The City of Rocky Ford and the Rocky Ford Steering Committee are hosting a community presentation and visioning workshop July 19 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Train Depot building at 105 N Main St. The team will be sharing findings and recommendations for the upcoming GOCO Centennial Grant Application and creating a lasting vision through your help. This effort is a part of the Great Outdoors Colorado Centennial Grant in which GOCO invests in high-value, once-in-a-generation visions and projects that will create lasting impacts on the Centennial State and future generations. 

The City and the Rocky Ford Steering Committee is seeking the community's help on a master plan to improve both the Arkansas Valley Fairgrounds and Crystal Lake. The master plan would help develop and improve both locations to 'include amenities that uniquely serve southeast Colorado, expand recreational offerings, and drive local economic development.' 

The participation of the community and the region has been crucial for this project. Since engaging GOCO, community engagement and partner outreach has intensified greatly. Monthly stakeholder meetings have guided a process which included an open house and block party which had more than 120 participants, targeted stakeholder meetings with senior living homes, equestrian professionals, local organizations, city, county, and regional government partners, as well as community foundations totaling more than 400 different partners. Online surveys have gathered more than 200 responses to add to the open house exercises soliciting community ideas for the area. If you have not already, you can share your feedback and see project updates at www.growrockyford.org/outdoor-revitalization-project and tell us what you would like to see.