Wagner Park closure will stretch until next spring

Look but dont touch will be the rule at Wagner Park after it was announced that the field will remain closed until spring. Sodding work is to be completed this month, but the grounds will need a few undisturbed months before pedestrians can walk through Aspens central park, according to Scott Chism, city of Aspen planning and construction operations manager. The goal-line date for the field to be completely finished is June 1, 2015, he said at a city council work session Tuesday. The city is in the midst of a $900,000 project to upgrade drainage and irrigation systems in the park. Using sod as opposed to seeding is more expensive, but is the best way to reduce the risk of weak or immature turf grass for next spring, said Chism. Aspen Golf Club Director Steve Aitken agreed that sod is the best choice for the field, and that it should be in fine condition this spring. Sod is the best bet this time of year to guarantee great results, said Aitken. Sodding is the best alternative at this point. Chism noted that the sod will cost an additional $53,640, but that the expense has been covered by carry forward funds from projects that came in under budget on Smuggler Mountain and at the Moore Fields at the Aspen School District campus. For now, people and pets must stay off of the new turf. Basically, we need to keep all traffic off [of the field], said Tom Rubel, the citys director of parks and open space. But, news of the delay did not sit well with Mayor Steve Skadron, who believed that the project would be finished this fall. I am a little frustrated by this and I cannot for the life of me recall supporting a motion back on March 24 to close the park to the public until next June, Skadron said. He continued to say that when discussing these type of projects, council needs to know when the entire project will be finished and open to the public, not just when the work will be done.

collin@aspendailynews.com

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Wagner Park closure will stretch until next spring