Durango might soon acquire almost 50 acres of land directly north of Oxbow Preserve.
Parks and Recreation Director Ture Nycum said he is hopeful Durango City Council is in favor of accepting a land donation of 49 acres of property to the north Oxbow Preserve at 500 Animas View Drive.
The property, consisting of two land parcels, is owned by California-based Romad Investments, located on a floodplain, and has been the subject of discussion between the city and Romad for about two decades, he said.
How the city would use the land if City Council accepts the donation is still in question, he said. The property could become an extension of Oxbow Preserve or be adopted for parkland use.
A city news release published Friday says, “Romad Investments has recently expressed interest in supporting wildlife habitat preservation, recreational opportunities and watershed protection, which has prompted the charitable offer to the Durango community.”
“We’re going to have to talk about its designation,” Nycum said. “But it does make some sense to expand Oxbow Preserve just because it is contiguous and it is a prime piece of land right next to what is already there.”
He said Romad has been trying to sell the 49-acre, two-parcel property “for some time.” He isn’t sure why the investment firm decided to offer a donation of the land at this time, but he knows they are excited and his department is happy for the opportunity.
The news release adds that the donation is in line with the city’s parks, open space, trails and recreation master plan, which values preservation of the Animas River Trail and greenway.
The Animas River Trail stretches about 7 miles from Oxbow Park and Preserve to Home Depot along U.S. Highway 160. Nycum said in August a planned connection of the trail (with funding earmarked for this year and 2024) with the Three Springs subdivision would extend the trail by about 3½ miles.
cburney@durangoherald.com
