Ice Festival 2000

One of a Kind: The Amazing Ouray Ice Park

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The Ouray Ice Park was built with donated materials and capital entirely by an enthusiastic volunteer work force. Ouray Ice Park, Inc. (OIPI) was formed in January of 1997 to provide some formal organization to what had previously been a loosely organized grassroots effort. OIPI is a non-profit corporation that includes seven volunteer board members who are considerably skilled at ditch digging and plumbing systems.

The Ouray Ice Park as we know it today is a shining example of what a volunteer organization can accomplish with little capital but a lot of enthusiasm and vision. OIPI has continued to improve and expand the Ice Park each year through memberships, corporate sponsorships, and funds raised by the annual Ouray Ice Festival. Over half of the annual operating capital needed to run the Ouray Ice Park is raised each year by the Festival and as it has grown, so, too, has the Ice Park and the relationship has directly resulted in Ouray's fine ice climbing venue.

The Ice Park's sixth season of operation will mark the greatest expansion and capital improvement project that the OIPI board has thus far embarked upon. The Park's entire existing pipe is being replaced with galvanized steel. Additionally, the long-standing dream of expanding the park to the south beyond the popular Schoolroom area appears to be coming to fruition. Affectionately referred to as South Park, the expansion will increase the climbable ice in the Park by approximately 50% and significantly add to the total of intermediate terrain, thereby reducing the pressure on the Schoolroom.

If you have been a volunteer worker or sponsoring member of the Ouray Ice Park, give yourself a big pat on the back for helping to make all of this happen. If you'd like to get involved and give something back to the park, please contact OIPI at:

OIPI
PO Box 1058
Ouray, CO. 81427

— Jeff Lowe, MountainZone.com correspondent