Title
Discussion and Possible Action of Design Concept Selection for the Ashley Pond Safety Improvement Project
Recommended Action
I move that Council approve Design Concept ______ (1, 2, or 3) for the Ashley Pond Safety Improvement Project.
County Manager's Recommendation
The County Manager recommends that Council select Design Concept 3.
Board, Commission or Committee Recommendation
On June 10, 2026, three design concepts for the Ashley Pond Safety Improvements Project were presented to the Historic Preservation Advisory Board. The Historic Preservation Board recommended moving forward with Natural Rocks Concept 3.
On June 11, 2026, the three design concepts were presented to the Parks and Recreation Board. The Parks and Recreation Board recommended "the project utilize the preferred option from the public input survey". As of June 26,2026 Concept 3, Natural Rocks, is the favored public option, by a large margin.
On June 22, 206, the three project concepts were presented to the Transportation Board. The Transportation Board recommended design Concept 3 to County Council.
Body
The goal of this project is to design and install a permanent vehicular barrier solution that protects users of the Ashley Pond Park, from errant vehicles on Trinity Drive, while complementing the beautiful setting of the Ashley Pond area.
A brief summary of the project history: Due to the history of tragedies involving errant vehicles driving into large crowds of people, the Los Alamos Police Department suggested installing a barrier system adjacent to Ashley, particularly for the Friday night Summer Concert Series, where several hundred people gather. In 2025, temporary concrete construction road barriers were placed along Trinity Drive to provide safety for attendees of the Summer Concerts held at Ashley Pond Park. To maintain this safety feature for 2026, the concrete barriers returned and were painted green to reduce the aesthetic distraction. Community members were also invited to paint a section of the barriers, which many have.
In early 2026, Groundworks Studio, an outside landscape architect firm, was contracted to develop safety barrier concepts that provided crash worthy barriers in an aesthetically pleasing manor. Groundworks Studio developed three concepts: 1. Piers, 2. Rustic Planters, and 3. Natural Rocks. See Attachments A through D for visual renderings of all three concepts.
Public input was sought in several ways. First, the renderings and concepts were presented in conjunction with three County Boards; the Historic Preservation Board on June 10, the Parks and Rec Board on June 11, and a special session of the Transportation Board was held on June 22, 2026. In addition to the Board meetings, a public survey has been underway since June 4, 2026 and closes on June 28, 2026. Survey results as of June 26, 2026 (the publication date of the June 30 Council Agenda) are included as Attachment E. Survey results received between June 26 and June 28, 2026 will be distributed to Council at the June 30 Council meeting. Taking all of the public and board input in to consideration, Concept 3, Natural Rocks has been the overwhelming favorite.
The schedule for installation of the barriers will follow the 2026 Trinity Drive Improvements Project and the barriers are anticipated to be installed in time for the 2027 Summer Concert Season.
Alternatives
Council could choose Design Concept 1, 2, or 3. Concept 3 has overwhelming public support thus far. Council could also choose to not select any of the options and give staff other guidance.
Fiscal and Staff Impact/Planned Item
Funding for project design and construction is budgeted and available in the Engineering Contractual Services budget and the Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Fund for Traffic Safety Projects. Preliminary estimated construction costs for the design options range from $75,000 to $150,000 which includes contingency. The design cost and schedule is pending selection of the design concept.
Attachments
A - Concept 1
B - Concept 2
C - Concept 3
D - All Concepts
E - Survey Results as of 6-26-26