Residents at Rivergate Lofts want to see Cundiff Park transformed into a gathering place rather than a dumping ground for snow – and they are willing to help pay for the project.
The Rivergate Homeowners Association, along with businesses and individuals, have raised $100,000 to help develop the park, said Ken White, president of the board.
The group does not have a specific vision for the park. Rather, it is open to a range of possibilities that could include improving the BMX track, putting in a new bike park or more traditional park equipment such as swings and picnic tables.
“We are committed to seeing something positive develop,” White said.
Crews dumping snow at the park in the winter creates noise – usually in the middle of the night – and dirty ice mountains, White said.
If the park was developed, the city would look for an alternative place to dump snow, said Cathy Metz, parks and recreation director.
The Rivergate HOA started raising money four months ago, and the idea was formally presented to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on Wednesday night.
The board invited the public to present project ideas early this year to help guide the 2017 budget, Metz said.
The board also heard from people who would like to see Chapman Hill Ice Arena open year-round, advocates who favor a drinking fountain and shade structure at the skate park, pickleball players interested in new courts and others, Metz said.
The board has not made any 2017 budget decisions yet, she said.
People advocating for change at Cundiff hope to meet with city staff in the next few weeks to talk about some of the designs the city has for the park’s development.
The city has talked about building a bike park at Cundiff, which received wide support from the biking community when it was proposed last spring.
mshinn@durangoherald.com
