Local College Seeks Community Input on Plainsmen Park Expansion

Northeastern Junior College (NJC) opened a Plainsmen Park survey on January 4, 2026, asking residents, students and stakeholders for input as the college and local partners seek funding to develop remaining space at the county park. The survey solicits whether people would use the park for athletics, recreation or relaxation and asks respondents to prioritize proposed features through a short online form available on NJC’s website (njc.edu/node/5600).

Plainsmen Park already hosts a baseball field, and NJC says a regulation-size soccer field is in progress and is projected to be completed later this summer. The survey lists additional possibilities under consideration, including a second soccer field, a softball field, an inclusive playground, covered picnic areas, a splash pad, walking trails, outdoor fitness equipment, public art and other recreation or relaxation features.

The project team includes the City of Sterling, Logan County, Banner Health and the Sterling Correctional Facility. They are pursuing various funding sources, including Great Outdoors Colorado. Securing grants of this type typically requires demonstrated community support and a clear plan for construction and long-term maintenance, making the public input gathered by the survey a key early step in shaping both design and funding strategies.

For Logan County residents, the proposed improvements carry several local implications. Expanded athletic facilities could increase use by school and club teams, potentially drawing regional tournaments that boost lodging, dining and retail activity in Sterling. Family-oriented amenities like a splash pad and inclusive playground could raise the park’s daily visitation and provide low-cost recreation options for households, while walking trails and outdoor fitness equipment support public health goals by encouraging regular physical activity.

Economic trade-offs will matter to voters and policymakers. Construction would generate short-term local jobs and contractor activity, while ongoing maintenance and operations would create recurring budget considerations for municipal or institutional partners. Grant-dependent projects also face timing risks tied to award schedules and matching-fund requirements, so the speed of fundraising and the breadth of community backing will influence which amenities move from concept to construction.

NJC and partners are using the survey to shape priorities and demonstrate local demand to funders. Residents who want to comment can fill out the short form on the NJC Plainsmen Park survey page. The college intends to use the responses to refine plans and pursue grant applications this year, with the new soccer field slated for completion by summer 2026.