Work will be underway soon on an expanded city sewer plant in Santa Rita Park. Voters overwhelmingly approved the expansion in place, rather than spend many millions of dollars more to relocate the plant farther south. Land needed for the larger plant is expected to eliminate the volleyball and basketball courts, and to take the western end off the existing youth soccer field. In addition to the larger plant, parking for city trucks and equipment will be expanded.
That all means that Santa Rita Park will be less of a park.
Once at the city’s edge and named Gateway Park before being renamed to reflect the past Hispanic housing there, the park is a busy one. With visibility and easy access from U.S. Highway 550/160, the riverbank park is an easy location for a family picnic, watching rafters and kayakers, or a special nonprofit event. Recently installed playground equipment that looks like a mini Walt Disney creation adds to its appeal.
Because a major portion of the park will be closed for an estimated two years to provide a staging area for sewer plant construction materials and equipment, there is time for residents’ input as to what the recreation facilities should be when construction ends.
While an adult-sized soccer field has been talked about, the acreage may be used for something completely different.
What should be seriously considered in the conversation is relocating the Durango Chamber of Commerce building. That would free up ground that is now a riverfront location and parking that could be added to the property available for recreation.
The chamber is in the early stages of fundraising for a considerably larger building, one which will contain additional offices and meeting rooms. That makes it an ideal time to consider another location, likely farther south along the heavily traveled U.S. Highway 550/160. With a fresh start, there could also be adequate parking for recreational trucks, trailers and RVs.
Should the city play a role in acquiring the acreage for a new location? Absolutely. The business community and perhaps taxes and grants will build the building, but by turning the chamber’s existing location into recreational use the city has a responsibility for a new site.
Santa Rita Park has been a park that because of its access and location along the Animas River has been a Durango favorite. Those who wanted to move the sewer plant wanted the riverside property to become even more extensive and better used for recreation.
The land now taken up by the chamber building does not compare to what would have been available if the sewer plant had been moved, but it still would be a very nice addition to what will exist after the plant is expanded.
Santa Rita Park is a Durango centerpiece, and if it is to be as fully used as possible for recreation, as it should be, the new chamber building should emerge somewhere else.
