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Crossroads Through Time Heritage Park

Conceptual Plan

Pueblo Community College – Fremont Campus http://www.gardenparkdinos.com/?p=2977

8/10/2015

The Pueblo Community College Fremont Campus “Crossroads Through Time Heritage Park” (CTT) provides a quality educational

experience for all ages by encouraging an understanding and appreciation for the region’s rich paleontological, geological, and historical

heritage. Its location is literally a crossroads where the planet’s and its inhabitants’ stories intersect, tying together the deep-time

geological past to the history of the people and places of the Fremont County Region.

http://www.gardenparkdinos.com/?p=2977

CTT goes beyond aiding students and visitors in understanding the area’s rich heritage. This project further enriches our community

by being a connection with and destination point for the Riverwalk trail system. A 2012 US Forest Service study showed that over

half of those surveyed engage is some form of physical activity. This park will help students, residents, and visitors stay active and

healthy, while providing mental stimulation and encouraging learning.

Not only will the project aid in grasping the timing and duration of natural processes that have shaped the earth, as well as their

implications for understanding climate change, it will also address environmental education and sustainability in an understandable

manner for people of all ages. Built in a way that protects and enhances the environmental integrity of the site, the project will

include natural and historically appropriate landscaping features that will attract the interest of gardening and birding enthusiasts.

As an educational focal point for campus students and K-12 field trips, a gateway for visitors, and a destination for those interested

in paleontology, geology, and history, plus an opportunity for all to keep fit; Crossroads Through Time Heritage Park will embody and

enhance the Fremont County community and region.

The Crossroads through Time Steering Committee has been meeting since July 2014. Participants and their local affiliations are

listed at the end of the Conceptual Plan

CROSSROADS THROUGH TIME HERITAGE PARK

Crossroads Through Time Heritage Park has two major sections: a Geology Time Trail, and a People and Places (History) Trail. By

including educational, cultural, and artistic displays, each will augment campus activities, encourage public visitation, and enhance local

lifestyle.

From the Geology Time Trail, multiple geologic rock formations are visible in all directions It is also in close proximity to some for

the greatest paleontological discoveries and excavations made in the late 1800s up to today.

The People and Places Trail begins at a time thousands of years ago with the Pre-Clovis/Paleo-Indians and runs to present time.

The Geology Time Trail

In an effort to illustrate our rich geological and paleontological heritage, including events which occurred in Fremont County as well as

in the global scene, a 2,300 foot trail will ring the perimeter of the field between PCC and Highway 50. At 1 foot equals 1 million

years, this length corresponds to half the history of the Earth (2.3 billion years). This scale provides a perspective of the deep time

involved in a way that participants can comprehend, and in the process educates our community and others about the formation and

history of familiar venues in our own back yard, expanding peoples’ horizons and leading to an appreciation of our unique landscape.

A trailhead will be established to enable a general introduction to local geology, geologic time, trail use, and additional places to go for

more information. The trail will include informational displays focusing on key milestone events important in our local geology story:

dinosaurs, the ancestral Rocky Mountains, the Western Interior Seaway, and the earliest vertebrates on the planet. A variety of local

rocks and boulders will be utilized along the trails in the time period they represent. Rocks, slabs, and boulders will be utilized as

seating locations, creative landscaping, and informational displays. Small signs will call attention to geologic events not dealt with at

waysides, and small markers will be placed on the bed of the trail indicating 100 foot/100 million year increments.

The Geology Time Trail

In addition to its educational offerings, over time, enhancements to the trail system will be developed to make it both fun and

recreational. This will be achieved by a variety of projects and programs including a connection to the Arkansas River Walk, a

labyrinth, a group seating area (small amphitheater), native prairie vegetation, a Jurassic plant garden, additional dinosaur sculptures,

and rock art such as carvings or stacked stones. We will provide round or flat stones for visitors to construct their own stacked

stones displays. Currently the area is utilized for Frisbee golf by college students and it is possible to incorporate this activity in new

and creative ways.

This trail will enable introductions to other important local geology sites including the Royal Gorge, Garden Park Fossil Area, Red

Canyon Park, and Skyline Drive. It will also maintain a strong connection to the Royal Gorge Regional Museum and other local trail

networks. In the future the trail location has the capability to continue to grow, expanding to include additional rock walls, more

geologic waysides, and additional campus access points.

