By Shannon Lukens.
Construction is underway on a new entrance to Yampa River Botanic Park in Steamboat Springs.
Kathy Connell is president of the board of the park. She and board members were at the park entrance Wednesday morning for the official groundbreaking. Connell said the chain link fence entrance that is being replaced has been there for 25 years and it was time.
“It kind of looks like prison gates and then there is the beauty behind it. So we decided we really wanted to have a gateway that really said what we’re about as well as having fencing that is a little less prison-like so that’s what we’re doing.”
The entrance at the front, and then the back entrance along the core trail is expected to cost between $480,000 and $500,000, and it’s all through private donations. About $350,000 has been raised so far. There is a donate button on the website.
Work should be finished by November 1, weather permitting.
Here is more from the City of Steamboat Springs.
New Entrances Spring to Life at Botanic Park — Project Blends Form, Function, Art & Architecture
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO-August 11, 2022-Now in its 25th year, the Yampa River Botanic Park (YRBP) is embarking on a project to redesign and install new entrances that blend form, function, art, and architecture as well as significantly enhances accessibility.
“Our current set up has done a great job keeping wildlife out for all these years but have not provided the friendliest welcome to the park,” said YRBP Executive Director Jennifer MacNeil. “In our silver anniversary season, we have an opportunity to make a lasting change that will benefit park users of all ages and really sets the stage for what you are about to enjoy.”
Soda Mountain Construction and local craftsman Journey McKendrick will fabricate custom steel fence along both the Emerald Park Entrance and the Yampa River Core Trail Entrance. Rosendo Calderon with Rams Masonry is doing the masoned columns and paver patios. The new 8-foot-wide gates will be custom built by Tim Wilson of Steamboat Steel, whereby he will hand forge the tree trunks and branches that will make up the appearance and function of the gates. A walk through the new entrances will be beautiful and makes a statement as well as improves accessibility for strollers, wheelchairs, bicycles, and adaptive equipment.
Construction is set to start the week of August 22 and will see the Emerald Park entrance installed first, followed by the Core Trail side. With the initial Emerald Park phase, a detour will take pedestrians along the fence and down the grass to the Fairy Garden Village gate. Both phases of the project will see excavation work, installation of pavers, concrete footers, and masoned columns along with steel fencing being spot welded on site.
When the project shifts to the Yampa River Core Trail, trail users can expect detours when equipment is working in the area. The detour will go from Fetcher Pond to US40/Lincoln Ave and then along that road reconnecting to the core trail via Trafalgar. When equipment is not in use, the core trail will remain open – please follow all posted signage. The project is anticipated to be finished by early November.
Once a sprawling horse pasture, the six-acre Yampa River Botanic Park is now home to more than 60 unique gardens, thousands of plant species, animals, and hosts special events of all shapes and sizes. An innovative experiment in private/public partnerships, the Botanic Park is free and open to the public from dawn to dusk, from April through October.