William F. Hayden Park Plan

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Join the Community Conversation

Elevate your everyday at William F. Hayden Park, Lakewood's popular regional park destination providing access to nature and an opportunity get outdoors and take in the views! Join us for a community conversation to better understand the park's wildlife and natural resources while gaining valuable insight into what park visitors love and what they would like to see improved.

Managed by the City of Lakewood, the park is beginning a comprehensive planning process that will include an assessment of park visitor needs, an evaluation of park trails and infrastructure, environmental review, recreation management, and design work for future park and trail improvements. These will be packaged into an implementable action plan to serve visitors for the next decade. The city hired DHM Design to lead the projected 12-month planning effort, which will include an extensive public engagement process with park visitors and stakeholders.

About William F. Hayden Park

With more than 2,400 acres of open space, William Frederick Hayden Park on Green Mountain is the second largest park in Lakewood. The park features a challenging network of shared use trails, with a 6,800-foot summit up Green Mountain Trail offering unique and stunning views of the Denver metropolitan area to the east and high mountain peaks to the west.

Beginning 1972, the majority of William Frederick Hayden Park was donated by or purchased from the Hayden family. Once home to the buffalo, this park now provides rich habitat for a diverse array of wildlife including coyotes, hawks, rattlesnakes, bluebirds, rabbit, mule deer and an occasional mountain lion.


Graphic image of William F. Hayden Park logo

We want to hear from you!

Subscribe to this page for updates, meeting notices and other opportunities to participate in the future of this special park. Use the tools below to ask a question of the project team or share an idea for the park.

Join the Community Conversation

Elevate your everyday at William F. Hayden Park, Lakewood's popular regional park destination providing access to nature and an opportunity get outdoors and take in the views! Join us for a community conversation to better understand the park's wildlife and natural resources while gaining valuable insight into what park visitors love and what they would like to see improved.

Managed by the City of Lakewood, the park is beginning a comprehensive planning process that will include an assessment of park visitor needs, an evaluation of park trails and infrastructure, environmental review, recreation management, and design work for future park and trail improvements. These will be packaged into an implementable action plan to serve visitors for the next decade. The city hired DHM Design to lead the projected 12-month planning effort, which will include an extensive public engagement process with park visitors and stakeholders.

About William F. Hayden Park

With more than 2,400 acres of open space, William Frederick Hayden Park on Green Mountain is the second largest park in Lakewood. The park features a challenging network of shared use trails, with a 6,800-foot summit up Green Mountain Trail offering unique and stunning views of the Denver metropolitan area to the east and high mountain peaks to the west.

Beginning 1972, the majority of William Frederick Hayden Park was donated by or purchased from the Hayden family. Once home to the buffalo, this park now provides rich habitat for a diverse array of wildlife including coyotes, hawks, rattlesnakes, bluebirds, rabbit, mule deer and an occasional mountain lion.


Graphic image of William F. Hayden Park logo

We want to hear from you!

Subscribe to this page for updates, meeting notices and other opportunities to participate in the future of this special park. Use the tools below to ask a question of the project team or share an idea for the park.

Ask a question

Have a question about the William F. Hayden Park planning effort? Ask the project team here.

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  • Share What funding is available and or allocated to carry out the preferred plan? on Facebook Share What funding is available and or allocated to carry out the preferred plan? on Twitter Share What funding is available and or allocated to carry out the preferred plan? on Linkedin Email What funding is available and or allocated to carry out the preferred plan? link

    What funding is available and or allocated to carry out the preferred plan?

    PetePM asked 28 days ago

    There is no funding available at this time to implement plan recommendations. The William F. Hayden plan is a 10-20 year guiding document that will also help the City pursue grants and partnerships. When a phase of the plan or a project is targeted for development, staff will request it be incorporated into the City's Annual Budget process for consideration by Lakewood City Council and complete a more detailed design process.

    Thank you

  • Share Where can I view the map showing the current status for new, social & existing trail development and closures? on Facebook Share Where can I view the map showing the current status for new, social & existing trail development and closures? on Twitter Share Where can I view the map showing the current status for new, social & existing trail development and closures? on Linkedin Email Where can I view the map showing the current status for new, social & existing trail development and closures? link

    Where can I view the map showing the current status for new, social & existing trail development and closures?

    Rich A asked 7 days ago

    Hi there,

    You can view the current Concept Trails Plan that was shown at the Open House on Jan. 29 on this page: https://www.lakewoodtogether.org/haydenplan/news_feed/open-house. Another online survey will be available in March with further refinements to this plan. 

    Thank you.

