Development is coming to the Rooney Valley. The Lakewood City Council has already approved two scenarios only one of which is dependent on the land swap that will go to vote on January 2. The proposed land swap would exchange 22 acres of current parkland in Iron Springs Park for 22 acres of land located directly to the west of the existing homes and to the east of the new development.

Thus, potential voters need to be aware before they vote in this special election that without the proposed land swap, the new development will still go forward and it will go in directly to the west of the existing housing and in the area that is currently heavily used for hiking, dog-walking and biking. As a matter of fact, the much-used bike trail that goes from Bear Creek Lake Park and under Alameda to Green Mountain Park is within this area.

It is true that if the swap is approved by voters, 22 acres of Iron Springs Park will be available for development instead of 22 acres in this area directly to the west of the existing homes. Voters need to be aware, however, that Iron Springs Park is located right off of the south side of Alameda between the roadway and the old existing fence line. This area is currently used by no one for park purposes. You would never walk a dog off leash that close to Alameda and there are no trails within Iron Springs Park. If the proposed land swap is defeated, only this area right off of Alameda will be available parkland, and not the area to the west of the existing homes that is currently heavily used by residents for hiking, dog-walking and biking.

If you are adamantly opposed on principle to the City ever making a trade of parkland for new parkland, by all means vote against the swap. But, if you currently use and value the area to the west of the existing homes and hike or bike on that well-used trail up to Green Mountain, inform yourself and think about what this area will be like under each scenario before you vote. Because if the land swap is defeated, there will be a sea of homes right over the area that you currently walk and bike on.