Town of Vail seeks help in naming new park in Lionshead

The Town of Vail is looking for assistance from the public in naming its newly completed park in Lionshead Village. Suggestions will be taken throughout the month of December with the winning submission to be selected by committee and approved by the Vail Town Council.

The new park is centrally located above the Arrabelle ice rink and offers a children’s play area with art-inspired play structures called “the Nests,” a climbing wall, plus a pop-jet fountain that will operate during the warm weather months. The park is a collaborative project between the Town of Vail Public Works Department and Art in Public Places.

In naming the new space, Gregg Barrie, the park’s landscape architect, recommends suggestions that capture the essence and historical significance of such a landmark. The new elements represent the fourth rendition of the space. Beginning with a single set of stairs in the 70’s, through a series of walls and planters in the 80’s, to the simple, yet under-utilized green space of the past twenty years, the area has traditionally been known as Sundial Plaza because of the sundial-like paving pattern, which was dismantled with the construction of Arrabelle. The new park and fountain are intended to add a dynamic, family-friendly element to Lionshead to accompany the other recent improvements to the area.

To submit an idea, email lionsheadvillagepark@vailgov.com. Please include the suggested name along with a brief rationale no later than noon on Dec. 27. The person selected for submitting the winning name will receive a complimentary blue parking pass for the 2013-2014 ski season.

The town’s last naming contest took place in 2012 when the new community space on the third floor of the Lionshead Welcome Center was named “The Grand View” as a tribute to the gorgeous views of Lionshead, Vail Mountain and the Gore Range. The name was selected from among more than 70 entries from the community.

For more information, contact Pam Brandmeyer, Assistant Town Manager, at 479-2113 or pbrandmeyer@vailgov.com.