1980s

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 dumpsites
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.

1984 - 1986:

Constructed Bear Creek Greenway (tributary through Jefferson/Arapahoe/Denver Counties)
Constructed expansion of Sanderson Gulch Greenway (tributary through Jefferson/Denver Counties)
Outdoor Education program (Greenway Experience) established (Elementary School tours led by High School Guides). The Greenway Experience would become SPREE (South Platte River Environmental Education) and go on to introduce tens of thousands of children in the Denver area to the South Platte River.
1986 - Initiated construction of Cherry Creek South Greenway (Cherry Creek State Park to Castlewood Canyon State Park tributary through Douglas/Arapahoe & Denver Counties)

1986 – 1989:

Constructed section of Cherry Creek South Greenway within Town of Parker (8 miles)
1987 - Initial discussions took place to make Cherry Creek in Lower Downtown a boatable tourism attraction

Greenway Foundation History: