Riverside Park Lake Reopening Marks Milestone For Flood-Ravaged Evans
EVANS, Colo. (CBS4) - Several Northern Colorado communities are still recovering from last fall's devastating floods that began one year ago and now some rebuilding efforts are finally being realized.
A new library and cultural center set for grand opening in less than a month is a symbol of hope and encouragement in the city of Evans. And with fishing poles in tow, lines casting off, and live bait on hand, families on Saturday had the chance to enjoy Riverside Park Lake for the first time in a year.
"It's something that this part of Evans probably won't forget," Evans resident J.J. Rubio said.
On Sept. 13 last year raging flood waters swept through Evans, destroying 208 homes and severely damaging many more.
Sen. Michael Bennett came by Saturday to support those who have lost so much.
"We lost everything," said Jorge Alvarenga, 14, who lost his home in the flood.
Jorge, his brother Christopher and little sister Yvette had to abandon their car, their home and everything inside it.
"We had to get out of there because the water was rising pretty fast," Jorge said.
He also lost the park he spent every summer growing up at.
"They had the football field, the soccer field, so we could play," Jorge said. "And they had the playground and basketball court. That's pretty much what we did all the time -- just go outside and play."
"This was our crown jewel," Evans Mayor John Morris said.
Morris says a multi-million dollar ongoing project to restore park damage will take several more years.
"We want to make sure we have those dangers mitigated, we want to make sure that it's better than it was before, and something that we can be proud of," Morris said.
Gov. John Hickenlooper reveled at the efforts to beautify the devastation.
"I hope that people are able to find the resources that will help them find out how to keep their kiddos safe, and how to make Evans the great town that it's always been," said Vanessa Dominguez, who was excited about park opening.
Many hearts remain shattered, but there is healing. The creator of "Letters from Katrina," a book filled with drawings and encouraging messages for kids devastated by Hurricane Katrina, has donated more than 1,000 copies for children in Evans. To request a donated copy of "Letters from Katrina" for children affected by the flood in Evans, please send an email with subject line "Letters from Katrina" to CSC@evanscolorado.gov with your name, email address, and phone number.
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