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San Miguel commissioners review Galloping Goose Park redesign; mural and public art considered
Summary
Commissioners reviewed conceptual plans to reconfigure Galloping Goose Park for more grass, conversation areas and a mural; design discussion focused on accessibility, materials, historic context and potential placement for a permanent sculpture.
Staff presented updated conceptual renderings for Galloping Goose Park and said the design aims to make the space more welcoming and visible from Main Street by increasing grass, adding conversation pits and perennial plantings, and re-using existing site slate. Janet said staff had issued an RFP previously for design work and that SCJ (design firm) prepared the current conceptual drawings; she expects an updated rendering will reflect commissioner input.
Commissioners raised multiple design questions: preserve ADA access to the courthouse; reduce the number of hard-surface materials in favor of a simpler, maintainable palette; consider terrace or stepped seating in the north area to create amphitheater-like seating; and evaluate winter maintenance and snow removal impacts. One commissioner recommended a more formal layout referencing the courthouse’s Victorian architecture and urged limiting turf in the small urban pocket because of maintenance and water needs.
Several commissioners supported adding a mural on a brick wall facing the park; staff said first-floor tenants had granted permission to use that wall and that an art competition for student designs feeding into a professional interpretation was a possible approach. Commissioners also discussed candidate locations for a potential permanent sculpture—front-of-park locations visible from Main Street were preferred for exposure, while trail-edge or Bridal Veil-area locations were suggested for more immersive natural settings.
Staff noted an earlier RFP for design work had an estimated design fee in the range of $12,000–$15,000, and that Ground Pounders (Mike Kimball) were later awarded the construction contract for Mill Creek Park Phase 1. The commission asked staff to collect detailed grading and drainage information and refine the plan so the public and possible funders can provide comment.
Next steps: staff will incorporate commissioner feedback, request refined conceptual plans with more green space and fewer hardscape materials and return the revised rendering to the commission for further comment and for referral to county commissioners as needed.
