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City officials propose razing Steamboat’s steamboat-themed playground to make way for modern amenities

Scott Franz
Parks supervisor Ernie Jenkins said the Yampa River Queen was built sometime in the 1980s at West Lincoln Park.
Scott Franz

City Council meets Tuesday

The Steamboat Springs City Council will consider approving the 2017 budget at its meeting Tuesday night.

It will also hear presentations on downtown parking, operations at Haymaker Golf Course, and the future of the city’s bus service.

To view all of the items on the council agenda, click here.

The meeting starts at 5 p.m. in Citizens Hall, 124 10th St.

— City officials are working to get the funding for a big makeover of one of the oldest city parks in Steamboat Springs.

City Council meets Tuesday

The Steamboat Springs City Council will consider approving the 2017 budget at its meeting Tuesday night.

It will also hear presentations on downtown parking, operations at Haymaker Golf Course, and the future of the city’s bus service.



To view all of the items on the council agenda, click here.

The meeting starts at 5 p.m. in Citizens Hall, 124 10th St.



If the city is able to score a $125,000 grant from Great Outdoors Colorado, the wooden Yampa River Queen steamboat in West Lincoln Park would be razed and a new playground with a picnic area would be installed in its place.

Parks supervisor Ernie Jenkins said the two-story steamboat structure does not meet today’s safety standards and is nearing the end of its life.

“”We’ve kept it safe, and we’ve gotten our money out of it, but it’s time for a new playground,” Jenkins said.

He said the current playground also does not meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.

Jenkins acknowledged the Yampa River Queen is a landmark that some residents will miss.

While the plans for a new playground haven’t been finalized, Jenkins said it would include a shaded picnic structure.

The new playground could also be themed.

Jenkins said the old Yampa River Queen was built sometime in the 1980s.

“It was one of the first city parks,” Jenkins said.

The amenities in West Lincoln Park were impacted by the recent installation of a new bridge over the Yampa River.

To make room for that bridge, Jenkins said a swing set had to be removed from the playground.

“We think it’s about time for a new playground,” Jenkins said.

City officials on Tuesday night will ask the City Council to endorse a grant application for the new playground.

The city has included a $60,000 grant match in its 2017 budget.

If the grant is secured, the playground would likely be replaced next year.

West Lincoln Park isn’t the only place getting some attention from the city’s Parks and Community Services department.

The city also recently replaced the old playground known as Howelsen Beach at the base of Howelsen Hill.

To reach Scott Franz, call 970-871-4210, email scottfranz@SteamboatToday.com or follow him on Twitter @ScottFranz10


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