Garfield County grant supports Parachute trails plan

PRESS RELEASE
October 22, 2021

Garfield County has approved a $50,000 grant from its Conservation Trust Fund toward a new trails plan in the Town of Parachute. The funding will help Parachute realize its goal of a robust trails system in town that connects to trails in Battlement Mesa and the proposed Lower Valley Trail (LoVa), which would run from Parachute to Glenwood Springs, once complete.

The funding also supports the town’s efforts to connect its trails to the proposed Parachute Island Park, which will be on land located near the boat ramp on the Colorado River. The park will feature fishing docks, picnic areas, a disc golf course, and possibly tent camping. The total projected cost of the trails project is $60,000, with the Town of Parachute covering the additional $10,000.

Parachute Finance Director Teresa Beecraft to the Board of County Commissioners that the trail would begin at the northwest part of town, meet the boat ramp and island park, connect to Battlement Mesa, and continue through Turkey Trail Park and into the trails system there. In the future, the Parachute trails will also connect to Cottonwood Park and the Colorado Parks and Wildlife ponds area.

“The trail plan is going to run throughout the whole town,” she said. “We purchased 70 acres with the assistance of Garfield County in 2019, and part of those parcels connect to Bureau of Land Management land. … The trails will connect the north side of town to the south side of town.”

Beecraft added that Parachute is diversifying its economic development and the trails plan will help the town thrive, encourage outdoor recreation, and improve the quality of life for all residents of the town and Battlement Mesa.

“We’re excited to bring outdoor recreation to our side of the county,” she said. “We have a lot of beautiful things going on in Parachute.”

The grant request was approved unanimously, 3-0.

“That’s an exciting plan,” added Commissioner John Martin in his support.