Multiple town parks remain closed after devastation caused by recent historic flooding.
During a Pagosa Springs Combined Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting held on Nov. 5, Parks and Recreation Director Darren Lewis provided an update on the town’s facilities.
“We no longer have complete trail connectivity like we used to,” Lewis said, explaining that multiple areas of the San Juan Riverwalk were washed out.
He noted that, prior to this year’s flooding events, there was trail connectivity downtown extending from the east end of town behind Riff Raff along the river all the way to Yamaguchi Park.
“We no longer have that,” he said.
Lewis then explained that River Center Park “is gone” and that “everything that’s in it was washed away.”
The park featured playground equipment, a gazebo, a fishing dock, a trail system and two ponds “that are now full.”
Lewis also mentioned that the 1st Street pedestrian bridge planned to be installed next year will now have to be reworked for a second time after being delayed by the October 2025 floods, as well.
“That bridge will not be going in next year,” he said.
Cotton Hole Park was heavily damaged, as well, Lewis explained, noting that the majority of the concrete trail through that park was washed away.
“Everything just looks like one big battlefield,” Lewis said, explaining how it’s now difficult to differentiate public-owned versus privately owned lots in the area.
Lewis also mentioned that “half the asphalt’s gone” from the cul-de-sac of Cotton Hole Park.
“The river is doing its thing and it’s finding new ways,” he said.
One portion of the trail that did survive is the section along Hermosa Street to Town Park, Lewis explained, noting that a lot of cleanup is needed, with the area still being closed.
“It’s going to be a while,” he said, mentioning that he does not anticipate any of the amenities at Town Park opening back up this year.
Lewis explained that the facilities need to be inspected and that special materials are needed for the playground.
He noted that the plan is to reopen Town Park sometime next spring.
Portions of the Riverwalk trail underneath the San Juan Overlook were washed out, along with the ramp going up to the Hot Springs pedestrian bridge.
Lewis also noted that the portion of the trail crossing McCabe Creek was washed away.
“So, there’s a gap there,” he said.
Lewis mentioned that there are still some sections of trail open that people can access, but that the total connectivity is gone. People will be able to use portions of the trail, but will have to turn around and go back the way they came.
“And that’s the way it’ll be for a while,” he said.
Lewis commented that it is “heartbreaking” to see the damage, given how hard the community worked to recover after the October 2025 floods.
“We were just getting there from the last flood,” he said, “and now we’re back to ground zero.”
Lewis added that town staff are approaching the situation with a good attitude, focusing on what they can get done with the funding that is available.
He clarified that “none of the pedestrian bridges are open” as they all need to be inspected.
He explained that the portion of the Riverwalk behind Town Hall and the Ross Aragon Community Center survived, but that a portion near the 6th Street pedestrian bridge “has been compromised underneath.”
He also noted that the Rock Ridge Trail east of the Apache Street bridge and across from Yamaguchi Park was lost entirely.
“We not only lost the trail, we lost our easement,” he said, explaining the whole area will need to be “reworked.”
Lewis explained that the northeast corner of the trail at Yamaguchi Park did get covered in water, but “thank goodness we didn’t get to 21 or 22 feet, because it would’ve been a different scenario.”
Lewis also explained that Yamaguchi Park is still open, mentioning that “people shouldn’t be afraid of coming to Pagosa” and that the town’s most-used park is “wide open.”
“Our biggest thing is making sure everyone’s safe,” Lewis said, asking people to please respect any barriers in place.
“The last thing I want is something tragic to happen after the event,” he said.
Lewis explained that one of his “top priorities” is to get the Hot Springs pedestrian bridge fixed, noting that it will create some more connectivity through town.
He also spoke about how the flood has brought up another topic of what can be done differently in the parks in order to be more resilient to flooding events.
“Nothing is flood-proof, but are there changes we need to make within our parks to make them more resilient?” Lewis asked.
He mentioned that it may be worth considering the placement of future trails being placed farther from the river, and the layout of playground equipment at Town Park could be moved farther from the river.
Lewis noted those “are decisions to be made down the road,” but that “the book’s open for change.”
He added, “If we’re gonna spend the money, let’s be smart about it.”
Lewis also mentioned that Mary Fisher Park is full of debris and silt, with the park still closed.
Restrooms at Yamaguchi Park, Bell Tower Park and Centennial Park are open, Lewis noted.
Lewis explained that “things are going to be discovered” as the water continues to recede.
He explained that, with the accumulation of rock and debris near Mary Fisher Park, that has shifted the river to “hit harder” downstream and more water is being forced toward the bank along the Riverwalk trail underneath the San Juan Overlook.
Lewis noted that bank stabilization will need to occur early next spring, if not sooner, “cause we need to do something before our runoff happens.”
During the meeting the board also discussed its adopted short-term and long-term goals, which were adopted in 2024.
According to the documents attached in the meeting’s agenda, those short-term goals include:
• Improving river access.
• Parking lot improvements.
• Riverwalk improvements.
• Developing Yamaguchi South.
• Phase two of the Town-to-Lakes Trail.
• Skate park expansion.
The long-term goals include:
• Recreation center.
• Explore funding mechanisms for parks and recreation improvement and development.
• Town and county trail connectivity.
• Town and county growth collaboration.
Board member Mike Musgrove commented, “I think we need to step back and rethink the narrative of 100-year flood,” mentioning how the town may be able to rebuild damaged parks and trails in a way that is more resilient to flooding events “to where it doesn’t cost us millions of dollars every time it happens.”
Board member Jason Taylor commented that the Riverwalk is an attraction, along with riverside parks, and that “those are things that bring people to town,” but that it would be “foolish for us” not to try to reduce the impact of a future flooding event on the town’s parks.
Taylor added that the 2024 adopted goals are still relevant, but that they need to be looked through with the “new lens” of flood hardening.
He mentioned that, as the board works through the adopted goals, “we need to do so with this particular issue in mind.”
clayton@pagosasun.com
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