Friends,
Last night the Alamosa School Board went into Executive Session and came out to announce that they would like to hear from both parties interested in purchasing the former Polston School Campus on Hwy 17 just North of Hwy 160. The meeting is at 6:30am on Thursday May 9th at 209 Victoria Avenue.
This 38.2 acres on the Rio Grande River has been the focus of a longtime community effort to purchase and build a Healthy Living Park.
Action Items:
- Write Email/letter of support to ASD Board (see template below)
- Show up at 209 Victoria at 6:30am on Thursday May 9th - Wear green to identify yourself as a Healthy Living Park supporter.
This land has some of the best quality soil in the valley, and is the perfect location for an agricultural park. It ties in economic development, agriculture, education, nutrition and physical activity. It provides an opportunity to create a beautiful northeastern entrance to Alamosa, while tying the community back to the land and supporting young farmers. It provides an opportunity for business incubation through a San Luis Valley farm distribution center and a commercial kitchen, there are plans for growing greenhouse vegetables for our fourteen school districts year round. There is potential to connect East and West Alamosa via bike and walking paths and to realize community ideas such as an agricultural museum, clamshell amphitheater, a beautiful wedding space, a SLV Farm restaurant, and a community gathering and play place.
Our mission: To develop a healthy living park that promotes local agriculture and tourism, an values conservation and sustainability
Our vision: the Rio Grande Healthy Living Park cultivates a sustainable local foods system, healthy living practices , and local arts and culture inspired by the rich agricultural heritage of the San Luis Valley.
The Trust For Public Land conserves land for people to enjoy as parks, gardens, and other natural places, ensuring livable communities for generations to come. They, on behalf of the Local Foods Coalition and greater community are prepared to raise the appraised value of $750,000 with a 7 month purchase option.
The other offer of $450,000, is from Dan Russell who is proposing an RV Park. This offer was refused and a counter offer is on the table.
We are asking you to write an email or send an electronic letter to the Alamosa School Board to the Attention of Superintendent Rob Alejo and to copy:
- school secretary Bev Boice,
- Alamosa Courier
- Local Foods Coalition - emails below
Please emphasize the economic development potential for the park as this is a main consideration of the board - looking for property tax income, increase in pupil count and job creation.
Other theme ideas to touch on if you would like are
- Agricultural heritage of SLV,
- Education,
- Sense of Community and
- Quality of Life
Please do by noon tomorrow to give board members a chance to read the letter before the 6:30am meeting.
I have included a template below to cut and paste if you would rather not write your own.
Questions call 719-539-5606
Thank-you Thank-you
Here is believing!
Liza
Superintendent Rob Alejo - ralejo@alamosa.k12.co.us
Bev Boice - bboice@alamosa.k12.co.us,
Lauren at Valley Courier- kashmir1542@yahoo.com
Local Foods Coalition at directorslvlocalfoods@gmail.
To Esteemed Alamosa School District Board Members,
This email is to express my support of the proposed Rio Grande Healthy Living Park at the Polston campus.
I believe it will contribute to the economic development of the community by connecting families back to the land, educating beginning farmers, creating a market for San Luis Valley products to be distributed to schools, restaurants and institutions and producing vegetables in year round production greenhouses.
It will create jobs and will attract new families to the community.
The Trust for Public Land is an accomplished land conservation entity and we are so fortunate to have such an excellent partner to move this project forward.
Thank-you for your support of the Trust for Public Land's purchase option.
Sincerely,
--
The San Luis Valley Local Foods Coalition develops local networks, educates the community, and promotes programs and policies that create an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable local food system for the San Luis Valley region. www.sanluisvalleylocalfoods.
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