Buena Vista resident and professional kayaker Dustin Urban who worked with his wife Katie to obtain the grant, said: “We are pleased that the trustees have unanimously approved this contract. That we were awarded a second river park grant from GOCO speaks to what a success our river park has already become.”

“We are also very excited about the bouldering park which this grant will fund,” Urban continued. “These two boulders will be integrated into the urban fabric of downtown and will be walking or biking distance for many residents. Now we have yet another outdoor activity which requires no driving, will provide our youth an opportunity to learn about climbing, and will attract a new set of outdoor enthusiasts to our downtown.”

Buena Vista resident and climber Mark Krasnow spoke during the public comment period in favor of the boulder park.

Urban previously wrote at South Main:

… we received word that the town of Buena Vista was awarded a grant to fund further improvements to our river park and the installation of two climbing boulders in South Main. On behalf of the town, my wife Katie and I wrote and coordinated the necessary materials for the Local Parks and Outdoor Recreation grant, which was awarded in December by Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) in the amount of $200,000. Matching funds, in kind contributions and community fundraising will bring the grant project total to $293,700….

The grant funds just awarded will fund maintenance and improvements for the four existing river park features as well the construction of two new features, which will likely be located downstream of what is currently the last feature in the river park. This new section will be located directly east of South Main’s River Park Square. Our hope is that they will serve as the venue for future kayaking and river events such as the Buena Vista Pro Rodeo.

The climbing boulders will be state of the art in quality and will cater to climbers of all levels, from toddler to pro. One will be located at the southern end of South Main’s River Park Square while the other will be located on town park land approximately 100 feet north of South Main’s north property line. This boulder will be tucked up against a small hill (which will serve as a windbreak) north of Swift Circle. We expect these boulders to be in place this coming summer. Grant funds will also be used for park improvements like the installation of benches and picnic tables, tree planting and trail connections between the north boulder, South Main and the river trails.

Read Urban’s article in its entirety.

Great Outdoors Colorado has committed approximately $578 million for more than 2,800 projects throughout the state since its inception in 1994.