Snowmass Village Town Park improvements underway

Snowmass skiers can expect an improved Rodeo Lot this season as improvement plans to Town Park will result in a newly-renovated parking lot this winter.

Construction began on the long-awaited project in August after the last rodeo of the season, said Andy Worline, director of parks, recreation, and trails in Snowmass. The town council initially approved the Town Park construction in August 2022 after months of work sessions to determine the most effective way to conduct the redesign. Site plans for the rodeo grounds with side-by-side comparisons show the addition of 95 paved parking spaces to what was once a dirt lot south of the arena.

In addition to renovations to the parking lot south of the rodeo arena, the current phase of construction will tackle the multipurpose activity fields to the north of the arena, re-orientation of the rodeo grounds, a filtration pond to protect water quality, and installation of a bleacher structure. The town council initially approved $5.3 million for the first phase of improvements, and an additional $1 million was added to the 2023 budget for a maintenance facility that will be a central hub for Parks and Trails Maintenance crews and their equipment, Worline said.

Construction on the maintenance facility and rodeo grandstands will continue throughout the winter. Once the snow melts, construction crews will put final touches on the rodeo grounds, including setting up new rodeo fencing, he said. He hopes to have the project completed by June 1 to be ready for the first rodeo of the 2024 season.

About $3.4 million will go toward additional Town Park improvements if the Snowmass town council approves the 2024 budget in their Nov. 6 council meeting. The town has plans for future phases of Town Park improvements, but construction would not begin on those phases without approval from the council, Worline said.

Future phases may include improving the pond area and adding ADA accessible tracks along the pond’s banks, according to a Town Park improvement plan update from the town.

“This project has been in the works pretty hard for the last six years, and we’re finally at a point where it’s coming into reality,” he said. “It’s going to be a great amenity to town, and it’s going to beautify the town, and we’re really excited.”

The Snowmass Rodeo celebrated its 50th season in 2023. What started as an outfitting operation that offered horseback riding in the early 1970s has since become a summer staple for locals and tourists, alike. With the future improvements to Town Park, the rodeo grounds will grow by almost 3,000 square feet.