August 7th 2026 |
Photo – Rawlins City Council
Rawlins officials will ask the county to improve a section of wetlands next to a city park.
During the August 3rd Rawlins City Council meeting, Councilman Bruce Seilaff asked city staff to look into Rawlins Spring Park, located on the city’s southwest side, below the county’s Road and Bridge shop. Councilman Seilaff said he would like to seek grant money to improve the area, but was told that no work could be done unless the city owned the property.
Councilman Seilaff said the county likely owns the property while the city maintains it, but he couldn’t find any agreement defining that arrangement. Councilman Steve Sanger said the county assessor’s office should have that information.
Councilman Sanger said that since the city maintains a park it doesn’t own, the governing body should understand the arrangement.
City Attorney Pinita Maberry‑Nave noted that the city does, in fact, own Rawlins Springs Park. She said Councilman Seilaff was referring to the spring to the north, which the park is named after, and the nearby wetlands.
Attorney Maberry-Nave said the spring in question appears to be on county property.
Councilman Bruce Seilaff reiterated that funding is available to improve the area, but the city cannot pursue it because if doesn’t own the land.
Councilman Seilaff said he wasn’t proposing any development of the wetlands. Instead, as an example of a small improvement, he said a pump could be installed on the spring to irrigate nearby trees. Councilwoman Tonya Lewman said the city could partner with the county to improve the entire area.
Mayor Jacquelin Wells said she would bring the issue to the Board of Carbon County Commissioners at their next meeting.
