Ketring-Gallup Park Master Plan

Community Outreach #2: Explore your community park and tell us what improvements you’d like to see!

Project Overview

Located approximately one mile southeast of Historic Downtown Littleton, Ketring Park, Gallup Gardens, and Gallup Park comprise approximately 55.5 acres collectively, including the Bemis Library grounds and the Littleton Museum.  

For the purposes of this planning effort, this complex of parks and cultural facilities is being referred to as “Ketring-Gallup Park.”  

The City of Littleton, in partnership with South Suburban Parks and Recreation, identified the need for an overarching master plan of all three parks to serve as a guiding document in realizing a more comprehensive vision that celebrates and fosters the cultural amenities of the site. Based on the input we receive from you, the master plan will provide long-term goals and actionable strategies with detailed, prioritized improvement projects. 

Still in the early stages of the project, we are initiating this second round of outreach to solicit feedback from the community that will be used to inform conceptual alternatives that will lay out a plan for the future of the parks. Early this fall, community members and project stakeholders will have an opportunity to review and provide additional input on the concept alternatives that will assist in refining them into a single, preferred master plan concept. 

Through our first round of engagement, we heard from the community that Ketring-Gallup Park is a widely valued community park appreciated for its existing character and natural resources. A recurring theme from Survey #1 respondents was the desire to see an increased level of maintenance and a preservation of the qualities that already make Ketring-Gallup Park special.  

Some of the other commonly mentioned opportunities for improvement included shade, seating, safety, increased plant biodiversity, and improved walks, trails and connections. 

Below, additional background information and an interactive map of the site will allow you to become more familiar with the character of the distinct areas within Ketring-Gallup Park. The interactive map is followed by a survey that offers an opportunity for you to provide additional feedback regarding potential improvements for the parks. Please help us bring forth a vision that will guide the future for Ketring-Gallup Park that is reflective of the diverse community it serves.  


Survey #1 Summary

In June and July, over 500 neighbors and users of Ketring-Gallup Park shared their memories, reflections, and visions for the future of the park through an online survey.

The master plan team is now using the survey responses, feedback taken in person at various community events, and ongoing conversations with stakeholders to inform the creation of a vision for potential improvements for the park. We learned a lot about how important Ketring-Gallup Park is to the community, and wanted to share those findings with you. 

If you didn't get a chance to participate in the first survey, don’t worry because below you will be able to explore the different areas of the park and tell us what improvements you would like to see in each.

To stay up-to-date on future ways to engage with the master plan process and help guide decisions on investment in the park, be sure to visit littletonco.gov/Ketring-GallupPark.

Interactive Park Map

Use this interactive map to explore the unique spaces that make up Ketring-Gallup Park. Take a virtual tour of the park, picture yourself in these spaces and then provide your feedback on how they could potentially be improved to better support the needs of your community. 

Scroll through the specific park spaces or explore the map by clicking on each number to read more about the existing conditions and potential opportunities for how these spaces may be preserved or improved upon in the future. 

1

Bemis Library Grounds

The exterior spaces surrounding the Bemis Library currently offer limited passive outdoor recreation opportunities. The north side of the library is currently closed for public use, while the south side offers shaded seating below the mature tree canopy at a few picnic tables.  Parking and a visitor drop-off area define the front and east sides of the library. 

The following list identifies potential improvement opportunities for the Bemis Library grounds identified by community members and project stakeholders through the first round of engagement:

  • Outdoor education space 
  • Performance space 
  • Gathering space
  • Seating for 1-2 people 
  • Outdoor art 
  • Educational signage 
  • Electric vehicle charging stations
2

Gallup Gardens

Gallup Gardens offers a unique experience providing access to a sensory garden with a rocky water feature and pond, intimate walking paths and an interpretive trail. Gallup Gardens is home to Solar III, one of five public art installations located in Ketring and Gallup Parks. 

The following list identifies potential improvement opportunities for Gallup Gardens identified by community members and project stakeholders through the first round of engagement:

  • Demonstration gardens 
  • Improved integration with Bemis Library grounds 
  • Improved lighting 
  • Restoration of the gardens 
  • Restoration of the water feature 
  • Additional seating 
3

Library Lane

Library Lane currently functions as parking and vehicular access between Datura and Gallup Streets, providing a connection between Bemis Library and Littleton Museum. Formal pedestrian access is limited, and an accessible crossing of Gallup Street does not currently exist. 

The following list identifies potential improvement opportunities for Library Lane identified by community members and project stakeholders through the first round of engagement:

  •  A “festival” or shared-use street that could accommodate craft fairs, farmers markets, and food trucks, as well as multi-modal access and parking 
  • Improved pedestrian access and connectivity between Bemis Library and Littleton Museum 
  • Seating/gathering spaces 
  • Improved crossing at Gallup Street 
  • Pavement art 
  • Rainwater treatment gardens 
  • Electric vehicle charging stations 
4

Gallup Street

Identified as a Neighborhood Connector street in the 2019 Littleton Transportation Master Plan, Gallup Street is a north-south street separating Gallup Park, Gallup Gardens and the Bemis Library on the west from Ketring Park, Ketring Lake and Littleton Museum on the east. Pedestrian sidewalks, on-street bicycle facilities and vehicle parking are inconsistent along the road’s length as it passes through the parks. A formalized, accessible crossing of Gallup Street anywhere between Gallup Park and Ketring Park does not currently exist. 

