STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO-June 22, 2020-Unleashed has been a way of daily life in Rita Valentine Park and now the city along with Steamboat Digs Dogs (SDD) will unleash several enhancements that provide significant benefit to two- and four-legged users.
“Thank you to everyone who submitted comments and feedback regarding Rita Valentine Park improvements,” commented Parks & Trails Manager Craig Robinson. “We truly value the community’s insights and what they would like to see as we make our facilities the best they can possibly be.”
The city is coordinating with Steamboat Digs Dogs on new improvements and park users and neighbors have already started to see installation and work on the project. New features span trails, landscaping and irrigation and include:
- Soft surface trail construction to replace rutted muddy trails
- Planting 25 aspen trees to provide shade
- Install an irrigation system for newly planted trees
- Gravel pad replaces the muddy entry and around the water fountain
- Formal structured entry at the parking lot and back park entrances
Sections of the park will be temporarily closed for safety while trail construction is underway beginning this week. Rocky Mountain Youth Corps (RMYC) crews will be on site for two weeks to build the soft surface trail made of crusher fines.
A grant from Great Outdoors Colorado is covering the work by RMYC. The aspen and irrigation system is a donation from family and friends in memory of Chuck Dunagin. Materials and other contracted work will be paid for by SDD and will continue over the summer months so watch for additional updates.
The entry fencing is typical of what you see in all city parks with 6x6 posts and 2x6 redwood planks. This short entry will provide an opportunity for educational signage that shares park rules to protect dogs, visitors and wildlife.
City staff, Parks & Recreation Commission, and City Council received a wide range of comments related to the Rita Valentine Dog Park and considered all public input as a course forward was charted. Currently, a decision has been made to NOT move forward with the proposed perimeter fencing project.
Community discussion brought in spirited discussion around the concept. In addition to public meetings, approximately 45 comments were posted during an online survey concerning this topic on EngageSteamboat. The majority (91.7%) of the 326 engaged respondents resided within city limits.
Rita Valentine is one of two dog parks within the City of Steamboat Springs. This grassy open field offers trails & an off-leash area for dogs amid scenic mountain surroundings. Rita Valentine Park is accessible from Highway 40 (Lincoln Avenue) and Anglers Drive intersection.
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Contact
Craig Robinson, Parks, Open Space & Trails Manager 970.871.7034 or email
Ernie Jenkins, Parks Supervisor, 970.871.7025 or email
Jenny Carey, Open Space and Trails Supervisor, 970.871.7014 or email