The People and Places Trail

The objective of this approximately 2,000 foot People and Places Interpretive Trail is to present the story of the people, places,

activities and circumstances that have touched, and been touched by, the Fremont County Region. Waysides along the trail will include

informative signs, artifacts, representations and art pieces. PCC students and community members are encouraged to participate in

researching and organizing displays. The Fremont Campus Colorado History courses will use the People and Places Trail for learning

purposes and will be involved in classes that include development of possible future displays, activities, and K-12 curriculum.

The first section of the trail “From the Early Coloradans” will include the Paleo-Indians, the Spanish and the French. Displays will

include information from the end of the last Ice Age, the first people in the region, and the Spanish that traveled through the

area. One display will be designed to enlighten visitors about the Spanish battle against Greenhorn that happened just south of the

campus.

The second section of the trail will cover highlights of the 19th Century “The 1800s.” Starting with early explorers, it will include

stories of mountain men, fur traders, and international border disputes. Informational displays showing historical events such as the

gold rush, the founding of villages and towns, railroad builders, cattlemen and farmers, and the silver boom will all be present. Displays

will include a replica of the blockhouse that Zebulon Pike built within view of today’s PCC Fremont campus and a rock garden designed

to represent the map Pike drew showing this region and his travels. Visitors will be able to walk the path that Pike traveled via this

replica. The Railroad War and the Native Americans of this region will all be represented. An informational display about the

Colorado Territorial/State Prison farms and ranches in the region has already been built and will be included.

The People and Places Trail

“The 20th Century” (third) segment of the People and Place Interpretive Trail will include displays about the Progressive Era, the

1920s, involvement in the World Wars, the movies that were filmed in this region, and the booms and busts of the times. Displays

regarding the Sand Creek Prison Gardens located at what are now the current grounds of the Fremont campus of PCC and another

about when the prison gardens property was deeded to the college have been built and will be displayed.

The final section of the People and Places Trail, tentatively titled “The 21st Century,” will exhibit current and future “history.” The

Iron Mountain and Royal Gorge fires and the construction of new schools (Harrison School and Florence High School) will be

presented during this part of the trail.

The history of the people of the Fremont County Region, and those who passed through, will be chronicled. Stories regarding the

land, the river, the towns and the wildlife will be told along this trail. Day-to-day activities, the circumstances the people lived under,

and their connections with the past, the present, and the future will unfold as students and visitors take a stroll through the

crossroads of people and places.

Budget and Cost Assumptions:

The CTT budget incorporates four phases of the project.

The initial tasks are to paint the stegosaur sculpture and complete the first half a billion years (500 feet) of the Geology Trail.

o Tasks Costs Estimates

Stegosaurus repair and paint – $1,600

First 500 feet of Geology Trail - $2,500

Phase One completion will include finishing the Geology Trail and constructing a parking lot and the People and Places trail,

including informative signs and waysides.

Phase Two is focused on enhancements to the two trails and additional waysides such as informational displays, steps at the

Stegosaurus sculpture, benches, and picnic tables.

Later phases include the Stego amphitheater, full implementation of Jurassic garden, new sculptures, and a replica of Zebulon

Pike’s block house and a rock garden laid out representing the map Pike drew of this region.

For a more detailed account of budget and cost assumptions check the website http://www.gardenparkdinos.com/?p=2977

Benefits: The Crossroads trail network will have a broad cross section of users including:

Arkansas River Walk connection- Bikers and Hikers

PCC students and staff – campus walking and even Frisbee golf participants

Local and regional classes for K-12 and students of any age

Fitness enthusiasts – a place to work out or to sit and meditate

Local artists and art students –sculpting, landscape, and other art projects

Local gardeners, and students interested in native prairie vegetation and a Jurassic Garden

Birdwatchers fascinated with our local winged residents and visitors

Heritage tourism – those that take the time to “see the sites” and loop back into town over Skyline Drive.

Community event organizers


Ways to Help – There are several different options for those that would like to assist in this project.

