Please stop by and be vocal about your support of a true whitewater recreation area in downtown Fort Collins today from 4-7 at The City Open House at The Lincoln Center.

You can stop by anytime. You’ll be walking into a room with 20-25 booths. All booths will be staffed by city employees who are there to tell you more about the projects listed at their booths. From the city’s point of view, the purpose of the open house is to educated and get feedback from the community on all of the projects related to the Poudre River. There will be a play area for kids and a cash bar for adults.

From the community stakeholder’s point of view the purpose to learn about and give feedback on the projects, so it’s a perfect forum to come and ask about why whitewater recreation/ a whitewater park isn’t currently a part of the presentation.

Currently, the recreation plan that’s in place is considering some in stream and out of stream improvements, but related to whitewater recreation the city is only formally considering a float park. The city has agreed to do a feasibility study on a whitewater park and wants to find out if there is much interest in this from the community. So, today is a big day to show community support. Keep in mind a true whitewater park/recreations area is not just limited to kayaking, but also will draw biking, walking, running, sitting, tubing, fishing, surfing, river boarding and swimming. All of which will help build a stronger sense of community through outdoors and recreation.

The section of the Poudre River downstream from College Ave would be an ideal location for a whitewater park, both for bringing in tourism from recreation and enjoyment by local residents. Other Colorado cities such as Lyons, Golden, Vail, Glenwood, and Steamboat have experience a dramatic increase in people watching and using their rivers after implementing whitewater parks. A true whitewater park in Fort Collins will bring money to local business and revitalize this area of downtown.

This probably goes without saying, but need to be very respectful and professional in our approach today. Today is an opportunity for us to take a step toward partnership with the city and get this project moving in the right direction. Each voice counts, so come even if you only have a few minutes. The key now is the city is going to complete a plan this fall that will include modifying the coy ditch (right downstream of college) and the rocks below, if this isn’t part of this plan formally at this time, then it’s unlikely that this will ever happen. This is a perfect time to create a whitewater park and we can make this happen if we unite and let the city know how much we want/need this.

You can really talk with anyone there, but make an effort to find John Stokes (he’s in charge of all of the projects in the corridor), Marty Hefferan (Head of Parks), Zoe Whyman, Kelly Dimartino, Darrin Atteberry, any City Council Members (especially your representative). Tell a personal story about why this is important to you/your family/your friends. It would be great to see broad representation from the community, so feel free to invite friends and co-workers.

Thanks!