At their monthly meeting May 6, the Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) unanimously endorsed the Regional Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Trails Master Plan that was adopted by the County Planning Commission on April 23. A few hours later, the Pagosa Springs Town Council also unanimously adopted the same plan at their monthly meeting. This is the first time that a regional plan of any type has been adopted by both agencies. The leadership of both the Town and the County should be commended for this landmark event.
The Regional Parks, Recreation, Openspace and Trails Master Plan, created by Greenways, Inc. with the participation of hundreds of citizens, is a truly comprehensive plan that measures the current and future recreation needs and level of service in the County and Town of Pagosa Springs, and sets specific benchmarks for new parks, a linked county-wide trail system, improved access from Town to National Forest, creation of a year-round indoor recreation facility, and preservation of spectacular scenic areas.
 The Regional Parks, Recreation, Openspace and Trails Master Plan was also recently nominated to the Colorado chapter of the American Planning Association for an Outstanding Planning award.
Adoption of this Master Plan by both the Town and County marks the first step in a coordinated effort to meet the clear need and community-stated desire for more parks, more places for tourists and local families and children to swim, horseback ride, bicycle ride, or walk, and provides safe (non-motorized) ways to get to and from schools, parks, community events, stores, and National Forest trailheads.
Communities that embrace, plan for, and develop parks, openspace, trails, and recreation facilities thrive economically compared to communities that do not. Parks, trails, open spaces, and fair and adequate access to recreation are, in fact, essential infrastructure.
At their May 20 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners will decide whether to accept a $20,000 grant awarded to the County specifically to design the first leg of the “Town to Lakes” trail system. The Regional Parks plan may be viewed at the Town of Pagosa Springs web site. |