Parks and recreation budget focuses on aquatic center fundraising, deferred maintenance and phased work at Chaco's Park

Carbondale’s Parks and Recreation Department presented a 2026 budget and work plan that centers on completing the aquatic center fundraising push, addressing deferred maintenance across town parks, and advancing a phased approach to Chaco’s Park design and infrastructure.

Robin (programs and recreation manager) and Eric (Parks & Rec staff lead) briefed trustees. Robin reported the aquatic center campaign has raised $2,006,989.76 to date against a $2.5 million public fundraising goal and said staff will continue a final campaign push and pursue remaining grant opportunities. Trustees and staff emphasized the importance of confirming operating costs for the new pool before committing additional town funds.

Parks staff proposed several maintenance and capital items for 2026: refurbishment of Thompson House irrigation and an ADA path; replacement of the Giannetti Park restroom with a prefab unit (staff said prefab providers can install and make a unit functional quickly once site infrastructure is prepared); Red Hill trail maintenance using an Aspen Valley Land Trust endowment and a volunteer/adopt‑a‑trail program; and cemetery GPS mapping to reconcile records with on‑the‑ground conditions. Staff also reported contracting a specialist for skate‑park maintenance and the “jump doctors” for bike‑park work.

The department described weed‑management experiments this year, including a pro‑bono goat grazing demonstration and a proposed contract for goats at about $1,400 per acre per visit to manage invasive growth on selected parcels.

Chaco’s Park generated the most discussion. Staff presented a design and recommended phasing that could include undergrounding utilities, improved shade, plaza and circulation work. Eric said one implementation path could move a first phase forward for roughly $500,000, depending on the elements selected. Trustees debated options: some favored funding a limited phase so momentum is not lost; others urged caution and recommended smaller near‑term steps to avoid overcommitting amid other town priorities (notably pool operating costs, housing work and the town’s reserve policy). Trustees asked staff to return with multiple scoped options that show what a $0, $200,000, $300,000 or a midrange $500,000 phase would accomplish.

Other items in the Parks budget included a planned sewer inspection and repairs at Gateway RV Park, sand replacement for a new Futsal court tied to the private development that is completing the court, and continued special‑event process improvements and training for producers.

Ending

Staff will return with phased, costed options for Chaco’s Park, a proposal for Giannetti Park bathroom replacement, and an updated budget that balances pool fundraising needs, maintenance obligations and reserve policy targets.