Spring has Sprung!

Having some technical difficulties resolved, we are now able to resume posting on the City Blog.  So sorry for the delay. When technology works it's great-when it doesn't it is VERY frustrating :-) 

Spring has arrived in the Gunnison High Country.  This past Saturday saw the 3rd Annual Ana's Pledge Bike Safety Rodeo.  Close to 100 children (and their parents) learned about bike safety as they went through the safety stations at Lake School Administration Building on North Boulevard.  The kids had their bicycles checked for mechanical safety and their bike helmets examined for proper fit.  Thanks to Wal-Mart and Tomichi Cycles, bike helmets were provided to those kids unable to afford one.  Thanks to these two GREAT SPONSORS of the event!

In addition, close to 30 volunteers manned the stations around the course!  Thanks to each and every one of them, the young participants learned how to merge safely in traffic, watch out for other vehicles and obstacles on the road, ride properly in the City bike lanes, stop and start as needed and practiced safe riding on the obstacle course.  It was a educational and fun time!

The Bike Safety Rodeo was the start of many, many upcoming bicycle events in Gunnison this summer.  Stay tuned for updates.  Have a great spring everyone! 

Cedar waxwings are in town for a spring crabapple feast

    

Spring Recreation Programs

The Spring 2013 Recreation Program  Brochures are available.  You can pick up a copy at the Gunnison Community Center, 200 E. Spencer Avenue or at City Hall, 201 W. Virginia Avenue in Gunnison.  You can also go on-line at www.gunnisonrec.com and view the offerings. 

There's something for everyone!  For kids - you can choose "Sporties for Shorties", swimming, basketball, soccer, LaCrosse clinics, gymnastics, climbing, TaeKwonDo and much more.  Not to be left out, adults and seniors can participate in swimming, pickleball, square dancing, climbing, senior fitness and senior stretch class. 

The Spring Guide also includes the Community Center and Aquatics Facility schedules and information on the Senior Lunch Programming.  Get involved - get active! 

It's Springtime in Gunnison

Spring in Gunnison

Yep, it is definitely spring in the Gunnison High Country.
Yesterday's welcome rain left the snowline just above the valley floor.  There is a beautiful dusting of snow on Sawtooth and Flattop this morning.  And in contrast, if you walk around town, the crabapple trees and shrubs are in full bloom.  It is supposed to warm up today, so get out and enjoy the sunshine and blossoms.

Half Way There

Spring Break week is about half-way gone! And the spring weather is definitely improving. Get out and enjoy some great Gunnison sunshine. And while you're out and about, stop by the Gunnison Community Center at 200 E. Spencer Avenue and register for Spring Parks and Recreation Programs. There's something for everyone from tots to adults. The programs start next week, the week of March 26th. Go to http://tinyurl.com/2012springprograms to view the programs brochure or go to http://www.gunnisonrec.com/ for information. You can also call 641-8060.
The ice rink will officially close late this Sunday, March 25th. It's been a fun and exciting season of hockey, figure and recreational skating! Get over to the rink at Jorgensen Park and enjoy the last few days of skimming the ice.
On a warmer weather note, the USA Pro Cycle Challenge Race event is looking for volunteers. The pass-through Gunnison portion of the race will be on Tuesday afternoon, August 21st, with the Gunnison Stage Start taking place on Wednesday morning, August 22nd. If you'd like to get involved in volunteering with the race, and maybe getting a "front row" viewing spot to boot...go to www.usaprocyclingchallenge.com/volunteer There are lots of different opportunities to volunteer.

