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County, DDA team up to build pocket park on Seventh Street

John Stroud
Post Independent Staff
Glenwood Springs, Colorado CO
Sketch courtesy Glenwood Springs Downtown DevelopmAn artist's sketch of the planned new "pocket park" along Seventh Street between Colorado and Grand Avenue in downtown Glenwood Springs.
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GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colorado – The Downtown Development Authority is teaming up with Garfield County to develop a small “pocket park” near Seventh and Colorado next to the new city-county parking lot.

County commissioners on Monday signed a contract with Dale’s Quality Construction to build the 930-square-foot park, including a seating area and landscaping in one corner of the parking lot.

The county is covering the $65,000 cost to build the park, including $7,000 in engineering costs agreed to earlier this year. The volunteer planning and design effort was undertaken by members of the DDA.



“I’ve watched the work of DDA members for the past few years, and they do a good job,” County Commission Chairman John Martin said in a DDA press release.

“They’ve been able to leverage funds and bring together partners to get several projects going that vitalize downtown Glenwood Springs,” Martin said. “The pocket park is another great idea that just needs funding to come to fruition.”



Plans include a planter that doubles as a parking lot screen wall and a bench for seating and three tables. Landscaping will include boulders, flowers, shrubs and trees.

The pocket park will also have wireless access, a bear-proof trash container and low-impact lighting, and will feature original sculptures and other outdoor art.

“This will be another engaging, visually appealing place for people to gather in our downtown,” said Leslie Bethel, executive director for the DDA. “I love the idea of taking a small space in a great location and maximizing its potential.”

Construction of the pocket park and landscaping improvements is slated to begin in late summer or early fall of this year.

The DDA, which is funded by a tax increment financing (TIF) levy, is governed by a citizen volunteer board that identifies, plans and helps execute a range of downtown-area projects. The DDA is also currently partnering with the city government to build the new public parking garage at Ninth and Cooper.

jstroud@postindependent.com


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