HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/24/2024 - PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD - AGENDA - Regular MeetingPage 1
Ken Christensen, Chair Park Shop
Nick Armstrong, Co-Chair 413 South Bryan Avenue
Mike Novell, Secretary
Marcia Richards
Paul Baker
Meghan Willis
Josh Durand
Lorena Falcon
John Mola
Fort Collins, Colorado
Hybrid Meeting
April 24th, 2024
5:30pm
Participation for this hybrid Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting will be available in person,
online, or by phone.
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Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
AGENDA
Page 2
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• CALL TO ORDER
• ROLL CALL
o Board Members Present
Ken Christensen – Chair
Nick Armstrong – Co-Chair
Mike Novell – Secretary
Marcia Richards
Paul Baker
Meghan Willis
Josh Durand
Lorena Falcon
John Mola
o Staff Members Present
LeAnn Williams – Director of Recreation
Mike Calhoon – Director of Parks
Jill Wuertz – Sr Manager, Park Planning & Development
Rachel Eich – Business Support III
Dave Kemp – Sr Trails Planner, Park Planning & Development
Jen Torrey – Sr Landscape Architect, Park Planning & Development
Amanda Castelli – Landscape Architect, Park Planning & Development
• INTRODUCTION
o New Board Member Intros & Welcome
o Board Elections
• AGENDA REVIEW
• CITIZEN PARTICIPATION (10 minutes)
Page 3
• APPROVAL OF MINUTES
• UNFINISHED BUSINESS
o 2050 Tax Update – LeAnn Williams / Mike Calhoon (5 min.)
• NEW BUSINESS
o Strategic Trails Plan Update – Dave Kemp (10 min.)
o Schoolside Park Near Bacon Elementary School – Jen Torrey & Amanda Castelli (15 min.)
• BOARD MEMBER REPORTS
• RECREATOR ARTICLE SCHEDULE
• OTHER BUSINESS (30 minutes)
1. RECREATION UPDATE – LeAnn Williams
2. PARK PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT UPDATE – Jill Wuertz
3. PARKS UPDATE – Mike Calhoon
4. 6 MONTH PLANNING CALENDAR REVIEW .
https://www.fcgov.com/cityclerk/files/six-month-planning-calendar.pdf?1677855905
• ADJOURNMENT
Park and Recreation Board Meeting
March 27th, 2024
413 S Bryan
0 3/27/2024 – MINUTES Page 1
1. CALL TO ORDER
Ken Christensen called the meeting to order at 5:31pm
2. ROLL CALL
• List of Board Members Present
Ken Christensen
Nick Armstrong
Mike Novell
Marcia Richards
Paul Baker
Meghan Willis
Josh Durand
• List of Board Members Absent
Bob Kingsbury
• List of Staff Members Present
Marc Rademacher – Sr Manager, Recreation
Rob Crabb – Sr Manager, Parks/Cemeteries
Jill Wuertz – Sr Manager, Park Planning & Development
Scott Phelps – Sr Manager, Golf
Rachel Eich – Business Support III
3. AGENDA REVIEW
• Time added to the “Board Member Reports” section of the meeting for Marcia
Richards and Nick Armstrong to present on Strategic Trails Plan (STP) and Super
Issues meeting involvement
4. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
• No citizen participation
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
• Nick Armstrong moved to approve the February 2024 minutes as written at 5:33pm,
Marcia Richards seconded, all in favor.
6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
• No unfinished business
Parks and Recreation Board
TYPE OF MEETING – Hybrid Meeting
0 3/27/2024 – MINUTES Page 2
7. NEW BUSINESS
• Conservation Group: RE Hughes (Ray Caraway, Carin Avila, Tammy VerCauteren)
o Three partners proposing the Wildlife and Nature Campus concept for the
former Hughes Stadium property.
o Executive Directors
Carin Avila: Rocky Mountain Raptor Program
Tallon Nightwalker: Northern Colorado Wildlife Center
Tammy VerCauteren: Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
o The proposal for a wildlife and nature campus:
Serve as a bridge to connect people to wildlife and nature
Provide educational opportunities
Inclusion of interpretive trails
Opportunity to connect with wildlife rescue and rehabilitation efforts
o Growing list of support form other groups (i.e., Audubon Rockies,
Colorado Open Lands, Colorado State University Warner College of
Natural Resources, etc.)
o Working on a formal MOU with CSU regarding future collaboration for the
project.
o Hoping to share the overall idea with the Parks and Recreation Board to
create familiarity with the project with the hope for future support from the
board.
o Group will be engaging indigenous leaders throughout the process to
recognize their presence and honor the stewardship the indigenous
nations have done for the land.
o Bird Conservancy of the Rockies overview:
Founded in 1988, headquartered at Barr Lake State Park
Mission: Conserve birds and their habitats through science,
education, and land stewardship
Work collaboratively with other City groups
• Natural Areas (bird monitoring)
• Community Science project (monitoring screech owls on
Poudre River)
• Spring and Fall banding station at Pineridge Natural Area
o Rocky Mountain Raptor Program overview:
Began in 1987, originally as a vet student club with CSU
Mission: Inspire the protection and conservation of raptors and the
environment through excellence in rehabilitation, education, and
research
o Concept overview:
Goal to build a gateway to nature in the community
Group sees strong alignment with the values of the City of Fort
Parks and Recreation Board
TYPE OF MEETING – Hybrid Meeting
0 3/27/2024 – MINUTES Page 3
Collins and the voters
Facility would occupy 40-60 acres in the northeast corner of the
property with a building footprint of 5 acres. The majority of the
land will be focused on nature, land restoration, and connectivity to
existing trails in the surrounding Natural Areas.
