The Cortez Kiwanis Club’s plan to develop a tricycle track for toddlers at a pocket park bearing their namesake got a unanimous green light from the Cortez City Council on Tuesday night.
Before the vote, Parks and Recreation director Dean Palmquist said those who attended the March 13 public meeting on the potential tricycle park were mostly in favor of the plan, although some were concerned about parking, additional traffic along the dead-end street, as well as potential vandalism and use by skateboarders and bikers.
Kiwanis member Jim Muller stressed that as a youth-enrichment focused organization, the development of the park is something in line with what the club stands for and is intended to be a boon for local families.
“Some did speak a little more about concerns (at the neighborhood meeting) but it’s not our intent to build a whole other city park, it’s still a neighborhood pocket park. In the beginning, it might be popular, but after the newness wears off, I think traffic concerns will minimize.”
While some viewed the park’s unique theme as a boon to the neighborhood and parents with toddlers looking for safe, age-appropriate place to play, not all were on board.
Shady Lane resident Ken Wagoner told the city council Tuesday night that he was concerned about the heightened interest and corresponding traffic that would come from developing such a niche park.
“When you create a niche market and want to drive toddlers and moms out this area, you’re going to increase traffic on a dead-end street with no parking,” he said. “I feel we’re taking a neighborhood park and turning it into a city park. ...I have a toddler myself, and I’m not for this.”
Dottie Wade, a resident of the neighborhood and donor of the land, said she thought some of the concerns “were not completely justified.”
“It’s so out of the way of general traffic that I think it would, resolve that. ...Sometimes we have trouble telling people where we live,” said Wade. “I think there is adequate parking for small groups, and in the long run, something like this is enhancement to the value of entire subdivision. ...I hope the city would look at this as an enhancement to this neighborhood; the growth is headed in that direction.”
The Kiwanis Club of Cortez is putting $15,000 of its own funds toward the tricycle track’s development and is seeking a grant that would cover the remaining costs.
Muller said he hopes to hear about the status of the grant in July, and will come back to the council about next steps.
Realtor picked for park sales
In other council news, Ken Williamson of RE/MAX Mesa Verde Realty was selected by the council to market and sell lots in the Cortez Industrial Park.
In 2014, the city acquired about 19 acres for use as an industrial park. The property currently has an office building and metal storage building on-site, and the city hopes to sell off some of the lots to spur economic development in the new park.
Rick Smith, director of services for the City of Cortez, said that after issuing two RFPs and not getting any responses, the city approached four local real estate brokerages and two responded: Southwest Realty and RE/MAX Mesa Verde Realty.
Williamson of RE/MAX was the lowest bidder, with a six percent commission fee. His contract is for two years. The council approved his selection unanimously.