For the last 21 years Paul Ostapuk and the Friends of Lake Powell have been working to create a nature park atop of Grandview Knoll.
The mothballed project was recently green-lighted with unanimous approval from Page City Council at their May 9 council meeting, the same day that Coconino County awarded the city of Page a $50,000 grant for improvements to Grandview Knoll.
The $50,000 came with the help of Lena Fowler, Coconino County Supervisor for District 5, after being solicited by Ostapuk and the Friends of Lake Powell.
The stalled project began picking up momentum in March 2017 after it was adopted by the Canyon Club as their next community service project.
The project won’t cost the city of Page any money, but the city may contribute some in-kind services, such as the use of some of its construction equipment and/or work crews. Groundbreaking on the project is expected to occur in June.
The Lake View Nature Park, as it will be called, will feature an ADA accessible view area located on the top on the hill, which will include a shade structure and access to the nearby Rimview Trail.

The park’s circular view area will also incorporate some aspects of Navajo culture, particularly their reverence for the four directions, said Ostapuk.
“These improvements are about designating and celebrating a 360-degree view and creating an important sense of place for the Page community,” said Ostapuk. “From there people can venture off the knoll onto the Rimview Trail and find nooks and crannies. There are intimate spots of mosses and mini-forests of sumac and buckthorn, grottoes and caves. It’s an impromptu play area.”
The Lake View Nature Park was originally conceived in the early 1990s as part of the Rimview Trail, which was created by Terry Allen who worked for Page’s recreation department.
Ostapuk became involved with the project in 1997, advocating for the park before the Planning and Zoning Commission. His youngest daughter, who was eight years old at the time, also spoke before the Planning and Zoning Commission in support of the park.
“I guess it was her first civics lesson” said Ostapuk. “She’s now 29 years old raising two children, one of whom is eight years old, so I guess you can say this project has taken a whole generation to realize the vision for the Grandview Knoll.
“It has been rewarding as a Page citizen to contribute to a city planning process that creates community spirit, economic opportunities and appreciation. City trails and parks can become binding elements that help build a sense community and foster healthy lifestyles.”
Shayne Jones, president of the Canyon Club, said his group was happy and eager to get involved with the Lake View Nature Park.
“We like to do projects that beautify or in some way benefit our town and this seemed like a good project to for us,” said Jones. “This park will provide a great enhancement to the community and provide a nice place to visit for family and visiting friends.”
Ostapuk believes the partnership between Friends of Lake Powell and the Canyon Club is beneficial to both organizations, the city of Page and its communities.
“I want to offer thanks and great appreciation to the Canyon Club for adopting the Grandview Knoll as their next community service project,” said Ostapuk.