Parks

Park Department Facilities, Parks, Lake Nighthorse, POST, Cemetery

Strategic Plan Goal: Enhanced Livability & Sense of Place

Customer Service Strategy:

The Parks and Recreation Department provides efficient city services, effectively maintains city assets, manages growth, is accountable, ethical, fiscally responsible, and collaborates with regional partners to improve the quality of life for our entire community. In summary, the mission for the Parks and Recreation Department is to enrich lives every day.

Core Functions:

The administration and management of activities associated with capital improvements and operations of:

  • Parks Department facilities
  • Parks
  • Lake Nighthorse
  • Open Space, Trails, Forestry
  • Cemetery
  • Animas River
  • Community Special Events

Budget by Strategic Plan Goal

FY 2023 Total Budget: $4,383,044

FY 2023 General Fund: $3,662,544

Total FTE's: 19

Performance Results:

Natural Areas Cumulative Number of visitors The total number of people accessing and utilizing the Natural Areas.


Paved Trails Cumulative Number of Visits The total number of people accessing and utilizing the City’s paved trails system.

Budget by Type:





Source of Funds:

Strategic Operating Actions:

2. Improve operational and financial viability of amenities including Durango Public Library, Parks and Recreation and work of Creative Economy Commission

2.1 Provide effective management, standardization for maintenance and stewardship of parks and open space and enhance the quality of existing Parks & Recreation facilities.

2.1.1 Continue existing response time to hazards or emergency service requests.

2.1.2 Mitigate impacts of unauthorized camping in city open space with trash removal and social trail remediation with a response time to removal of debris following

required notification.

2.1.3 Natural (soft) and hard-surface trails:

2.1.3.1 Improve, maintain, and expand soft and hard-surface trail systems.

2.1.3.2 Ensure safety by removing snow at 2" in a timely fashion to allow hard surface trail accessibility.

2.1.7 Explore and analyze funding options for long-term maintenance of parks and recreation facilities and development of new facilities.

2.1.10 Continue engage and work with the community to develop and implement options for locations where E-Mountain Bike can be ridden on City-Owned Natural Lands.


3. Enhance Durango’s sense of place in ways that celebrate the community’s character, cultural heritage, outdoor roots, access to nature, and unique amenities

3.1 Create and enhance parks, public spaces, and streetscapes as safe, inviting, and memorable places for all users.

3.1.1 Complete Park planning and improvements on neighborhood and community parks: Mason Center, Hillcrest View and Pioneer Parks, and community park improvements at Santa Rita Park.

3.1.2 Develop and implement a plan to improve the entrance to Lake Nighthorse Recreation Area for improved accessibility and the integration of a permanent tankless

watercraft decontamination unit.

3.1.3 Develop River trail connectivity including a grade-separated crossing at 32nd Street, as well as SMART 160 East.


2022 Strategic Results:

  • Completed new park development at Hillcrest and Pioneer Neighborhood parks
  • Completed renovation of Santa Rita Park.
  • Completed ART – North Extension, Memorial Park to Oxbow, including new pedestrian bridge.
  • Completed ART renovation – Rank Park to Demon Bridge.
  • Approved entrance and decontamination station at Lake Nighthorse.

2023 Strategic Deliverables:

  • Sustain partnership with Seeds Outdoor Inspiration Lab (SOIL) toward relocation of OK Community Gardens
  • Conduct research for outdoor pickleball court complex
  • Collaborate with community, Council and Boards to approve master plan for Mason Center
  • Improve user experiences with bi-lingual signage, sign icons and e-reader friendly website
  • Add bicycle racks to multiple trailheads and parks

Service Enhancements:

Introducing full time-shared positions in collaboration with all divisions within Parks & Recreation Department to increase capacity and efficiency.

Service Reductions:

Maintaining current service levels

Positions:

2023 Positions