Mission Statement
Work with the community to prepare a visionary, inspiring and realizable master plan that identifies and prioritizes future improvements to the Fairplay River Park. Based upon community vision and goals, the document will include recommendations for growing the trail network, identifying possible active and passive recreational opportunities, environmental and habitat improvements and educational opportunities with a specific implementable plan for the Town of Fairplay to use over time.
Key Objectives
- The master plan must be prudent and practical in order to maximize the site’s potential as a tourist destination while protecting and enhancing a healthy river system.
- Provide activities for people of all age groups and abilities.
- Provide quality recreation, accessible parks, open space and trails while maintaining a balance between passive use and natural areas.
- Provide strong connections to the downtown area.
- Preserve and interpret historic attributes of the corridor.
- Review and expand upon the CCCD plan. Utilize and incorporate other previously prepared documents including the Town of Fairplay’s comprehensive plan.
- Recognize the role that the river, floodplain, and wetland protection plays in the economic and environmental health of the community.
- Incorporate undeveloped portions of the site and additional river corridor into the master plan to ensure an overall compatibility with any future active or passive development.
- Incorporate the siting of the Visitors Center and gateway signage into the master plan, realizing its importance to tourism and increased use of the river park.
- Maintain and enhance the Middle Fork of the South Platte River environment by minimizing the destruction, loss or degradation of wetlands, preserving and establishing appropriate buffer zones and re-establishing critical stream functions where appropriate.
- Identify priority conservation areas to be maintained and enhanced to reestablish critical stream functions and services including positive interaction of corridor development and the floodplain.
- Develop a master plan that is realizable and can be phased (Phased independent of each other) for future funding and construction based upon wishes of the Town citizens and within the budget constraints and ability to secure grant money.