  • Share Yet another question/comment about the potential for increased size of the Alkire TH. I live near the Alkire TH. On Sunday 2/1 and the weekend of 2/7-2/8, the weather has been beautiful and perfect for park usage. On all three days, I've driven by the Alkire TH multiple times and it has been empty. If, on some of the most prime usage days, no one is parking at the existing TH, what is the rationale for proposing, even conceptually, a larger parking lot at that position? Only rarely do I ever see the existing lot full. Rather than enlarge an unused lot, the other THs that are already more popular would benefit more from the increased capacity (which I believe is part of the proposal already). on Facebook Share Yet another question/comment about the potential for increased size of the Alkire TH. I live near the Alkire TH. On Sunday 2/1 and the weekend of 2/7-2/8, the weather has been beautiful and perfect for park usage. On all three days, I've driven by the Alkire TH multiple times and it has been empty. If, on some of the most prime usage days, no one is parking at the existing TH, what is the rationale for proposing, even conceptually, a larger parking lot at that position? Only rarely do I ever see the existing lot full. Rather than enlarge an unused lot, the other THs that are already more popular would benefit more from the increased capacity (which I believe is part of the proposal already). on Twitter Share Yet another question/comment about the potential for increased size of the Alkire TH. I live near the Alkire TH. On Sunday 2/1 and the weekend of 2/7-2/8, the weather has been beautiful and perfect for park usage. On all three days, I've driven by the Alkire TH multiple times and it has been empty. If, on some of the most prime usage days, no one is parking at the existing TH, what is the rationale for proposing, even conceptually, a larger parking lot at that position? Only rarely do I ever see the existing lot full. Rather than enlarge an unused lot, the other THs that are already more popular would benefit more from the increased capacity (which I believe is part of the proposal already). on Linkedin Email Yet another question/comment about the potential for increased size of the Alkire TH. I live near the Alkire TH. On Sunday 2/1 and the weekend of 2/7-2/8, the weather has been beautiful and perfect for park usage. On all three days, I've driven by the Alkire TH multiple times and it has been empty. If, on some of the most prime usage days, no one is parking at the existing TH, what is the rationale for proposing, even conceptually, a larger parking lot at that position? Only rarely do I ever see the existing lot full. Rather than enlarge an unused lot, the other THs that are already more popular would benefit more from the increased capacity (which I believe is part of the proposal already). link

    Yet another question/comment about the potential for increased size of the Alkire TH. I live near the Alkire TH. On Sunday 2/1 and the weekend of 2/7-2/8, the weather has been beautiful and perfect for park usage. On all three days, I've driven by the Alkire TH multiple times and it has been empty. If, on some of the most prime usage days, no one is parking at the existing TH, what is the rationale for proposing, even conceptually, a larger parking lot at that position? Only rarely do I ever see the existing lot full. Rather than enlarge an unused lot, the other THs that are already more popular would benefit more from the increased capacity (which I believe is part of the proposal already).

    cgulbran asked 23 days ago

    Thank you for your feedback, it has been provided to the project team. The concept shown at the Open House showed 10 spaces for this parking lot. Feedback is still being consolidated and the project team is working to minimize the concept for this location. A survey will be available in March for additional community feedback on the planning effort. Any enlargement of trailheads in the plan would be triggered only if an when an improvements is needed. This long range plan is a guiding document for the next 10-20 years. 

  • Share "Once home to the buffalo, this park now provides rich habitat for a diverse array of wildlife including coyotes, hawks, rattlesnakes, bluebirds, rabbit, mule deer and an occasional mountain lion." This quote is taken from your paragraph about the park. Living directly adjacent to the park for over 30 years, we have noted the decline of wildlife. How does the city plan to balance the proposed increase usage of the park and continue to maintain their goal of conservation? on Facebook Share "Once home to the buffalo, this park now provides rich habitat for a diverse array of wildlife including coyotes, hawks, rattlesnakes, bluebirds, rabbit, mule deer and an occasional mountain lion." This quote is taken from your paragraph about the park. Living directly adjacent to the park for over 30 years, we have noted the decline of wildlife. How does the city plan to balance the proposed increase usage of the park and continue to maintain their goal of conservation? on Twitter Share "Once home to the buffalo, this park now provides rich habitat for a diverse array of wildlife including coyotes, hawks, rattlesnakes, bluebirds, rabbit, mule deer and an occasional mountain lion." This quote is taken from your paragraph about the park. Living directly adjacent to the park for over 30 years, we have noted the decline of wildlife. How does the city plan to balance the proposed increase usage of the park and continue to maintain their goal of conservation? on Linkedin Email "Once home to the buffalo, this park now provides rich habitat for a diverse array of wildlife including coyotes, hawks, rattlesnakes, bluebirds, rabbit, mule deer and an occasional mountain lion." This quote is taken from your paragraph about the park. Living directly adjacent to the park for over 30 years, we have noted the decline of wildlife. How does the city plan to balance the proposed increase usage of the park and continue to maintain their goal of conservation? link

