Love 5280: Vanderbilt Park Cleanup
Keep Colorado Beautiful and Pilot Company
Keep Colorado Beautiful and Pilot Company are partnering for a private litter cleanup at Vanderbilt Park as part of the Love 5280 campaign. This event is open to Pilot Company team members and Keep Colorado Beautiful volunteers only.
About the park
Vanderbilt Park sits at 855 S. Platte River Drive in Denver's Athmar Park neighborhood, along the east side of the South Platte River. It's a community park with ball diamonds, a stocked fishing lake, and direct access to the South Platte River Recreation Trail. The park is part of the South Platte River Greenway, a chain of parks and trails connecting neighborhoods across the city.
The site sits where a river corridor, a heavily used regional trail, and an industrial and transportation corridor all come together. The park runs along the South Platte but is separated from it by South Platte River Drive, so roadside litter collects along that edge and works its way toward the water. Anything left here has a short path into the river and downstream.
Why it matters
By picking up litter, we beautify our city while protecting our local ecosystems, including our soil, waterways, plants, and wildlife, from pollution. Litter prevention is one of the easiest things we can do to keep our city clean, but it takes all of us doing our part. Show some love for Vanderbilt Park and the surrounding community.
Safety
We highly recommend wearing weather-appropriate clothing, as we may work near moderate slopes with light vegetation. Bring a reusable water bottle if you can. We will have disposable cups available if needed. KCOB provides all supplies, including litter grabbers, rakes, gloves, and trash bags.
Parking and facilities
Park in the north parking lot off W. Exposition Avenue.
Location: Vanderbilt Park, 855 S. Platte River Drive, Denver, CO 80223
Please note there is a separate Vanderbilt East Park near I-25 and Broadway. Use the address above.
*While we love group attendance at volunteer projects, all participants in a group must be registered individually.*
Project Intensity
On a 1-5 scale with 5 being the most intense. We rate this project a 2.
Organizer Contact
Nicolas Wilson
Nwilson@KeepColoradoBeautiful.org
Vanderbilt Park sits at 855 S. Platte River Drive in Denver's Athmar Park neighborhood, along the east side of the South Platte River. It's a community park with ball diamonds and direct access to the South Platte River Recreation Trail. The site is also referred to as Vanderbilt Lake Park, taking in Habitat Park and Boy Scout Park, and it's part of the larger South Platte River Greenway, a chain of parks and trails linking neighborhoods across the city. Denver Parks and Rec stocks the lake for fishing. Park hours are 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
The neighborhood around it was annexed by Denver in stages starting in 1902, developed as the Athmar Park subdivision in the late 1940s, and hit hard by the 1965 South Platte flood and caused roughly $543 million in damage across the region. The river has shaped this part of the city for a long time.
Why this site matters for a cleanup: the park sits where a river corridor, a heavily used regional trail, and an industrial and transportation corridor all meet. The park runs along the South Platte corridor but is separated from the river by South Platte River Drive, which means road litter collects along that edge and works its way toward the water. Anything left here has a short path into the South Platte and downstream.
VOLUNTEER WAIVER
The safety of our volunteers, staff, and partners is the highest priority at all Keep Colorado Beautiful programs, projects, and events. Please read the following waiver carefully. You must acknowledge that you have read and understand this information before registering to volunteer.
Volunteer Acknowledgment and Assumption of Risk
I understand that participation in Keep Colorado Beautiful volunteer activities may involve outdoor work and physical activity and may expose me to both known and unknown risks. These risks may include, but are not limited to, uneven or rough terrain, weather conditions, altitude related effects, physical exertion, use of tools, proximity to traffic, wildlife, insects, and contact with litter, debris, or sharp objects.
I acknowledge that these risks are inherent to volunteer activities and that injuries or damage may occur despite reasonable safety precautions.
By registering to volunteer, I knowingly and voluntarily assume all risks associated with my participation.
Release and Waiver of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted under Colorado law, I release, waive, and discharge Keep Colorado Beautiful, its officers, directors, employees, volunteers, partners, sponsors, affiliates, and participating public or private entities from any and all claims, demands, causes of action, or liability arising out of or related to my participation as a volunteer, including claims for personal injury, property damage, or death, to the extent caused by ordinary negligence.
This release does not apply to claims arising from gross negligence or willful misconduct.
Media Release
I grant permission to Keep Colorado Beautiful and its partners to photograph, video record, or otherwise capture my likeness, voice, or image during volunteer activities. I understand that these materials may be used for educational, promotional, or informational purposes in print, digital, or broadcast formats without compensation or time limitation.
Conduct and Nondiscrimination Policy
Keep Colorado Beautiful is committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and welcoming environment for all participants.
KCOB does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or any other status protected by applicable law. Discrimination, harassment, or inappropriate conduct will not be tolerated.
Volunteers are expected to follow staff direction and treat others with respect. Keep Colorado Beautiful reserves the right to refuse or terminate participation at any time for failure to comply with these expectations or for safety related concerns.
Parent or Legal Guardian Consent for Minors
If the volunteer is under the age of eighteen, a parent or legal guardian must provide consent.
By registering a minor to volunteer, I certify that I am the parent or legal guardian of the minor named and that I give permission for their participation in Keep Colorado Beautiful volunteer activities. I understand the nature of the activities involved and consent to the minor’s participation. On behalf of the minor, I agree to the assumption of risk and release of liability described above to the fullest extent permitted by Colorado law.
I further consent to emergency medical treatment for the minor if deemed necessary by Keep Colorado Beautiful staff or emergency personnel.
