Cordova Park Minor Subdivision & Rezoning

The new Billy Cordova Memorial Park and Trail will provide our residents with an accessible public park within walking distance of the majority of population growth in Buena Vista. The significance of this park is two-fold. First, the location is strategic in providing an outdoor recreation opportunity in the area of town that is growing most rapidly, but does not currently have a park. Additionally, the connecting trail will link this area to the east side of town, which at present is not easily accessible by non-vehicle transportation. Second, the community has chosen to name the park after Billy Cordova, a beloved firefighter and community member who passed away in 2022. In turn, the facility will have first responder themed playground equipment and a meaningful memorial as a central art piece for the park. With much community input, the Town of Buena Vista has developed a plan that will serve all generations and all physical abilities of our population by including elements in the park for everyone. The park will consist of play structures, fitness features, sensory boxes, a large shade structure, a multi-use turf area, a concrete multi purpose court, a labyrinth, a dog run, and restrooms. Cordova Park will be the only park in our region with fully accessible elements and adaptive equipment. Through massive community involvement, matching funds, and the Great Outdoors Colorado Community Impact Fund, we hope to build an equitable community gathering space for all ages and abilities for generations to come.

The Buena Vista community has developed a park design that includes elements for all generations and all physical abilities. An initial plan for the park was developed in 2019 with significant input to the layout and features. Town staff have continued to work with our community to strategically update the previous design and draft a master plan for Cordova Park that will be a valuable asset to all residents of our Town and the surrounding area. The rapid growth on the southwest side of Buena Vista, along with the true lack of any nearby park area or connecting trail, have made this a top priority for the Town to pursue in 2023. The urgency of developing this outdoor space is real, and Town is on track to have many features completed during 2023.

Cordova Park will be the only park in our region with fully accessible elements and adaptive equipment. The plan includes a sheltered picnic area to act as a gathering place and rest area for park visitors looking to relax and socialize. This element will be centrally located in the park and will be key for creating a true community space. In addition to the elements at the park itself, the plan incorporates the connection of the park into Town’s existing trail system. This 1,700 foot trail will be built to the standard of our existing trails, 8 feet wide with crusher fines, and will help us connect the west side of town to the existing Peaks View Trail, making the total trail a mile long and completing the connection to the rest of town and other amenities.

Cordova Park will be the only fully accessible park in the region. We imagine this as a park that will not only serve those of differing physical abilities in Buena Vista, but in our entire valley. There will be, for the first time, a place in our town where children of all abilities can play shoulder-to-shoulder. The park will also cater to neurodivergent children, specifically with the addition of sensory boxes and a fence around the playground. The aging population also tends to be unheard in communities. Due to feedback from this segment of our population at our community meetings, Cordova Park will have numerous elements that aim to meet the needs of our aging population, including a shade structure, exercise stations, fully accessible pathways, and a labyrinth.

Currently, we have a community group that meets bi-weekly to work on park development. This group is made up of neighbors to the proposed park, parents of young children, business owners in the community, Town staff, older adults, and a member of the Recreation Advisory Board. There are partnerships with the Town, Chaffee County, our local school district, and numerous local contractors. All of these partners are invested monetarily or through in-kind donations, along with giving input on their hopes and dreams for Cordova Park.

In addition to our community group, our current community engagement includes an input meeting (hosted on 1/26/23) to give feedback on our updated concept. In addition to the community at large and representatives from all of our community partners, representatives from the following agencies were invited: Colorado Autism Consultants, Chaffee County Fire, Area Council on Aging, Chaffee County Early Childhood Development Council, Buena Vista Single Track Coalition, Trails Advisory Board, Recreation Advisory Board, and Achieve. The Recreation staff has pursued meetings with each of these agencies as well to get one-on-one feedback with their expertise.

Town has submitted a concept application to Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) that includes our updated site plan and budget to support the full completion of this project over the next 24 months. If approved, Town will have an opportunity to apply for a large Community Impact Grant through GOCO that will need to be completed by March 20th (awards announced in June) to get us to the finish line in terms of funding. If you are interested in learning more and or being a part of this significant recreation capital project, please reach out to us at BV Recreation. We would love to have your support.

This project also entails two distinct development review processes:

• Minor subdivision - to consolidate the existing four lots into a single lot
• Rezoning -to change the zoning of the land from R-1 Residential to OSR - Open Space Recreation