El Paso County launches master plan effort to protect Paint Mines
El Paso County is starting work on a new master plan for Paint Mines Interpretive Park intended to help protect the archaeological value of the site and the colorful clay rock.
The park that stretches across 775 acres in eastern El Paso County saw record-high visitation during the pandemic and more problems with vandalism, social trails and visitors climbing on the fragile rock formations. Some of the visitation has been driven by the park’s popularity on websites and social media. While visitation has dropped since the pandemic, El Paso County Parks Planner Ross Williams said, it is still high.
The county recently contracted with DHM Designs for nearly $200,000 to complete a master plan to help address the issues causing some degradation at the park.
Williams said the county has put in fencing that has helped end the use of social trails. But more work remains to be done in the amphitheater portion of the park, with large formations.
A possible solution could be to put in boardwalks with fencing, similar to what’s been put in at other fragile sites, Williams said, citing Yellowstone National Park and the Everglades as examples of where such trails have helped.
“We are fully dedicated to the conservation and the preservation” of the site, Ross said.
The master plan will include a full inventory of the geology and archeology to aid in planning changes, he said.
The document will also outline solutions for parking challenges at the site. On peak days, visitors park along the sides of Paint Mines Road.
The county previously expanded the main parking lot, but parking is still a problem for the park, he said.
Another potential improvement could be automated gates that would close the park to visitors after hours and help prevent unwanted activity, such as camping and vandalism, he said.
The county expects to involve the public in the master plan through public meetings and other opportunities to comment.
Contact the writer at mary.shinn@gazettedev.gazette.com or (719) 429-9264.
Randall Duke explores Paint Mines Interpretative Park in eastern El Paso County near Calhan in November 2021.
