Lathrop State Park

Lathrop State Park
Map showing the location of Lathrop State Park
Location Huerfano County, Colorado, USA
Nearest city Walsenburg, CO
Coordinates 37°36′10″N 104°49′59″W / 37.60278°N 104.83306°W / 37.60278; -104.83306Coordinates: 37°36′10″N 104°49′59″W / 37.60278°N 104.83306°W / 37.60278; -104.83306
Area 1,594 acres (6.45 km2)
Established 1962
Visitors 153, 925 (in 2006-07)
Governing body Colorado Department of Natural Resources

Lathrop State Park is a Colorado state park located 3 miles (4.8 km) west of Walsenburg. The state purchased the property in 1962 and opened Colorado's first state park here later that same year.[1] It is named after Harold Lathrop, the first director of state parks.[2] The park features two lakes, Martin Lake and Horseshoe Lake, that offer fishing for tiger muskie (46-inch, 25-pound examples have been caught here), rainbow trout, bass, catfish, northern pike, blue gill, saugeye, and wipers.[3]

The park also offers a beach, boating, water skiing, wind surfing, jet skiing, picnicking, hiking, wildlife viewing, camping, and a nine-hole golf course.[4]

Lathrop is the only Colorado state park with its own golf course.[5] The Walsenburg Golf Course was founded in 1965 and after two years of construction opened in 1967.[1] It was built by 50 Walsenburg citizens and many local volunteers in a public/private partnership. The course's restaurant/lounge overlooks the lakes and the National Natural Landmark Spanish Peaks.

Over 150,000 visitors passed through Lathrop State Park in the last year for which figures are available.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 Christofferson, Nancy (June 30, 2011). "Golfing in the 'burg, 1930 on". Huerfano World Journal. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Lathrop State Park History". Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Colorado Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Fishing at Lathrop State Park". Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Colorado Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
  4. ↑ "Activities at Lathrop". Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Colorado Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
  5. ↑ "Lathrop State Park". Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Colorado Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Lathrop State Park: FY 06-07 Fact Sheet" (PDF). Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Colorado Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
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