Legislation Details

File #: 21428-26    Version: 1
Type: Briefing/Report (Dept,BCC) - Action Requested Status: Business
File created: 3/9/2026 In control: County Council - Regular Session
On agenda: 6/30/2026 Final action:
Title: Discussion and Possible Action of Design Concept Selection for the Ashley Pond Safety Improvement Project
Presenters: Jennifer Morrow
Indexes (Council Goals): Quality Excellence - Effective, Efficient, and Reliable Services, Quality Governance - Communication and Engagement
Attachments: 1. A - Concept 1, 2. B - Concept 2, 3. C - Concept 3, 4. D - All concepts, 5. E - Survey Results as of 6-26-26
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 al...

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