05-27-2011, 11:10 AM
PUEBLO, Colo. - The massive water renovation project underway at Lake Pueblo State Park will continue into the summer months. The water project will replace all of the water lines north of the Arkansas River and there will be construction this summer that impacts the popular Rock Canyon Swim Beach. The anticipated opening of the swim beach will be Aug. 1. Other areas in the park affected by the construction are the Juniper Breaks and Northern Plains Campgrounds, the North Marina and the Snakeskin, Lone Owl and Big Lizard group picnic areas.
The waterlines are over 35 years old and the massive renovation is necessary to ensure safe drinking water and an efficient water delivery system for the park's 1.8 million annual visitors. Unfortunately, a construction project this large is complicated, so conditions may change and unexpected delays may arise.<br />
"The project's contractors and park staff are making every effort to limit the impact of this project on visitors, but there will be inconveniences in some areas until the project is completed," said Monique Mullis, operations manager at Lake Pueblo State Park. "Visitor safety is the main concern, as well as access to the park's popular areas and facilities.''<br />
Despite the construction, most of Lake Pueblo State Park will not be impacted by the project and will still offer many outdoor recreational opportunities, including fishing, boating, camping, biking, sail boarding, hiking, horseback riding, water skiing, environmental education programs for all ages, jet skiing, bird watching and more. The high water levels will provide great boating and fishing opportunities.<br />
Conditions continue to change weekly and the best place to get up-to-date information on closures is the park's website at: www.parks.state.co.us. Use the "CHOOSE a park from the list below" window and select "Lake Pueblo State Park." There's "Construction Update" link on the left of the page where the current conditions will be available.<br />
Going into the Memorial Day weekend, the anticipated conditions include:<br />
"¢ The anticipated opening of the Rock Canyon Swim Beach is August 1. The area will be closed because there will be no water and workers will be making water line repairs within the compound. The beach will open sooner if the work is completed before August 1. Updates will be posted on the website.<br />
"¢ Northern Plains Campground (which includes Prairie Ridge, Yucca Flats, Eagle View and Kettle Creek loops) is open.<br />
o The dump stations in Prairie Ridge and Yucca Flats are still under construction and are not currently available.<br />
 Use caution when driving around these stations to get to the camp sites. The areas will be marked and fenced off, but workers will be in the area.<br />
 The dump station at Arkansas Point Campground will be open, but anticipate delays due to long lines during peak hours. A list of alternative dump stations in the Pueblo area is posted on the website.<br />
o Throughout the renovation, water resources will be limited on the north side (this includes the North Marina as well as the Northern Plains and Juniper Breaks campgrounds). Please fill your RV water tanks before coming to the park, or fill up on the south side. To ensure there is enough water for all of the restroom, shower and laundry facilities, as well as the North Marina, please conserve water and only use the minimum that you need during your visit.<br />
"¢ Juniper Breaks is currently open. There will be intermittent water availability through the next month. At various times the water may be turned off completely or the water pressure will be very low. Updates will be posted on the website.<br />
"¢ The restroom in the parking lot of the North Marina is open. The North Marina has water, but conservation measures have been imposed to preserve the supply.<br />
"¢ Group Pavilions, Lone Owl and Big Lizard near the North Marina, are open with water available. The Snakeskin Group Pavilion, Cottonwood and Anticline Pond near the Arkansas River will likely be without water until late July.<br />
"¢ There are various areas throughout the north side of the park that have been re-vegetated or will be re-vegetated sometime this summer. Please stay off these fragile areas to allow the vegetation to take hold in our hot/dry climate. As always, no vehicles are ever to be driven off the paved roads or pads anywhere in the campgrounds.<br />
"¢ For the next few months, there will be lane closures on Juniper Road between the north entrance and the Arkansas River. Flaggers will be present, but expect delays. These closures will also occur on weekends.<br />
o We recommend using the north entrance (through Pueblo West) if you are accessing the North Marina, Northern Plains or Juniper Breaks Campgrounds and Lone Owl or Big Lizard Group Pavilions. You may want to enter the park on the south side (off Highway 96) if you accessing the river, Snakeskin or Quail Run Group Pavilions, the Visitor Center, Arkansas Point Campground and the South Marina.
Colorado State Parks get everyone outdoors! Attracting more than 12 million visitors per year, Colorado's 42 State Parks are a vital cornerstone of Colorado's economy and quality of life. Colorado State Parks encompass 224,447 land and water acres, offering some of the best outdoor recreation destinations in the state. Colorado State Parks is a leader in providing opportunities for outdoor recreation, protecting the state's favorite landscapes, teaching generations about nature and partnering with communities. Colorado State Parks also manage more than 4,300 campsites, and 63 cabins and yurts. For more information on Colorado State Parks or to purchase an annual pass online, visit www.parks.state.co.us.
