Aug 1, 2019
A new eye-catching park in Breckenridge offers outdoor recreation to local families and tourists alike.
The Colorado Lottery will present a Starburst Award to the Town of Breckenridge for the River Park project. The award will be presented at the River Park a grand opening celebration on Floradora Drive on Wednesday, August 7 at 3 p.m. Members of the public are invited to attend.
Phase 1 of the $1.6 million project, completed last year, was made possible with a Lottery-funded Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) grant for $350,000 with another $350,000 GOCO grant earmarked for Phase 2. Although Breckenridge has a population of 4,700 residents, there are more than three million visitors each year, making River Park both a neighborhood jewel and a destination spot. The park is within walking distance of several schools, the Breckenridge Recreation Center, and several hundred workforce housing units, adding a valuable connection point in the town.
River Park’s play area integrates natural features, landscape and vegetation, giving children easy access to nature and the outdoors. The playground is artfully designed with woodcarvings, nature-based play structures, and climbing towers that are visible from Highway 9. The park also provides picnic areas, pavilion, restrooms, and ADA-accessible fishing landing. A new bike and pedestrian bridge connects to a recreation path that sees 20,000 users in the summer season alone.
Since 1984, Summit County has received nearly $11 million in Lottery proceeds, including $6.5 million from the Conservation Trust Fund and more than $4 million from GOCO.
The Colorado Lottery Starburst Awards recognize excellence in the use of Lottery proceeds in community projects implemented to enhance a community’s environment.
