Willow Spring Open Space is a natural haven tucked away in the Denver suburbs. The lush riparian habitat provided by Willow Creek has been enhanced by beavers living there, and provides a home to many plants, birds and animals. The plains grassland portion demonstrates the other primary natural ecosystem of the Metro Denver area. It’s a wonderful place for naturalists to observe nature up close – perfect for hands-on learning or simply appreciating its beauty.
When greeting people in the open space, most aren’t very excited to talk about plants, and some are excited about birds, but nearly everyone is excited to talk about the larger mammals that can be found there. These days, in the summer of 2021, the talk is all about beavers! A Bit about Beavers The …
Due to the variety of habitats, there are many species of birds in the Willow Spring Open Space, both year-round and also those that are seasonal.
The Geology of the Willow Spring Open Space forms the foundation of the area. It provides the clay used to build the Englewood Dam and drives the soil type for the plants and animals there.
The Englewood Dam in Centennial, Colorado is both a flood control structure and also a great place to walk enjoy the mountain and Willow Spring Open Space views.
There are many trees at Willow Spring Open Space. Learn about both native and non-native tree species.
Willow Spring Open space is a large space in Colorado filled with trails, bicycle paths, and sledding in winter.