STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO-August 11, 2022-Now in its 25th year, the Yampa River Botanic Park (YRBP) is embarking on a project to redesign and install new entrances that blend form, function, art, and architecture as well as significantly enhances accessibility.
“Our current set up has done a great job keeping wildlife out for all these years but have not provided the friendliest welcome to the park,” said YRBP Executive Director Jennifer MacNeil. “In our silver anniversary season, we have an opportunity to make a lasting change that will benefit park users of all ages and really sets the stage for what you are about to enjoy.”
Soda Mountain Construction and local craftsman Journey McKendrick will fabricate custom steel fence along both the Emerald Park Entrance and the Yampa River Core Trail Entrance. Rosendo Calderon with Rams Masonry is doing the masoned columns and paver patios. The new 8-foot-wide gates will be custom built by Tim Wilson of Steamboat Steel, whereby he will hand forge the tree trunks and branches that will make up the appearance and function of the gates. A walk through the new entrances will be beautiful and makes a statement as well as improves accessibility for strollers, wheelchairs, bicycles, and adaptive equipment.
Construction is set to start the week of August 22 and will see the Emerald Park entrance installed first, followed by the Core Trail side. With the initial Emerald Park phase, a detour will take pedestrians along the fence and down the grass to the Fairy Garden Village gate. Both phases of the project will see excavation work, installation of pavers, concrete footers, and masoned columns along with steel fencing being spot welded on site.
When the project shifts to the Yampa River Core Trail, trail users can expect detours when equipment is working in the area. The detour will go from Fetcher Pond to US40/Lincoln Ave and then along that road reconnecting to the core trail via Trafalgar. When equipment is not in use, the core trail will remain open – please follow all posted signage. The project is anticipated to be finished by early November.
Once a sprawling horse pasture, the six-acre Yampa River Botanic Park is now home to more than 60 unique gardens, thousands of plant species, animals, and hosts special events of all shapes and sizes. An innovative experiment in private/public partnerships, the Botanic Park is free and open to the public from dawn to dusk, from April through October.
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Contact
Jennifer MacNeil, Executive Director, Yampa River Botanic Park, 970.846.5172 or email
Emily Hines, Marketing & Communications Coordinator, 970.871.7031 or email
Michael Lane, Communications Manager, 970.871.8220 or email