 "Photo: Venice on the Creek")
A little bit of Italy returns this summer to downtown Denver.
In association with the Greenway Foundation, Venice on the Creek has aided in the preservation of Denver's metro rivers by making their own version of the classic European boat rides. Imported from England, these boats use a flat-bottom skiff design called a "punt" to wind down the Cherry Creek River.
Greenway Foundation has been working on the preservation of the South Platte River and other waterways in the Denver area, including the Cherry Creek River, since 1974. They have created different services and projects to enhance the appeal and encourage the maintenance of these different rivers. The Venice on the Creek project has been around since 1996, and since then, has attracted thousands of visitors to its relaxing rides in its oddly shaped boats, offering historical tidbits of the Denver metro area along the way.
"We keep it clean, and it's a source of entertainment," Brett Applebaum, manager at Venice on the Creek, said. "There's not as much funding as hoped for, but we are keeping it a fun environment."
Venice on the Creek contributes to the preservation of the river by building ramps and various walkways for the community, according to Applebaum. They also work to promote a cleaner river environment and provide a safe attraction for tourists and Denver denizens alike.
The employees of Venice on the Creek include local high school students who help maintain the area, keeping it free of trash and debris -- this aside from deftly poling the punts up and down Cherry Creek between the Larimer Square launch and Confluence Park.
During the ride, customers enjoy stunning views of lower downtown. The punts take a journey up and down the Cherry Creek River past Market Street and Blake. They then continue all the way down to Confluence Park where Cheery Creek flows into the South Platte River before they being their return journey to the Larimer launch sight.
Beth Rosenberg, a graduate of University of Colorado at Boulder, rode with Venice on the Creek last summer and enjoyed her voyage in their funny little flat-bottom boat, having never heard of a punt before.
"I thought it was interesting when I did Venice on the Creek," said Rosenberg. "I had never been on anything like a punt, and it was just very relaxing. It was also interesting to see another part of downtown like that."
During the float, in addition to regaling historical facts about Denver's past, punt captains also field numerous curious questions.
"You'll get to learn about the origins of the original lofts and learn the history of the street names and of Confluence Park," Applebaum said.
The unique combination of these flat-bottomed punts and a boat lock system (the only one in Colorado!) make Venice on the Creek a unique experience. The boats themselves come from Cambridge, England and go for about $10,000 each, according to Applebaum.
And they differ slightly than their predecessors used in Italy. These English versions are lighter, weighing in at around 300 pounds, and are made of fiberglass, not wood. This modern take on an old-world design allows for easier launching in and out of the river and makes for easier navigation along the frequently shallow waters of the Cherry Creek River.
Indeed, "Punts can navigate comfortably in waters as shallow as three feet deep," claims the Venice on the Creek website.
The lock system is a crucial part to their success. These locks control the rate of current and maintain the depth of the lower Cherry Creek sections that Venice on the Creek operates on. In fact, only by maintaining control over water flows can the punts comfortably operate all summer as total water levels slowly drop.
Plus, the locks can be a lot of fun. "It's basically like a big water bath tub," Applebaum said.
Venice on the Creek is open during June through August. Rides are available Thursdays through Sundays. Half Rides are 35 - 45 minutes and Full Rides go for about 60 - 70 minutes. Candlelight Rides are offered at night and can go from 40 - 50 minutes. Visit www.veniceonthecreek.com or call 303-893-0750 for more information.
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