Kayakers map out plans for paddle park in Poudre

FORT COLLINS — Kayaking enthusiasts are pouring new energy into a long-held dream of a whitewater paddle park in the Cache la Poudre River near downtown Fort Collins.

Earlier this month, proponents for the paddle park won the endorsement of the Fort Collins Downtown Development Authority, which agreed to fund up to $33,300 of the park’s startup costs. The DDA’s money is contingent upon approval of the park by Fort Collins city officials.

In that case, the kayakers might be paddling upstream.

At least one member of the city’s Natural Resources Advisory Board, which makes recommendations on development issues related to the river, said he’s skeptical about a whitewater facility on the Poudre.

“I’ve seen kayaking in courses in other communities — I don’t really like the looks of them,´ said Randy Fischer, a member of the Natural Resources Advisory Board for eight years. ” They tend to look pretty artificial. A lot of the ones I’ve seen don’t look too conducive for wildlife or fish habitat.”

Fischer advocates preservation of the Poudre River corridor as wildlife habitat, allowing movement of animals between the east side of Fort Collins and the foothills.

“The way it stands now, it’s pretty difficult for wildlife to move back and forth between the east and west sides of town,” he said.

Nate Donovan, chairman of the Natural Resources Advisory Board, was more amenable to the project.

“If it’s done appropriately, it could be a benefit for multiple use of the river,” Donavan said. “Obviously, I’m concerned the river be maintained in a natural state. But I would say having a paddle park wouldn’t necessarily detract from that.”

In the proposal made to the DDA, supporters of the kayak park said the river project could enhance the environment for fish.

If the park included “drop structures” for kayakers, the result would be “more water aeration, with cooler, deeper fish pools to allow for more migration of aquatic species,” according to the proposal titled “College Avenue-Cache La Poudre Recreational Riverbed Enhancement Proposal.”

The whitewater dream dates back at least eight years. That’s when proponents of a paddle park first sought city approval, which was granted. However, the city has not come forward with funding.

According to the document submitted to the DDA, the paddle park would begin at the former city power plant, located where the North College Avenue bridge crosses the Poudre. The park would end about 100 yards to the east, near the point where city and federal authorities are conducting an environmental cleanup project.

Backers estimate that the project, which they estimate to cost about $100,000, could be completed in about six weeks during low-water season. In addition to drop structures in the river, the paddle park would include a portage path along the south bank of the river, and re-vegetation of the riverbank with native plant species.

Supporters of the project are headed by Matt Evans, president of the Friends of the Poudre environmental group and owner of The Mountain Shop, and outdoors sporting goods store in Fort Collins.

Evans could not be reached for comment on the proposal. But Evans’ presentation to the DDA stated that he intended to seek funding from Great Outdoors Colorado, which distributes state lottery funds for recreational projects. He also intended to seek private donations from businesses and individuals.

Another source of funding could come from a benefit project developed by river enthusiast Adrian Matthew, who has worked with Evans on the paddle park. Matthew has produced a film that will include kayaking footage and music from some local musicians. He hopes to premier the film by late April, and donate proceeds from the showing to the paddle park effort, or other projects to support the river.

Evans also contends that the paddle park could be an economic-development boost to the downtown area, based on the experience of other cities in Colorado that have installed similar facilities. Golden, Boulder, Denver, Salida, Durango, Lyons, Vail and Steamboat Springs have also created recreational facilities in creeks and rivers through their respective towns.

According to Golden, which opened the Clear Creek Whitewater Park in 1998 — the park was enhanced in 2003 — the city realizes up to $2 million in economic benefit from the kayak park. That economic impact includes planned events, including the Clear Creek Kayak Rodeo in June.

Golden spent $350,000 on its facility, which extends about 800 feet — nearly three football fields.

The proposed Fort Collins paddle park would be about one-third the length of the Golden course.

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