What has become of Kit Carson Park?

What has become of Kit Carson Park???

Has Kit Carson Park become the city’s commercial enterprise? And when is a public park not public?

I have enjoyed walking in Kit Carson Park for 30 years. The last several years due to poor decision-making by the town council and gatekeepers in their mission to underwrite big events, the park has been fenced off and closed to the public and is entered by paid ticket holders only.

Most attendees are from out of town. The food vendors are not operated by local business owners, and most of the crafts in the craft fairs come from elsewhere.

The park has become an ugly eyesore. Perhaps the powers that be could learn something by taking note of Frederick Olmsted’s philosophy of creating beautiful public spaces for all to enjoy.

Every important city and town in the world understands this. Not to respect this is an insult to every citizen who lives in town and has to put up with these ongoing disturbances. Who are these gatekeepers serving?

Where is the money going from these big events? Perhaps that question needs to also be addressed.

The tennis courts have been turned into a concrete dog patch, refuse and old maintenance equipment are piled and stored out in the open. The chain-link fences around the park have been up for weeks, and after these events trash is everywhere. Does the city have a budget for all of the rental equipment used, security guards and maintenance crews to take care of this?

A city ordinance states that loud music cannot be played after 10 p.m. The Meow Wolf event went well past midnight with loud acoustical music and overnight camping disturbing citizens that live in close proximity to the park. How many gatekeepers live in town?

It is time to address these issues as the current use of Kit Cason Park is not consistent with the legal dedication of the space designated as a park facility.