1970s

1974:

Mayor Bill McNichols asks Joe Shoemaker to serve as Chairman of the Platte River Development Committee (P.R.D.C.)
Mayor provides one time funding source of $2 Million
Mayor and Chairman co-appoint 8 other committee members:

                        Ted Bendelow
                        Dana Crawford
                        Marjorie Hornbein
                        Dan Trujillo
                        Potts Berglund
                        Hiawatha Davis
                        Philip Milstein
                        John Zapien

P.R.D.C. sets five primary goals:
        Reclaim South Platte in Denver (10.5 miles) environmentally and establish River as a recreationally boatable         amenity
        Create open space parks, and natural areas throughout River in Denver
        Create concrete hike-bike-maintenance path along the River in Denver
        Connect River improvements to existing park/recreational amenities
        Insure that each improvement continues or expands the flood carrying capacity of the River

1975:

Confluence Park is completed and dedicated (one of four original projects)

1976 – 1983:

P.R.D.C. becomes the Greenway Foundation, a private 501c3 non-profit to allow solicitation and acceptance of private contributions
Jeff Shoemaker assumes position of Executive Director of the Foundation
The Greenway Foundation receives contributions from:

                    Gates Foundation
                    Johnson Foundation
                    Piton Foundation
                    Boettcher Foundation
                    El Pomar Foundation
                    Denver Foundation
                    Additional funds from Federal, State and Local Agencies are pursued and obtained
                    Numerous corporate/individual contributions are received

Over 250 sources of pollution dumping into South Platte eliminated
Concrete bike path constructed along 10.5 mile stretch of South Platte in Denver
Remaining three original park/trail projects completed in North/Central/South Denver
Additional 10 parks constructed on former landfill dump sites
10 boating obstructions replaced with boat chutes/notches
Initial section of Cherry Creek bike path constructed (between Market St. and Confluence Park – birthplace of Denver)
Weir Gulch and Lakewood Gulch tributary trails are initiated.
River Ranger program initiated (youth employment program) to assist with maintenance of various parks and trails.

Greenway Foundation History: