Venice on the Creek is a relaxing punt ride down Cherry Creek in lower downtown Denver. A "punt" is a boat similar to an Italian gondola -- a long and narrow vessel (23' x 3') that is propelled and steered by a pole operator at the back of the punt. On your tour, your guide will relate to you the history of Denver. Boats hold up to six people and leave every 10-15 minutes.
Punts are well known in Europe and elsewhere, but ours are the only known punts in the United States. The vessels used in our Venice on the Creek program are built in Cambridge, England, and are imported to the U.S. at a cost of $10,000 each.
Like the South Platte, navigating the very shallow Cherry Creek waterway was hard work for the early pioneers; they ended up carrying their boats as often as riding in them! Today, Cherry Creek is more boat-friendly... providing your boat is a PUNT.
Punts can navigate comfortably in waters as shallow as three feet deep -- perfect for Cherry Creek! But once you've taken your punt downstream, how do you get it back upstream again...?
The Only Boat Locks in Colorado
The Venice on the Creek engineers discovered that if the depth of the Cherry Creek channel could be increased to three feet and the current slowed, punts could then navigate upstream as well as downstream.
This added depth and slowing of current was accomplished by installing metal dams that are raised and lowered via inflatable bladders on the underside of each dam.
To bypass the dams, locks (the only ones in Colorado) are constructed alongside the bank of the Creek adjacent to each dam.
Large, rectangular boulders on either side of the Creek were used to create the desired channel width and shape.
The Greenway Foundation, through an agreement with the City and County of Denver, operates the Venice on the Creek concession during June-August of each year.
The crew of Venice on the Creek (young men and women from Denver area high schools) assist in the maintenance and enhancement of the section of the Creek within the project's boundaries in partnership with Denver's Dept. of Parks and Recreation.
A Short History of Venice on the Creek
Phase I of Venice on the Creek was designed and constructed during 1995-96 and was opened to the public in late May of 1996. Phase I encompassed the section of the Creek from Blake St. to Delgany St. and included two dams, one lock, four blocks of trail, landscaping and one new access ramp at Wynkoop St.
Phase II of Venice on the Creek was designed and constructed during 1997-1998 and was opened to the public in May of 1998. Phase II encompassed the section of the Creek from Lawrence St. to Blake St. and included one dam, one lock, two blocks of trail, landscaping and one new access ramp at Delgany St.
Phase III of Venice on the Creek was designed in 1998, constructed in early 1999 and was opened to the public in May of 1999. Phase III encompassed the section of the Creek from Delgany St. to Confluence Park and included two dams, one lock, four blocks of trail, landscaping and one new access ramp at Confluence Park.
The REWARDS of Venice on the Creek
Venice on the Creek includes a new pedestrian trail and several ramps on the Downtown bank of Cherry Creek in Lower Downtown Denver to accommodate increasing traffic and alleviate overcrowding and safety issues. It also serves as a new tourist attraction to entertain local residents and out-of-town tourists when visiting Downtown Denver, and a romantic destination for anyone spending an evening in Downtown Denver.
Venice on the Creek improves the environmental and recreational value of Cherry Creek, and adds to adjacent land values as Lower Downtown Denver continues to be revitalized.
Venice on the Creek serves as an innovative connector between Larimer Square, Auraria, Coors Field, Elitch Gardens, Downtown Aquarium, the Platte Valley Trolley, the South Platte River Greenway system, and other developing recreational assets.
However, the best reward of Venice on the Creek is a simple one: The joy of gliding elegantly down Cherry Creek, relaxing with your friends and enjoying a gorgeous and sunny Colorado day!
