Neighborhood Spotlight- Broomfield

Broomfield is a suburb that lies northwest of Denver.  It runs mostly east to west, with some square footage on the east side of I-25, stretching to just west of 36.  With a population of just over 65,000 people, Broomfield still has a lot to offer to residents and non-residents, alike.  It has over 281 miles of trails and more than 700 acres of developed parks with 45 playgrounds.

map-_0005_broomfield

Broomfield-Interlocken0569 (1)

☆ Broomfield home prices & values (reported by Zillow on March 31st, 2018):

The median home value in Broomfield is $428,891. Broomfield home values have gone up 10.1% over the past year and Zillow predicts they will rise 4.3% within the next year. The median list price per square foot in Broomfield is $234, which is lower than the Denver Metro average of $252. The median price of homes currently listed in Broomfield is $502,410 while the median price of homes that sold is $404,500. The median rent price in Broomfield is $2,100, which is higher than the Denver Metro median of $2,000.

Transportation: 

  • direct access to US 36, Northwest Parkway and I-25

Places worth checking out: 

  • 1st Bank Center– a multi-purpose arena that seats 6,500.  Concerts, community functions, and sporting events all take place here.  1st_Bank_Venue-953c73e101
  • Paul Derda Rec Center– Inside this 85,000 square foot building, you’ll find everything from a running track to a kid’s indoor playground. The center includes a swimming pool with lazy river and slides, gymnasium, fitness studios, cardio and weight rooms, indoor track, gymnastics center, climbing wall, game room, and even a licensed preschool.

20131025__27bederda-1_500

Paul_Derda_Recreation_Center_Main

  • Flatiron Crossing– the North Denver Metro’s premier shopping, dining and entertainment destination, featuring award-winning architecture and retail set in a two-level enclosed shopping mall with adjoining outdoor shops, restaurants and state-of-the-art movie theatres with plush recliners and MacGuffins Bar & Lounge. An anchor lineup led by Nordstrom is joined by more than 200 shops and restaurants, including Macy’s and Dillard’s, and major retailers such as Apple, Banana Republic, Coach, Crate & Barrel, Disney Store, H&M, J.Crew, PINK by Victoria’s Secret, Pottery Barn, Sephora, The Container Store, White House Black Market and XXI Forever. Dining options will please any palette with choices such as Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar, California Pizza Kitchen, Gordon Biersch Brewery, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, Red Robin, Tokyo Joe’s and Village Tavern.

Broomfield_FlatironsMall (1)

flatIron-crossing-3

4noses-700x325

  • The Bay Aquatic Center– Broomfield’s outdoor water park, designed for children ages 1 to 12 years old, features a large pool, tot pool, body slide, tube slides, spray ground, picnic areas, and is ADA accessible.

broomfield-bay-aquatic-park

A little bit of Broomfield history (taken from geneologytrails.com)

“Broomfield has been a community for over 75 years but was originally known as Zang’s Spur. This first community was actually located approximately one mile east and 1/4 mile north of existing “old” Broomfield. It was served by the narrow gauge railroad from that ran from Denver to Erie and Lyons. The present lake south of Spallone’s Addition is in the vicinity of the site and this is where the railroad took on water for their engines. The first United States Post Office serving this area was begun in July, 1887, and located here.

Progress brought the standard gauge railroad and a new track, located where we see it today, was moved to the Jones Building. This is the green trimmed, white buidling east of the railroad on 120th Street. Mr. E.J. Jones was the Postmaster from 1906 to 1941. During this period, and continuing until 1951, all mail in the area arrived and departed via rail. Since 1951, it has been trucked in and out.

During the early 1920s, Broomfield was a very lively place. The community consisted of a pool hall, Grange hall, barber shop, grocery store, hotel with general sotre, flour mill and cheese factory. In addition, there was a bank, lumber yard, filling station, two garages or blacksmith shops, the depot and nearby was a beet dump and pickle factory. Besides the business district, Broomfield had about a dozen homes.”

Read more about Broomfield’s past here.

 

SaveSaveSaveSave

Neighborhood Spotlight- Westminster

Westminster is a northwest suburb of Denver, with a population of more than 110,000 people.  Home to many outdoor enthusiasts, Westminster has 2,910 acres of parks and 150 miles of trails to enjoy.  The Big Dry Creek Trail runs east to west connecting 12 miles of Westminster together.  Residents enjoy biking, running and walking on the half dirt, half paved trail.

Westin-Wedding-Westminster-CO-001.1423199653

☆ Westminster home prices & values (reported by Zillow on January 31st, 2018):

“The median home value in Westminster is $350,300. Westminster home values have gone up 8.6% over the past year and Zillow predicts they will rise 3.9% within the next year. The median list price per square foot in Westminster is $235, which is lower than the Denver Metro average of $245. The median price of homes currently listed in Westminster is $374,700 while the median price of homes that sold is $350,900. The median rent price in Westminster is $1,830, which is lower than theDenver Metro median of $1,950.”

