PARK REDESIGN PROJECT TO BEGIN IN JUNE 2022 The redesign of Redstone Park, including the construction of a new Gazebo and other elements, is scheduled to begin June 1 with the mobilization of materials at the site.
Pitkin County Open Space and Trails has selected contractor Environmental Excavation of Carbondale to construct the park improvements, with Aspen Carpenter Services to install the gazebo, brace and move the ice rink shack, reset picnic tables and handle other facets of the project.
The construction schedule calls for the delivery of most materials by June 15. Work will be phased to complete individual projects, with construction taking place between the riverbank and the boulevard. The goal is to keep portions of the park accessible to the public.
Completion of the majority of the work is expected by July 31, with a final inspection on Aug. 31. Construction work will occur weekdays between 8 and 5 p.m., with the potential to add Saturday hours if necessary. In addition, changes in price or availability of materials could impact the construction schedule.
The improvements focus on improving access and circulation, replacing and enlarging the shelter to serve community events and summer concerts, and improving/incorporating the northern/Meredith parcel into the park. Additional improvements include:
Reconfiguring the playground.
Earthmoving to lift the sinking, marble picnic tables, and level the lawn and picnic/event area.
Improving and formalizing the informal ice rink; it will be a turf area in the summer.
Improving the existing levee’s edge.
Creating ADA access to the bridge connecting to Elk Park.
Improving the parking area along Redstone Boulevard and remodeling the existing shed with an adjacent trash enclosure.
Limited/strategic tree removal for the gazebo and ice rink, to be mitigated with on-site tree plantings.
The county’s Open Space and Trails Board and county commissioners gave the park project the go-ahead in late 2021 (see link to a presentation to the board above). This spring, the county Planning and Zoning Commission found the proposed Redstone Park improvements to be in conformance with the Crystal River Valley Master Plan. In addition, the project was affirmed through presentations to the Crystal Valley Caucus, Redstone Historic Preservation Commission and Redstone Community Association. The Redstone HPC will remain involved in the final material selections for lighting and fencing.
PUBLIC PROCESS HELPS CRAFT PLAN The Redstone Park project was the focus of a community planning and design process for more than a year.
A draft plan to update the park was released for public comment in the spring of 2021. The results were reviewed by a local Steering Committee during an April 14, 2021 virtual meeting. Work on a final draft of the plan followed. Materials for the April 14 meeting, including a summary of the public comments, are posted below.
The plan, developed by the Steering Committee, proposes a "less is more" approach that continues to balance active and passive programming opportunities at the park and provides traditional park amenities.
SOME BACKGROUND Redstone Park is among the open space properties in the Redstone area that are collectively addressed in the Redstone Parks and Open Space Management Plan, adopted in 2010. Find it HERE. Starting in 2020, Open Space and Trails began looking at potential changes to the park, a process that began with a community survey that concluded in July 2020.
Then, a Steering Committee was assembled and held its first meeting, with OST staff and consultants, on Oct. 20, 2020, at the park. Additional, virtual meetings followed. Meeting summaries and materials provided to the committee for its initial meeting are available below.
REDSTONE PARK STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS Gentrye Houghton (RCA Rep) Nancy Chromy (Redstone HPC Rep) Maciej Mrotek (Caucus Rep) Ronald Phaneuf Pete Menardi Lisa Wagner Larry Meredith (Redstone HPC Rep) Chuck Downey Kathy Enman Mark Hilberman Jake Marine Alyce Meredith Ryan Wolfe Becky Trembley
For more information contact: Jessie Young Planning and Outreach Director Pitkin County Open Space and Trails 970-429-6169 or jessie.young@pitkincounty.com