Mancos seeks public input on parks, trails

First of public forums Tuesday; survey also open
Cottonwood Park, one of the areas that make up Mancos’ roughly 15 acres of park land.

The town of Mancos is brainstorming ideas for its parks and trail systems, and hosted the first of a series of meetings Tuesday evening to gauge public feedback on a new master plan.

Two representatives from design firm DHM Design, Walker Christenson and Katie Feeney, facilitated discussion about potential additions and improvements to the parks and trails within town limits.

A previous 2012 master plan largely focused on trails, and while trails remain a focus, the new plan will add emphasis to the parks, including Boyle Park, Cottonwood Park, Northside Park and Mancos Skaterpark.

During Tuesday’s virtual meeting, attendees proposed ideas such as implementing rabbit brush as a fire barrier at Cottonwood Park, installing a restroom at Cottonwood, establishing a performance stage at a park, padding and paving trails, and upgrading the skate park.

A survey at www.surveymonkey.com/r/YKYCZHK is open for comment.

The questions are as follows:

  • What is your current ZIP code?
  • How often do you visit Cottonwood and/or Boyle Park?
  • What kind of activities do you currently participate in at the parks?
  • What kind of park elements would you like to see created or improved?
  • What are the top needs for the parks?
  • How often do you use the Mancos Trail System?
  • How do you use the trail system?
  • What would you like to see created or enhanced on the trail systems?
  • What new connections or amenities would you like to see maintained, improved and or created?
  • Any other comments?

The survey has already received about 70 responses, and will remain on the town’s website for a few more weeks, Feeney said.

A draft of the master plan will be discussed at another public meeting in April, and the plan is slated for presentation to the town board in May.

Feeney can be reached at kfeeney@dhmdesign.com with further suggestions.