    "Once home to the buffalo, this park now provides rich habitat for a diverse array of wildlife including coyotes, hawks, rattlesnakes, bluebirds, rabbit, mule deer and an occasional mountain lion." This quote is taken from your paragraph about the park. Living directly adjacent to the park for over 30 years, we have noted the decline of wildlife. How does the city plan to balance the proposed increase usage of the park and continue to maintain their goal of conservation?

    camino asked about 1 month ago

    Hi there,

    Great question, conservation is at the root of this planning effort! Phase three of the planning effort, which will begin following compilation of all feedback to date, will include a capacity analysis. At this time the Conceptual Trails Plan was developed based on a detailed analysis of the park's ecosystem including wildlife, sensitive species, wetlands, cultural resources, etc. Following that process, the plan currently proposes removing 14 miles of social trails, many of which are currently located in sensitive areas. New trails and trail realignments also work around these sensitive habitats. Today the park has 38 miles of trails, the current trails plan shows 40 miles of trails primarily due to the proposed accessible base trail loop.  The goal is not to increase use, but rather better manage and conserve the park as usages naturally increases. According to Jefferson County Parks and Open Space, parks have realized a 100% increase in usage since 2020. You can view more plan details as presented at the Open House including the environmental assessments completed to date by visiting William F. Hayden Open House #2 -Jan. 29 | William F. Hayden Park Plan | Lakewood Together.

  • Share I just received my copy of LOOKING @ LAKEWOOD. I was hoping to see an article about the proposed planning regarding Green Mt. Many older residents actually look through this city publication. I was wondering why there wasn't any mention of the planning efforts for William F. Hayden Park? on Facebook Share I just received my copy of LOOKING @ LAKEWOOD. I was hoping to see an article about the proposed planning regarding Green Mt. Many older residents actually look through this city publication. I was wondering why there wasn't any mention of the planning efforts for William F. Hayden Park? on Twitter Share I just received my copy of LOOKING @ LAKEWOOD. I was hoping to see an article about the proposed planning regarding Green Mt. Many older residents actually look through this city publication. I was wondering why there wasn't any mention of the planning efforts for William F. Hayden Park? on Linkedin Email I just received my copy of LOOKING @ LAKEWOOD. I was hoping to see an article about the proposed planning regarding Green Mt. Many older residents actually look through this city publication. I was wondering why there wasn't any mention of the planning efforts for William F. Hayden Park? link

    I just received my copy of LOOKING @ LAKEWOOD. I was hoping to see an article about the proposed planning regarding Green Mt. Many older residents actually look through this city publication. I was wondering why there wasn't any mention of the planning efforts for William F. Hayden Park?

    camino asked about 1 month ago

    Hi there,

    Great feedback! We will be sure to share an update in the next Looking at Lakewood.  At the launch of this planning effort, information about the upcoming project was included in Looking at Lakewood. In addition, we shared the public survey on all city channels and sent a postcard to the nearby residents within 2,000 ft of the perimeter of the park. We have since hosted two Open Houses and received 8,000 interactions on the project page and 2,500 survey responses, with an estimated 300 Open House attendees. We will continue to share updates on this project page and through all city channels. The next step of the project is another survey after further concept refinements from the Open House last week. Another postcard will be sent to the neighborhood for this survey. Let us know of any additional questions. 

  • Share How will the city manage a greater influx of use of the park if more parking, more trails, more amenities are created? on Facebook Share How will the city manage a greater influx of use of the park if more parking, more trails, more amenities are created? on Twitter Share How will the city manage a greater influx of use of the park if more parking, more trails, more amenities are created? on Linkedin Email How will the city manage a greater influx of use of the park if more parking, more trails, more amenities are created? link

    How will the city manage a greater influx of use of the park if more parking, more trails, more amenities are created?

    camino asked about 1 month ago

    Phase three of this planning effort will include capacity analysis based on best practices and working closely with our partners at Jefferson County Open Space. The current Concept Trails Plan proposes 40 miles of trails; the current trail mileage is 38 miles. Funding is not currently available for implementation; the draft plan will recommend project phasing which will need to be improved incrementally through the City's Annual Budget Process. This plan is a 10-20 year plan. Parking concepts are for community consideration and would be moved to construction only if warranted. The next public survey will ask for feedback based on revisions following the second Open House feedback. Let us know of any additional questions. 

