Residents of Snowmass Village want more opportunities for recreation and town officials are listening. Morgan Neely has more about the town’s strategic plan for expanding its offerings.
It’s a typical afternoon at the Snowmass Rec Center. Bikes spin, treadmills whir, baskets are made and missed.. Although the slopes are open and snow covers the surrounding ridges, swimmers splash in the outdoor pools.
Throw in a skate park, nordic trails, sports leagues and you get the idea. There’s already lots to do in this town of fewer than 3,000 people. But that hasn’t stopped officials from seeking public input on future additions to recreation here.
“People want more lap lanes here at the rec center,” recreation director Andy Worline said. “They want more water features, they would like a steam room and sauna.”
Worline says his department received more than 350 responses to a recent survey on the resort town’s amenities. Those are being compiled for a Parks, Open Space, Trails and Recreation master plan. The word “more” comes up a lot.
“People want more trails,” he said. “They want more beginner trails, more downhill trails, easier access to the mountains.”
Of course, not all comments were positive.
“We’re not doing enough for signage on our trails for dogs on leash, for an example,” Worline said. “It was one we heard over and over.”
And Worline gets lots of calls about dog waste left on trails.
“I’ll point to a note that I look at every morning … we have 18 poop stations that have the poop bags, pickup bags, and a trash can,” he said.
Officials hosted an open house at the rec center in February and Worline presented feedback from that event to town council on March 7. A steering committee will work on a draft plan for the next few months. Then the public will get a chance to see the plan in May. Council will begin work on refining and adopting it this summer.
For now, though, Worline has one bit of advice for Snowmass residents.
“It is here, and it is gorgeous,” he said. “Come use it. That’s what I want to see.”
For Aspen Public Radio News, I’m Morgan Neely.