Name and design reflect coal mining heritage
WALSENBURG — Miner’s Plaza was the overwhelming choice of the public to become the official name of the proposed park development site located at Sixth and Main Streets in downtown Walsenburg as presented Tuesday night in a city council work session. Downtown Revitalization committee member Gaye Davis and University of Colorado-Denver, Professor Jeff Wood unveiled the final design during a sparsely attended session with city council. The downtown group’s campaign to name the park received 80 suggestions made through drop boxes at some local businesses and ballots and information presented by the Huerfano World Journal on its Facebook page and in the weekly newspaper. Miner’s Plaza received 34 votes from participants; Miner’s Square 21, Coal Camp Corner 10, Pick & Shovel Plaza 8, Coal Camp Square 6 and one other alternate
vote. The Walsenburg City Council will make the official name selection at their next regular meeting, and are expected to follow the majority suggestion of Miner’s Plaza. The final design, depicting an artistic view reminiscent of a coal mine shaft, was made by senior landscape architect, architectural, and city planning students from University of Colorado-Denver, under the direction of Technical Assistance Coordinator Wood. The design will incorporate wood, steel, decorative paving bricks and other features including LED lighting and a raised stage for various events. Downtown Revitalization’s fund raising work begins now, with Davis telling the council she has prepared two GOCO (Great Outdoors Colorado) grant applications and several others destined for various state agencies including the Department of Local Affairs. Davis said she would like to see funding in place by February 2015, bids sent out by March-April, and hopefully a grand opening by July 4 next year.