Donations: We encourage local organizations and individuals to provide money, professional expertise, or material donations for

this community project. As a 501(c) 3, the Pueblo Community College – Foundation and the CTT Steering Committee will

welcome community help in bringing this vision to life. Donations can be directed through the Pueblo Community College

Foundation, referencing the Fremont Crossroads Through Time.

Volunteer Opportunities: Local community groups and associations are encouraged to participate in projects including

landscaping, gardening, painting, and trail work. Youth groups will find this a great project for community participation.

Sponsorships: Certain features such as displays, trailheads etc. will be available for sponsorships.

Contacts: If you are interested in more detail on how you can support this project, please contact either:

Cindy Smith (719-275-9781 or 303-818-3084) [email protected]

Jerry Davis (719-296-6100) [email protected]

The Pueblo Community College Fremont Campus “Crossroads Through Time Heritage Park” (CTT) is not just interpretive trails, but

an array of places to sit and reflect on this most interesting setting and if interested, the visitor can be a participant, not just be an

observer. Projects will create various opportunities for the local community to provide geologic and historic display pieces, ideas, and

support. Located at the western gateway to the city, Crossroads Through Time Heritage Park epitomizes the unity of the faculty, the

students, and the Fremont Campus of Pueblo Community College with the community, the region and our heritage.


mailto:[email protected]



The Crossroads through Time Steering Committee participants and their local affiliations:

(7/14/15)

PCC affiliated Affiliations

Dr. Lana Carter [email protected] Rotary

Fremont Economic Development Council

16 years with PCC

Gordon Bell [email protected] 13 years as head of PCC Grounds and Facilities

Cañon City Geology Club

5 years with US Forest Service - trail building

Gerald Davis [email protected] 7 years as PCC History and Social Sciences teacher

Kim Lins [email protected] PCC Nursing faculty


Kit Kederich [email protected] PCC Geology adjunct teacher


Troy Tucker [email protected] President of Associated Student Government

Aspen Mayhew [email protected] PCC Student, History major

Roberta Hiller [email protected] Art student designing CTT logo

Volunteers

Belinda Avdek [email protected] Cañon City Geology Club

Jim Nelson [email protected] Cañon City Geology Club

Fremont County Heritage Commission

Fremont Fall Heritage Festival

Western Interior Paleontological Society

39 years of experience in Economic Development

MA in Geography and Regional Development

Pat Nelson [email protected] Cañon City Geology Club

Fremont County Historical Society


29 years of experience in Community Assistance and Economic Development

MA in Organizational Communication












Christina Taylor [email protected] Cañon City Geology Club



Fremont County Stones 'n Bones

Denver Gem and Mineral Guild

Colorado School of Mines

Denver and Pueblo Archeological Society

Denver Museum of Nature & Science, paleontology program

Dr. Harold

Taylor

[email protected] Cañon City Geology Club



Denver Gem and Mineral Guild

Colorado School of Mines

Denver and Pueblo Archeological Society

Former Asst. Professor at Colorado School of Mines (7 years), PhD in Math

Dan Grenard [email protected] Cañon City Geology Club


Bureau of Land Management - retired geologist


Dr. Millie Wintz [email protected] Cañon City Geology Club





Florence Preservation Commission

Florence Arts Council

Florence Chamber of Commerce

Southern Rockies Crossroads of Culture

Fremont Fall Heritage Festival

Former high school Science teacher and Director of Education, Curriculum

Theory

Formation, Environmental Science





Melissa Smeins [email protected] Bureau of Land Management - geologist



Mary

Chamberlain

[email protected] Cañon City Geology Club




Southern Rockies: Crossroads of Cultures - president

Former teacher, MA with emphasis in Science

(taught 31 years, 5 as Gifted Education Coordinator)

Linda Skinner [email protected] Bureau of Land Management - recreation planner


Environmental Education Naturally Core Team

Cindy Smith [email protected] Cañon City Geology Club




Denver Museum of Nature & Science - volunteer

Denver Museum of Nature & Science paleontology certificate

Colorado School of Mines cataloguing volunteer

WIPS Invertebrate study group

Colorado Springs Mineralogical Society

Former high school English and ESL teacher, MA in Linguistics

(taught 18 years)





CROSSROADS THROUGH TIME HERITAGE PARK

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