#Dillon, Colorado.
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| Courtesy of Dillon Public Works |
Shrubs, alpine grasses and blossoming crabapple trees will breathe new life into Dillon’s Marina Park this spring. Plans include adding several picnic tables, terracing and paths, in addition to more than 500 shrubs, along with several spruce trees, aspens, chokecherry, crabapple and maple trees. Part of the goal is to loosen the park’s compacted soil and introduce new trees, after pine beetles deforested the shore several years ago.
“We wanted a mix of more native plant material that will thrive at our elevation and climate,” said Dillon Public Works director Scott O’Brien. “It’s going to be beautiful and appropriate. We can’t have as many trees as were there before, but we will be putting some in, as well as some shrubs.”
Dan Burroughs, an engineer with the town, said crews are currently installing fences and will start pouring concrete next week. Once a contractor is approved, irrigation and landscaping will begin April 21, with plans to complete the project by June 20.
“This is all, of course, weather permitting. You never know what’s going to happen in Summit County,” O’Brien said. “We’re trying not to inconvenience folks who want to use the park for the summer.”
Work to the park overlooking the mountain reservoir began last fall, as Ceres+ Landscape Architecture drew out plans. Now, Dillon Public Works hopes to bring in Baker and Associates Landscape Maintenance LLC to install irrigation and plant trees and shrubs.
The estimated total cost of the project, including landscaping, fencing, and concrete, comes in at $250,000. Baker and Associates’ bid came in at the lowest price, costing just over $140,000 for landscaping.
CLOSED FOR NOW
Until construction is completed on June 20, the park and playground will remain closed.
“It’s our most popular park right there on the lake, but during construction we need to keep that area closed for safety reasons,” Burroughs said.
As part of a new project, residents can pay Dillon’s Parks and Recreation Department to have bricks inscribed with text, company logos or pictures for the new walkway. Each brick will remain in place for 15 years.
Courtesy of the Summit Daily News.
