Durango Exhibit 7: Report on the Design, Functionality, and Physical Characteristics of the Durango Boating Park

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risk, maintaining or improving the fish habitat and riparian zone in this region, and preserving Durango's reputation as a pristine mountain destination. The City has also expressed a wish that any in- stream improvements leverage existing facilities within the City. This includes proximity to existing parking and restroom facilities, easy access to other tourist attractions in and around the City, and direct connection to trails along the river corridor. Other desires expressed by the City include expandability, the creation of a visual attraction, and the ability to host a marquis whitewater event that will augment current events held at the Smelter Boating Park and that will improve Durango's reputation as a whitewater destinati - The City is also seeking improvements that can be economically implemented and maintained. These improvements should be designed to be permanent and should not create an increased flood risk. Associated Design Criteria • Integration with the City of Durango, inter -urban trail systems and with local downtown businesses, living areas, and existing parks. • Low cost, low oversight, and low maintenance. • Improvements should be designed to increase tourism and to directly augment existing tourist opportunities in the region. • The improvements must serve as an attraction and improve the quality of life for in -town users, spectators and other users of the river corridor and the trail system. • The improvements must serve to market Durango as a stunning destination with attractive recreational opportunities and to further establish Durango's reputation as a whitewater destination. • The Park must be designed to function as an attraction that would invite users from out of the region for recreation, events, and competition. • Improvements should leverage current City Park facilities, and should be integrated with current City master plans. 11