Kids-only fishing pond approved for construction

EAGLE — The Eagle Town Board last week welcomed proposal to transform an existing drainage pond at Eagle Ranch into a designated kids-only fishing amenity.

The $100,000 project will be built with money generated from the Eagle Ranch real estate transfer tax. When the development was first approved, a portion of tax imposed on real estate transactions in Eagle Ranch was earmarked for wildlife protection and mitigation projects. A board oversees expenditures for the tax and proposed the fishing pond project.

Jaime Harrison, a representative for the wildlife fund board, presented the plan for the drainage pond currently located closest to Brush Creek, just east of Capitol Street. Harrison noted the improvement will not increase the area of the current pond, but it will involve increasing the depth of the area to an estimated 9 feet. At that depth the pond will support stocked fish, which children up to age 12 can catch and keep.

“The plan is not for the general population to come and harvest fish,” Harrison said. He noted signs will be installed at the site instructing users that the pond is intended for children only.

Other improvements that will be needed at the pond will be bank stabilization and installation of an aerator. “There is going to be a limited amount of maintenance required each year,” Harrison said, noting the town would likely pay between $400 and $500 for maintenance, not including staff time.

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“I think it is a really cool idea and we should do it,” said town board member Andy Jessen.

After a series of questions dealing with the specifics of the pond structure and operation, the town board members directed staff to create a resolution approving the plan, with the caveat that the wildlife committee will pay associated maintenance costs for the first five years of operation.

Haymeadow Agreement

After months of negotiation, the town board approved a memorandum of understanding to address the dedication of the school/recreation parcel and trail extension issues related to the Haymeadow development.

During the past three months, the town board sent notices of default to Haymeadow regarding various outstanding issues. The last of those concerns were resolved with by the town board Tuesday night.

“The spirit of this is what we were seeking, which was cooperation both fronts,” said town board member Kevin Brubeck.

Eagle Mayor Yuri Kostick and member Doug Seabury recused themselves from the discussions.