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Faces of South Metro page, where YourHub.com staff and readers can introduce you to more people who make this part of the metro area what it is.
In 1973, from the great state of Texas, Mr.
Jim Priddy arrived in town and became the Supervisor of Park Maintenance for South Suburban Parks and Recreation. Packing his degree in Parks and Recreation Management from Texas A&M, Mr. Priddy assumed responsibility for maintenance of 13 manicured parks that were under South Suburban's jurisdiction at the time. Today, Priddy celebrates 35 years as the Manager of Parks with a nearly $7 million budget and 134 peak season staff members that work together to maintain 3,757 acres of parkland and 81 miles of trails. Priddy is an excellent steward of the taxpayer's dollars initiating timely replacement programs for vehicles, asphalt and irrigation systems. He also provides leadership in water conservation, emergency preparedness and Colorado's recent efforts to control the spread of West Nile Virus.
So what's changed in 35 years? As Priddy reflects on his many responsibilities and all that goes into parks, trails and open space maintenance, he mentions that "the public has changed their view of the value of natural open space within their community." Although the preservation of National Parks was established in 1916, preserving natural open space within the local community was a trend that Priddy experienced in the 1980s. Currently, more than half of South Suburban's parkland is either undeveloped or preserved as natural open space, but this was not always true. "When I got my start here, most folks wanted parks that they could use with playgrounds, athletic fields and basketball courts, but beginning in the 1980s that all changed." A new state law required residential developers to set aside more usable land for park development rather than floodplains near drainage ways which were traditionally deeded to the public domain.
This new legislation, and the burgeoning suburban population, encouraged parks and recreation entities to look differently at parkland choosing not to develop all lands into recreationally-based parks. When Sanford Homes deeded the Willow Spring property, 7100 S. Holly St., to South Suburban in 1987, management decided to leave the property as natural open space. Priddy points out that many of the deeded Arapahoe County parcels, such as Willow Spring, were previously used for agricultural purposes. "It can take up to five years to reestablish the natural grasses and plant materials that historically grew on these parcels." Priddy takes pride in supervising the staff that plant, seed, groom, nurture and care for this natural open space that provides a serene respite from the bustle of suburban life.
What's Priddy's favorite South Suburban natural open space? "I would have to say South Platte Park. I have been involved with its reclamation, development and maintenance since my early years at South Suburban." South Platte Park is an 878-acre open space park along 2.5 miles of the South Platte River, in Littleton, with five lakes and the educational Carson Nature Center which is filled with interactive displays on native plants and animals. Priddy encourages you to stop by and sit awhile or take a leisurely walk enjoying the peaceful reprieve brought to you by the dedicated, hard working staff at South Suburban Parks and Recreation.
Jean Flynn works in the communications department of South Suburban Parks and Recreation.