New Park Rules in Grand Junction

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) - Parks have undergone many changes recently in Grand Junction. Whitman Park closed late last year, and Emerson Park is scheduled to close on Monday the 26th, starting the construction of a new skate park.

Every one to two years, the City of Grand Junction undergoes an update of its park rules. This includes updating its park rules signs for a more effective presentation. With the redesign, it’s typical to have a few rule changes proposed.

The new rules proposed at the Grand Junction City Council Meeting on February 21st state that no structures of enclosures are to be used, erected, installed, attached, or staked in any park facility, without a permit. Additionally, lines like rope, strings, webbing, cord, or straps shall not be attached to trees or other park equipment or infrastructure, without a permit.

We spoke to two locals of Emerson Park, and one was in favor of these changes. “I mean, you don’t see kids over there in that playground... ...I mean, I live right next to it...” Another local shared a strong opinion that permits are not enough. “In my opinion, that’s great. They should ban them altogether because it ruins a park for everyone that wants to picnic over there and take their kids.”

The meeting saw two opposing views on the matter. The favoring perspective for the new park rules stressed the importance of safety and the need for recreation in the community. The view against the new park rules demonstrated that the Unhoused Needs Strategy commissioned by the city did not bring these rule changes as a solution, the timing of the changes is not appropriate, and these rules would only push the issue elsewhere.

The meeting ended with a decision ruling against the new city park rules and regulations that were proposed. 5-2 vote against the new rules.