AMENITY MIGRATION

Amenity Migration...A New Sociological Term

“What is so special about Durango? Why would I want to move there?” As a resident for over 25 years, I can give you plenty of firsthand experiences. Many of the people we see moving here are not making the move primarily because of employment. Instead, they decide on Durango because of the “amenities” that this community offers.

Fabulous outdoor activities abound: true world class kayaking weather it is on the gated course or the class 4 & 5 rapids of the upper Animas River; white water rafting along the same rapid waters; gold medal trout fishing…right downtown; more great fishing in the numerous high mountain lakes and the many streams. If hiking and biking are up your alley, then Durango is the spot. The Colorado Trail extends from Durango to Denver…a 300 plus mile hiking trail across the Continental Divide. Trails 2000, an active non-profit, has built literally 100’s of miles of additional trails for both fat tire biking as well as the hikers. If you are a serious fat tire biker, then this place will feel like you died and went to heaven. Twelve months a year, you will find bikes on the roads and trails. Want a more sedate trail? Over the past 20nyears the city has been building a River Trail along the Animas River. Paved and lighted in many places, feel free to put the baby in the stroller or ride your bike. Part of the trail is just feet away from the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad tracks. The city Rec enter would be the pride of towns much larger than ours.

Durango Mountain Resort, Silverton Mountain (Extreme Skiing) Wolf Creek Ski area and Telluride, are all close by and should fully satisfy anybodies’ desire for winter excitement. The City has built a regulation refrigerated ice rink that is used for roller blading in the summer season. Golf is popular and we have 2 public courses: Dalton Ranch in the Animas Valley (I am afraid I have killed many a fish with my stray golf balls on this course.) as well as Hillcrest Golf Course at the college. Want to play golf in January? Pinon Hills located about 50 minutes south in Aztec, is an outstanding course that is nationally ranked. The Glacier Club at Tamarron is now private and offers an exceptional 27 holes of golf cut into the mountain slopes.

Even though we are distant from “big cities”, we have numerous cultural amenities as well. Fort Lewis College, a 4 year college with about 4,200 students is the home of the 2005 national collegiate soccer champions. The modern concert hall is regularly booked with musical groups, the symphony orchestra, Music In The Mountains, and other national groups.

This is just a quick snapshot of our community. I have not even mentioned the terrific assortment of first rate restaurants or the numerous art galleries or the 9 movie screens or the live theater in the summer. By this quick synopsis, I think you can get a feel for our community. There is plenty do.