The Cortez Parks and Recreation’s master plan has been completed, parks director Dean Palmquist said.
The plan sets goals for the department for the next 10 years, as well as a list of projects to be completed at the parks. It was developed after a series of public meetings in which people could give input on what they wanted to see changed or improved in the parks.
“We’re trying to meet the needs of what our citizens want to see,” Palmquist said. “It’s important that we continue to listen to our citizens.”
A high-priority project is to create a park on the south side of town, Palmquist said. The department is looking at the location of the retired Montezuma-Cortez High School for a park.
One of the next projects on the list is the remodel of the restrooms at Centennial Park, Palmquist said. That should take place early next year.
Also at Centennial Park, the two eastern tennis courts will be converted to pickleball courts. The Parks Department is pursuing a Great Outdoors Colorado grant to complete that project.
The Parks Department has started wetland rehabilitation work at Geer Natural Area, and Palmquist said more development is planned at that park in the next two to three years. One goal is the completion of a trail around the lake, he said.
Other highest-priority projects in the master plan include expanding city paved trails and renovating the South Softball Complex. Those projects will be addressed in the next three years.
Medium-priority projects include building a permanent restroom facility at Rotary Park ballfields, expanding the skate park expansion, renovating the City Park stage, replacing the City Park playground and renovating the youth football facility. Those projects will be addressed in the next four to six years.
Low-priority projects in the plan include creating a community heritage orchard, resurfacing the Parque De Vida tennis courts, building a new playground at Market Street, building an outdoor skating rink and replacing the waterslide at the Cortez Municipal Pool. Those projects will be addressed in the next seven to 10 years.
Even though the plan has been completed, there are still opportunities for community input, Palmquist said.
“We’re continuing to develop what we have,” he said. “The master plan is a dynamic document.”
For more information, call the Cortez Rec Center at 564-4080.