Colorado Parks and Recreation Association Columbine Award for Innovation to the City of Grand Junction

The City of Grand Junction was awarded the Columbine Award for Innovation for the River Park at Las Colonias.  These awards recognize excellence in parks and recreation across the State.  The River Park was built to restore 14 acres of riparian area improving habitat and ecology in the adjacent river.  It is a part of the larger transformation of the riverfront that was formerly an area replete with non-native vegetation and traces of the form uses of migrant farm housing, a junkyard, and a uranium mill.

Handball Shelter Available at Canyon View Park

The Handball shelter is now available to be rented at Canyon View Park.  With extensive construction and improvements to the intersections of G and 24 Roads, the Handball shelter has been closed since July 2021.  The Handball shelter reopened for rentals on September 6, 2022.

Extensive Tree Planting Continuing

In Certified arborists recommend targeting spring or fall as the two best options for tree planting in Colorado. With the start of fall, the City's urban forestry program is developing and executing plans for over 100 new trees to be planted around the City over the next 6 weeks. Key projects include: 25 new cottonwood shade trees along the Las Colonias River Park ($5K funding from CDPHE Active People Healthy Colorado), 35 trees along the Riverside Parkway, completing street tree planting requests from homeowners, new trees for Canyon View Park, and more. 

Softball is in Full Swing

The fall adult softball season has begun! This season’s registration is the largest single season based on the number of teams in over five years. There are 78 teams registered (about 15 players per team) and for the first time in over 15 years, there is an all-women’s division on Tuesday nights. Investments in the park including the new LED lights on all four of the softball fields are retaining and attracting participants.

Fences Removed

Fencing around the space known as the "splash pad" at 5th and Main was removed recently. Because of continued drought conditions, controversy over the fountain, and the current unwanted activities in this space, the fence was removed to open up and beautify the space. The department will be defining the area again with more benches and using the space to expand the container planting program in this location. The horticulture program's continued success with annual flowers has made a big impact on the experience downtown. Future plantings will re-invigorate this location, which has been fenced off for years.

Take Part In Art - Rocket Park

In The first Take Part in Art at Rocket Park on September 10, 2022, was successful with over 150 people and families in attendance.  This event was a great opportunity for community members to learn about and become involved in the creative and cultural organizations available in Grand Junction.

Adopt-a-Trail Program

The Parks and Recreation Department has launched an Adopt-a-Trail Program in which volunteer groups provide litter clean-up along the trail. This will help ensure the highest quality user experience for the more than 20 miles of hard surface trails in the parks and recreation system, including the Riverfront Trail and the Monument Loop. The department thanks the Davis Law Group, which is the inaugural adopter of a trail segment between 5th Street and Broadway. Signage showing the adoption will be posted at each end of the segment to recognize the volunteer group.