CENTRAL CITY — A group of fourth graders from Gilpin County Elementary School took to the podium at the May 19 Central City Council meeting with a heartfelt request: fix William C. Russell Park.

Student proposal

The students arrived prepared with photos, a slideshow, and a detailed list of concerns after visiting the park days earlier. Their presentation showed broken playground equipment, cracked rubber flooring, graffiti, overflowing trash, foul-smelling bathrooms, and safety hazards, they said, that are affecting local children.

Mayor Jeremy Fey told the audience the presentation marked the first time a class had followed through on a long-standing invitation he gives students during annual fourth-grade tours of Central City.

“Every year since I’ve sat up here that we’ve had the fourth graders, I’ve done an exercise,” Fey said. “If there’s an initiative or an action that they would like to see in Central City for the children, that if they come back to the following City Council meeting, I will support that, until City Council either votes in or votes out that initiative.”

Fey praised the students for returning to City Hall with a proposal and community support.

One student explained that restoring the park was important because it should be “a healthy, safe, and fun environment to play on.”

The students walked the council through a list of requested improvements. They asked the city to repair the ripped and uneven rubber matting, repaint graffiti-covered areas, replace or raise low swings, and install a safer covered slide. 

They also proposed adding brighter colors, more climbing structures, an infant swing, a tire swing, and even a half basketball court.

The students said several children have already been injured on the aging equipment.

“A couple people in our class have broken their wrists or broken bones from falling off the structure,” one student explained.

The class also shared photographs taken during a May 17 visit to the park. The images showed trash scattered near the pavilion, graffiti scratched into surfaces, deteriorating concrete benches, and dirty restroom floors.

“We were very disappointed with what we saw,” the students told the council.

The children said improving the park would not only make it safer for families but would also help bring the community together for local events.

“In conclusion, us as kids want to see William C. Russell Park grow and change with the increase in children and tourists in our community,” the presentation stated.

Council members responded positively to the proposal. “I think it’s a great idea,” Alderman Zane Plsek said.

Council member Kathy Walker praised the students for speaking publicly before the council. “You guys did a great job making your presentation,” she said.

Fey said staff had discussed possible playground improvements several years ago, including ideas for a more nature-based design that would better fit the mountain setting. He said he supports having city staff put together a proposal for upgrades or a redesign.

Public Works Director Marc Johns said crews currently visit the park weekly and clean the restrooms and pavilion every two weeks, though maintenance has been difficult due to the remote location and ongoing vandalism issues.

“We’re trying to maintain it the best we can,” Johns said.

City staff also noted the current playground dates back to about 1990 and has never undergone a major renovation.

The students were invited to return once staff develops recommendations for the site.

“The kids today was one of my most special moments of my seven and a half years of tenure as mayor,” Fey said later during council comments. “Who knows of those five children who’s going to want to be sitting up here next because they finally got engaged.”

Gregory Gulch Gaming Resort

The council approved several ordinances tied to the proposed Gregory Gulch Gaming Resort development, a large-scale casino and hotel project planned in the area between Central City and Black Hawk near the southern entrance corridor into town. The proposal has been under review for months and has included multiple public hearings, Planning Commission meetings, and community discussions.

During the meeting, council approved rezoning changes connected to the project, inclusion of the property into the Central City Business Improvement District, and a preliminary plat resolution. Council also approved a first reading of a land swap ordinance involving city-owned parcels and G3 Gaming LLC.

Community Development Director Jeff Noffsinger explained the land exchange was intended mainly to “clean things up” around the project area by resolving old property and right-of-way issues tied to historic mining claims and older street alignments. No money would be exchanged as part of the deal, he said.

The Gregory Gulch proposal includes plans for new gaming space, hotel rooms, parking structures, restaurants, retail areas, and public improvements. Supporters have said the development could help increase tourism, generate additional tax revenue, and encourage new investment in Central City’s historic downtown core.

Council member Marcia Enloe thanked the Planning Commission and project representatives for the lengthy public process and outreach efforts surrounding the proposal. 

Plsek said he hopes the development helps revitalize Main Street and fill long-vacant buildings in town.

Other business

The meeting also included approval of updates to the city’s sign code to address electronic message boards and vehicle signage while maintaining content neutrality. 

Council discussed ongoing problems with the Central City Parkway lighting system, which currently operates on a single electrical line. Staff said damage anywhere along the line can shut down all 99 lights at once, and the city is now exploring a redesign that would isolate sections of the system to make repairs easier and reduce future outages.

Council members also agreed to support a Colorado Municipal League request urging Gov. Jared Polis to veto a recently passed state bill related to firefighter benefits. 

Several members expressed concern about what they described as an unfunded mandate on local governments, while stressing that the discussion was not about reducing support for firefighters.

The next Central City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at City Hall and online via the city website.