Safety Concerns at Lake Estes Dog Park Entryway

[Bob Parkinson]

Dear Mr. Lancaster,

I am writing to bring attention to the current condition of the entryway to Lake Estes from the dog park, which has recently become difficult and potentially unsafe for both dogs and their owners.

Large rocks now obstruct easy access to the water. This creates a hazardous situation where both dogs and their handlers could easily lose their footing and fall while navigating the area. Since the dog park is visited daily by residents and visitors—many of whom come specifically to let their dogs swim—the presence of these obstacles is concerning and detracts from the space's overall accessibility and safety.

  The opportunity for dogs to swim in Lake Estes is actively promoted by the Estes Park Visitor Center, VisitEstesPark.com, and the Estes Valley Recreation and Park District. Given this, I hope this email raises awareness of the current access issue and encourages a timely and appropriate solution.  

Best regards,

Bob Parkinson and Gumbo the dog

[Frank Lancaster]

Hi Bob,

Thanks for your e-mail.  The dog park is managed by the Estes Valley Recreation and Parks District and not the Town.   I've forwarded your e-mail on to Mr. Carosello, the Executive Director of the district.   I'm sure Tom or a member of his staff will get back with you.

Frank Lancaster

Town Trustee

The Town of Estes Park is committed to providing accessible information and services. If you need any accommodations to view or interact with this email, please reply with your request or contact me at the phone number listed above.

[Frank Lancaster]

Hi Tom,

Mr. Parkinson contact me about a concern at the dog park.   I responded to him and let him know the dog park is a EVRP facility and that I was going to forward his e-mail on to you.

Thanks,

Frank

[Tom Carosello]

Hi Frank,

Thanks for forwarding - Mr. Parkinson e-mailed the same concerns to me, and I responded:

Hi Bob,

Thanks for the query. The riprap/rocks along the southwest shoreline of the Fish Creek arm were placed there to mitigate the erosion happening in that area over the past several years due to frequently-fluctuating lake levels. The project was a joint effort on behalf of the District and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the entity which owns that portion of the shoreline and authorized the installation of the material. While I know this effort is a change to the topography of the shoreline, it is necessary to prevent further erosion and potential loss of "dog park turf" and the perimeter fenceline, so it will remain in place.

Our suggestion for folks and their dogs wishing to access the water without having to navigate the rocky shoreline - especially during times of high-water levels in the lake - is to traverse further east along that same shoreline and past the end of the riprap/rock line, where the topography offers a rock-free, gradual slope into the water.

Thanks again for the feedback, and please let me know if you have any questions.

Tom Carosello

Executive Director

Estes Valley Recreation and Park District 

to...@evrpd.com

(970) 480-1354 

On Apr 11, 2026, at 1:41 PM, Frank Lancaster <frankla...@estes.org> wrote: