PRESS RELEASE
Public Input Requested for Herron Park and Ute Park Renovation Projects
Contact: Mike Tunte, Landscape Architect & Construction Manager, Parks and Open Space Department, City of Aspen, 970-429-2029 or Michael.tunte@cityofaspen.com
Aspen, CO – January 28, 2021 – The City of Aspen Parks and Open Space Department is seeking public input on proposed renovations to Herron Park and Ute Park. Both projects are scheduled for upgrades this spring through fall. The public can learn more about the projects and provide input on survey questions, brainstorm playground ideas, and offer narrative opinions at www.aspencommunityvoice.com.
The goal of the Herron Park project is to replace existing play structures with new equipment that fits within the aesthetic of the park.
“Herron Park is such a beloved spot in Aspen and community support is a crucial element of the upgrade project,” said Mike Tunte, Landscape Architect and Construction Manager for the Parks and Open Space Department. “There’s so many ways people use this park, from those who go daily with their kids to play to those who drop by once a year for an event or picnic. It’s the community’s park and their input will help shape the final look and feel of available amenities.”
The Aspen Community Voice page offers a variety of photos that capture relevant playground equipment to help participants envision what might be possible at Herron Park. In addition, the community is being asked about their overall values and aesthetics in order to align proposed upgrades with public sentiment as much as possible.
Ute Park, which is a quieter more natural park than Herron Park, has a renovation goal of maintaining a natural aesthetic while addressing disturbed areas for revegetation. Community feedback will help determine if aging playground equipment that was removed from Ute Park for safety reasons should be replaced or if natural restoration is a higher priority for the park.
Aspen Community Voice will be open for input on these projects through February. Community input will be integrated into design concepts that will be presented back to the public this spring.
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