HomeMy WebLinkAbout16260
City Clerk's Office Item # M2
Background Paper for Proposed
Resolution
COUNCIL MEETING DATE: February 23, 2026
TO: President Mark Aliff and Members of City Council
CC: Mayor Heather Graham
VIA: Marisa Stoller, City Clerk
FROM: Steven Meier, Director of Parks and Recreation
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PUEBLO CITY PARK AND
ARKANSAS RIVER CORRIDOR MASTER PLAN
SUMMARY:
This Resolution approves the Pueblo City Park and Arkansas River Corridor Master Plan.
The Plan identifies preferred conceptual designs that will guide the recreational
development and improvements for key areas along the Arkansas River Corridor.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION:
On June 10, 2024, Resolution 15654 approved payment of $50,000 from Project CI2113
American Rescue Plan Act for the development of a master plan for the City Park and
Arkansas River Trail.
On November 11, 2024, Resolution 15808 approved an agreement in the amount of
$149,500, and an additional $25,000 contingency, to Confluence, Inc., for design
services for the City Park and Arkansas River Corridor Master Plan Project.
On December 9, 2024, Ordinance 10855 approved an Intergovernmental Agreement
with the Pueblo Conservancy District (PCD), by which the PCD would pay the City
$75,000 to fund a portion of the City Park and Arkansas River Corridor Master Plan
Project.
On February 9, 2026, the City Park and Arkansas River Corridor Master Plan was
presented to City Council during the regularly scheduled City Council Work Session by
Parks and Recreation Director Steven Meier and Confluence, Inc. Principal Chad Herd.
BACKGROUND:
Early on, back in 2017, the City of Pueblo and the Pueblo Conservancy District
championed an effort to provide a Master Plan for the 2.75-mile stretch of the Arkansas
River Flood Levee adjacent to Historic Downtown Pueblo. The planning process was
initiated in response to ongoing work at that time to lower the existing levee in this area,
develop safety features for the popular whitewater course, enhance the murals, and
access the opportunities and challenges of this popular urban river park. The plan laid
th
out a vision for the area below 4 Street bridge, which increased community focus on
active river recreation, improved connectivity to the river, improved the ecology of the
river, and increased economic development opportunities.
With the Board of Water Works replacing their water intake below City Park with a
boatable structure, the City and the District solicited a third-party consultant to help
expand the vision of the Arkansas River Corridor for further development. Specifically,
from the Pueblo Dam to Runyon Lake, the Plan will highlight opportunities and strategies
for the segments from the north boundary of City Park and extending through both
whitewater parks.
The Master Plan will help guide policy and resource decisions by leaders as the Arkansas
River Corridor is further developed. The City and the District plan to leverage Federal,
State, and Local funding opportunities for the Arkansas River through Pueblo.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Not applicable.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
Not applicable to this Resolution.
STAKEHOLDER PROCESS:
Throughout the development of the Pueblo City Park and Arkansas River Corridor
Master Plan, stakeholders and the public were actively engaged through meetings,
workshops, and feedback opportunities to help identify key areas of emphasis and guide
the final selection of the conceptual components of the master plan.
ALTERNATIVES:
Failure to approve this Resolution will preclude any implementation of the Pueblo City
Park and Arkansas River Corridor Master Plan.
RECOMMENDATION:
Approval of the Resolution.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Pueblo City Park and Arkansas River Corridor Master Plan_02.09.2026 FINAL
RESOLUTION NO. 16260
A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PUEBLO CITY PARK AND
ARKANSAS RIVER CORRIDOR MASTER PLAN
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PUEBLO, that
SECTION 1.
The City of Pueblo hereby approves the attached Pueblo City Park and Arkansas River
Corridor Master Plan that identifies preferred conceptual designs that will guide the recreational
development and improvements for key areas along the Arkansas River Corridor.
SECTION 2.
The officers and staff of the City are authorized to perform any and all acts consistent with
the intent of this Resolution to implement the policies and procedures described therein.
SECTION 3.
This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon passage and approval.
INTRODUCED: February 23, 2026
BY: Brett Boston
MEMBER OF CITY COUNCIL
APPROVED: __________________________
PRESIDENT OF CITY COUNCIL
ATTESTED BY: ________________________
DEPUTY CITY CLERK