A new playground at Joe Rowell Park will be built June 5-15, but the initial phase will not be a community build with volunteers as planned.
State restrictions because of the coronavirus pandemic prohibit large gatherings. So instead, local builders will assist lead contractor Play by Design on installing the equipment. Select volunteers with carpentry skills will be utilized, and builders are instructed to practice social distancing during construction and wear face masks.
Equipment and supplies have been arriving, and temporary fencing has been installed around the site for construction.
Unless state restrictions on gatherings are relaxed, the opening of the playground likely will be delayed.
“We are still riding the waves of our daily changing world and do not know when we will be able to have an official opening,” said Nikki Gillespie, of Dolores Playground Group. “What we do know is when we get the green light to gather together, we will celebrate our beautiful new playground.”
The $280,000 playground project recently was awarded a $173,400 Great Outdoors Colorado grant. It also received an $80,000 grant from Kaboom! for equipment.
Play by Design will first install equipment for ages 5-12 on 7,000 square feet in June. Kaboom! will install equipment for children ages 2-5 on 2,500 square feet later this year. The company is waiting to see if restrictions ease up so they can have a community design day with children and construction with volunteers.
To donate to the playground project, go to www.onwardfoundation.org Dolores Playground Group, or mail a check to Town of Dolores, PO Box 630, Dolores, CO 81323.
The Playground Group is looking for community sponsors for pickets, trees and plaques at the playground. For information, visit the online store at: https://dolores-playground.square.site/
Other Dolores newsThe Dolores Farmers Market will continue to operate at Flanders Park every Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. beginning June 3 until October. Vendors, staff and volunteers are required to wear face coverings, and there will be hand sanitizing stations. Do not attend if feeling sick.Vendors will be spaced 10 feet apart and will sanitize hands after each customer interaction. A temperature booth will be set up for vendors and customers using no-touch thermometers. If temperature exceeds 100 degrees Fahrenheit, the person must leave and is instructed to self-isolate. Customers must stay 3 feet away from products, and vendors will gather items for them. No sampling of products will be allowed.
There is no registration or fee for vendors to set up at the Dolores Farmers Market. There will be a donation bin to collect for next year’s live music and marketing budget.
The Town of Dolores is reviewing how to enable retail and restaurants to use public spaces such as sidewalks during the state health orders that have curtailed business. Interim manager Ken Charles said the town might need to roll back current town regulations that prohibit or limit use of public space, and it may require an ordinance. The town is reviewing options for dust control on West Central Avenue from the end of the pavement to McPhee Reservoir. Possible options are applying magnesium chloride or chip sealing.
The town board will consider filling three vacancies on the Dolores Planning and Zoning commission. Applicants include incumbents Deanna Truelsen and Dan Heeney, and new applicants Janneli Miller and Sue Garlick.jmimiaga @the-journal.com