Carbondale staff presents Chalkos Park master plan focusing on pedestrian‑first design and phased construction

Carbondale staff on Thursday presented a schematic master plan for Chalkos Park that centers a raised, pedestrian‑first "lunar" street and a redesigned water play area while identifying phased work and funding sources for construction documents and early buildout.

The plan, described by a town staff member as a concept that "feels pedestrian and bike first versus vehicle first," shows a single‑level pedestrian platform for part of Fourth Street, bollards and multiple treated crossing zones to slow traffic, relocated water play elements and added planting pockets intended to increase canopy and event space.

Staff said the town has money in the current year’s budget to produce shovel‑ready construction documents and that undergrounding overhead power lines is the first phase. The town has issued an RFP to Xcel for undergrounding work. Staff also said the town…