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History

1993: By order of the District Court, County of Delta, State of Colorado, and after voter election, the North Fork Pool, Park and Recreation District was created on April 28, 1993 with an initial mill levy of 1.444 mills.  This order is the culimination of a series of events. A swimming pool committee, formed in 1992, determined there was a need for a swimming pool in the North Fork area. Jack Overton was one of the members of that committee who took the steps necessary to put a proposition for a pool on the 1993 voting ballot. 

A newspaper clipping showing a man signing a document with two women standing by, titled "The deed is done!"

 

1994: NFPPRD Board of Directors navigates site selection for pool and approves District expense to provide a pool bus for Paonia, Hotchkiss and Crawford to expand accessibility to the pool, once constructed. The free pool bus continues to present day. Gabor and Ilona Horvath donated 8 acres of land for the pool. 

 

 

 

 

 

Construction site with two bulldozers, excavated land in the foreground, snow-capped mountains in the background.

1995: Associated Pools broke gound in April. The Horvath's donation along with the procurement of grants and significant community contributions provided funding for the pool and bath house construction.

 

 

 

A group of people in a pool with one person standing outside, likely an instructor, and a blue and white umbrella in the background.

The main pool officially opened on July 12th, 1995 with Jatrice Cowan as the first Pool Manager. The first swimming lessons were conducted on August 7th, 1995 with a total of 198 students taught for the 1995 season. 

 

 

 

An article about new pools coming to North Fork with a photo of children playing in a pool.

1997: Pool Concession stand constructed with first Concessionare offers treats to pool patrons. A generous donation by Monty and Sara Rekdahl allows the Board to initiate plans to add a Therapy Pool and Wading pool. NFPPRD takes on the management of the local skatepark. Part time position of District Administrator created and offered to Jatrice Cowan. Pool season May 26 - Sept 1 with daily admission cost of $1 for a child. 

 

 

1998: Associated Pools completes construction of Therapy and Wading pool which open for use for the summer season.

Empty swimming pool with a slide, depth markers showing 2 ft 10 in.

 

A curving dirt road through a dry landscape with hills and a patch of greenery.

 

Upgrades to the skatepark continue. NFPPRD submits an application for a grant which is awarded to construct the Hotchkiss High School Track. Pool season May 25 - Sept 7 with daily admission cost of $1 for a child.

 

 

People at a poolside area, likely after swimming, some wrapped in towels, with hills in the background.

 

1999: Shade shelter is constructed and landscaping added to the area around the pool. 

 

 2000: The reach of NFPPRD expands from the original goal of constructing a swimming pool. Discussions begin with local community members to build soccer and baseball/softball fields by the pool, potentially expanding the original 8 acre parcel donated by the Horvath family. NFPPRD's administration of the Apple Valley tennis courts is also discussed.

Curved road construction with workers, fresh concrete, scenic background.

Hotchkiss High School track is competed. 

The Kid's Kingdom Playground, built in partnership with the North Fork Community Montessori School (now the Nature Connection) is completed. DeBrucing (TABOR Amendment) added to the November election for the District (ballot measure did not pass). Pool season May 29 - Sept 4 with daily admission cost of $1 for a child. 

2001: A tally is completed with 3500+ swimming lessons conducted, 2500+ water aerobics classes completed and 35K admissions to the pool since opening in 1995. NFPPRD enters into contract to purchase 20 acres of land with an option to purchase an additional 35.6 acres with Horvath family. Plans begin and funding explored to construct soccer and baseball/softball fields on the new 'North Fork Sports Complex.' NFPPRD pays to resurface the Apply Valley Tennis Courts in Paonia. Pool season May 29 - Sept 4 with daily admission cost of $1 for a child. 

2002: Phase I of development of Sports Complex gets underway with purchasing 20 additional acres of land from the Horvath family. A 5-year option to purchase and additional 36 acres was included in the May 31st closing documents. Fund raising, an environmental statement, a land survey, soil testing, project development and many other tasks were undertaken. The name adopted for the Sports Complex 'Crossroads,' with the tag line 'Where the North Fork Valley Plays,' were adopted. Esther Koontz takes over as District Administrator in August. Pool season May 27 - Sept 2 with daily admission cost of $1 for a child. 

2003: Engineering drawings for the excavation of Crossroads were presented and approved. NFPPRD was called upon to consider several proposals including, annexing Somerset into the District's boundaries, taking over maintenance for the 'Dust Bowl' fields and the North Fork River Improvement (NFRIA) project. Pool season May 26 - Sept 1 with daily admission cost of $1 for a child. 

