October 10, 2022 |
Some progress is again being made at Saratoga’s Never Forget Park after momentum was lost this summer.
At last Tuesday’s town council meeting, Saratoga Public Works Director Jon Winter said he had received new design plans from WLC Engineering. A public notice for bidding was advertised for last week.
Pictured above: Drawing of Never Forget Park by Stacy Crimmins.
Planning for the Never Forget Park, on Pic Pike Road, has been going on for over a year. The original design of the park would have incorporated a small strip of land, along Arrowhead Road, held by Dr. Michael Janssen, the owner of the Saratoga Hot Springs Resort. Mayor Creed James apparently had a hand-shake deal with Dr. Janssen to exchange his land for a more over expensive one owned by the town on the overlook. The deal included a donation to the park that seemed to increase in value the more the deal was scrutinized. Public outcry and finally swayed the council to nix the swap.
With the land swap off the table, the design of the park had to go back to the drawing board, literally.
Dr. Janssen’s property runs along the entire east side of the park. A reworked design that didn’t include using any of Janssen’s land was needed. Developing the new plans took longer than anyone had anticipated. Winter said the delay was because the design firm was busy. Addressing the council last week, Winter described the changes.
With the curb and gutter bid package in hand, hopes are high that work can start this year.
The Never Forget Park committee has created a website. Along with information about Staff Sgt. Tyler Pickett, whom the park is dedicated to, there is a drawing of the proposed final layout.
The park will consist of a driveway and parking area running from the northwest to the southeast corners. A large grassy area will encompass most of the east side, with a dedicated space for local artist Sierra Smith’s sculpture honoring the life of Sgt Pickett. Never Forget Park committee member Stacy Crimmins explained other likely additions.
The park will be constructed in 3 phases, as funding allows.
Phase 1 is underway. The website is being used to raise money. Smith’s monument, Wyoming Remembers, is completed and is on display in front of the Platte Valley Community Center. It will be moved into the park once the first phase of construction is complete.
Crimmins said Phase 2 will upgrade the landscaping and add lighting.
Plans for Phase 3 include restrooms, and more landscaping, as well as a covered, open-air, pavilion of some sort. Crimmins said the design hasn’t been finalized yet.
With the project just now getting underway, it remains to be seen how many of these hoped-for additions will see the light of day. Work on Phase 1 of the park can begin once the town hires a contractor. Weather permitting, that may happen this year.
Go to NeverForgetPark.com to see the proposed layout or to offer a donation.
