Yampa River Botanic Park opens early this season

Steamboat Springs — Blooming bulbs and vibrant spots of color are beginning to peek through the early spring melt at the Yampa River Botanic Park.

About three weeks ahead of the normal opening day, the gates to the park were unlocked Tuesday.

“We’ve opened early before, but not quite this early,” said Gayle Lehman, park supervisor for the Yampa River Botanic Park. “The snow is gone and the flowers are out, we might as well be open.”

The park will be open from dawn until dusk every day until Nov. 1. Throughout the months the park is open, a number of events, including Music on the Green, will take place.

Music on the Green has been in the park since 1999 and is a partnership with the Strings Music Festival, which features musicians of all genres for a performance outdoors beginning at 12:15 p.m. every Thursday. The first performance will be on June 25 with Catalyst, a classical quartet. Other performers include Leaner Lunker and Friends, Chamberlin Birch, C Street Brass and, new to the lineup this year, Emerald City Opera.

Another popular event Lehman described is Yoga on the Green, which will begin again this year in early June. The yoga classes are open to all levels and will be taught by Patty Zimmer, a certified Chopra Center Yoga Teacher, Ayurvedic Yoga Specialist and Educator. Classes will begin June 16 and will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Saturdays and Thursdays. And additional class will meet from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday afternoons. Participants are asked to bring their own water and mats. A $10 donation is also suggested. Zimmer said the program has raised close to $3,000 the past two years.

A popular event produced by the Bud Werner Memorial Library for kids is the Storytime in the Garden series. Each program lasts an hour and will include garden-related activities after the stories are read. The first story time will start at 10:30 a.m. June 12.

“The park provides a place of serenity, and a lot of people love to just sit on a bench in the peace and quiet,” Lehman said. “It provides a spot to just slow down.”

Not only does the park provide a scenic getaway located near the core trail, it also shows a few of the things that can be grown in gardens despite the short season and cooler temperatures.

Currently, crocus blubs, daffodils and glory-of-the-snow are a few of the flowers in bloom at the park.

“It’s so different from other parks in town,” said Ally Press, the office coordinator for the Parks and Recreation Commission. “So much maintenance and love goes into it, and it looks beautiful from opening to closing day.”

To reach Audrey Dwyer, call 970-871-4229, email adwyer@SteamboatToday.com or follow her on Twitter @Audrey_Dwyer1