Littleton, Colorado

8 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 3, ISSUE 3 Gretzky, ‘we want to skate where the puck is going’.” In addition to its robust business landscape, the community has a lot to offer when it comes to culture and recreation. It is home to 1,400 acres of parks and open space, as well as 200 miles of trails. Littleton also boasts the South Platte Park and Carson Nature Center, a 950- acre natural park, which buffers the South Platte River. The city also has its own botanical garden, a performing arts theater, a Smithsonian affiliate museum and living history farm, and an arts and culture commission that elevates the arts and culture community. Littleton’s history dates back to 1859 when merchants, farmers and gold-seekers flocked to the area during the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush. It was founded by Richard Sullivan Little along the South Platte River in what is now the Colorado Piedmont region of the Great Plains. By 1867, Littleton had a thriving economy and was home to schools, churches, a hotel, stores, and more. It was officially incorporated in 1890 and much of that history has been preserved, including 20+ historic buildings. City council recently designated the entire downtown area as a historic district. But preserving the past isn’t holding Littleton’s downtown back. Seeing the potential to use the heritage factor to the benefit of businesses, the City Manager’s office is exploring a feasibility study for creating a Downtown Development Authority. Considerations will include parking management, additional placemaking features and attractions, support for restoration and evolution of historic structures, and the ongoing management and activation of the greater downtown area. As Osher reports, “Downtown Littleton has seen a major revival over the last 15 years and the city is focused on bringing together stakeholders to determine how to best support positive business trends and improve the quality of life in the downtown area. We L I TTLETON, COLORADO