The site of the future Eaton Park feels like a pocket of nature amid the burgeoning growth of Gunbarrel. Red-winged blackbirds perch in the trees above the cattails. Red foxes hunt in the area, visible to nearby residents. Numerous nests attest to the summer bird population. In June and July, fireflies, rare in Boulder County, flicker on and off in the wetland. 

The area is heavily used. Remnants of forts and tunnels riddle the piles of fill dirt. The hills have become a cross-country riding course for motorcyclists and bike riders. There are charred reminders of campfires, some of which got away from the people who started them. A number of paths criss-cross the wetland. 

The land is located adjacent to Twin Lakes Reservoir, and the Boulder and White Rock Ditch. Brandon Creek Subdivision is on the east, and is in the Boulder city limits. Stonegate Condominiums are on the north, and are in the county. The new Boulder Country Day School, which will serve preschool through grade eight, is being constructed to the west of the park. Commercial buildings are also within the half-mile park service area. 

Henry "Woodie" Eaton, a retired dentist, donated the 23.8 acres to the city of Boulder, with the condition that the land be used for a park, and be developed no later than the year 2000. The Boulder City Council accepted the offer, and allocated $460,000 for design and initial development. The park will be named after Henry and his wife, Leslie. 

Mr. Eaton would like to see the park tie in with Twin Lakes. The lakes are in the county and are owned by the Boulder-Longmont Irrigation Company. He hopes that the company will grant recreational rights to Boulder County. He feels this would be to its advantage, considering the heavy use of the area, and the liability risks. 

The east side of the property contains 15.4 acres of mapped wetlands. The northwest and south sides of the site contain 8 acres of non-wetlands consisting of drought tolerant grasses and other plants. To the south and southwest are piles of fill; soil and rock, with some concrete and asphalt. This site has been unofficially transformed into a challenging cross-country riding course by bicyclists and motorcyclists. There may be a red fox den within the area of the piles that contain concrete rubble. 

Part of the city of Boulder's design review process calls for a neighborhood review of the concept plan by means of a survey questionnaire and public meeting. Of the 2,489 surveys distributed, 209 were returned. Response strongly supported the provision for walks and trails, and in comments by 74 respondents, the greatest concern was preserving the natural character of the site as much as possible. At a public meeting, a group of bicycle enthusiasts wanted to keep the existing bike course. Others expressed concern for protecting fox and wetland habitat. 

The preliminary concept plan for Phase One of the project was presented at a public meeting on November 12, 1998. The components of the plan are: 

One acre of earthwork, grading and re-vegetation and 0.45-acre of irrigated turf. 

A 10 car parking lot with required turnaround and walks at the end of Nautilus Drive. 

A designated jumping course/area for non-motorized bicycles. 

A wire fence along the north property line for wetland protection. 

A wooden 3-rail fence at the 50-foot buffer between the bicycle course and the wetlands. 

The following steps in the design review process must still be completed: 

A Community and Environmental Assessment Process (CEAP) review. The CEAP is a formal process for City and County staff to consider the community and environmental impacts of public projects. 

Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) review and approval of CEAP and concept plan, which will then be forwarded to The City Council for potential call-up. 

City of Boulder site review of Phase One which may include detailed design plans, wetlands permit review and site review to include planning board review and may involve city council by call up option. 

Assuming Concept Plan approval of Phase One, construction is scheduled to begin in the spring of 1999 and be completed in the fall. Mike Gurrola, landscape designer for the City of Boulder said, "Phase One approval will provide a much needed park for the Gunbarrel community, hopefully, before the end of 1999. 

Two options for Phase Two; Plan A and Plan B, have been proposed for future development, but there is no schedule or budget for the remainder of the park and there may be years between phases. 

Plan A outlines a Phase Two with 8.4 acres of earthwork and grading of which 4.25 acres would be irrigated turf areas. Plan B outlines a Phase Two with the same area in a drought resistant unirrigated turf. 

There is controversy over the 4.25 acres of irrigated turf. Some would like to see it used by nearby residents and The Boulder Country Day School. Others are concerned about the environmental impact. This, however, is not a part of Phase One of the project, and could be years away.