Wood Creek

“If you’re a walker, biker or rollerblader, you’ll love it in Wood Creek,” says Realtor Rachael Friesen with Real Broker LLC, who has lived in the Wheat Ridge/Arvada area since 1999 and has sold more than 150 homes in and around Denver. “Little Dry Creek Trail gives this neighborhood a high walkability rating,” she says. “It connects parks and green spaces, so you don’t have to get on roads — very appealing to active people looking for a new home.”

Speaking of which, Wood Creek offers a mixture of home options to suit a variety of buyers, from singles to married couples to young families with children. Ranch-style houses built in the 1980s give this neighborhood its well-established appearance, with small front yards, mature pines and homes close enough for neighbors to watch out for one another. These homes often come with one- or two-car garages, stone fireplaces, and spacious backyards, selling for between $300,000 and $675,000. Town houses account for a quarter of the homes here, some with bay windows, fenced-in patios and attached carports, priced more narrowly in the $285,000 to $335,000 range. Low-rise condos, which list in the $300,000s, often have balconies and, like many Colorado residences, wood-burning fireplaces.

Jefferson County public schools serve the Wood Creek community. They include Swanson Elementary, which received a C from Niche and uses technology and a state-of-the-art STEM lab to help students collaborate, communicate and learn in the digital age. At North Arvada Middle, a B-minus school, sixth graders participate in Outdoor Lab, a hands-on learning experience at Mt. Evans Windy Peak, where they build a log cabin and see how original settlers had to be stewards of the land. At Arvada High, which also scores a B-minus from Niche, students can choose career pathways in arts and humanities, STEM or sports business to prepare for admission to college or entry to the workforce after graduation.

Little Dry Creek Trail follows a slender creek that was the site of the first significant gold discovery in Colorado in 1858. The creek and trail wind their way throughout Westminster, providing 10 miles of paved and relatively flat pathways for bikers, walkers and skaters to explore. In Wood Creek, the trail crosses open areas and undeveloped land or enters green spaces like Wolff Run Park, which features two baseball/softball fields and a children’s playground, one of many in the area. To the south, when they’re not enjoying another playground of jungle gyms and swings, children can play tag on the tree-lined open area of Hillside Park. Adjacent to it, adults can enjoy the lake at Faversham Park with its fishing pier and show their skills on the basketball court there. Tepper Fields next door offers four baseball/softball diamonds and another play structure, this one shaded by a cluster of pines.

The closest shopping center to Wood Creek is the King Square Center, which features a King Soopers grocery store and several other businesses and restaurants. Sheridan Boulevard, which runs north/south, is a good area for eateries, such as Winchell’s Donut House, always open, offering hot coffee and donuts sold 14 to a dozen. Across the street, Jim’s Burger Haven has been an institution in the neighborhood since 1961. It’s a place to meet family and friends for classic burgers, fries, shakes and more. Or if you’re in the mood for something lighter, Sakana Sushi is farther down the street. Sakana’s founder, Chef Kaz, has been a head sushi chef in Boulder and Longmont. While not the No. 1 sushi spot in the Denver area, it’s still a great option for attentive service and a clean, bright space. “Another spot that is becoming more centric for fine and casual dining is Olde Town Arvada,” Friesen says. Just 4 miles south of the neighborhood, this turn-of-the-century Main Street features a Sunday farmers market, quaint shops and galleries, local breweries and hip restaurants like Teocalli Cocina, a traditional Mexican kitchen.

“People don’t realize that Colorado has more sunny days than Miami Beach,” Friesen says. With Route 36 only 2 miles from Wood Creek and Interstates 70 and 76 nearly 4 miles away, residents have quick access to the mountains, Boulder and Denver — even more places to get out and enjoy the sunshine.

Written By

Christopher Kopczynski

Photography Contributed By

Alex Dickerson

Video By

Jacob McAllister