Brandon Leuallen, The Business Times

Concerns about restroom conditions at Emerson Park Skatepark have prompted action and transparency from the City of Grand Junction.

During a follow-up interview after The Business Times ran a story about skatepark bathroom complaints in its May 21 edition, Grand Junction Parks and Recreation Director Ken Sherbenou shared how the city is responding and what users can expect moving forward.

Sherbenou said the city is aware of the challenges and is actively working to address them. The two portable restrooms at the skatepark are serviced by Ready Services on a regular schedule on Tuesdays and Fridays.

In response to recent complaints, the city is working to increase the frequency of service from the contractor. In the meantime, city staff have stepped in to help fill the gaps, and communication with Ready Services has been stepped up to ensure standards are being met.

For behavioral issues, such as someone occupying a unit for an inordinate amount of time or vandalizing, Sherbenou recommended contacting the non-emergency dispatch line at 970-244-2677.

Park behavioral issues are addressed by the city’s municipal park ranger program, which includes 10 trained rangers who patrol busy parks such as Emerson. Rangers are equipped to enforce park rules, address low-level infractions and call police officers when necessary. They are often seen on e-bikes, wearing yellow vests, and are a key part of maintaining safety and comfort in public spaces.

Sherbenou addressed the current fencing around the grassy areas of the skatepark. He said the fencing is in place to protect newly seeded grass and is expected to come down by late June or early July. Once the area is open, more programming and events will be scheduled at the park.

A large skate competition is already being planned for September. During such events, the city will bring in additional portable restrooms and increase servicing frequency to accommodate larger crowds.

Sherbenou also addressed why the city decided to use portable toilets at the new park. He said the cost of a permanent facility would have ranged from $300,000 to $500,000. By comparison, the protective enclosure around the portable restrooms cost about $15,000. The savings allowed the city to invest more money and leave more room for skate features.

“A permanent restroom would have significantly reduced the size of the skatepark and created long-term maintenance issues,” Sherbenou said.

He added the restroom issues are partly a result of the skatepark’s popularity, meaning high visitor traffic is leading to heavy restroom use.

“We’re listening, adapting and committed to making Emerson the best it can be,” Sherbenou said.

Sherbenou emphasized the importance of frequent servicing, but he added, “Toilets are generally only as clean as the last person who used them.” 

He said one unit was temporarily closed after a social media post revealed unsanitary conditions, which the city confirmed were caused by trash overflow.

Sherbenou encouraged residents to report facility issues, such as overflowing restrooms or units left in poor condition, by calling Parks and Recreation at 970-254-3866 or emailing gjparksandrec@gjcity.org.