March 13, 2014 – For over a decade, Western Slope Conservation Center has been working to improve and enhance public access to the North Fork of the Gunnison River at the Paonia River Park. A Master Plan has been completed that will guide the development of the final fundamental and unique features at the park. Fully implemented, the Paonia River Park Trail Master Plan will:
- Add approximately one mile of trails, extending the existing trail eastward toward Black Bridge
- Widen existing trails for limited mobility access
- Add an ADA-compliant ramp from the parking lot to the trails and boat ramp
- Expand the existing beach area near the creek
- Build a new bridge over Minnesota Creek
- Add an outdoor classroom area in the middle of the park
- Add water conservation demonstration landscaping to the entrance area
- Add a new river overlook seating area approximately a mile down the new trail
- Buffer the view of the gravel operation with an artistic screen fence and backdrop of evergreen trees
Colorado Parks and Wildlife awarded the Conservation Center a $45,000 grant in the summer of 2013 to create the Master Plan. The Plan was designed by Julee Wolverton, Landscape Architect out of Montrose who specializes in public park design. Prior to this, Ms.Wolverton designed the sidewalk and picnic table area at the entrance of the park.
The planning process took place from August 2013 through February 2014 and involved public outreach and meetings with the Conservation Center’s Paonia River Park Committee. A public survey of park users was completed by 74 people in August 2013. A public open house and tour of the park was attended by 12 people in October 2013, and a presentation of the draft plan at the Paonia Public Library was attended by 21 people in November 2013. Public input asserted a strong need for the development of hiking trails, beach areas, and scenic overlook areas, minimal park rules – and interest in more programming at the park such as plant/bird ID classes, native landscaping workshops, and river games.
“The Conservation Center hopes that the project will greatly increase the educational opportunities in the park as well as provide a vastly expanded area for swimming, hiking, fishing, boating, and enjoying the river views. With the implementation of this plan, we move confidently towards realizing the community’s initial vision for the river park as a space that ‘connects the river and community, maintains a balance between natural and built structures, and ensures sustainability through broad community participation,’” said Sarah Sauter, Executive Director of the Western Slope Conservation Center.
In 2014, the Conservation Center will construct an ADA-ramp, widen the existing foot trails, and enhance fish habitat at the park using funds from Colorado Parks & Wildlife Fishing is Fun Program, Colorado Healthy Rivers Fund, and the Jared Polis Foundation. An artistic screen fence will be installed to buffer the view of the gravel operation with funds from the North Fork Heart & Soul Project and Odell Brewing Company. The fence art installation is a partnership with Elsewhere Studios Artist Residency in Paonia; a local North Fork Valley artist will be invited to live at Elsewhere this summer while installing their art at the park.
The Conservation Center will apply for funds to construct the remaining improvements in 2014 and 2015, with hopes of implementing the full Master Plan within the next five years. The Conservation Center signed an MOU with the Town of Paonia stipulating that the Town would take over management of the park shortly after it’s fully developed, around 2016.
To date, the park represents an investment of over $750,000 in private and public donations and volunteer time.
If you would like to see the Master Plan in print, the full-size design is currently on display at Paonia Town Hall and the Paonia Public Library.Categories:
News, River Park