Thanks to all who attended the final open house on November 12th. Digital documents are available here. For other project documents please visit this link.
Project Update
The final public open house for the Staunton State Park Master Plan was held on November 12, 2009. Revisions to the Plan addressing comment from the public, the State Parks Board, the Master Plan Advisory Council (MPAC) and State Parks staff have been resolved and the updated plans were very well received. The plans exhibited at this final open house can be referenced here.
Since the final public open house, the planning team has been preparing a Master Plan document that summarizes the entire two-year planning process and makes recommendations about potential phasing for Staunton State Park. This guiding document will lead all future development proposed for the park and will ensure that the vision, defined within the Master Plan, will be kept for future generations as they direct and implement the park improvements.
Phase One – Day Use Park
The initial phase for Staunton State Park as defined by the master plan will be as a Day Use Park that will set the direction for sustainable development of the park, while providing safe access from Elk Creek Road and establishing primary circulation patterns for future park use. A first phase of the Park Office/Visitors Center will be important to help greet and orient visitors, and introduce them to the various natural amenities of the site. An interpretive trail for outdoor education will be placed in the lower camp connecting the Park Office/Visitor Center to a group picnic area and the Davis Ponds. A multiuse trail loop will provide access to the major destinations within the site including the Lion's Head overlook and access to Pike National Forest to the north. Single-track hiking trails will provide access to some more sensitive locations in the site such as the fragile canyon above Elk Falls. Adequate parking and comfort stations will be provided in this phase to support the proposed amenities. This first phase will allow user access and promote the natural assets of the park while easing into infrastructure investment. Subsequent phases that can be found in the master plan document will yield limited camping, small cabins and potentially an outdoor education center and small museum, if project partnerships can be established.
The Master Plan document is currently being reviewed internally and then will be presented to the State Parks Board for their final review and approval in January, 2010. Upon final approval of the Master Plan, State Parks staff and the planning team will define a timeline to initiate the first phase of implementation.
Here's a video describing the Master Planning process
Documents from the final Public Open House are available here.
Documents from Public Open House #4 are available here.
Staunton State Park is expected to open as the 43rd State Park in the Colorado State Park System. The park is currently not open to the public and will remain closed until a full public planning process is completed and park infrastructure has been constructed. The Master Plan is the first step in that public process.
The Staunton State Park web site contains information on the history and background of the park, describes natural resources as well as the current planning process.
