Crossroads Through Time Heritage Park

Conceptual Plan

Pueblo Community College – Fremont Campus http://www.gardenparkdinos.com/?p=2977

8/04/2015

The Pueblo Community College Fremont Campus “Crossroads Through Time Heritage Park” (CTT) provides a quality educational

experience for all ages by encouraging an understanding and appreciation for the region’s rich paleontological, geological, and historical

heritage. Its location is literally a crossroads where the planet’s and its inhabitants’ stories intersect, tying together the deep-time

geological past to the history of the people and places of the Fremont County Region.

CTT goes beyond aiding students and visitors in understanding the area’s rich heritage. This project further enriches our community

by being a connection with and destination point for the Riverwalk trail system. A 2012 US Forest Service study showed that over

half of those surveyed engage is some form of physical activity. This park will help students, residents, and visitors stay active and

healthy, while providing mental stimulation and encouraging learning.

Not only will the project aid in grasping the timing and duration of natural processes that have shaped the earth, as well as their

implications for understanding climate change, it will also address environmental education and sustainability in an understandable

manner for people of all ages. Built in a way that protects and enhances the environmental integrity of the site, the project will

include natural and historically appropriate landscaping features that will attract the interest of gardening and birding enthusiasts.

As an educational focal point for campus students and K-12 field trips, a gateway for visitors, and a destination for those interested

in paleontology, geology, and history, plus an opportunity for all to keep fit; Crossroads Through Time Heritage Park will embody and

enhance the Fremont County community and region.

The Crossroads through Time Steering Committee has been meeting since July 2014. Participants include:

Belinda Avdek Gordon Bell Dr. Lana Carter

Mary Chamberlain Jerry Davis Dan Grenard

Kit Kederich Kim Lins Pat and Jim Nelson

Melissa Smeins Cindy Smith Christina and Harold Taylor

Troy Tucker Millie Wintz

These members represent a wide array of community organizations including Fremont County Heritage Commission, Fremont Historic

Society, Fremont Stones ‘n Bones, Cañon City Geology Club, Pueblo Community College, and others.

CROSSROADS THROUGH TIME HERITAGE PARK

Crossroads Through Time Heritage Park has two major sections: a Geology Time Trail, and a People and Places (History) Trail. By

including educational, cultural, and artistic displays, each will augment campus activities, encourage public visitation, and enhance local

lifestyle.

From the Geology Time Trail, multiple geologic rock formations are visible in all directions, and it is in close proximity to the

paleontological discoveries and excavations that put Fremont County on the map.

The People and Places Trail begins at a time thousands of years ago with the Pre-Clovis/Paleo-Indians and runs to present time.

The Geology Time Trail

The Geology Time Trail

In an effort to illustrate our rich geological and paleontological heritage, including events which occurred in Fremont County as well as

in the global scene, a 2,300 foot trail will ring the perimeter of the field between PCC and Highway 50. At 1 foot equals 1 million

years, this length corresponds to half the history of the Earth (2.3 billion years). This scale provides a perspective of the deep time

involved in a way that participants can comprehend, and in the process educates our community and others about the formation and

history of familiar venues in our own back yard, expanding peoples’ horizons and leading to an appreciation of our unique landscape.

A trailhead will be established to enable a general introduction to local geology, geologic time, trail use, and additional places to go for

more information. The trail will include informational displays focusing on key milestone events important in our local geology story:

dinosaurs, the ancestral Rocky Mountains, the Western Interior Seaway, and the earliest vertebrates on the planet. A variety of local

rocks and boulders will be utilized along the trails in the time period they represent. Rocks, slabs, and boulders will be utilized as

seating locations, creative landscaping, and informational displays. Small signs will call attention to geologic events not dealt with at

waysides, and small markers will be placed on the bed of the trail indicating 100 foot/100 million year increments.

In addition to its educational offerings, over time, enhancements to the trail system will be developed to make it both fun and

recreational. This will be achieved by a variety of projects and programs including a connection to the Arkansas River Walk, a

labyrinth, a group seating area (small amphitheater), native prairie vegetation, a Jurassic plant garden, additional dinosaur sculptures,

and rock art such as carvings or stacked stones. We will provide round or flat stones for visitors to construct their own stacked

stones displays. Currently the area is utilized for Frisbee golf by college students and it is possible to incorporate this activity in new

and creative ways.

This trail will enable introductions to other important local geology sites including the Royal Gorge, Garden Park Fossil Area, Red

Canyon Park, and Skyline Drive. It will also maintain a strong connection to the Royal Gorge Regional Museum and other local trail

networks. In the future the trail location has the capability to continue to grow, expanding to include additional rock walls, more

geologic waysides, and additional campus access points.

