Critics have been known to complain that Durango’s municipal government is little more than a taxpayer-funded recreation program. That is an exaggeration, of course, but the best response is not to argue the point but to ask instead: What is wrong with that? Offering safe, healthy and enjoyable things for all members of the community is a satisfying and civilized act, one to which more societies should aspire.
Case in point: Chapman Hill. The in-town ski area – once known as Calico Hill – has existed since the 1950s. In recent years, however, it has been improved upon considerably – and with more to come.
Refrigeration was added to the ice rink in 2001 and immediately proved wildly popular. About 18,000 people now use the rink every year.
And with snowmaking added in 2009, the ski area now has consistent snow. That has encouraged not only local skiers but more and better skiing and snowboarding events. About 2,600 people use the rope tow in a season. The plan also includes replacing the rope tow with a poma or T-bar at some point.
Still on the horizon is the creation of a bike park east of the ice rink. The plan is for a 25-acre park between Florida Road and Rim Drive, with trails descending from College Mesa. The bike park would be built to accommodate riders of all skill levels and as young as 3 years old. It would include downhill trails, an obstacle course and a racetrack.
The bike park has been planned for several years, but has been on hold waiting for funding. When first suggested in 2010, the bike park was estimated to cost $430,000.
Durango lost out on two attempts to get funding for the bike park from Great Outdoors Colorado, the state agency that awards lottery money for parks and open space. But that is not necessarily the setback it may seem. GOCO cannot meet all the requests it gets, but the city can keep trying.
Few of these things happen overnight. The Animas River Trail, for example, has been in the works for decades. Some projects will never be completely finished in that there will always be some touch to add or improve. The idea is to keep moving forward, which is exactly what the city has been doing – with Chapman Hill and the river trail and all of its recreational amenities.
Beyond something as silly sounding as fun, those features contribute not only to our community’s physical fitness, but to our children’s character, mental acuity and over-all well-being. And with that, they measurably add to the quality of life we all enjoy.
There is, of course, much more to the city of Durango than parks and rec – the police, sewer and water come to mind – but the city’s recreation component is not a frill. It is an integral and important part of what makes Durango a desirable place to live.
That city recreation works also has an economic impact is fine, but beside the point. Chapman Hill, like the Durango Community Recreation Center, the river trail, other parks and ball fields, are things we do for ourselves, our neighbors and our town. And as a city, we are right to do so.
