Plans to pave the parking lot at Cloman Park were discussed at a work session held by the Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) on Tuesday, Sept. 23.
Interim County Manager Mike Torres was joined by James Dickhoff, who appeared on behalf of the Pagosa Nordic Club and also offered insight to projects of the Pagosa Area Recreation Coalition (PARC).
Dickhoff explained that the Nordic Club had found someone in the community who is “willing to make a generous offer” of up to $100,000 “to help get this parking lot paved.”
Dickhoff noted that original quotes received by Strohecker Asphalt for the project included different dimensions that would have expanded the parking lot.
Torres noted that, according to the county’s lease with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the county agreed to pave the lot.
“In my findings of that, I actually found where it’s in our lease agreement that we will be doing the parking lot,” Torres said, later indicating that, “in the agreement, there were talks of expanding to 410 spaces at one point.”
He explained that with the current budget and time constraints with the winter season approaching, expanding the parking lot this year is not feasible.
Dickhoff explained that the updated quote to pave the existing parking area came in around $150,000, noting that conversations with PARC identified this as a “low-hanging fruit” for looking at projects to help improve existing trailhead areas.
“During that discussion someone offered to help pave this parking lot,” he added, noting the ask is for a $50,000 contribution from the county to help bolster the donation.
Dickhoff explained that paving the existing parking area would provide about 50 parking spaces.
Torres commented that there may be a possibility of looking at expanding the parking lot in the future “as we continue to build out Cloman Park to what it was intended to be.”
“And what we agreed on,” Commissioner Veronica Medina added.
Torres went on to explain that he looked at the county’s Conservation Trust Fund account, indicating, “We by far have enough money” to cover paving the existing parking area this year.
He noted that the Conservation Trust Fund balance after contributing $50,000 to pave the parking lot this year would be around $230,000.
Commissioner Warren Brown commented that a previous National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) study could be used to help accelerate future timelines of an expansion project, rather than having to pay to have a new NEPA study performed.
Brown also commented that the county’s Conservation Trust Funds are restricted to uses for parks and park-related items, noting this would be a “good use” of the funds and will help provide for more recreation opportunities.
Dickhoff explained that Strohecker is to be able to complete the paving project by the end of October or early November, barring weather conditions preventing that.
Commissioner John Ranson also commented that the county can only use its Conservation Trust Fund monies for park-related projects, while commenting on the importance of a private donor to help contribute to this project.
“It’s pretty cool that we’re finding some private money to help with this. That’s huge,” he said.
“Those partnerships are really important to our community,” Medina added.
clayton@pagosasun.com
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