As Candelas in Arvada readies to welcome its 400th family, the trails, parks, recreation and open space are ready to use now
by Mark Samuelson, The Denver Post
As master-planned Candelas prepares to welcome its 400th family to a sustainably designed community tucked close to the foothills between Arvada and Boulder, those residents like their scenic location – but appreciate even more that the parks, trails and recreational attractions designed to get them into the Colorado outdoors are ready now, not just on the drawing board.
“These people are choosing Candelas because they like the way we’ve put in the amenities first,” says Creig Veldhuizen, whose firm Terra Causa manages development of the 1,450-acre community, which is now well past 400 home sales, nearing its 500th building permit approved for three attractive neighborhoods spread across a 4-mile expanse, with models by seven builders.
“Many of the residents are hikers and cyclists,” Veldhuizen adds, “and though they’re attracted by the top-rated Jefferson County Schools, what they really appreciate is not having to wait to enjoy the setting Candelas offers.”
And yes, more attractions are on the way. While a $3 million sustainably-designed pool/recreation center and five of six planned parks are in place, Candelas is breaking ground on a second rec center for its Parkview neighborhood, expected to open in summer 2016 — with competitive lap pool, demo kitchen, large meeting facilities, fitness room, and fire pit that’ll have a view of the Flatirons behind Boulder. Miles of trail are already in – and that span will jump when Candelas completes its newest Canyon View neighborhood, linking east to west – heading for an eventual length of 13.5 trail miles, passing 193 acres of open space.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is getting set to open its 6,400-acre wildlife refuge bordering Candelas along its entire northern expanse. The visitor center is expected to open in 2016 – but Candelas’ staffers routinely see a hundred head of elk that ignored the opening date, already roaming Candelas’ open space. Families are taking advantage of a full calendar of community events offered – everything from coffee get-togethers, to a community run, to a Father’s Day picnic, to ‘Kids Night Out’ at the rec center – giving mom and dad a date night. Later this month, Candelas holds its annual fall ‘Candelas Fest’ with live music, pony and hay rides, and catered food.
All of that, says Veldhuizen, has strong appeal to families moving up from Arvada and Denver; but is growingly attractive to new arrivals from Boulder (20 minutes) and from out of state, who see a great advantage to the pricing here, as opposed to those in Boulder County areas. You’ll tour the first Swim & Fitness Club; see models from the low $400s by Richmond-American Homes, Lennar, Ryland, Standard Pacific, TRI Pointe, Century Communities and Village Homes that are all built to Energy Star 3.0 standards, some offering standard solar energy; and you’ll see how close this is to boating and recreation at Standley Lake. (Watch for new arrivals next year from the $300s.)
To reach Candelas, take Indiana north from W. 64th in Arvada, three miles to Candelas Parkway. Or from U.S. 36 at Flatiron Crossing, take Interlocken south a mile to Colo. 128, turn west to Indiana, then head south. From Boulder, take Hwy 93 south to Colo. 72 and turn east.
WHERE: Candelas, 1,450-acre sustainable master plan in Arvada, 5 parks ready now, $3M rec center; second rec center opens 2016; models by Richmond-American, Lennar, Ryland, Standard Pacific, TRI Pointe, Century Communities, Village Homes. Candelas Pkwy at Indiana, Arvada; from W. 64th take Indiana north 3 mi. to Candelas; or from U.S. 36 at Flatiron Crossing take Interlocken south 1 mi. to CO 128, right 2 mi. to Indiana and south; or from Boulder take Hwy 93 south to CO 72
