Transform a former gravel pit into a community park and outdoor classroom.

Vital Stats

Sean B

Hotchkiss, CO

people helped2000
People Doing It 5

The Problem

In the North Fork Valley in Western Colorado, there is no public access to the river in 35 miles EXCEPT for the Paonia River Park, which used to be a gravel mine. When the North Fork River Improvement Association (NFRIA) acquired it in 2003, they began transforming the park into a natural community destination. Though many basic safety and infrastructure improvements have been made to the River Park, the park still remains largely inaccessible to the elderly, handicap, or families with small children, and the educational component of the park (a main goal of NFRIA) remains undeveloped and insufficient. We are writing grants and trying to develop these educational components. When the park is completed, there will be handicap accessible trails, multiple educational kiosks and signage, and an outdoor classroom (amphitheater).

Plan of Action

We have been writing grant applications to organizations interested in funding aspects of this project. Sadly, it is a terrible economy to try to get funding, but at least one of the grant applications looks very promising. However, this project is a massive undertaking, and there are significant river and environment restoration efforts that must take place before any further education or trail improvement can be made (to control the river; see video). This process has been slow but steady, and we have held many meetings with community stakeholders to find out what they want to see happen to this park.