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WINTER/SPRING REGISTRATION NOW LIVE
The Grand Junction Parks and Recreation Department has released the 2026 Winter/Spring Activity Guide, featuring details on classes, programs, and special events. This guide has exciting information about the new Community Recreation Center (CRC) that will be open to the public later this year. Guides were sent to Grand Junction residents, and physical copies are available for pickup at the Parks and Recreation office located at 1340 Gunnison Avenue. An interactive virtual guide can also be accessed online.
| | What's Happening at GJPR? | | Commission on Arts and Culture Funding Application Now Open | | |
The City of Grand Junction Commission on Arts and Culture annual funding program is now open for applications. Non-profit organizations or governmental/educational agencies in Colorado that support local arts and cultural events, projects, or programs are encouraged to apply. The deadline for applications is Sunday, February 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
Funding Program Details:
- Funding available: $70,000 to non-profit arts and cultural organizations
- Events must take place between March 31, 2026 - March 30, 2027
- Requests may not exceed $4,500 for projects
- Applicants are expected to present to the Commission in person on February 23 or February 24, 2026
- Notification to funding recipients will occur the week of March 2, 2026
This funding program helps provide employment, sales, and performance opportunities for working artists and those who work for cultural non-profits. It supports a broad range of community cultural events, exhibits, presentations, and projects. The arts are an important industry to recognize, and the business of art is an essential part of our community’s economic foundation. For more information, email Commission on Arts and Culture liaison Haley Van Camp at haley.vancamp@gjcity.org.
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The Parks and Recreation Forestry team, with assistance from the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), completed the installation of holiday lights right before the month of December. The team decorated more than in any previous year, installing lights on 135 trees and 120 shrubs throughout downtown Grand Junction, with more than 375,000 low-energy LED lights to illuminate Main Street and Colorado Avenue. Thank you to the DDA for its partnership and for increasing its support of the holiday lighting budget.
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Fire Station 7 recently welcomed new public artwork with the installation of an artistic bike rack. The art piece was created and commissioned by Mesa County artist, Jeff Bates. This project is part of the City’s ongoing effort to integrate functional art into public spaces. The artwork was selected by the Commission on Arts and Culture and funded through the City’s 1% for the Arts Program, which supports local artists and enhances community spaces through public art investments.
| | ❄️ Holiday Events Highlights ☃️ | | The Parks and Recreation Department hosted its 24th annual Candy Cane Hunt on Saturday, December 6, kicking off the holiday season with a free, family-friendly event that drew a record crowd of more than 200 participants. Attendees enjoyed cookies, hot chocolate, a photo booth, and a holiday craft before the hunt began. The 2000 hidden candy canes were collected in a blink of an eye by eager and festive youth. | | The annual Chocolate Walk took place Friday, December 12, with 100 participants gathering to enjoy hot chocolate provided by event sponsor Enstrom Candies. The event featured two guided walking tours of downtown Grand Junction, led by dedicated volunteers. Art on the Corner Tour, led by Robbie Breaux of the City of Grand Junction Commission on Arts and Culture and David Goe of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA). The other tour offered was the History Tour, led by Peter Booth, a former Museum of Western Colorado staff member. | | Senior Holiday Light Tour | | |
The Senior Holiday Light Tours were held on Wednesday, December 10, and Wednesday, December 17. For the first time ever, a second date was added to accommodate the number of people interested. Over 170 spots were filled across both evenings, each filled with holiday cheer and memorable moments. The event began at the Lincoln Park Barn, where attendees enjoyed hot chocolate, cookies, and a festive photo booth. Guests posed for photos with fun holiday props before settling in for live entertainment by &Company, a local performing arts group. Audience members joined in by singing along as the group performed classic Christmas carols.
Following the performance, attendees boarded buses for a guided tour of holiday light displays throughout the city, including various neighborhoods and downtown Grand Junction’s 375,000 lights installed by the Parks Forestry staff. Along the route, information about the displays was shared, holiday jokes, trivia, and laughter filled the buses. We look forward to this popular event next year!
