Mountain Mail 11/28/01
Plans for the park still rollin' on the river
by Denise Ronald

Lack of money from the city won't hamper expansion and improvement of the Whitewater Park along the Arkansas River near Salida.

Mike Harvey, Arkansas River Trust executive director, said his group will begin the third phase of the park in February.

During the Nov. 19 Salida City Council meeting, Harvey asked the City to budget $50,000 for the whitewater park for 2002.

City Administrator Scott Hahn warned the budget was tight and expense would nave to be closely monitored.

Because he feels supporting volunteer groups such as ART is important, Mayor Jamie Lewis suggested budgeting $15,000 to be used as seed money for grants and or/construction projects.

Obviously we can do more with $50,000 than we can with $15,000, but we'll be happy if we get $15,000, Harvey said.

ART will match any money we get from the City. If we only get $15,000 from the council and match that, our first priority will be to connect the walk behind the Salida Steam Plant to F Street. The work will include bank improvements and clean up.

If we get $50,000 and are able to match that amount, we will extend the 8-foot concrete walkway to the band shell in Riverside Park, do more bank improvements along the length of Riverside Park and install in-stream deflectors and drop structures below (east of) the F street bridge.

Harvey estimated completion of all phases of the park at about three years.

Work will include a concrete path extending west from behind the Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center, past Marvin Park to Sands Lake, where it will connect with the Salida Trail.

This multi-purpose corridor will serve walkers, bikers, skaters, and fishermen, in addition to giving safe access to the river for boaters.

People need to understand this park isn't just for kayakers, Harvey said. The primary goal of this project is to reintegrate the river corridor into downtown Salida. Using the River as an attraction will stimulate the economy for downtown businesses. Plus, we have a beautiful area for all citizens to use for picnics, fishing and walking. Boaters will benefit because they will have safe access to the river and good play features.

Harvey said whitewater parks are an emerging trend with urban developers and have been used primarily by the general public, not boaters.

We're not breaking ground here. People want to enjoy the natural beauty around them and rivers are a big attraction.

Harvey hopes to attract local support by selling engraved bricks to businesses and individuals. The 4x8inch and 8x8 inch can be engraved with business or family names or a cleaver saying.

I would like to sell 500 bricks and make some decorative landscaping project near the river. What the project will look like will be determined by the number of bricks we sell, Harvey said.

Anyone interested in purchasing a brick, donating time or materials, or finding out more about the whitewater park may call Harvey at 719-539-0700 or logo onto www.arkrivertrust.org.