Spring Break Week

It's Spring Break Week in Gunnison. Both RE1J Schools and Western State College students are enjoying a week off. If you don't get to lounge around the pool in a warmer climate, there's still plenty to do in Gunnison!
There was fresh snow Sunday night, so spring skiing should be great! The snow has muddied the lower trails so keep off until they dry out to help control trail damage.
The Gunnison River channel is open all the way to the Lake City Bridge. A few very hearty souls were wave surfing at the Gunnison Whitewater Park over the weekend. Sandhill Cranes and Blue Herons were spotted cruising over the river this past weekend. And even with the river channel open to the bridge, ice fishermen were still out on Blue Mesa Reservoir. Be cautious though, with the warming temperatures, it won't be long before ice fishing is over and the boats come out on the lake.
Looking for some activity? Head over to the Gunnison Community Center for some spring fun. You can swim, do some fancy dives off the board or try one or all three of the slides into the pools. There is a special "frog" slide for the little ones fun! If swimming isn't your thing, try out the indoor climbing wall. You can also use the gyms for shooting hoops or enjoy shooting pool or challenging your friends at ping-pong. For more information on the Community Center go to www.cityofgunnison-co.gov/parks_and_rec/index.html
There's also fun to be had at the many City parks. There's play equipment (slides/swings/etc.) for the kids at Legion Park, the Meadows Park, and CharMar Park. There's tennis courts at CharMar Park and basketball hoops at the Meadows Park and Legion Park. There is also a challenging outdoor climbing boulder at Legion Park. Try it out!
There's the Ruby Cinema in the College Center at WSC. for catching a movie and some popcorn.
Just a reminder - go to http://tinyurl.com/2012springprograms and sign up for Spring Recreation Programs. Classes start the week of March 26th!
Get out and enjoy the warming spring weather! Spring officially starts at 11:14pm, today, Monday, March 19th! Have a safe and fun Spring Break.

Sure Sign of Spring

Even though the weather service is calling for possible snow this evening and tomorrow, there was a sure sign of impending spring this afternoon. A flock of sandhill cranes was circling the center of town just after 1pm.

The Gunnison Valley lies under the annual flight path of the cranes. They winter along the Rio Grande River at the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuse near Socorro, New Mexico. Each spring they migrate north along their ancestral flight path to the Grays Lake area of Southeastern Idaho. In the fall they reverse the process and fly south over Gunnison in mid-September. You can see them in local fields in early evening. The wildlife refuge/bird viewing area west of town on McCabe Lane by the Waterwater Treatment Plant is a great place to observe these graceful creatures.

The cranes have a very distinctive sound - so get off your cellphone, turn off the iPad, get out of your diesel truck and hop on your bike or take a walk - to hear these harbingers of spring. You'll probably notice a lot of local folks stopping and staring skyward in the next month.

Spring Programs

It's a beautiful spring-like day out there and it turns our attention to spring recreation programs! Registration is taking place NOW for the spring programs. See the "Thinking of Spring" blog entry below from Friday, February 24th, for where you can find information on these fun and active programs. We have everything from swimming to soccer to pickleball to rock climbing, for toddlers to adults! There's something for everyone. Sign up now to reserve your spot.

Thinking of Spring

The gray skies have cleared and it's a beautiful, clear, blue-skied day. Everyone is out running, biking or walking the dogs. Of course, it's still only 30 degrees - but we're "tough" here in the high country!
And a day like today reminds us that Spring is just around the corner. The Gunnison Parks & Recreation's Spring Program Brochure will be available on Friday, March 2nd. You can pick up a hardcopy brochure at the Gunnison Community Center, City Hall or at the Ice Rink.
You can also access a virtual version of the Spring Program Brochure at http://tinyurl.com/2012springprograms
Program registration will start on Monday, March 5th. You can register through the virtual brochure, at the Gunnison Community Center at 200 East Spencer Avenue, by calling the Recreation Department at 970-641-8060 or by going online at http://www.gunnisonrec.com/ No excuses - there are many convenient ways to get involved in spring recreation activites! Register early to reserve a spot in your favority program or to try out a new program adventure! There are many to chose from. Call 641-8060 for more information.

A Fun Time Was Had By All

It was a rainy but fun weekend in Gunnison! The Easter Bunny was in attendance at the 2nd Annaul Underwater Easter Egg Hunt at the Community Pool on Saturday. 275 participants had a great time hunting for 2200 cement filled eggs, 4 golden eggs and 1 "Monster Egg". It weighed 10 pounds! 20 pounds of candy was given out. The kids enjoyed a "bouncy castle" and fun games like guessing the total number of jelly beans and "Bunny Bingo". Thanks to the Community Center personnel for all of their work in hosting this fun event.

A successful bike auction was held at the Public Works Shops at noon on Saturday. "Found" bikes, not claimed by their previous owners, were auctioned off to the public and great bargains were found - despite the rain.

With all of the rain this weekend - you can almost hear the grass growing and turning green! Welome spring!