Two trailer parks were destroyed, but were reborn into lush park areas – The Lyons Recorder

The town of Lyons had three mobile home parks, two of which were flooded by the St. Vrain River during the major flood of 2013. They were declared disasters, all the trailers were destroyed or removed, and no one could build on them. Real estate now. Through special consideration, two groups went to the city of Lyon and the federal government for permission to establish businesses or parks on it. No permanent structures can be built on it. Below are very brief descriptions of how the Earth has changed. — Note: The City of Lyon purchased the Haines property (from the homeowner) with GoCo financing, which was located approximately between Meadow Park and Riverbend. A week later, it was destroyed by the great flood. No buildings can be built on it, and it is a grassy area now.

== Floodplains Areas adjacent to rivers, ponds, lakes, and oceans that are periodically flooded with water at different periods of time.
==Flood zones are geographic areas designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) according to varying levels of flood risk.
==High-risk flood areas begin with the letters A or V On FEMA flood maps. These areas face the highest flood risk. If you own property in a high-risk area and have a federally backed mortgage, you must purchase flood insurance as a condition of that loan.

Here is a link to flood maps for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Flood Insurance Program: connection

Foothills Mobile Home Park = now Rocky Mount Botanical Gardens

the foothills mobile home park, Located near Prospect and the highway. The complex on the 7th was a thriving community of 13 homes, with 37 people living in it, according to Lyon city records. A major flood in 2013 caused the river to run over the park, crushing homes that were filled with mud up to 4 feet high, and carrying many items, such as barns, down the river. Two cabins were also lost. People were displaced and most of them moved out of the city in search of affordable housing.

In the wake of the flood, the park’s owner, John Paranway, hoped to rebuild the property into another park. He’s owned it for 20 years. But in the end, he obtained possession from the federal government, which completely destroyed the land. It was handed over to the city along with 25 other plots of land. The federal flood purchase program contains conditions that prevent future construction.

Garima Fairfax spent years developing a plan to develop the area into a botanical garden. It presented a detailed analysis, goals and drawings to the City Council, and final approval was granted four years ago. the Rocky Mountain Botanical Gardens It was set up by volunteer helpers, and Garima is there almost every morning, working in the garden. New plants and elements are added each year, such as mulch, signage, benches, paths, and more. It is open to the public daily. If you type “rocky mt botanic” into the search box at the top of the page, you’ll see six articles, mainly written in the spring and fall of each year, that will give you an update on the parks. They have a fundraising plant sale every May.

You can also read our article about Mary and Dawn Hunt who lived at the park for 14 years and were instrumental in running the Golden Gang, which was the Lions Club for adults. A bench was installed in his memory. Don maintained a large flower garden there which was the pride of the community. He will be happy to see how this legacy continues.

Riverbend Mobile Home Park = now River Bend / Wee Casa

the Riverbend Mobile Home Park It was home to 32 Lyon families. Floodwaters swept through the park, severely damaging two homes and 30 trailers, and destroying the nearly 50-year-old community. A small number were deemed salvageable, but had to be moved. Eventually some were moved but most were demolished. The plot of land was destroyed after being declared a flood plain. The land is now uneven and is considered to be below a flood plain.

Seven years later, the property was purchased by Mike Webb and Betsy Burton. Kenyon Wu and Steve are land partners. (The two also own Wee Casa.) It’s called real estate riverbend Events Center, And like her other property in Lyons on Hwy. 36, farmIt is used in festivals, weddings and other occasions. Some are flood paths, some are flood plains and some are not. It has no permanent buildings on it. There is a large canvas tent, riverside sandstone patio and a toilet facility. Lush green grass covers most of the six acres, along with plenty of shade trees, making it a riverside oasis.

In the northern part of the property We Casa Tiny House ResortR. They are a collection of “tiny homes,” a popular trend now, with people living in spaces generally ranging from 100 to 400 square feet. It usually has a main living room, kitchen, private bathroom, and often a bed in the loft space. These homes were allowed because they are considered “on wheels” and can be moved in the event of a disaster. It is owned by Kenyon and Steve and they lease the land. The homes are available to renters as housing. No permanent residents live there. Each house is different… like a Hobbit House/Gnome House, a Rockies loft, a rustic cabin. It is the largest tiny house resort in Colorado and features 22 tiny houses of varying sizes, styles, and builds.

(See our 9/14/23 flood recovery article about Amanda Anderson, who lived at Trailer Park)