The North Fork Pool Park and Recreation District completed their public meetings held Nov. 10-11 in Crawford, Hotchkiss and Paonia. According to Esther Koontz, district administrator, only one person attended the Crawford meeting.

The 18 Paonia attendees seemed to want the recreation district to “maintain the status quo.” The Hotchkiss meeting brought out 21 members of the public. It was recommended that the recreation district should combine their efforts with the county, the school district, municipalities and other entities “to utilize and improve existing facilities that are available” and “to stop competing with each other for grant money.”

Ken Ballard of Ballard King and Associates was hired by the district to compile data, prepare the survey and conduct the public meetings. Utilizing the data, survey results and stakeholder and public comment, Ballard will draft the master plan. Koontz said, “The goal of the master plan is to identify the top priority recreation needs and desires of North Fork Valley residents to guide facility development, grant applications, and decision making for the next five to ten years.”

With stakeholders interviewed in September, public meetings held in November, the final phase of 1,200 surveys mailed randomly to district residents has been completed. Those who received the surveys are asked to immediately fill out the survey and return it in the pre-paid envelope. Those who didn’t attend the meetings or receive a survey may contact the district directly to voice their opinion. Call the district office at 872-6122, mail letters to P.O. Box 2093, Hotchkiss, CO 81419 or send e-mails to nfpool@tds.net.

The district was created in 1993 to build the outdoor swimming pool. Since then, the district has grown to include ball fields, a picnic area and playgrounds. The district assists in maintaining the Paonia Skate Park and the Apple Valley tennis courts.

“Research indicates that the availability of outdoor recreation opportunities leads to healthier, active lifestyles for people of all ages,” Koontz said.

At the three municipal meetings, Ballard asked the same questions. The Hotchkiss audience stated they use the pool and the ball fields at Crossroads near Hotchkiss High School. People said for recreation they play tennis, walk and bike, exercise at home, use the Bill Heddles facility in Delta, and use school and county facilities. When asked if their needs are being met the answers were “No” and “Not at all.”

Hotchkiss attendees said there is a need for more baseball fields, a centrally located indoor recreation facility, perhaps an indoor pool, more service from the pool bus, a driving range, walking trails and bike routes from Hotchkiss to the high school and open space for flying model planes.

Currently, the entire recreation budget is used for operating and maintaining its existing facilities.

Ballard will present the master plan draft with recommendations to the board in January. The master plan should be finalized in February and March. If area residents want to expand the boundaries of what is offered in the North Fork Valley, the district will go to the taxpayers and ask for a higher mill levy. If the majority of area residents want the status quo, the district will maintain what they have.

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