Mountain Recreation District launches master plan and feasibility study to guide future recreation services
Mountain Recreation/Courtesy photo
Mountain Recreation District has launched a districtwide master planning process and feasibility study to guide the future of its programs, facilities and services across western Eagle County.
The district serves 33,000 residents across 880 square miles from Edwards to Dotsero and surrounding communities. It operates facilities including the Edwards Field House, Freedom Park in Edwards, McCoy Equestrian Center, Eagle Pool and Ice Rink, Eagle Sports Complex, Gypsum Recreation Center, Gypsum Creek Pool, and the Dotsero Playground. The planning effort will help ensure Mountain Recreation continues to meet the community’s recreation needs as the region grows and changes.
The planning process will evaluate current recreation offerings, identify community needs and assess opportunities to support long-term growth and sustainability. The study will result in a roadmap to help inform decision-making, prioritize investments and align services with community values over the next decade and beyond.
Mountain Recreation has contracted BerryDunn, a professional services firm, to lead the planning effort. The consulting team brings experience working with parks and recreation agencies throughout Colorado and will support the district through data analysis, community engagement and feasibility evaluation.
“This process is about identifying what Mountain Recreation wants to be in the next five, 10 or 15 years. Or, in other terms, what do we want to be when we grow up?” said Ture Nycum, executive director of Mountain Recreation, in a press release. “The master plan will help us translate the community’s feedback on recreational wants and needs into a clear path forward that is grounded in data and focused on the future.”
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Community engagement will be a central component of the process. Residents and stakeholders will have opportunities to share feedback through surveys, public meetings and targeted outreach. Input gathered throughout the study will help identify service gaps, evaluate facility needs and shape recommendations for future programming and capital improvements.
“The goal is to understand the needs of our community,” Nycum said. “By reaching out to all community groups and demographics, we can make decisions that best serve the community and support long-term recreation services. An effective recreation district is a reflection of the community it serves, and that is what we are striving to achieve.”
The feasibility component of the study will examine capital, operational and financial considerations related to potential facility improvements or expansions, including the need for additional indoor recreational and ice-skating space. Findings will help Mountain Recreation understand what options are viable and sustainable while continuing to serve a diverse and growing population.
The master plan and feasibility study are expected to conclude in fall 2026, with results presented to the board of directors and shared with the community. More information about the planning process and upcoming engagement opportunities is available at bit.ly/PlayGrowThrive.