  • Share "At this phase of the planning effort, the project team is seeking community feedback on whether or not we should consider including various trailhead improvements." The response to the previous question indicates community feedback. How is the team seeking community feedback from the stakeholders that live in the neighborhoods adjacent to Green Mt? I have been canvassing my street - Expoition Dr. and thus far, very few neighbors knew about proposed changes to trails, etc. How have you reached out to residents specifically that back up to the Green Mt open space? on Facebook Share "At this phase of the planning effort, the project team is seeking community feedback on whether or not we should consider including various trailhead improvements." The response to the previous question indicates community feedback. How is the team seeking community feedback from the stakeholders that live in the neighborhoods adjacent to Green Mt? I have been canvassing my street - Expoition Dr. and thus far, very few neighbors knew about proposed changes to trails, etc. How have you reached out to residents specifically that back up to the Green Mt open space? on Twitter Share "At this phase of the planning effort, the project team is seeking community feedback on whether or not we should consider including various trailhead improvements." The response to the previous question indicates community feedback. How is the team seeking community feedback from the stakeholders that live in the neighborhoods adjacent to Green Mt? I have been canvassing my street - Expoition Dr. and thus far, very few neighbors knew about proposed changes to trails, etc. How have you reached out to residents specifically that back up to the Green Mt open space? on Linkedin Email "At this phase of the planning effort, the project team is seeking community feedback on whether or not we should consider including various trailhead improvements." The response to the previous question indicates community feedback. How is the team seeking community feedback from the stakeholders that live in the neighborhoods adjacent to Green Mt? I have been canvassing my street - Expoition Dr. and thus far, very few neighbors knew about proposed changes to trails, etc. How have you reached out to residents specifically that back up to the Green Mt open space? link

    "At this phase of the planning effort, the project team is seeking community feedback on whether or not we should consider including various trailhead improvements." The response to the previous question indicates community feedback. How is the team seeking community feedback from the stakeholders that live in the neighborhoods adjacent to Green Mt? I have been canvassing my street - Expoition Dr. and thus far, very few neighbors knew about proposed changes to trails, etc. How have you reached out to residents specifically that back up to the Green Mt open space?

    camino asked about 1 month ago

    Hi there,

    The project team shared a postcard with all neighbors within 2,000 ft of the perimeter of the park early on in the project. We will have another survey and postcard asking for neighborhood feedback as we continue further plan refinements as a result of the 2nd Open House feedback. Please also encourage your neighbors to subscribe to this project page for updates. 

  • Share why arent we building modality specific trails that are safer and more enjoyable for everyone! i hike bike and mixed use trails are boring and dangerous and chock full of conflict. ask the team at comba for help, they have a map proposal. on Facebook Share why arent we building modality specific trails that are safer and more enjoyable for everyone! i hike bike and mixed use trails are boring and dangerous and chock full of conflict. ask the team at comba for help, they have a map proposal. on Twitter Share why arent we building modality specific trails that are safer and more enjoyable for everyone! i hike bike and mixed use trails are boring and dangerous and chock full of conflict. ask the team at comba for help, they have a map proposal. on Linkedin Email why arent we building modality specific trails that are safer and more enjoyable for everyone! i hike bike and mixed use trails are boring and dangerous and chock full of conflict. ask the team at comba for help, they have a map proposal. link

    why arent we building modality specific trails that are safer and more enjoyable for everyone! i hike bike and mixed use trails are boring and dangerous and chock full of conflict. ask the team at comba for help, they have a map proposal.

    peter f asked about 1 month ago

    Thank you for your feedback

  • Share I realize you have already responded to various concerns regarding changes to the Alkire Trailhead, however, as a Green Mountain Estates resident, I just want to want to add my voice to the chorus of disapproval: NO to Alkire Trailhead development. on Facebook Share I realize you have already responded to various concerns regarding changes to the Alkire Trailhead, however, as a Green Mountain Estates resident, I just want to want to add my voice to the chorus of disapproval: NO to Alkire Trailhead development. on Twitter Share I realize you have already responded to various concerns regarding changes to the Alkire Trailhead, however, as a Green Mountain Estates resident, I just want to want to add my voice to the chorus of disapproval: NO to Alkire Trailhead development. on Linkedin Email I realize you have already responded to various concerns regarding changes to the Alkire Trailhead, however, as a Green Mountain Estates resident, I just want to want to add my voice to the chorus of disapproval: NO to Alkire Trailhead development. link

    I realize you have already responded to various concerns regarding changes to the Alkire Trailhead, however, as a Green Mountain Estates resident, I just want to want to add my voice to the chorus of disapproval: NO to Alkire Trailhead development.

