“Designing a park from scratch is a pretty rare opportunity. It doesn’t happen too often.” — Chad Herd, Landworks Design
Bright plastic ribbons wave furiously in the late-winter wind at the future site of Staunton State Park, marking the construction stakes that map the makings of Colorado’s 43rd state park.
The master plan has been approved for the park just north of Shaffers Crossing, and the first phase of preparation is about to get under way for the pristine, 3,700-square-acre preserve that will feature creeks, cliffs, wetlands, meadows, aspen trees, bubbling natural springs, and old caretakers’ cabins that have long since tumbled down.
Designs for the first phase of construction are under way, including the entry to the park along South Elk Creek Road, a visitor center, park offices and trailheads. Phase one of the park will be for day use only.
The park also will offer almost 18 miles of trails, 11 miles of which will be multi-use for bikes, horses and people. Seven miles of trails will be designated for hiking only.
Francis Hornbrook Staunton donated the original 1,680-acre parcel to Colorado State Parks in 1986. Additional patchwork acquisitions have created a 3,700-square-mile wilderness 45 minutes from Denver.
“She loved the state of Colorado,” said Chad Herd, principal with LandWorks Design and project leader for Staunton State Park’s design. Herd said the park ultimately came together from a series of land purchases between 1999 and 2006.
“This stuff takes awhile to work out,” Herd said. “We’re really excited about it.”
Herd spent two years traversing the park and calls it a blank canvas. He is mindful of the areas that need protection and the places that can be developed. Almost 4,000 photos have been taken of the park as part of the design process.
“Designing a park from scratch is a pretty rare opportunity. It doesn’t happen too often,” Herd said.
Of the park’s 3,700 acres, improvements will be on less than 1 percent of the land, with roughly 29 acres slated for development.
“Every time you go out there, with that many acres, you discover something new,” Herd said.
Scott Roush, the park’s manager, has explored about 75 percent of the park and agrees that there’s always something new to find amid the wetlands, meadows, forest and outcroppings.
The Staunton cabin, located in Middle Camp, remains standing. Inside, an old mattress with coil springs stands upright next to a broken window. A fox has made a home on an old bed in the upstairs sleeping loft. There are uneven floorboards on the front porch, but the screen door is visitor-friendly.
Plans for the cabin include an education facility/exhibition/history building. For now, wind blows through the broken windows.
Six distinct areas
The park is divided into six areas: Lower Camp, Middle Camp, Rocks Camp, the Old Mill Site, East Preserve and West Preserve.
• Lower Camp is where visitors enter the park, and the area is accessible and will be family-friendly. This first phase of the park will offer hiking, camping, picnic areas, fishing, outdoor lectures series, wildlife viewing and a children's play area.
• Middle Camp presents an opportunity to commemorate the gift that Staunton gave to Colorado, according to the LandWorks Design proposal. At the heart of this area is the historic Staunton cabin. Future park amenities will include additional hiking trails, group cabins, sleeper cabins, activity areas, group camping areas and picnic areas.
• Rocks Camp will allow access to rock formations and will serve as a base camp and check-in point for climbers and the adventurous. The property backs up to Pike National Forest and has secluded cabins and winter activities that transform the park into a year-round experience. Rocks Camp area is as far as cars will be able to go.
• At the Old Mill Site, the remnants of an old mill stand guard over mountain memories. The area will suit the more adventurous hikers, expert climbers, cyclists and horsemen. The mill is scheduled for renovation.
• The East Preserve has cliffs, forests and aspen groves. In this area, Mason Creek runs through and allows for wildlife migration. The area will have multi-use trails.
• The West Preserve promises to be the most popular destination in Staunton Park, with Lion's Head looming overhead and hidden Elk Falls drawing many visitors, according to LandWorks Design. Raptors live on the mountainside, including peregrine falcons, prairie falcons and a golden eagle, according to Roush.
Early opposition softens
In the early days of the park’s conception, some residents of Elk Falls Ranch were dubious about creation of a state park in their backyard.
Suzi Nelson, roads chair for the Elk Falls Ranch Property Owners Association, was worried about traffic and fire safety.
But area property owners seem to have had a change of heart. The LandWorks Design team changed Nelson’s mind with its proposals, and now Nelson can’t wait to welcome her new neighbor.
“It’s a win-win for the state and for everybody,” Nelson said.
From the High Timber Times March 17, 2010
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