JUNE 9, 2010

CONTACT: DEBRA HILL
PUBLIC RELATIONS
719-553-2549

GRAND OPENING SET FOR MINNEQUA LAKE PARK

The City of Pueblo will host a Grand Opening this Friday for a park that brings more than 300 acres of park and open space to the community.

A ribbon cutting will be held Friday, June 11, at 2:30 p.m. for Minnequa Lake Park. Bishop Fernando Isern of the Pueblo Diocese will also help celebrate the occasion with a blessing of the 320-acre park.

Minnequa Lake Park is the result of a partnership between the City, Lower Arkansas Water Conservancy District, Pueblo Board of Waterworks, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Colorado Department of Local Affairs, the Colorado Lottery, Go Colorado, and others.

Recreation is the key word in the park project. A three-acre neighborhood park just west of Corwin Magnet School has been constructed which includes a park shelter, playground, turf and trees.

The area south of the lake has outdoor basketball courts, a park shelter, and a trailhead for easy access to the trail.

Land development has included the removal of invasive plants and shrubs, enhancement of wetland, and vegetation planted along the shoreline. Total improvements to the land will come to just over $3 1/2 million dollars.

The park also provides the major Stormwater detention facility for South Pueblo.

Minnequa Lake Park will provide recreational facilities on 16% of the property or about fifty acres. The remaining acreage will be managed as an open space and lake area.

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