    John F asked about 1 month ago

    Thank you for your feedback. 

  • Share Hi, I am excited about the attention and potential updates to Green Mountain! I live in Green Mountain Estates and we moved here because of this amazing resource out our back door! In reviewing the plans, I am very concerned about the potential changes to the Alkire parking area. What is the reasoning behind potentially building a 60 space parking lot with a vault toilet in a neighborhood? Are there no other options for improving parking? Alkire/Cedar is a neighborhood street where children and families bike and walk. This increase in traffic does not seem like an improvement to a neighborhood much less the houses that no longer look out onto Green Mountain, but instead now have a parking lot in their backyards! Can you please provide more information and quantitative data support the need for such a large parking area? Additionally, traffic control plans on how Lakewood will ensure safety with the increase traffic flow through a neighborhood. on Facebook Share Hi, I am excited about the attention and potential updates to Green Mountain! I live in Green Mountain Estates and we moved here because of this amazing resource out our back door! In reviewing the plans, I am very concerned about the potential changes to the Alkire parking area. What is the reasoning behind potentially building a 60 space parking lot with a vault toilet in a neighborhood? Are there no other options for improving parking? Alkire/Cedar is a neighborhood street where children and families bike and walk. This increase in traffic does not seem like an improvement to a neighborhood much less the houses that no longer look out onto Green Mountain, but instead now have a parking lot in their backyards! Can you please provide more information and quantitative data support the need for such a large parking area? Additionally, traffic control plans on how Lakewood will ensure safety with the increase traffic flow through a neighborhood. on Twitter Share Hi, I am excited about the attention and potential updates to Green Mountain! I live in Green Mountain Estates and we moved here because of this amazing resource out our back door! In reviewing the plans, I am very concerned about the potential changes to the Alkire parking area. What is the reasoning behind potentially building a 60 space parking lot with a vault toilet in a neighborhood? Are there no other options for improving parking? Alkire/Cedar is a neighborhood street where children and families bike and walk. This increase in traffic does not seem like an improvement to a neighborhood much less the houses that no longer look out onto Green Mountain, but instead now have a parking lot in their backyards! Can you please provide more information and quantitative data support the need for such a large parking area? Additionally, traffic control plans on how Lakewood will ensure safety with the increase traffic flow through a neighborhood. on Linkedin Email Hi, I am excited about the attention and potential updates to Green Mountain! I live in Green Mountain Estates and we moved here because of this amazing resource out our back door! In reviewing the plans, I am very concerned about the potential changes to the Alkire parking area. What is the reasoning behind potentially building a 60 space parking lot with a vault toilet in a neighborhood? Are there no other options for improving parking? Alkire/Cedar is a neighborhood street where children and families bike and walk. This increase in traffic does not seem like an improvement to a neighborhood much less the houses that no longer look out onto Green Mountain, but instead now have a parking lot in their backyards! Can you please provide more information and quantitative data support the need for such a large parking area? Additionally, traffic control plans on how Lakewood will ensure safety with the increase traffic flow through a neighborhood. link

    Hi, I am excited about the attention and potential updates to Green Mountain! I live in Green Mountain Estates and we moved here because of this amazing resource out our back door! In reviewing the plans, I am very concerned about the potential changes to the Alkire parking area. What is the reasoning behind potentially building a 60 space parking lot with a vault toilet in a neighborhood? Are there no other options for improving parking? Alkire/Cedar is a neighborhood street where children and families bike and walk. This increase in traffic does not seem like an improvement to a neighborhood much less the houses that no longer look out onto Green Mountain, but instead now have a parking lot in their backyards! Can you please provide more information and quantitative data support the need for such a large parking area? Additionally, traffic control plans on how Lakewood will ensure safety with the increase traffic flow through a neighborhood.

    Kdkwolek asked about 1 month ago

    Thank you for your feedback! There seems to be some misunderstanding regarding the trailhead improvement concepts. The concepts that will be shown at the Open House and available online show approx.14 parking spaces at the Alkire location. The concepts to be shared at the open house tonight include an explanation that they are only conceptual in nature. At this phase of the planning effort, the project team is seeking community feedback on whether or not we should consider including various trailhead improvements in the overall long-range plan and what would trigger the need for further design and implementation. Showing concepts for trail and trail access improvements does not indicate the city is moving forward with these projects. After the project team collects feedback at the Open House, further refinements will be made and presented in another public survey online before drafting the plan. Keep in mind, these conceptual designs, including trail concepts, are not funded and will require additional design work and approval for implementation when funding is available.

Page last updated: 09 Feb 2026, 02:46 PM