The People and Places Trail

The People and Places Trail

The objective of this approximately 2,000 foot interpretive trail is to present the story of the people, places, activities and

circumstances that have touched, and been touched by, the Fremont County Region. Waysides along the trail will include informative

signs, artifacts, representations and art pieces. PCC students and community members will be encouraged to participate in organizing

displays, and the Fremont Campus Colorado History classes will use the People and Places Trail for learning purposes and will be

involved in lessons that include development of possible future displays, activities, and K-12 curriculum.

The first section of the trail “From the Early Coloradans” will include the Paleo-Indians, the Spanish and the French. Displays will

include information from the end of the last Ice Age, the first people in the region, and the Spanish that traveled through the

area. One display will be designed to enlighten visitors about the Spanish battle against Greenhorn that happened just south of the

campus.

The second section of the trail will cover highlights of “The 1800s.” Starting with early explorers, it will include stories of mountain

men, fur traders, the gold rush, the founding of villages and towns, railroad builders, cattlemen and farmers, and the silver boom.

Displays will include a replica of the blockhouse that Zebulon Pike built within view of today’s PCC Fremont campus and a rock garden

designed to represent the map Pike drew showing this region and his travels. Visitors will be able to walk the path that Pike traveled

via this replica. The Railroad War and the Native Americans of this region will all be represented. An informational display about the

Colorado Territorial/State Prison farms and ranches in the region has already been built and will be included.

“The 20th Century” (third) segment of the People and Place Interpretive Trail will include displays about the Progressive Era, the

1920s, involvement in the World Wars, the movies that were filmed in this region, and the booms and busts of the times. Displays

regarding the Sand Creek Prison Gardens located at what are now the current grounds of the Fremont campus of PCC and another

about when the prison gardens property was deeded to the college have been built and will be displayed.

The Royal Gorge Bridge Dedication in 1929

The final section of the People and Places Trail, tentatively titled “The 21st Century,” will exhibit current and future “history.” The

Iron Mountain and Royal Gorge fires and the construction of new schools (Harrison School and Florence High School) will be

presented during this part of the trail.

The history of the people of the Fremont County Region, and those who passed through, will be chronicled. Stories regarding the

land, the river, the towns and the wildlife will be told along this trail. Day-to-day activities, the circumstances the people lived under,

and their connections with the past, the present, and the future will unfold as students and visitors take a stroll through the

crossroads of people and places.

Project Summary

Benefits: The Crossroads trail network will have a broad cross section of users including:

Arkansas River Walk connection- Bikers and Hikers

PCC students and staff – campus walking and even Frisbee golf participants

Local and regional classes for K-12 and students of any age

Fitness enthusiasts – a place to work out or to sit and meditate

Local artists and art students –sculpting, landscape, and other art projects

Local gardeners and students interested in native prairie vegetation and a Jurassic Garden

Heritage tourism – those that take the time to “see the sites” and loop back into town over Skyline Drive.

Community event organizers

Ways to Help – This project is assumed to be budgeted through a combination of the following:

Donations: We encourage local organizations and individuals to provide money, labor, or material donations for this community project.

As a 501(c) 3, the Pueblo Community College – Foundation and the CTT Steering Committee will welcome community help in bringing

this vision to life. Donations can be directed through the Pueblo Community College Foundation, referencing the Fremont Crossroads

Through Time.

Sponsorships: Certain features such as displays, trailheads etc. will be available for sponsorships.

Volunteer Opportunities: Local community groups and associations are encouraged to participate in projects including landscaping,

gardening, painting, and trail work.

Contacts: If you are interested in more detail on how you can support this project, please contact either:

Cindy Smith (719-275-9781 or 303-818-3084) cindysmithrocks@me.com

Jerry Davis (719-296-6100) gerald.davis@pueblocc.edu

This is not just trails, but an array of places to sit and reflect on this most interesting setting and if interested, the visitor can be a

participant, not just be an observer. Projects will create various opportunities for the local community to provide geologic and historic

display pieces, ideas, and support. Located at the western gateway to the city, Crossroads Through Time Heritage Park epitomizes

the unity of the faculty, the students, and the Fremont Campus of Pueblo Community College with the community, the region and our

heritage.

Budget

The CTT budget incorporates four phases of the project, but the primary focus is phase one. The initial tasks are to paint the

stegosaur sculpture and complete the first 500 feet of the Geology Trail. Next, completion the phase one will include finishing the

Geology Trail and constructing a parking lot and the People and Places trail, including informative signs and waysides. Phase two is

enhancements to the two trails and additional waysides such as informational displays, steps at the Stegosaurus sculpture, benches,

and picnic tables. Later phases include the Stego amphitheater, full implementation of Jurassic garden, new sculptures, and a Zebulon

Pike’s block house replica and a rock garden laid out representing the map Pike drew of this region.

