How often have you heard someone in Durango say, “We are so lucky to live here!” And what usually follows is enthusiasm about all the recreational opportunities we have in the area.
We have Mother Nature to thank for the natural recreation choices surrounding Durango, but who gets credit for the human-made ones?
Back in 1999, voters approved a half-cent sales tax that financed construction of our 71,000-square-foot Durango Community Recreation Center and funded the Animas River Trail and greenway, used by hundreds of commuters, cyclists and walkers.
Now we need to extend this tax, which expires in 2019, to accomplish a lengthy list of new projects to meet recreational needs for generations to come. By approving the tax now, the city is able to do long-range planning and secure matching grants.
Future projects include:
Expanding and linking Durango’s bike lanes, sidewalks and trails;
Maintaining and improving the Chapman Hill winter sports complex, Mason Center gymnastics facility and the recreation center;
Enhancing athletic fields and city parks;
Improving river access, planting community trees and protecting river habitat.
So please, do your part: Vote yes on 1-A to extend the half-cent sales tax on the upcoming April mail-in ballot and help keep Durango the healthy and active community we love.
We are so lucky to live here!
Susan Bradley
Durango
