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Cañon City consultants present $19 million Western Gateway Park plan, boards give broad support
Summary
Consultants for Cañon City outlined a master plan for the Western Gateway riverfront initiative on June 17, proposing a phased project centered on river access, habitat restoration and connectivity to Main Street and Centennial Park with a planning-level cost of about $19 million; staff will bring a final report to the Planning Commission in July.
Consultants from Port presented a master plan for the Western Gateway riverfront initiative to a joint meeting of the Cañon City City Council and Planning Commission on June 17, describing a half-mile stretch between First Street and Nichols Bridge as a transformed park with multiple river access points, restored riparian habitat and improved connections to Main Street and Centennial Park. Christopher Marsenoski, a Port partner, said the team worked with stakeholders and the public over nine months and will deliver the written report around June 26.
The plan divides the site into three zones: a First Street entry with a plaza and a large-vehicle takeout; a park core with a sunken flexible plaza, shade pavilion and a nature-based playground; and a river-recreation zone with accessible crossings, a rebuilt diversion and a gravel “Sand Creek Beach.” Marsenoski emphasized constraints including the floodplain, extensive easements (power lines, sewer and rail), and the Oil Creek Ditch, for which the ditch company has provided a letter of support. "Maintaining the decreed delivery of their water rights is central to our consideration of the ditch," he said.
Port offered planning-level costs and a phased approach. The consultants reported a preliminary total of about $19 million for the full master plan — roughly $700,000 per acre — and recommended beginning with pilot and safety work before completing essential park infrastructure and amenity elements. Nick Jabs, a Port principal, described the pilot/safety bucket as focused on Centennial Park improvements and replacing the diversion/headgate and piping portions of the ditch, with a combined early-phase estimate near $5 million; essential projects were estimated at roughly $8 million and additional amenities at about $6.4 million.
Council members and commissioners praised the public engagement process and the design. Planning Commissioner Ashley Smith said the consultants "listened and reflected" and noted high turnout at public events. Council members asked detailed questions about parking (the plan shows roughly 100 regular spaces and 18 oversized spaces near First Street, with additional spots around takeouts), pedestrian and bicycle crossings at First Street and U.S. 50, public-safety access, fishing and river-safety accommodations. Ryan Stevens, the city administrator, said staff will deliver the consultant report to the planning commission in July for a recommendation to council.
The consultants noted funding will require phased work and competitive grant applications. Marsenoski cited a Trust for Public Land report on parks ROI and said potential grant sources could support projects of this type, but stressed there is no guarantee grants will be secured. "There are a fair number of potential grant funding sources," he said, adding that community and stakeholder support will strengthen applications.
The meeting produced no formal votes. Instead, both bodies signaled broad support and directed staff to proceed: finalize the written report, present it to the planning commission in July for recommendation to council, and pursue grant and budgeting options thereafter.
