ALAMOSA — The Alamosa Riverfront Project Public Input meeting held on June 20 at the Rio Grande Farm Park was a success, with roughly 55 members of the community attending. The project team received valuable feedback, and more is needed.
The riverfront project to increase recreational features along the Rio Grande at Cole Park in Alamosa is a partnership between the Rio Grande Headwaters Restoration Project, the City of Alamosa, Alamosa County, San Luis Valley Great Outdoors, San Luis Valley Water Conservation District, and the Rio Grande Farm Park. Another public input meeting is scheduled for Aug. 27.
In an interview with the Valley Courier earlier this year, Alamosa Mayor Ty Coleman said, "This is an exciting planning process, and we are grateful for the community partnerships that make this project possible. The 2017 Comprehensive Plan lists the activation of the Rio Grande as the number one community priority, so this project helps us move that effort forward."
Jub Engineering and RiverRestoration were hired to work with the community during the planning and design process. RiverRestoration has worked on a portfolio of aquatic projects in both restoration and recreation.
The Bend (Oregon) Parks and Recreation Department retained the firm in 2010 to replace a hazardous dam on the Deschutes River and transform the area into a recreational paradise. The Town of Vail also hired the firm to improve the performance of the Vail Whitewater Park. Both sites are now tourist destinations.
The project team will hold another public meeting at 6 p.m. on Aug. 27 at the Shooting Stars Cultural and Leadership Center, 807 Ross Ave., Alamosa. The public can meet the team over dinner to learn more about the project and give your input on draft designs to help shape the future of Alamosa's riverfront. This meeting will be in English and in Spanish, all are welcome to attend. Childcare will be available at the venue. View the Facebook event on the Rio Grande Headwaters Restoration Project Facebook page.
The project team will stop accepting feedback on Friday, Aug. 30. The upcoming public input meeting on Aug. 27 will be the last formal meeting before integrating feedback into final designs, which are expected to be completed in early 2025.
As an additional opportunity to give input, draft designs are also viewable in video or PDF format on the website, followed by a short five-minute survey at riograndeheadwaters.org/alamosa-riverfront. Email alamosariverfront@gmail.com, with further questions.
The City of Alamosa, Colorado Water Conservation Board, Colorado Health Foundation, Trinchera Blanca Foundation, Peregrine Accelerator Program, and the Westside Ditch Water Users have made funding available for the project.