The following list identifies potential improvement opportunities for Gallup Street identified by community members and project stakeholders through the first round of engagement:

  • Improved crossings 
  • Wider sidewalks / separated sidewalks 
  • Traffic calming facilities 
  • Roadside plantings 
  • Multi-modal transportation improvements
5

Ketring Park West Lawn

Ketring Park contains a vast open lawn surrounded by walking paths allowing for a variety of passive recreation opportunities. A mature cottonwood tree canopy flanks the eastern portion of the Ketring Park lawn.  A World War II Memorial offers a space for reflection, education, and honoring veterans in the southwest corner of the park. 

The following list identifies potential improvement opportunities for Ketring Park’s west lawn identified by community members and project stakeholders through the first round of engagement:

  • Removal of the fence around the central cottonwood tree 
  • Turf conversion / meadow habitat in selective areas outside of the central lawn 
  • Fruit trees 
  • Shaded seating 
  • Additional seating 
  • Path widening 
6

Ketring Park Natural Areas

The areas referenced here include the forested spaces north, east, and south of the central lawn. These areas are dominated by mature cottonwood but also include other mixed tree species and an understory of both native and non-native shrubs and grasses. Multiple social trails wind their way through the understory. 

The following list identifies potential improvement opportunities for the natural areas of Ketring Park identified by community members and project stakeholders through the first round of engagement:

  • Preservation and maintenance of the existing tree canopy 
  • Natural surface trails 
  • Informal natural play elements 
  • A dedicated nature playground 
  • Bike skills trails 
  • Shaded seating 
  • Vegetation and habitat improvements 
  • Bird blind / wildlife viewing structure 
7

Ketring Lake

Ketring Lake (also known as Gallup Reservoir) is perhaps the most recognizable feature of the park. The lake provides access to fishing and strolling along walking paths that follow about half of the lake’s perimeter on the eastern side. Ketring Lake is currently being evaluated through the City of Littleton’s Integrated Water Resources Plan. 

The following list identifies potential improvement opportunities for Ketring Lake identified by community members and project stakeholders through the first round of engagement:

  • A looped walking trail/boardwalk around the lake 
  • Improved water quality 
  • Enhanced wildlife habitat 
  • Shaded seating 
  • Bird blind / wildlife viewing structure 
8

Ketring Lake Eastern Open Space

The open space east of Ketring Lake is backed up to by the single-family residences of Lakeview Street. The area consists predominantly of mown non-native grass species. A parking lot provides direct access to the lake and Ketring Park from Lakeview Street. 

The following list identifies potential improvement opportunities for the open space east of Ketring Lake identified by community members and project stakeholders through the first round of engagement:

  • Native vegetation and habitat improvements 
  • Seating 
  • Soft surface walking paths 
  • Demonstration / xeric garden 
  • Fruit trees / orchard 
  • Picnic pavilion 
9

Southern Trail Connection

The southern portion of the Ketring Park Loop winds its way between the living history grounds of the Littleton Museum and the Carmelite Monastery property to the south. The trail through here is a narrow corridor fenced on both the museum and monastery sides. The asphalt trail is in poor condition and does not currently connect with a formal or accessible pedestrian crossing of Gallup Street to access Gallup Park. 

The following list identifies potential improvement opportunities for the southern trail connection identified by community members and project stakeholders through the first round of engagement:

  • Accessible connection / crossing at Gallup Street 
  • Improved trail surface and width
  • Lighting 
  • Expanded trail corridor 
  • Improved fencing 
  • Shaded seating 
10

Gallup Park

Gallup Park provides a variety of active recreation opportunities including tennis, baseball, and multi-use turf fields. Parking is available adjacent to the baseball field, and a second parking lot adjacent to the tennis court is available through a shared-use agreement with Galilee South Community Church. 

The following list identifies potential improvement opportunities for Gallup Park identified by community members and project stakeholders through the first round of engagement:

  • Improved connection to Ketring Lake and Ketring Park 
  • Flex sport court / basketball court 
  • Expanded picnic pavilion with BBQ’s 
  • Paved walking paths 
  • Improvements to the existing baseball facilities 
  • Synthetic sports field 
  • Shaded seating 
  • Improved parking 
  • Electric vehicle charging stations 
  • Enclosed dog park 
  • Relocated / expanded playground 
  • Performance space
  • Stormwater treatment amenities (such as rain gardens or permeable paving in the parking lot) 
11

Gallup Park Playground

The only playground in Ketring-Gallup Park is in the southern part of Gallup Park. The existing playground provides standard post & platform play structures and a picnic pavilion. 

The following list identifies potential improvement opportunities for the Gallup Park Playground identified by community members and project stakeholders through the first round of engagement:

  • Updated and expanded playground 
  • Accessible play elements 
  • Multi-generational play elements 
  • Shaded play features 
  • Additional shaded seating 
  • Interactive play / art elements 


Survey #2

This second-phase survey seeks to identify potential improvements that the community would like to see in Ketring-Gallup Park. Based on the feedback received, conceptual park improvement alternatives will be developed, which the community will have another opportunity to review and provide input on. 

ArcGIS Survey123

Thank you for taking our survey! Your valuable input will help guide the future development of your community park. For more information and to stay up to date, please visit the project website at littletonco.gov/Ketring-GallupPark