One of the guiding principles of the 2010 Comprehensive Plan
is a “Grand Green System of Connected Recreational Opportunities.”
Orchard Mesa has about 50 acres of park lands providing a variety
of facilities (Table 10). City parks include Duck Pond Park, Eagle
Rim Park and Dixson Park; Burkey Park South is undeveloped. Mesa County
parks include Arlington/Oxford Park, Lynwood Park, Teardrop Park,
Veterans/Lions Park and Village 9.
Other recreational facilities include the Orchard Mesa Community
Pool, operated by the City of Grand Junction through a Memorandum
of Understanding with Mesa County Valley School District 51 and Mesa
County. The 95-acre Mesa County Fairgrounds at Veteran’s Memorial
Park includes the Orchard Mesa Little League fields, BMX track, and
equestrian facilities, as well as open space.
Chipeta Golf Course is a privately owned 18-hole golf course.
School playgrounds and sports fields provide additional facilities
for local residents. However, availability is dependent on school
schedules, policies, and funding. As of the writing of this plan,
the Orchard Mesa Middle School tennis and volleyball courts are not
available for use by the public due to fiscal constraints. Private
parks are located in some subdivisions, for use by subdivision residents.
(Ord. 4629, 5-7-14)
One of the guiding principles of the Grand Junction Comprehensive
Plan is to have a “Grand Green System” of connected parks,
trails, and open space. The Comprehensive Plan summarizes parks by
type – mini, neighborhood, community and regional, and
their related service areas, with radii that range from one-quarter
mile to 10 miles. Many existing Orchard Mesa neighborhoods lie outside
park service areas, indicating that there is a need for additional
neighborhood and community parks. The Comprehensive Plan provides
detail on levels of service (Figure 10).
Figure 10: Park Service Areas
|
The Comprehensive Plan specifically references the concept of
Confluence Park, to be located at the junction of the Colorado and
Gunnison Rivers. The future high school site, located at the northwest
corner of B Road and 30 1/2 Road, could include sports fields to serve
regional recreation needs.
Table 10: Park Inventory
|
---|
Name
|
Jurisdiction
|
Acres
|
Type
|
---|
Arboreteum
|
Mesa County
|
1.2
|
Walking paths; amphitheater
|
Arlington/Oxford
|
Mesa County
|
2
|
Open space
|
Burkey South
|
Grand Junction
|
10
|
Open space/future park; trailhead for Old Spanish Trail
|
Dixson
|
Grand Junction
|
2
|
Open space; picnic area; sports fields
|
Duck Pond
|
Grand Junction
|
4.4
|
Playground; picnic area
|
Eagle Rim Park
|
Grand Junction
|
12
|
Playground; picnic area; skate park; trails; access to Old Mill
Bridge/Colorado Riverfront Trail
|
Lynwood
|
Mesa County
|
2
|
Playground; picnic area
|
Mesa County Fairgrounds
|
Mesa County
|
85
|
Picnic area; open space; equestrian activities; BMX course;
ball fields
|
Orchard Mesa Pool
|
GJ/MC/Dist. 51
|
n/a
|
Indoor swimming
|
Teardrop
|
Mesa County
|
1
|
Open space; picnic tables
|
Veterans/Lions Park
|
Mesa County
|
7
|
Green space; picnic tables; volleyball; Veteran’s Memorial
|
Village 9 East
|
Mesa County
|
1.8
|
Playground; picnic tables
|
Village 9 West
|
Mesa County
|
7.5
|
Open space
|
Schools
|
Mesa County Valley School District No. 51
|
n/a
|
Playgrounds and sports fields at schools
|
Chipeta Golf Course
|
Private
|
124
|
18-hole golf course, driving range, tennis course
|
(Ord. 4629, 5-7-14)
Bridges connecting to the Colorado Riverfront Trail are located
at Eagle Rim Park (Old Mill Bridge) and 32 1/2 Road off C 1/2 Road.
Other access points are across the river via the 5th Street Bridge
and the 29 Road Bridge. The Orchard Mesa area includes a few bike
and pedestrian facilities along streets, mostly in incorporated neighborhoods,
but has little in the way of dedicated bike and pedestrian trails
(Appendix Map 13). Trails connecting the Colorado Riverfront Trail
and the Old Spanish Trail as well as connections across the Gunnison
River at the Black Bridge site have been identified by residents as
desirable routes. A bike and pedestrian path along Highway 50 is a
high priority. The Urban Trails Master Plan identifies existing and
future routes for bike facilities and trails.
One of the most significant assets of Orchard Mesa, both recreationally
and culturally, is the Old Spanish Trail North Branch. Together with
the Gunnison River Bluffs, they are known as the Sisters Trails. The
area provides open space, hiking and biking, and opportunities to
enjoy the natural setting. The north trailhead is a parking area located
at the Burkey Park South property, which is undeveloped. Trail users
must use Valley View Drive and Sunlight Drive, passing through a residential
neighborhood to get to the trail. The southern trailhead is located
in Whitewater, on Coffman Road. The trails pass through land owned
by the BLM, Mesa County, City of Grand Junction, and private parties.
The Old Spanish Trail is seven miles long, while the Gunnison River
Bluffs Trail runs for eight miles. The draft Sisters Trails Plan has
been prepared and will be considered for adoption in the near term.
The plan identifies possible trailhead and interpretive improvements
and emphasizes partnerships to implement the plan. The Old Spanish
Trail Association is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to
promoting awareness of the Old Spanish Trail and its multicultural
heritage. The local chapter serves as an advocate for the North Branch
of the trail, partnering with government and other organizations to
promote the trail as well as maintain and make improvements to the
trail.
The Palisade Fruit and Wine Byway begins at 32 and C Roads and
provides a 25-mile loop route for bicyclists and motorists touring
the orchards and wineries of Orchard Mesa to Palisade. The majority
of the Orchard Mesa portion of the Byway places the bike route within
existing roadways.
(Ord. 4629, 5-7-14)