MEEKER | It is always so rewarding for us here at ERBM to see our local parks come alive with activity in the spring season; whether it’s anglers at the new Circle Park Pond, bikes on the trails, teams on the fields, lunchtime fitness walkers, skaters at the action park, archers at the range, or any other healthy usage that builds the quality of life in our community we all enjoy. Several special ERBM updates that you’ll want to be sure to note this spring can be grouped into the following categories: Parks, Projects, and Programs.
Parks:
Arbor Day is an annual spring observance where citizens are encouraged to plant new trees and care for existing trees within their community. ERBM will recognize this year’s Arbor Day at Circle Park at 12 p.m. on Friday, April 23 with a public tree planting ceremony, as well as essay contest whereby citizens can submit a one page essay under the title “Why I Want a Tree” to the Meeker Recreation Center by April 16.
Another local park initiative includes ERBM’s recently adopted Tribute Tree and Memorial Bench Program whereby any interested citizen can donate a tribute tree or memorial bench to be placed in one of our public parks to celebrate an occasion or remember someone close to you. Learn more about this program at: https://www.erbmrec.com/tributetree or by calling ERBM’s Administrative Offices at 970-878-3403.
Projects:
The Meeker Recreation Center (MRC) will undergo some important maintenance work and infrastructure updates in May. Specifically, all MRC pools will be closed from Monday, May 3 through Sunday, May 23, as the lap and spa pools receive a full resurfacing, and the plumbing leak discovered last year under the pool deck near the pump operations room is excavated and repaired. Additionally, the full MRC facility will be closed Saturday, May 15 through Sunday, May 23, to accommodate normal deep cleaning and maintenance; new flooring installation in the fitness room, lounge and office areas; as well as several new technology updates for the center.
Finally, ERBM is thrilled to announce the Circle Park Pond Project Grand Opening and CPW Youth Fishing Day on Saturday, June 5 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Fishing instruction and associated activities will kick-off at 9 a.m. A short ceremony to recognize our many partners on the pond project will take place at 11 a.m., followed by a free lunch. Come on out for a great morning of celebration and activities for the whole family including cornhole and inflatable.
The details of the proposed second phase of Circle Park improvements and river corridor enhancements that ERBM has worked to collaboratively design and engineer in partnership with the Town of Meeker is currently available online at https://www.erbmrec.com/circleparkphase2. ERBM and the Town of Meeker welcomes feedback from the public on this project and will be actively reviewing all input as well as pursuing grant opportunities and additional partnerships before moving forward with any portion of this project.
Programs:
All the warm weather activity is especially exciting when viewed in light of the ongoing public health crisis and our continued collective efforts as a community to combat and overcome. This summer’s ERBM activity Line-Up brochure will be an online digital copy again as we work to remain responsive to fluctuations in public health restrictions related to parks and recreation. We do know that summer will be full of concerts, races, events and endless activities; so like our ERBM Facebook page, look for notices on registration dates for you and your family and get signed up early.
Finally, as ERBM navigates the local economic downturn in a thoughtful and strategic manner we are committed to ongoing transparency. Please review a copy of the ERBM 2020 Annual Report (https://www.erbmrec.com/annualreport) which highlights the tremendous efforts over the past year to continue providing as broad and holistic services as possible to the residents, visitors and future generations of Eastern Rio Blanco County.
By Sean VonRoenn – ERBM Executive Director
