faced some challenges, especially with the trees. They’re removing old, dying trees and replacing them with more suitable ones. This is a big deal since the original trees were planted way back in 1891 when the lake was first created.
Improvements have been in the works for about five years, and folks are finally starting to see the results. The water quality has really improved, thanks to the efforts of Denver Parks & Recreation and the health department. They’ve managed to keep algae and other issues at bay, which is great news.
Neighborhood groups have been super involved in this process, helping with shoreline restoration and even a new aeration system. They’re also working on removing invasive plants and planting native vegetation.
Garnsey, who’s lived in the area for decades, pointed out that the new bird stands are a game-changer. They’re designed to withstand storms and won’t fall apart like the old trees.
Duck Lake is actually the fourth-largest rookery in the state, which has led to some cool collaborations with local birdwatching groups. They’re organizing tours and attracting wildlife photographers, which is awesome for the community.
There’s been some tension with the Denver Zoo over the years, especially after a failed project to turn elephant dung into electricity. The zoo expanded its area, which caused some concerns for Duck Lake visitors.
Despite that, the zoo’s director emphasized that any development around Duck Lake is a community decision, not just theirs.
Garnsey is hopeful that a new mural by artist John Pugh will help improve the view. It’s been a long time coming, and it will feature over 30 animals, which sounds amazing!
With volunteers helping out and local youth groups getting involved, the work around Duck Lake is moving along nicely. Garnsey mentioned that preserving City Park has been a challenge, but they’re making progress.
Overall, it’s an exciting time for Duck Lake, and the upgrades are sure to make it a better spot for everyone who loves nature.
