News/Blog

Moving Durango Mesa Park Forward

While Durango Mesa Park remains closed to the public at this time, considerable planning and investment has already taken place to allow for future access. The following is a timeline of what has occurred to date:

2015
Purchase

Marc Katz, co-founder of Mercury Payment Systems and Durango resident, purchased the 1,850-acre parcel previously known as Ewing Mesa, with the vision of creating a regional hub for western heritage, culture, recreation, open space and economic growth.

2015-2018 / Ongoing
Planning

La Plata County and the City of Durango have created plans for development and improvements of their future portions of Durango Mesa Park. A robust public outreach and community input effort was conducted during the development of both plans.

It is important to note that these plans are guiding documents and are subject to change as development gets underway. Elements of the plans will be implemented in phases as funding becomes available.

La Plata County has completed the La Plata County Multi-Event Center 2017 Master Plan and is in the process of developing design and construction plans for Phase 1 of that plan.

City of Durango Durango Mesa Area Plan 2018

Durango Mesa Park Foundation will lead the planning and development of the bike park and the cultural and music venue portions of the park.

2015-2019
Meltdown on the Mesa

The Meltdown on the Mesa, a music festival hosted by Durango Bluegrass Meltdown, was held at Durango Mesa Park for five years, from 2015-2019.

2018 and 2019
Trail construction and Colorado High School Cycling League State Championship racing

Durango Trails 2000, Durango high school cycling athletes and families, and other volunteers constructed a mountain bike race course for the Colorado High School Cycling League State Championships. The Durango Mesa Pursuit hosted over 800 high school racers in October 2018 and 2019. The 2020 State Championships, originally scheduled to take place again at Durango Mesa Park, were canceled due to COVID-19.

2019
Durango Mesa Park Foundation

The Durango Mesa Park Foundation Board of Directors was seated and tasked with guiding the Durango Mesa Park project forward. Four board members and an executive director have been appointed. The 1,850-acre parcel was conveyed to the Foundation by owner and founding board member Marc Katz in December 2019.

Members of the Durango Mesa Park Foundation board of directors include:

  • Marc Katz
  • Richard Butler
  • Tami Graham
  • Gaige Sippy
  • Joanne Spina
  • Moira Compton – Executive Director
2020
Funding

La Plata County, City of Durango and the Durango Mesa Park Foundation have each committed $1,500,000 for a total of $4,500,000. The City of Durango funds went toward the city’s long planned purchase of open space referred to as Parcel 1A. These funds will be used to begin infrastructure improvements needed to allow future development of and public access to the Park. Infrastructure work will begin as soon as design work is complete.