There was plenty of debate Tuesday evening as the Durango City Council and staff discussed how to manage Oxbow Park and use of the Animas River.
Parks & Recreation Director Cathy Metz briefed the council at its study session about the park and preserve’s management plan, branching out into spirited exchanges about law enforcement and park rules for dogs, hours and commercial usage.
The park and wildlife preserve is 44 acres east of Animas View Drive and more than a mile upstream from the 33rd Street put-in. The city bought the property in 2012. It is divided into two parts: 38 acres of undeveloped land for conservation and habitat protection and 6 acres for future river access, extension of the Animas River Trail, and park structures and bathrooms.
Design and planning is expected to start soon on a river access at Oxbow, as well as on established sites on 33rd Street, 29th Street and Santa Rita Park.
The city is envisioning the area as a quiet place for paddling and kayaking. The river from Oxbow to the 33rd Street public put-in is slower than at other sections downstream and runs 1.2 miles.
When Mayor Dick White asked Metz what might be the scope of commercial activity at the site, she said the city may permit commercial users separately and discourage high-impact use.
“The site can’t accommodate them. We don’t want it to turn into another 33rd Street,” Metz said.
Crowds and “rowdy inner-tubers” have given some sections of the river a poor reputation, which has improved through the last couple of years, in part because city river rangers patrol the shore.
Councilor Sweetie Marbury suggested raising fees on commercial outfitters to hire an on-the-water ranger, prompting a response from Parks & Recreation Advisory Board members and other councilors. Councilor Christina Rinderle said she wasn’t sure it was fair to raise fees on commercial users she didn’t think were causing the problems.
Jurisdiction on the water is a bit tricky because of multiple ownership. The land between Oxbow and the 33rd Street put-in is all private property, Metz said. Some is within city limits, and some is under county jurisdiction. Durango has open-container laws, the county doesn’t.
“The focus is alcohol on the river,” city attorney David Smith said.
Officials discussed annexing areas along the river out of their control so city law enforcement could respond to violations quicker. Councilors and board members also were conflicted about allowing dogs at all and limiting hours of operation.
The Parks & Recreation Department is planning to hold a public meeting in April. The preserve is closed until June 30 while wildlife data is collected. Oxbow, including parking areas will stay closed until it is developed, which is unlikely to start before early next year.
smueller@durangoherald.com
