“Feasibility Study”
Whitewater surf wave?
Squeaky wheels for another project
Let’s grease what we have.
That is the 17-syllable haiku version. Here is the elaboration:
Many of Durango’s amenities and projects have been initiated and supported by citizen and nonprofit groups – the BMX track, skate park, pickleball courts, tree planting, memorial benches, community gardens and now a proposed surf wave on the Animas River. Before another feature is added to the river corridor, I would like to see what is already in place amended and maintained.
The Animas River Corridor Management Plan was adopted in February 2013, and as I reviewed it, few of the Recreation Goals have been met. The existing conditions from 13 years ago still prevail or have worsened. All these current conditions are almost identical to the concerns outlined in the 2013 Management Plan. The city put these access points on a map and created a document involving a lot of time (over 10 years) and significant expense, with many community members and consultants involved – and it has not followed through with improvements or maintenance.
The current conditions degrade the river and water quality through increased runoff and siltation, add extra challenges and compromise user safety. The lack of basic amenities – bike racks, changing areas and restrooms, trash and recycling containers – does little to encourage good behavior or provide for heavy use. The signs state “Welcome River Users.” To truly be welcoming, the river access points need to be as accommodating as possible, environmentally sustainable and maintained for safety.
Karen Carver
Durango
