For over a quarter-century, the Family Learning Center (FLC) in Edwards, Colorado, has served as a beacon for early childhood education within the community. Housed at a location provided by St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Parish, FLC’s lease is set to expire in 2025, prompting its executive director, Whitney Young Keltner, and the board of directors to seek new premises. Their search culminated in selecting a promising site within the developing Edwards River Park, a move poised to bolster their mission of supporting children and families. This significant relocation, slated for 2027, marks a substantial milestone in enhancing the Center’s capacity to nurture and educate young minds.
A New Beginning for the Family Learning Center
The impending relocation of the Family Learning Center to Edwards River Park represents a critical progression in expanding their capacity to provide exemplary early childhood education. Set to establish a spacious 10,000-square-foot childcare facility, the new FLC will also boast an additional 2,500-square-foot outdoor play area. This expansion is a marked improvement from the current 2,500-square-foot space and will enable the Center to cater to over 100 children, ranging in age from infants as young as two months to children up to five years old. The facility’s growth aligns with its mission to enhance accessibility and quality of early education within the county.
Jared Hutter from Aptitude Development envisions the Edwards River Park project as more than just a neighborhood—it will be a community-centric, non-gated residential area featuring an early childcare facility that is open to the public. Integrating walking paths, recreational spaces, and educational connectivity, the neighborhood design underscores a commitment to preserving the natural environment, notably its wildlife and wetlands. Consistent with the community-focused orientation approved by the Eagle County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) back in 2022, these efforts are part of a broader vision to establish a vibrant and inclusive neighborhood where the Family Learning Center can thrive.
The Vision for Edwards River Park
The development of Edwards River Park, sprawling over 53.27 acres, carries the promise of transforming a former industrial site into a dynamic community. Approved in January 2022, the project was initially conceived as a luxury mixed-use development but has since evolved into what the BOCC describes as an emerging community. The location, previously a B & B gravel pit, presents unique topographical challenges, including the site’s elevation, which is more than 40 feet below Highway 6 to the north. Despite these hurdles, the combined efforts of the residential development team, local businesses, and the Family Learning Center aim to foster a lively, affordable neighborhood offering essential services and amenities.
Central to Edwards River Park’s ethos is the provision of workforce housing, a critical component in addressing the housing needs of local employees. With 440 residential units planned, 270 of these will be deed-restricted homes reserved for local employees such as county and town workers, firefighters, police officers, health professionals, and educators. By prioritizing affordable housing options for those providing essential services within the Eagle River Valley, the development ensures proximity to workplaces and community integration. This significant allocation of workforce housing underscores a commitment to fostering a stable, engaged, and resilient community.
Infrastructure and Environmental Commitments
Aligned with broader regional transportation enhancements, Edwards River Park incorporates significant infrastructure developments to improve transit and road safety. The project dovetails with recommendations from the US 6 and I-70G Corridor Feasibility Study, including the construction of a new roundabout at the intersection of Highway 6 and Lake Creek Road. This initiative, along with a notable $2 million contribution towards traffic impact fees and necessary road renovations, aims to substantially improve traffic flow and safety within the area. Such upgrades reflect a strategic effort to support increased residential density and community functionality.
Complementing these infrastructure investments is a robust commitment to environmental sustainability. The development’s funding model includes a 1% real estate transfer fee on all home sales, creating a continuous revenue stream dedicated to affordable housing for future generations. To bolster environmental stewardship further, another voluntary 0.2% real estate transfer fee has been imposed, specifically earmarked for supporting wildlife habitats and wetland education programs. Strategic elements such as extensive landscape buffers are designed to minimize the visibility of buildings and integrate the residential area seamlessly into the natural environment. This dual commitment to infrastructure improvements and environmental preservation demonstrates a comprehensive approach to sustainable community development.
Proposed Amendments and Enhancements
To ensure Edwards River Park’s alignment with current community needs and environmental conditions, several amendments have been proposed to the original development plan. Among these changes is the elimination of commercial and retail spaces, while still permitting certain uses deemed essential for community integration. Additionally, updates to residential density entitlement and redefining the seasonal event center into an open-air structure aim to enhance the neighborhood’s functionality and aesthetic harmony. Architectural adaptations include addressing the area’s distinctive climate and significant grade variations, ensuring that the development blends seamlessly with its surroundings.
One of the hallmark features of the revised plan is the innovative parking strategy, which proposes a large, multi-deck garage with residential units built above it. This approach is eco-friendly, supporting groundwater recharge for nearby wetlands and mitigating typical urban development’s environmental impact. Such enhancements reflect a thoughtful and sustainable approach to development, ensuring that the project fosters both community growth and environmental conservation.
Moreover, Edwards River Park places great importance on wildlife protection and environmental conservation. Measures to protect wildlife include maintaining wetland buffers and establishing 35 acres of open space designated under a conservation easement. Seasonal closures within these areas will safeguard essential wildlife migration corridors, facilitating safe passage and minimizing human impact. With public trails and boardwalk piers providing controlled access, residents and visitors can engage with nature sustainably, underscoring a balanced approach to environmental stewardship.
Sustainable and Community-Focused Development
For more than 25 years, the Family Learning Center (FLC) in Edwards, Colorado, has been a cornerstone of early childhood education in the community. The Center is located on property provided by St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Parish. However, this lease is set to expire in 2025, prompting FLC’s executive director, Whitney Young Keltner, along with the board of directors, to search for a new location. After careful consideration, they have selected a promising site within the developing Edwards River Park.
This new location, expected to be ready by 2027, represents a major milestone for FLC. Moving to Edwards River Park will significantly enhance their mission to support children and families. The new facility is anticipated to offer expanded resources and opportunities, allowing the Center to nurture and educate young minds more effectively.
The relocation to Edwards River Park is more than just a change of address; it symbolizes growth and a renewed commitment to providing high-quality early childhood education. By expanding their capacity, FLC aims to better serve the evolving needs of the community. As they prepare for the move, the Center remains dedicated to its long-standing goal of fostering an enriching learning environment for all children in the area.
