Basalt, Colorado, located in the Rocky Mountains, has a rich history dating back to the mining era. Initially a Ute Indian Reservation and hunting ground, demand for charcoal to power mining operations smelters in Aspen, and the availability of Pinion trees for fuel, resulted in the construction of seven kilns in Basalt in 1882. Originally, coal was transported to Aspen by mules and horses, but in 1887 the area saw the introduction of the Colorado Midland railroad. All this industry attracted workers and a 'man camp' sprang up on land that is now home to two parks straddling the Roaring Fork River.

Basalt's relationship with the two rivers, at its core, has ebbed and flowed over time like the rivers themselves. In 2000, a new partner of Connect One Design employed at a previous firm, worked with the Town of Basalt to produce the Basalt River Corridor Implementation Plan to create recommendations for the land use code that enabled the community's vision for development along Basalt's River corridors to come to life. The plan was then used to update portions of Basalt zoning to more appropriately address properties adjacent to the river.

In 2011, though modern Basalt's identity and economic vitality are directly tied to the recreational opportunities offered by the two rivers that converge at its center, significant sections of river frontage remained unknown, inaccessible, and underutilized. The downtown stretch of the Roaring Fork River was flanked by a mobile home park on one side and a historic ranch dumpsite now overgrown and trashed by local transients on the other. Concrete blocks and random boulders shored up both sides of the eroding riverbank, creating health and safety concerns for the community. Recognizing the value of the riverfront property identified in the Implementation Plan, the Town of Basalt, in conjunction with a group of concerned citizens, purchased the two parcels located directly across from one another in the river's 100-year floodway. Thus, Midland Park, with the aid of local landscape architecture firm, Connect One Design, became one of the first projects to connect the town visibly and physically to the Roaring Fork River in an ecologically sensitive manner.

 
Now 12 years later, Midland Park is a regionally significant, diverse, and peaceful destination, highlighting Basalt's visionary outlook on its environment and local economy and the recipient of a 2019 Colorado ASLA Honor Award. Riverbank restoration halted erosion caused by fluctuating seasonal runoff. Side streams of the main river channel, once deeply eroded and devoid of vegetation, are now a vibrant trout spawning habitat. A sculptural treehouse made from wood harvested on site attracts small children, while older kids gravitate to giant boulders at the river's edge. Elevated walkways rise above restored wetlands and river channels, riparian areas attract a rich diversity of insects, birds, and wildlife, and from inside the adjacent public library, floor-to-ceiling windows give patrons an unfettered view of the ecologically rich, natural environment.

The primary design goal of Midland Park was to create a place of natural beauty for quiet reflection. Dogs and bicycles are prohibited from the heart of the park to maintain this tranquil respite from the rest of the world, though the Gisella Fiou Skate Park on its periphery provides an outlet for active energy. The park features three primary spaces connected by a raised walkway which allows access to the site during spring runoff, as well as in winter, creating a four-season park. Spirit Nest, also known as Story Fort, an interactive play structure made of eucalyptus from Big Sur, CA, where it is an invasive species, was created in part as a nod to and 'in the spirit of' make-shift forts that seem to 'appear' in the town's open spaces. It highlights folklore relating to the river while providing a central outdoor space for library activities. The Gathering Tree, a large cottonwood in the meadow at the heart of the park, bridges the emotional and physical connections people share with the river, and a splash pool allows safe and ADA-accessible entry to water at the river's edge. Additionally, river restoration completed during the creation of the park, effectively halted significant riverbank erosion caused by unpredictable seasonal runoff, creating an effective buffer between the river and the library. Wildlife and river views through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the library were intentionally preserved; no built elements were introduced to this viewshed. A side stream of the river, once deeply eroded and devoid of vegetation, is now a shallow and meandering channel providing a vibrant ecosystem for trout spawning. With the help of the Audubon Society, plant selection in the newly created wetland and riparian areas promotes year-round bird habitat and attracts birders to enjoy the rich diversity, creating an economic opportunity for the town.

The design process began with the recognition of the importance of community access to public space along the river. The landscape architect and project manager, Gyles Thornely, led a master planning effort based on community engagement and inclusiveness. Working in close collaboration with Town of Basalt staff, the Parks, Open Space, and Trails committee, and a citizen-led community group, including stakeholders from the library, Gyles developed a park concept rooted in the region's natural and cultural history, worked side-by-side with environmental specialists from Matrix Design Group to restore the river, and assisted the town in securing grants, donations, and a 1% open space tax to fund the construction of the park. Connect One Design provided construction documentation and construction administration for all aspects of the park, including trails, ADA-accessible river access, collaborative play structures, meadow plantings, boulder placement, river channel engineering, and wetlands delineation.

Stormwater Mitigation
Because the park is located within the 100-year floodway, proposed design alternatives focused primarily on the preservation of the site's riparian and wetland environment, ensuring that any future programming is experiential and passive, rather than active and organized. Materials and construction methods needed to respond to river variables and meet the wetland mitigation regulations of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers which require any built structures, including walkways and furniture, to be engineered to break away and float downstream in the event of a catastrophic flood event. Access paths are designed for temporary water inundation, and wetlands help pool runoff, effectively reducing bank erosion and habitat fragmentation. Riverbank stabilization work included the installation of bank armoring with Leadville Limestone rock quarried from Glenwood Springs, the planting of approximately 8,250 wetland plants, and the creation of a trout spawning channel with staggered boulder placement that promotes reproduction and a rich aquatic invertebrate environment while redirecting the force of the river to preserve the landscape. Meadows in the park were seeded with native grasses and wildflowers. Additionally, the park was designed to enhance Basalt's location at the confluence of two Colorado Wildlife Commission-designated "Gold Medal" [fishing] streams.

Park Play
The 4.5-acre property's central features include the Spirit Nest interactive play sculpture, designed by artist Jayson Fann, a meadow fire pit from Garfield Steel, break-away boardwalks by Wickcraft, and water access via an ADA ramp flanked by leaning timbers with manilla rope set through rowlocks mimicking the hull of a boat and serving as a guide for users of all ages and abilities to hold onto while approaching the water's edge. Skatepark features on the park's fringe were recently updated.

The park began as a collaboration between a group of forward-thinking citizens and the Town of Basalt, with the shared goal of creating a diverse, beautiful, and peaceful destination along the Roaring Fork River adjacent to the town's new showpiece library. Gyles Thornely worked with the town to secure community support through significant public outreach efforts throughout the master planning process. This parlayed into grants, donations, and passage of the Open Space tax which made design and construction of the park and playground possible.

Outlook
This property, once a dumpsite for local ranches, is now a community amenity adorning the banks of the Roaring Fork River. Highlighting Basalt's vision to embrace the environment in its local economy, Midland Park is an inclusive public park that encourages citizens and visitors to learn about and experience the ecology and biodiversity of the river environment. The park is a place of quiet, natural beauty, punctuated with interpretive signage, elevated walkways, and interactive play structures that highlight the nature, history, and folklore of the river. Ecological restoration has halted riverbank erosion while newly created wetlands and riparian areas attract a rich diversity of birds, insects, and wildlife. With trails connecting to the beloved public library, the park is a natural gathering place for preschool groups, after-school programs, and people of all ages and abilities who want to explore the river environment.

As seen in LASN magazine, June 2023.