Rick Langenberg
Cripple Creek’s Pocket Park, next to city hall, could assume a new identity, aimed at revisiting the legacy surrounding the town’s favorite madame from the gold rush era.
The park is undergoing an intensive renovation project and will eventually become a prime venue for events and a central gathering area. At a recent meeting, town leaders approved a nearly $70,000 engineering design bid, awarded to Baseline Engineering. This is part of a major overhaul for the park, currently comprised of dirt and new outdoor restrooms. The park area currently is more of a spot more suitable for a canine rest spot and is capped by a huge historic mural. Town leaders have big ambitions for the park due to its prime location and potential for sporting events. It currently is used informally for some live music acts and as an outdoor eating area during special events.
But local officials admit the site needs much work.
Mayor Annie Durham requested community feedback regarding the next phase of the project. But Parks and Recreation Director Becky Frank noted this part of the project is fairly standard and more of the “nitty gritty” aspects of development. “We want to be as versatile as possible,” said Frank. She agreed that community input could play a role in future aspects of the project, but not necessarily for this particular phase.
The Pocket Park enhancement is one venture that is being pursued by the town’s Main Street Board. The project, however, faces many physical and logistic challenges. No date has been set for the park’s renovation completion.
Instead, more attention occurred recently regarding a name change for the site, proposed by Marketing and Special Events Director Marie Rieger. The name Rieger mentioned was “Pearl DeVere Plaza.” This possible name change got an informal thumbs-up signal by the city council. The council agreed that Pocket Park just doesn’t make the grade as a suitable name for a major park area leaders want to use to attract visitors.
The Pearl DeVere legacy is one story that attracts many visitors.
Already, one of the more popular events locally is the Peal DeVere Day, capped by a bed race, in honor of the madame who ran and operated the Old Homestead House.
