PanethosWith each thoroughly enjoyable visit to Salida, Colorado, this retired planner has come away more and more impressed by the city and the surrounding county/region. As a result, here are my ten planning lessons from this remarkable community located in the ❤️ of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Peace!
Salida from Tenderfoot Hill a.k.a. “S” Mountain- Who knew surfing the Arkansas River (or any river for that matter) was an option? Well it is in Salida where outdoor freshwater recreational options include swimming, hot springs, fishing, top-notch fly-fishing, kayaking, canoeing, world-class rafting, tubing, and…surfing!
- Salida knows how to care for and preserve its amazing history, as it is home to the largest historic district in the State of Colorado. Furthermore, as a trendsetting community, Salida also became home of Colorado’s first Creative District.
- Salida has made a remarkable transition from a 19th and early 20th century mining, smeltering, and railroading town into a trendsetting recreational and retirement community that champions its environmental stewardship. In fact, the waters of the Arkansas River flowing through Salida are categorized as Gold Medal — part of the longest stretch of any such a waterbody in Colorado.
“The upper Arkansas River was designated Gold Medal status because of improved water quality, flow management and fish abundance.”
Source: salidachamber.org
- Salida successfully restored its steam power plant located downtown and has adapted it into the premier entertainment and civic hub (SteamPlant Event Center) for the city and surrounding region.
- Outside-the-box planning initiatives like free loaner life vests, an indoor community hot spring aquatic center (largest in the nation), vertical bicycle parking racks, off-street downtown pedestrianways, and free downtown parking (both on and off-street) are just a few examples that set Salida apart from the rest.
- Like much of Colorado, housing costs are quite pricey. Unlike many places though, Salida has attempted to address this issue in multiple ways which includes permitting tiny homes, shotgun style homes, and denser infill developments where appropriate, as well as setting aside portions of new developments for more affordable housing options.
- Salida Mountain Trails and Salida Area Parks, Open Space & Trails (SPOT) have created an amazing array of trails in the mountains and within the city proper. Combined with the infrastructure of the city, Salida is an excellent place for safe non-motorized travel and transportation.
- Salida’s unique Banana Belt Climate allows for year-round outdoor activities, while its surrounding mountain panorama provides numerous options for winter sports.
- Salida is one of those very special places that has NOT been overrun by expressways nor marred by endless commercial schlock extending outward on arterials. In fact, it has two (yes two) name brand grocery stores in its downtown core! What a welcome breath of fresh air all around!
- Few places in America or elsewhere possess such an outstanding array of vistas in every direction. Salida has successfully built a thriving economy based on its unique geographic, environmental, historical, and geological location without harming these aesthical assets in the process.
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Surf’s Up! Salida Gets New, Rippin’ Scout Wave (Plus Shredalicious Vid Footie) - Paddling Life
Yup…The surf’s up in November in Colorado now, thanks to the new Scout Wave 2.0 on the Arkansas River in Salida. Located downstream of the bridge downtown, the new Scout Wave 2.0 in the Salida Whitewater Park was a community project made possible by the City of Salida, private local donors, local concrete gurus Jake […]