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The 10th annual Santa Cause Run took place on Saturday, December 13, at Las Colonias Park. A total of 173 runners, dressed in festive attire, completed the 5K along the Riverfront Trail. A 1K race was also offered for younger participants, and 15 children took off down the trail as soon as Santa yelled “Go!”. Proceeds from the event benefit Kiwanis of Grand Junction, supporting the purchase of inclusive playground equipment. To view the race results, please visit the Santa Cause Run website.
| | Community Recreation Center Construction Updates | | |
The construction crews continue to make steady progress on the Community Recreation Center. Below are some exciting updates from the past month:
- Exterior stucco application has begun. If you drive by the CRC on Patterson Road or 28 1/4 Road, you'll see building's exterior color.
- Floor tile installation is now underway in the restrooms and locker rooms.
- Dirt work has begun for the outdoor turf field.
- Painters are actively working on the interior walls.
| | View of the turf field from the upper level fitness area | | | | View of the outdoor fitness turf | | 2025 Parks and Recreation Employee Awards | | |
Team of the Year
Irrigation Team
Employee of the Year
Hannah Watts - Horticulturist
Community Champion of the Year
Jonny Sale - Skate Alliance
Seasonal Star Award
Recreation: Aspen Sharrar - Teacher Aide
Parks: Triston Harrison - Parks Service Representative
Exemplary Service Award
Jennifer Ingram - Recreation Service Representative
Collaborative Partnerships Award
Wayne Krabbe - Open Space Crew Leader
Continuous Improvement Award
Trinity Heard - Sports Facilities Groundskeeper
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Orchard Mesa Pool | 2736 Unaweep Ave
Ages 15+
3/16-3/20, 3/27-3/29, 4/10-4/12
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Ages 16+
Beginner: 1/26, 2/23, 3/9, 3/21, 4/18
Intermediate: 3/21 & 4/18
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Ages 16+
Registration Deadline January 20
Season Begins January 26
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Orchard Mesa Pool | 2736 Unaweep Ave All Ages
T & Th | Evenings
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Grip Bouldering | 716 Scarlet Dr
Ages 6-13
1/24, 2/21, 3/21, 4/18 | 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
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Orchard Mesa Pool | 2736 Unaweep Ave
Ages 14+
Sa & Su
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Lincoln Park Barn | 910 N 12 St
All Ages
Tuesday Evenings
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All Ages
Bookcliff Activity Center | Su, M, T, Th, F @9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Sa @4 - 7 p.m.
Lincoln Park Barn | M, W, F @9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
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Lincoln Park Barn | 910 N 12 St
All Ages
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Bookcliff Activity Center | 540 29 1/4 Rd
All Ages
Tuesdays | 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Sundays | 1 - 4 p.m.
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Orchard Mesa Pool | 2736 Unaweep Ave
Ages 11-14
2/3 - 2/26 | Tu & Th
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Bookcliff Activity Center | 540 29 1/4 Rd
Grades 3-6
Registration Deadline January 16
Season Begins January 26
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Bookcliff Activity Center | 540 29 1/4 Rd
Ages 16+
Registration Deadline January 19
Season Begins January 26
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Bookcliff Activity Center | 540 29 1/4 Rd
Ages 8+
Thursday Evenings
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GJ Plays Foundation is seeking new volunteers and board members.
GJ Plays is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to support parks and recreation in Grand Junction. The foundation provides program scholarships to help ensure all children have access to essential programs, such as swim lessons, and raises funds for park improvements throughout the community.
If you are interested in joining this group of passionate parks and recreation champions, please email gjplaysfoundation@gmail.com.
To learn more about the foundation or donate, please visit their website.
| | Do you have an event for the community? Please submit your event to gjpr@gjcity.org. Inclusion in the GJPR newsletter is at GJPR discretion. | | |
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Thanks for Reading!
Your Grand Junction Parks and Recreation Team
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