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City staff outline off‑site ADA and trail fixes before Highland Mesa Park construction
Summary
Parks staff updated the commission on Highland Mesa Park, saying engineering has approved an off‑site improvements contract and that ADA ramp upgrades, a curb cut and a potential urban‑trail realignment must be finished before on‑site construction can begin; the two park parcels total 5.6 acres.
Amy, a parks planner, told the Parks and Recreation Commission on May 18 that Highland Mesa Park (two green parcels totaling 5.6 acres) remains at concept stage and cannot move to construction until off‑site improvements are designed and bid.
She said engineering secured city council approval of a contract for off‑site improvements in late March and is now designing ADA ramps, a curb cut and a marked crossing on South Highland Mesa Road. Amy said traffic engineering is also reviewing a possible realignment of the adjacent urban trail so it would run behind the curb on Highland Mesa Road, which would improve snow‑plowing access and connect more safely under I‑40 to the University Heights area.
Commissioners asked whether the off‑site work changes the park budget. Amy said engineering will locate budget for the off‑site elements and the Parks and Recreation (PROS) team will maintain the urban trail once it is in place; she did not provide a completed cost estimate. Amy also noted staff are negotiating an access easement with the neighborhood ROA/HOA to enable a safe route from South Highland Mesa Road into the city parcel.
A neighborhood representative, Diane Bell, identified herself as a Boulder Point neighbor and ROA board member and told the commission she and other neighbors appreciate the thorough planning and safety focus. Commissioners raised concerns about parking pressure near the park and whether private lots to the southeast could become unintended overflow parking; staff said the park is intended for local walk‑or‑bike access and that many neighborhood parks have no on‑site parking.
The commission was told the on‑site park design will proceed to more complete drawings (60% and then 100%) after off‑site approvals and bidding are complete; only then will staff bring on‑site improvements to bid. No formal action was taken at the meeting. The next steps are finalizing off‑site construction drawings, securing any required easements, and then advancing on‑site design.