The waterlines are over 35 years old and the massive renovation is necessary to ensure safe drinking water and an efficient water delivery system for the park's 1.8 million annual visitors. Unfortunately, a construction project this large is complicated, so conditions may change and unexpected delays may arise.<br />
"The project's contractors and park staff are making every effort to limit the impact of this project on visitors, but there will be inconveniences in some areas until the project is completed," said Monique Mullis, operations manager at Lake Pueblo State Park. "Visitor safety is the main concern, as well as access to the park's popular areas and facilities.''<br />
Despite the construction, most of Lake Pueblo State Park will not be impacted by the project and will still offer many outdoor recreational opportunities, including fishing, boating, camping, biking, sail boarding, hiking, horseback riding, water skiing, environmental education programs for all ages, jet skiing, bird watching and more. The high water levels will provide great boating and fishing opportunities.<br />
Conditions continue to change weekly and the best place to get up-to-date information on closures is the park's website at: www.parks.state.co.us. Use the "CHOOSE a park from the list below" window and select "Lake Pueblo State Park." There's "Construction Update" link on the left of the page where the current conditions will be available.<br />
Going into the Memorial Day weekend, the anticipated conditions include:<br />
"¢ The anticipated opening of the Rock Canyon Swim Beach is August 1. The area will be closed because there will be no water and workers will be making water line repairs within the compound. The beach will open sooner if the work is completed before August 1. Updates will be posted on the website.<br />
"¢ Northern Plains Campground (which includes Prairie Ridge, Yucca Flats, Eagle View and Kettle Creek loops) is open.<br />
o The dump stations in Prairie Ridge and Yucca Flats are still under construction and are not currently available.<br />
 Use caution when driving around these stations to get to the camp sites. The areas will be marked and fenced off, but workers will be in the area.<br />
 The dump station at Arkansas Point Campground will be open, but anticipate delays due to long lines during peak hours. A list of alternative dump stations in the Pueblo area is posted on the website.<br />
o Throughout the renovation, water resources will be limited on the north side (this includes the North Marina as well as the Northern Plains and Juniper Breaks campgrounds). Please fill your RV water tanks before coming to the park, or fill up on the south side. To ensure there is enough water for all of the restroom, shower and laundry facilities, as well as the North Marina, please conserve water and only use the minimum that you need during your visit.<br />
"¢ Juniper Breaks is currently open. There will be intermittent water availability through the next month. At various times the water may be turned off completely or the water pressure will be very low. Updates will be posted on the website.<br />
"¢ The restroom in the parking lot of the North Marina is open. The North Marina has water, but conservation measures have been imposed to preserve the supply.<br />
"¢ Group Pavilions, Lone Owl and Big Lizard near the North Marina, are open with water available. The Snakeskin Group Pavilion, Cottonwood and Anticline Pond near the Arkansas River will likely be without water until late July.<br />
"¢ There are various areas throughout the north side of the park that have been re-vegetated or will be re-vegetated sometime this summer. Please stay off these fragile areas to allow the vegetation to take hold in our hot/dry climate. As always, no vehicles are ever to be driven off the paved roads or pads anywhere in the campgrounds.<br />
"¢ For the next few months, there will be lane closures on Juniper Road between the north entrance and the Arkansas River. Flaggers will be present, but expect delays. These closures will also occur on weekends.<br />
o We recommend using the north entrance (through Pueblo West) if you are accessing the North Marina, Northern Plains or Juniper Breaks Campgrounds and Lone Owl or Big Lizard Group Pavilions. You may want to enter the park on the south side (off Highway 96) if you accessing the river, Snakeskin or Quail Run Group Pavilions, the Visitor Center, Arkansas Point Campground and the South Marina.
Colorado State Parks get everyone outdoors! Attracting more than 12 million visitors per year, Colorado's 42 State Parks are a vital cornerstone of Colorado's economy and quality of life. Colorado State Parks encompass 224,447 land and water acres, offering some of the best outdoor recreation destinations in the state. Colorado State Parks is a leader in providing opportunities for outdoor recreation, protecting the state's favorite landscapes, teaching generations about nature and partnering with communities. Colorado State Parks also manage more than 4,300 campsites, and 63 cabins and yurts. For more information on Colorado State Parks or to purchase an annual pass online, visit www.parks.state.co.us.