Commissioners discussed the long-awaited development of Michael Gunn Park at Platte Meadows this week with the approval of construction bids.
The commission met Monday, Dec. 6 at the Platte County Resource Center, with director of parks and recreation Daniel Erickson presenting a bid award and contract with Mega KC Corporation for phase one development of the park. The park is named after local attorney Michael Gunn and located in southern Platte County near Park Hill’s new Walden Middle School.
Erickson said the county received three bids for installation of a parking lot, concrete drive and one-mile looped trail at a cost of nearly $350,000.
The project was identified in previous master plans but never implemented until the area underwent additional development with the construction of the new school and reconstruction of roadways in the area.
Erickson said county staff met with Park Hill School District officials to determine the best layout to allow students from Park Hill South High School and Walden Middle School to use the new trail for cross country.
A portion of the trails, usable by the school district, are expected to be completed in April 2022 to allow for students to use the park.
“We’re excited to activate this property – for too long it’s been hidden from the public and we’re happy to show it to them,” Erickson said, adding during trips to the site they’ve spotted eagles and coyotes.
The county also received two bids for the replacement of the Bee Creek Road bridge, which will be reviewed by the department of public works.
Last month, the county salary commission, made up of all current elected county officials, met to discuss salary increases for officeholders. With the three current commissioners voting no, the commission voted 7-3 to implement a six percent increase, which would not become effective until the next term of office.
Elected officials may not approve salary increases effective during their current terms of office, per state law. Prosecutor Eric Zahnd and sheriff Mark Owen are members of the committee, though their salaries are governed via a different state-wide system.