Commission discusses Mill Creek Park integrated weed-management plan, survey results and phased regrading

San Miguel County Open Space Commission members spent substantial time on Sept. 22 discussing a proposed integrated weed-management plan for Mill Creek Park, coordination with CSU extension staff, and next steps for a larger regrading and park-improvement effort.

Commission members said the county has run a public survey for Mill Creek Park that has been live for about two to three months and contains six questions; staff asked commissioners and residents to complete it before the Oct. 1 meeting in order to inform next steps. "It's only six questions," a commissioner noted during the meeting.

Discussion covered local staffing and roles: a staff member called "Jack" (described in the meeting as a CSU administrative assistant who also leads pollinator-garden work) would likely serve as the local lead for pollinator gardens and park planting. Julie Kolb, identified in the meeting as the county's noxious-weed manager, has already visited the site several times, commissioners said.

Commissioners discussed bringing CSU Extension specialist Katrina Blair to the valley for a consult to review the site and share management recommendations. Blair is a CSU extension specialist, commissioners said; members proposed starting with a paid consultation and, if useful, pursuing additional on-site work later. Commissioners emphasized they want local staff (Jack and Julie) to participate in any site visit or summit with Blair.

The group reviewed pilot and alternative weed-management strategies discussed previously, including a goat grazing pilot used to address thistles and other invasive plants. Commissioners described the pilot as a short, week-long stay that was managed with guardian dogs to deter predators; initial field reports indicate goats grazed targeted weeds and were moved between fenced plots. Members said a fuller report from the goat pilot was forthcoming.

On larger-site improvements, the commission reported that county staff prepared a regrading plan and issued an RFP for the Mill Creek Park regrading; no contractors responded to the first solicitation. Commissioners discussed re-bidding in winter to secure contractors for work in spring, and noted that the overall regrading scope previously presented was a sizeable job that may require bundling phases to attract bidders. Commissioners said the county expects to revisit procurement during the budget process and to seek county-commissioner concurrence before advancing major capital work.

Commissioners asked staff to coordinate survey outreach (including targeted contact to nearby homeowners associations), to confirm staff and consultant availability for a site visit when Jack returns to town, and to share findings from the goat pilot and any draft recommendations from Katrina Blair when available.