2004: NFPPRD presents the option to de-Bruce (related to TABOR amendment) and return the mill levy to the original 1.44 mills as it had decreased to .893 over time. NFPPRD participates in a GOCO grant submission to obtain playground equipment for the Crawford K-8 school, which was not awarded that year. The Board initiates plans to construct a District Office, with a concession stand and public restrooms as the soccer fields and parking for Phase I of Crossroads development near completion. Hotchkiss Youth Soccer Association (HYSA) donates funding and in-kind service to support completion of the soccern fields. The District develops a web page to help inform the community about the Recreation District. Pool season May 24 - Sept 6 with daily admission cost of $1 for a child. 

2005: The steps necessary to acquire funding and complete the purchase of 36 acres for Phase II of Crossroads are taken. A group of citizens from Paonia approach NFPPRD with the goal of facilitating conversations about recreational opportunities available to citizens of Paonia. The perceived needs expressed included a gym facility, a swimming pool, a community center, adult basketball, volleyball, summer softball and ultimate frisbee, ice skating, improved skatepark, and many others. A pumphouse is constructed. NFPPRD engaged in a renewable lease with the Town of Paonia governing the Paonia Skatepark. Pool season May 30 - Sept 5 with daily admission cost of $2 for a child. 

 2006: Soccer play on the new fields! Pool season May 29 - Sept 4 with daily admission cost of $2.50 for a child. 

2007: The North Fork River Improvement Association (NFRIA) continues to lobby NFPPRD to take on the the management of the 19 acre Paonia River Park. Delta County Memorial Hospital pediatric rehab unit is using the pool for physical therapy on Mondays with a discount of half-price admission. Pool season May 28 - Sept 3 with daily admission cost of $2.50 for a child. 

2008: Considerations of NFPPRD taking over the deed for the River park from NFRIA are halted due to liability and cost concerns. Representatives from CAWS (Citizens for Animal Welfare and Shelter) approach NFPPRD to request construction of a dog park at Crossroads. Due to rising requests for services and increasing operating costs, requesting an increase to the mill levy was considered for the November election but eventually postponed until a future date.  Hotchkiss Home Plate (combined Hotchkiss softball and baseball leagues) would like to use 'to be constructed' ball fields at Crossroads for their program. NFPPRD is granted an Absolute Water Decree for Crossroads Spring. Pool season May 26 - Sept 1 with daily admission cost of $2.50 for a child. 

2009: The potential risks combining children and dogs puts the idea of creating a dog park at Crossroads Park on hold.  The need for a Master Plan, to support grant submissions and clarify NFPPRD goals to the community is highlighted and development of the plan initiated. Pool season May 25 - Sept 7 with daily admission cost of $2.50 for a child. 

2010: A grant submission was completed but awarded to obtain solar power for the District. Work on a Master Plan got underway along with further recognition of an increased mill levy. A consistent issue with funding is while grants may be available to fund the initial outlay for a project, funds required to maintain and operate assets or programs most typically do not come from grants. Boulders are donated to add to the parking lots. Roberts Rules of Order adopted for conducting Board Meetings. Pool season May 31 - Sept 6 with daily admission cost of $2.50 for a child. 

2011: Community outreach to publicize the District's Master Plan was conducted. Pool season May 30 - Sept 5 with daily admission cost of $3.00 for a child. 

2012: The pool boiler and heater were replaced. A summer lunch program was a great success. NFPPRD submits a grant application to GOCO to replace the Apple Valley Tennis Courts. Pool season May 28 - Sept 3 with daily admission cost of $3.00 for a child. 

2013: Pool season May 27 - Sept 2 with daily admission cost of $3.00 for a child. 

2014: Pool season May 26 - Sept 1 with daily admission cost of $3.00 for a child. 

2015: Pool season May 25 - Sept 7 with daily admission cost of $3.00 for a child. 

2016: Pool season May 30 - Sept 5 with daily admission cost of $3.00 for a child. 

2017: Pool season May 29 - Sept 4 with daily admission cost of $3.00 for a child. 

2018: Pool season May 28 - Sept 3 with daily admission cost of $4.00 for a child. 

2019: Pool season May 27 - Sept 2 with daily admission cost of $4.00 for a child. 

2020:

2021: 

2022: Pool season June 5 - Sept 5 with daily admission cost of $4.00 for a child. 

2022: Pool season June 3 - Sept 2 with daily admission cost of $5.00 for a child. 

 In 2018, the aging playground was replaced with the pumptrack, climbing boulder and WeatherPort picnic structure.