Bear Creek offers best of both nature and city living

The area near Bear Creek Lake Park in Lakewood is ideal for homebuyers seeking to be close to nature and the city.

Its proximity to Bear Creek Lake, downtown Denver, and Belmar and Littleton makes accessing any of those locations easy. “I’ve lived here most of my life,” says Michael Gordon with 8z. “It’s a really conveniently located enclave on the west side of town. It’s a hop, skip and a jump to downtown Denver, Belmar or Littleton. Or you can get on the highway and head to the mountains.” Bear Creek Lake Park offers

2,624 acres of recreational opportunities, from hiking and picnicking to camping, fishing, boating, windsurfing, mountain biking, or road biking.

Golf enthusiasts can play at Fox Hollow Golf Course, Bear Creek Golf Course, and Homestead Golf Course. And with easy access to U.S. 285, homeowners are only minutes away from enjoying the mountains for hiking, biking, or skiing.

What’s available?

The neighborhood offers a variety of housing options, from single-family ranches and two-story homes to multi-family condos.

Many homes were built in the 1970s and 1980s, with some newer enclaves constructed in the 1990s and early 2000s.

The homes typically have large yards.

With an average price of $695,000 for a 1,500- to 2,500-square-foot house, the affordable price point attracts younger buyers seeking their dream homes.

“These homes offer some phenomenal views, so they don’t stay on the market for long,” says Barry Willmarth, Willmarth Real Estate Services owner.

Who’s moving in?

Located in one of Lakewood’s most attractive areas, the mix of older and newer homes create a sense of community.

The price point appeals to first-time buyers and young families.

“There are still a lot of original homeowners here,” Gordon says. “Most of them have been here for a while, but as they move out, it’s opening up opportunities for firsttime buyers and young families.”

Jeffco schools, including Bear

Creek and Jefferson Academy high schools and Dennison and Devinny elementary school, also draw families to the neighborhood.

Bear Creek Lake Park’s future?

The Army Corps of Engineers and the Coloradowater Conservation Board are exploring the potential to increase the capacity of Bear Creek Lake.

If approved, the project could raise the water level to 50 feet to create a larger surface area and provide more water for Colorado’s growing needs. But doing so would eliminate 12 miles of trails and flood a mile of riparian habitat.

The Corps damned Bear Creek in 1977 for flood control and leased the land to Lakewood for recreation.

Sara B. Hansen has been an editor and writer for more than 20 years.

Her professional background includes editing positions at The Denver Post,

The Des Moines Register, The Fort Collins Coloradoan, and At Home with Century 21. She’s also the founder and editor of Dogsbestlife.com and the author of

“The Complete Guide to Cocker Spaniels.”