Earth Moves – Waters Flow at North Gateway Park

Excavator Opening a Channel Between Ponds

Lamar officials will learn later this month, in the North Gateway Park has been approved to receive a $70,000 grant from the state’s ‘Fishing for Funds’ project for initial park improvements.  State Department of Parks and Wildlife Technician, Dave Miller, said recently, he and one or two local officials will make the presentation May 6 in Denver.  He added it may take two to three weeks to receive word if the application has been approved.  Miller said he’s optimistic, as he informed the Lamar City Council some time ago, “This project is at the top of the list for southeast Colorado.” 

Canal Connecting Second and Third Ponds

Lamar Parks and Recreation Director, Rick Akers, said the funds have been earmarked to provide a year-round restroom facility, a 20 by 30 fishing pier which will be ADA compliant and a shade structure. 

New excavation Work on East Edge of Pond

The improvements will be done around the first pond which is currently being re-graded for access to the water’s edge.  Akers said if the application is approved, the first three projects are geared to be completed in a year. 

Western View of Bridge from First Pond

Miller said that work is being completed on excavating a 30 foot canal which will unite the middle and third eastern-most pond at the 108 acre complex.  “This will make it easier for DPW employees to check on how well the fish stocks are doing,” he explained.  Several thousand fish have been stocked in the primary pond since last year. 

Seedlings Between First and Second Ponds, New Channel in Distance

This past Arbor Day, 190 seedling trees were planted by members of the Lamar Tree Board and numerous 5^th grade students in what will become a grove spanning the acreage between the first and second ponds.  Only the area around the first pond is open to the general public.  A portion of the park is fenced off from All-Rite Paving operations.

By Russ Baldwin