Phase One Estimates (see cost assumptions at end of document for details)

Stegosaurus repair and paint – $2,500

Professional Landscape design – $4,000

Geology Trail – $6,500 to $10,200

History Trail – $4,300 to $6,800

Stone Steps – $ 3,700

Benches (up to five) – $800 each (up to $4,000)

Interpretive signs (up to twelve) – $1,500 each (up to $18,000)

Rock – $2,500 to $7,500

Parking Lot – $2,100

River Walk Connection Engineering Design – $1,500

Native Plant/Xeriscape/Jurassic garden Plan – $2,500

Cost Assumptions:

o Professional Landscape Design: The purpose of this would be to develop a game plan for placement of signs, stones,

boulders, historic objects, seating areas, etc. so that the overall project takes on a look of continuity and

professionalism. It is unknown what the costs for this are and assumed that $4,000 would be near the low end of what

a design layout and description may cost.

o Trail costs

3” of base averaging $4.50 a ton with 17 tons needed for every 100 feet. Also assume a delivery charge of

$2.00 to $3.00 per ton.

4” of red fines/breeze material averaging $2.75 a ton with 23 tons of material per 100 feet and also assume a

delivery charge of $2.00 to $3.00 per ton.

Assume 2-3 days of labor and equipment to clear trails with tractor equipment and labor with a total value of

about $1,500.

For about 4,500 of total trail assume about $3600 of Bobcat rental (8 days) and about $1000 for a

roller/compactor rental (4 days). This does not include the cost of an operator.

A handicap assessable ramp will be installed off the parking lot estimated at $3000.

A stone staircase will be installed off the parking lot estimated at $3.700.

A landscape Architect could cost about $10,000

Total estimates based on 2,700 feet of geology trail and 1,800 feet of history trail, handicap ramp and stair.

$26,000 to $30,000 for Geology Trail

$8,000 to $9,000 for People and Places (History) Trail

o Stone Steps: To enable access to the Geology Trailhead from the parking lot: $3,700 based on a bid.

o Benches: High quality benches in key locations along the trail will enable rest and reflection. These benches cost $800

each, and we’re looking for five to kick off the project. Alternatively a local landscape architect or artist may have

some interesting ideas utilizing stone or historic objects for seating.

o Interpretive Signs: Each interpretive sign will enhance visitors’ understanding of specific stops along the trails and will

cost $1,500 each for design assistance, high quality sign materials, framework stands, and installation. We will need 12

of these for Phase 1.

o Stegosaurus: The Stegosaurus is in need of a professional paint job so that it becomes a more natural addition to the

project, and this will cost $2,500 for repair work, and professional painting.

o Rock: Rock will include anything from fist sized to large boulders and everything in between. The goal is the have rocks

that represent selected time frames serve as both landscape and educational materials.

o Examples of rock types of interest:

Fountain Formation (conglomerates).

Travertine quarry materials

Dakota sandstone

Greenhorn limestone (and other Western Interior limestone/sandstones)

Morrison or Ralston Creek Formation

Precambrian boulders of various ages with a focus on 1.4 and 1.75 billion year old materials

Older Ordovician age boulders and quarry stone with a focus on Harding sandstones

o Boulders, slabs and quarry stone will be used in a wide variety of uses including:

Landscape materials along trails (rock gardens)

Stone steps for walkways down small slopes

Steps for a small to midsized seating area or amphitheater

Benches

Carving materials

Cobbles and smaller stones for stacking materials

Selected areas for rock walls

o Costs: It is hoped that the majority of these larger stones can be acquired through donation but there may be costs

associated with some larger rocks where donations are not possible. Larger boulders can cost several hundred dollars

and there is a large variation depending on rarity and other factors. It could be assumed that at a minimum that there

will be a cost associated with picking up these materials and taking them to the site and once again these are highly

variable costs. For argument sake, let’s assume a minimum budget of $2,500 and a maximum budge of $7,500 while

recognizing that the overall value may be substantially higher.

o Parking Lot: A visitor parking area will be constructed in an existing open space location on the northeast side of the

campus that will allow for access both to the People and Places trail and the Geology time trail. It is assumed at this

time that the parking area would be approximately 130 by 80 feet in size and would include about 200 tons of ¾ inch

gravel.

o River Walk Connection design: There is a particularly challenging location near the entry road to the campus where it

crosses Sand Creek. On the south side of the road the levee is on the east side of the creek while on the north side of

the road the levee is on the west side. Some engineering is needed to enable this crossing to be effective and an overall

high quality connection to the Arkansas River Walk. This engineering design is estimated at $1,500.

CROSSROADS THROUGH TIME HERITAGE PARK

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