Preparing for Back-to-School

Improving the 12th Street medians near Colorado Mesa University was completed in early August. Smaller low height plants will be added this spring to beautify the spaces, reduce the amount of foot traffic outside the designated crosswalks and improve safety. The department has also recently supported the back-to-school effort by improving the playgrounds and landscaping at the six schools that have an agreement with the City: Chipeta, Bookcliff, Pear Park, Pamona, East and Wingate. At these schools, the City maintains the school yard with the agreement that those grounds double as a public park during non-school hours and the gyms are used for department programming. In the picture, a park staff member is spreading engineered food fiber surfacing to ensure student safety at Chipeta Elementary. The Department is exploring partnership with the Chipeta Parent Teacher Organization and School District #51 to pursue a Colorado Health Foundation grant to install artificial turf.

Water-Wise and Native Landscapes

The Parks Division strives to be intentional about landscaping fitting the region. The goal is to conserve water while also providing green infrastructure. Part of this shift is to provide fewer passive spaces (medians, etc.) planted in turf grass. A traditional lawn requires a lot of water. In spaces where people do not spend time, the department is opting for more xeric or water wise plantings. These planting spaces are composed of native grasses and flowers. They highlight plant material that is less traditional, more appealing to pollinators, and more resilient to drought. Establishment is more labor intensive on the front end, however, once established which occurs after about two years, these spaces provide more color and interest year-round than the traditional bluegrass lawn. For more information, a link to a native lawn fact sheet is provided here.

Playgrounds Awaiting Parts

Several of the Department’s 25 playgrounds are awaiting parts to refurbish or finalize areas of the playground. Staff have posted informational signage and blocked off unusable parts of playgrounds to ensure safety of patrons. Post-pandemic, stock for replacement parts is much less available and must be manufactured. Coupled with supply chain issues, exceptionally long wait times for replacement parts are being experienced in municipalities across the country.

Updated Pricing Structure at Lincoln Park and Orchard Mesa Pool

As part of the 2022 budget process, City Council approved changes to fees at the Lincoln Park pool and Orchard Mesa pool. By modernizing our pool admissions structure, the department will be in a better position should the new Community Recreation Center at Matchett Park be approved. Comparing the full year of 2021 to 2022 Year-to-Date, the number of passes (annual and punch cards) has doubled, going from 462 to 929.

Root For Our Trees Program

With over 350 requests for service, the Root for Our Trees program has been effective in protecting Grand Junction’s tree canopy. City Council’s vision has come to fruition. Over 370 ash trees have been treated. As part of the program, residents whose tree is identified for removal can qualify for the $100 rebate to replace their tree. Treatment of public trees is continuing as well. There are 1,249 trees have been treated with systemic trunk applications. The treatment lasts an average of three years. Trees have been noted by markings near the base of the trunk. Blue dots mean the tree will be treated this year, green dots mean it was treated last year and black dots mean the trees are too far gone for treatment and slated for removal. Removals happen over the winter when they are less labor intensive.