|
|
Review the...
Rotary Park Master Plan Drawing updated March 17, 2010.
Return to main story.
To view comments made by others scroll down. To make a comment click the "Reply" button just below this article. Posting Comment Tips.
If you have never logged into this site before, please set up an account so you can leave a comment. NOTE to new users - your password will be e-mailed to you the next business day.
Written comments can be submitted at City Hall, either in person or in the suggestion box in the main hallway.
|
|
|
|
|
Consequently, the following is a restatement of my original views and recommendations, which also have not changed since this plan was originally proposed. I believe I was the only web page respondent, last time this was proposed and sincerely hope the decision-makers will seriously consider my recommendation, this time.
As a Chautauqua Subdivision property owner (Chautauqua is essentially across the street from the park) I have comments and objections regarding the proposed Rotary Park development plan.
Overview:
I believe the proposed plan is generally well done and would provide Ouray’s citizens and tourists a pleasant and potentially educational respite.
My objections fall into 3 basic categories, light pollution, noise pollution and the maintenance overhead required to support the development.
Light pollution:
While not shown on the drawing , in order to support the proposed camping and bath house facilities, there will need to be 24 hour external lighting for camping use and security. This, of course, does not include the light pollution from campers.
Additionally, I suspect the city would not make such a sizeable investment in the park without expecting to extend its usage into the nighttime hours, necessitating some sort of stadium lighting to support casual usage and organized events.
Noise pollution:
Hand-in-hand with the light pollution, camping will generate a significantly higher (than today) level of noise pollution associated with camping vehicular traffic (cars, trucks and ATV’s) and boisterous behavior at all times of the night along with additional noise associated with any night time ice rink usage.
Maintenance Overhead:
Camping and/or extended ice rink usage will necessitate additional funding to support utilities, grounds keeping, refuse management and law enforcement. All of which are city dollars better spent elsewhere.
Recommendation:
I suggest deleting the campground and bathhouse facility from consideration and replace it with a nature trail that provides a self-guided tour and educational stations consistent with the local environment. Additionally, I believe there needs to be a formal commitment to make this only a daylight use facility.
The light and noise pollution that will surely be created by execution of the existing plan are grossly contrary to the tenets of low environmental impact that I was led to believe the City and County holds sacrosanct and inviolate in preserving lifestyle when I purchased my property.
At the end of the day, the City needs to decide for whom they are developing the park, the citizens or tourists. You cannot effectively serve two Masters.
Regards,
Ben Collier