Proposed whitewater park near Fort Collins in Lions Park, LaPorte

What we might get is …

Video: What is a Whitewater Park?

Two or three kayakable features, good from mid-April to mid-September (down to 100-200 cfs), in a park setting along 300-700 yards of the Cache La Poudre River, with eddies, current and access, integrated with improved fish habitat and fishing access.

To meet the desires of both the paddling community and the landowners (the Division of Wildlife), we are seeking a design that showcases the integration of a whitewater play park with enhanced fish habitat and fishing. Conflicts between these user groups have been a problem in the past, and in the design and implementation of some other parks – we’d like to show how well a win: win can be done.

This is a separate initiative from the play park designed for the Poudre River near College Ave (which the City of Fort Collins has on hold, pending further information on the Northern Integrated Supply Plan and who knows what else) – we see these two projects as complementing each other rather than being in competition.

Where is it?

Lions Park, Overland Trail, LaPorte:

Whose land is it?

Lions Park is managed by the Larimer County Open Lands Program. The section of riverbed and banks needed to create a whitewater park is mostly owned by the Colorado Division of Wildlife, Rose and James Brinks (who support the idea), The Grant Family Trust and Margaret Hyde (I haven’t spoken to them yet) and the City of Fort Collins.

Property ownership near the proposed whitewater park site

What this site already has, which should keep costs to a minimum …

• Over 9′ of elevation drop
• Public toilets (=changing rooms)
• River access
• Trail access
• Fewer diversions than further downstream
• Riverside seating
• Picnic shelter
• Picnic tables
• Drinking water
• Pathways
• Access to Frisbee golf course
• Colorado Division of Wildlife information board
• Heritage area information
• Trash collection
• Solar-powered air compressor
• Gated parking
• Close proximity to Overland Trail (arterial roadway)
• Close proximity (0.4 mi) to LaPorte shopping district

Where are we in the process?

We have had very positive discussions with Larimer County representatives, adjacent landowners and staff at the Colorado Division of Wildlife – we have not hit any major roadblocks yet.

Because the land belongs to the Colorado Division of Wildlife we MUST have DOW approval/support in order to proceed. They will only be able to support the project if it is consistent with their mission – “The mission of the CDOW is to perpetuate the wildlife resources of the state and provide people the opportunity to enjoy them.” So we MUST integrate improved fish habitat and fishing in this proposal – but this has been done before, so this should not be a problem, it’s just a matter of addressing the needs of both parties in the design and implementation of the project. It’s a great opportunity to show how well it can be done.

What’s next? How can you help?

We need letters* of support immediately from EVERYONE who might benefit from this project – preferably in hand by the 22nd July. If you address your correspondence to “Larimer County Open Lands Program” and send us the emails, we will print them out and pass them on to the County. Please send them to us at: laporte-playpark@poudrerockreport.com, or complete the form below and we will pass on your letter to the County.

We are presenting the concept to the Larimer County Open Lands Advisory Board on July 22nd. It would be great to have lots of warm bodies to support the proposal. It will be in the Loveland Council Chambers at 500 E 3rd St in Loveland. Mandy will do a 10-15 min Powerpoint presentation at 5:30-5:45 and there will a limited opportunity for others to speak after that. Then the Advisory board will deliberate about what actions, if any, might follow.

We would like:

• Letters of support (see above and below)
• Supporters to attend the Open Land Advisory Board meeting, 22nd July
• Offers of funding, or ideas about how to raise money, again!
• Offers of assistance with all aspects of project
• Offers of expertise
• Offers of donated materials (especially large rocks delivered to the site)

* Letters of support (ideas to cut and paste)

• I’m a kayaker and want a whitewater park nearby to be able to hone my skills and have fun
• I’m a fisherman/woman and would enjoy having better access to the river and more fish available to catch
• It would be a useful expansion of the recreational opportunities at Lions Park
• It would be the first of its kind in Larimer County
• It could be a showcase of collaboration between kayaking and fishing interests
• A whitewater park would not only provide boating opportunities earlier and later than the usual season
• There is nothing like a whitewater park for developing skills, you can practise the same moves over and over on a consistent feature
• Enhancing the diversity of habitats in this stretch of river would add to the opportunities to teach about hydrology, ecology and paddling skills for Cache La Poudre Middle School, and the local rafting/kayaking companies
• With improved river habitat for the fish, there could be more fish and improved fishing
• Its close enough to Fort Collins to visit during lunchtime
• It would provide a nearby place to learn about river safety – having current, waves, holes and eddies, even later into the season
• A whitewater park provides both entertainment and recreational opportunities to those using the Pleasant Valley and Poudre River Trails

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