Transportation: 

  • direct access to US 36 and I-25
  • close to Northwest Parkway, E-470, I-70 and I-76
  • 30 minute drive to Denver International Airport

Places worth checking out:

  • Standley Lake Regional Park– a multi-use recreation and and water-use storage facility.  There are 1,063 acres to enjoy hiking, biking, camping, wildlife viewing, fishing, power boating, and paddling.

SLRP

☆ FUN FACT ☆

“Since January of 1993, a mated pair of Bald Eagles has been nesting on the northwest side of Standley Lake. When the eagles were first observed building a nest, Standley Lake officials closed off access to the area so the eagles would be undisturbed in their attempt to nest. Bald eagles usually mate for life and reuse nest sites. Because they are sensitive to human disturbance, it is imperative that the area remains closed to protect the nesting habitat.

In 1996, the eagles successfully produced their first pair of offspring. They have continued in that success for the last 21 consecutive years, producing two eaglets each of those years, except in 2015 and 2017 when they were successful in raising three eaglets! The eagles have been using that same nest for 24 years, until this past year when they decided to build a new nest just to the east of their old nest site.

They usually lay their eggs in the first weeks of February. Incubation lasts for a period of approximately 35 days, at which time one to two nestlings will hatch. These nestlings will first leave the nest in late May to early June, approximately 72 days after hatching. Both parents take care of the young eagles even after they leave the nest. The young will leave the area sometime before October or November, either on their own or when the parents force them out.”  (Taken from Standley Lake Regional Park Facebook page)

baldeagles

☆ This winter, there were also sightings of the rare Snowy Owl at Standley Lake.  The Snowy Owl is native to the northernmost parts of Alaska and Canada.  Birders say owl populations were higher than normal in the Artic, pushing the younger ones down south to find food.

More places worth checking out:

  • The Butterfly Pavilion is an invertebrate zoo home to thousands of animals from all over the world.  The indoor tropical conservatory has over 1,600 free-flying butterflies.  It is also home to “Rosie” the tarantula.  Anyone over 4 years old can take a turn holding her.  A fun place to visit, for kids and grown-ups, alike.

The following days in 2018 offer $5 entrance fee’s: January 28, February 10, April 21, August 18 (World Honey Bee Day), September 16 (Monarch Day), November 11, December 9

NHM Pavilion of Wings & Live Animal Presentation

  • City Park Recreation Center– a family-oriented leisure facility.  They have a great aquatics area with three indoor pools with slides, a current channel, rope swing, rock climbing wall, steam room and sauna.  There is also a full-sized gym, 25-foot climbing wall, weight room, childcare facilities, and a variety of classes offered from babies, all the way up to seniors.

wrc

  •   Westminster City Park is 205 acres set directly behind the Rec Center with gorgeous mountain views.  They have it all with soccer fields, softball fields, 18 hole disc golf course, skate park, playground and a splash pad (open in the summer).  They host different events throughout the year, including the city’s 4th of July Celebration.
  • The Orchard Town Center– located off 144th Avenue and I-25, The Orchard has over 85 specialty retailers along with a great selection of dining and entertainment options.  A splash pad and playground make it a fun place to spend an hour or two with the kids during the summertime.

orchard

 

In 1858, gold discovered in the South Platte River Valley brought national attention to the area.  The promise of fortune encouraged settlers from the east to make Colorado their home.  Westminster was founded in 1870 and incorporated in 1911.  The Westminster Castle, which was built in 1891 can still be seen off West 83rd Avenue and Federal Boulevard.

westminstercastle

Neighborhood Spotlight- Arvada

With a population of more than 115,000 people, Arvada offers a small town feel with it’s cozy downtown and an abundance of older brick ranch style homes.  Arvada has plenty to offer with 90 parks, countless festivals and weekly farmer’s markets during the warmer months.  It’s also home to 125 miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails.

arvada

Transportation:

  • The RTD G Line will soon take customers from downtown Arvada to Union Station, in downtown Denver.
  • close access to I-70 & I-76
  • Just over an hour to get to multiple ski resorts, including: Eldora, Loveland, Keystone, Winter Park and Copper Mountain
  • 30 minute drive to Denver International Airport

RTD

Places worth checking out:

  •  The Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities- one of the nation’s largest multi-disciplinarian arts centers.  Offers a year-round theater series, two art galleries, a museum and an outdoor summer stage for concerts.  They also offer classes in ceramics, dance, writing, acting and visual arts for both children and adults.

Arvada-Center

  • Apex Center– with 23,000 square feet of indoor water fun, two ice rinks, a climbing wall, cardio/weight training area, indoor playground, elevated running track, three full-sized gymnasiums, and a skate park next door, there is definitely something for everyone.

apexswim

  • Olde Town Arvada– emerging as a popular and walkable hangout with dozens of restaurants, bars, boutiques, salons, breweries and more.  They organize an abundance of festivals throughout the year, including The Festival of Scarecrows for Halloween and The Saint Patrick’s Day Festival held every March.  Right next to The Arvada Library is a splash pad for kid’s to enjoy in the summertime.

splashpad

Founded in 1870 and incorporated in 1904, Arvada has a rich heritage that is evident within the community.  Their abundance of family friendly events and activities and active downtown community with great accessibility, bring something to the table for everyone.  Whether you are single or raising a family, Arvada would be a great place to call home.