970-668-4060
fax 970-668-4225
Post Office Box 5660
0037 Peak One Drive, SCR 1005
Frisco, Colorado 80443
For Immediate Release: August 6, 2007
For More Information Contact:
Todd Robertson, Summit County Open Space and Trails (970) 668-4067
Brad Eckert, Summit County Open Space and Trails, (970) 668-4213
Chris Hart, Friends of the Swan Mountain Recpath, (970) 390-0315
Leslie Aaholm, Friends of the Swan Mountain Recpath (970) 668-3603
Summit County, Colorado - The first phase of the Swan Mountain Recpath will be opened to the public after a dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony by the Board of County Commissioners on Monday August 13 at 10 a.m.
This new 1.67-mile paved recreational pathway segment is the first of a four-phase project to complete the recpath loop around Dillon Reservoir. The first phase, known as the Lowry Section, provides a connection from the Summit Cove neighborhood to Swan Mountain Road below Sapphire Point, allowing bicyclists and other recpath users to avoid 2.2 miles of Swan Mountain Road. It cost $2,031,584 to build.
“There were numerous funding partners in both the public and private sectors that helped make the Lowry Section a reality,” said Todd Robertson, Open Space and Trails Director. “The ribbon cutting will not only celebrate the long awaited opening of the Lowry Section, but recognize the numerous entities for their hard work, dedication, support and fund raising efforts.”
The Friends of the Swan Mountain Recpath in partnership with the NWCCOG (Northwest Colorado Council of Governments) Foundation have raised over $160,000 from private foundations and over 755 individual donors. A recent benefit concert and silent auction at the Silverthorne Pavilion raised over $12,000 for the project.
The focus has now turned to raise $1.9 million for construction of the second phase, known as the Sapphire Section, which will provide a connection from the end of the Lowry Section to Sapphire Point. “While Summit County Government is pursuing grants from Great Outdoors Colorado and federal transportation enhancement programs for the Sapphire Section, the Friends of Swan Mountain Recpath and NWCCOG Foundation have set a goal to raise $362,500, or 20% of the estimated total, in private funds to match potential public funds,” said Chris Hart, chairman of the Friends group.
Once the ribbon is cut, people can ride or walk on the new recpath. The first rider will be Monique Mustard of Frisco, who made the highest bid for the privilege at the recent benefit concert.
The public is invited to attend the ribbon cutting and dedication, which will take place at the eastern terminus of the Lowry Section off Royal Coachman Boulevard in Summit Cove. Directions are shown on the attached map.
For more information on the Swan Mountain Recpath or to make a donation toward the Sapphire Section, visit www.swanmountainrecpath.com <http://www.swanmountainrecpath.com> or contact the Summit County Open Space and Trails Department at (970) 668-4060.
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