The topography creates a natural separation of the large preserve (35-plus acres), the park and beach area – where most activity will take place – and the parking zone along the road where development already exists. River access will be possible with a minimal footprint on the riverfront. The small area of riverbank where access is feasible sorely needs cleaning up. Old construction debris, rusty cars and other material litters the river, and the eroding bank needs stabilization. Well-designed rock work and landscaping, with directed river access points, can fortify and beautify this section. With river trail pedestrian access, vehicle parking and boat ramp ingress (no ramp exists at our other two put-ins), Oxbow will provide a wonderful means for the public to delight in the quiet water section of the Animas, while helping to ease peak-day pressure at the 33rd and 29th street launch points.

With no other legal access upstream, and no other flat-water beach areas for residents, Oxbow offers our best and only opportunity, long overdue, for the public to enjoy this section of our river. So thanks to the city and hard-working board members who have shepherded this process from the Animas River Management Plan, to the property purchases, to the design and management planning now under way. It has been an open and inclusive operation bringing many stakeholders to the table – not always fun, not always pretty, but sure to be rewarding when we have a beautiful new park, preserve and river access that we can all be proud of. I look forward to a fantastic design at the Oxbow!

Andy Corra

Durango