Campus will enhance engagement with nature and promote a
better understanding of wildlife and conservation for people from all
backgrounds
Activities will include habitat restoration to improve land and wildlife
habitats, wildlife rescue and rehab services, and
volunteer/education opportunities.
Group hopes to collaborate with the community to foster low impact
recreation opportunities (walking, hiking, skiing, etc.)
o Questions:
Board member asked if all groups would relocate to one site.
• All groups would relocate to office out of one facility
Board member asked the group to expand on the collaboration with
the indigenous/native groups.
• Currently coordinating with Native groups to understand the
sacred spaces
• Reaching out to the City of Fort Collins DEI group and the
First People’s organization (multi tribal group)
Board member asked if this facility will still happen if it is not
located at the Hughes Stadium site
• Group knows they have to coordinate and collaborate with
other groups and the City to make it happen
Board member discussed the intentional development the City
does by following multiple strategic plans (ReCreate Plan, Strategic
Trails Plan, Natural Areas Strategic Framework, etc.)
Staff provided an update on Hughes site development
• The City does not have a full scope of work identified
• Re engagement likely to begin this year with a series of 5 to
6 potential concepts
o Golf Update
Staff overview of Golf Division
• Enterprise fund: does not get money from the general fund
o Grew from $3.7 million in 2021 to $5.3 million
• 3 golf courses
o Collindale (1971)
o South Ridge (1984)
o City Park Nine (1940)
Parks and Recreation Board
TYPE OF MEETING – Hybrid Meeting
0 3/27/2024 – MINUTES Page 4
• Staff Structure
o Public/private model: Contracted golf professionals
and food and beverage. Managed, maintained, and
administered by the City.
• Board member asked how they can best support the Golf
Division.
o Continue to support and push through plans for
irrigation systems in the budgeting processes
• Youth scholarship fund now run through a community group
in partnership with CityGives
8. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS
• Nick Armstrong and Marcia Richards attended the Strategic Trails Plan Community
Working Group meeting and the Boards and Commissions Super Issues meeting.
o Interest from board member chairs to gather to check on agendas
o Air Quality Board expressed interest in the Urban Forest Strategic Plan
o Human Relations Board would like to engage in a collaborative effort with
the Hughes Stadium Site.
9. OTHER BUSINESS
• Recreator Article
o Josh Durand and Nick Armstrong to write article on the History of the
Farm – due May 24th
• Recreation Update – Marc Rademacher
o SE Community Center
Under contract negotiations for the owners rep
Expecting to have a design team on board later this year with
collaboration with PSD to come
o Mulberry Pool Feasibility Study kicked off with preliminary findings coming
in the next month
o Registration software
Recreation team had to go back to the old system for the latest
registration period
o Applying for a Congressionally Directed grant to fund the childcare wing of
the new SE facility
• Parks Update – Rob Crabb
o Moving into the Spring sports season
o Hiring efforts are moving forward for multiple positions
15 new hourly staff on board
15% of technician workforce to turn over
o Cemetery team engaged with landscape architect consultant to work on
Parks and Recreation Board
TYPE OF MEETING – Hybrid Meeting
0 3/27/2024 – MINUTES Page 5
the future of Roselawn Cemetery
Grandview will likely be at capacity in 20-30 years
o Continuing with Park Ranger hiring
o February 2024 was one of the top three wettest and warmest months
since keeping weather records.
• Park Planning & Development Update – Jill Wuertz
o In the middle of BFO process
o Next public open house for the future schoolside park near Bacon
Elementary school scheduled for Thursday, April 4th
o First public open house for the Strategic Trails Plan scheduled for
Monday, April 15th
o Mail Creek Trail under construction
o Nesting bald eagles discovered at Arapaho Bend Natural Area. Will likely
impact the planned construction start date for the Poudre River Trail
o 9/11 Memorial irrigation and landscape work to be completed by Parks
Department
o Westfield Tennis court replacement set to begin
10. ADJOURNMENT
Ken Christensen adjourned the meeting at 7:55pm
Park Planning & Development
215 N Mason, Fort Collins CO 80524
970-221-6660
parkplanning@fcgov.com
Page 1 of 4
MEMORANDUM
Date: April 24, 2024
To: Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
Through: Mike Calhoon, Parks Director
From: Jill Wuertz, Senior Manager, Park Planning & Development
Dave “DK” Kemp, Senior Trails Planner , Park Planning & Development
Subject: Strategic Trails Plan
The purpose of this memorandum is to update the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
(PRAB) on the Strategic Trails Plan (STP), including the scope of work, community engagement
strategy and project timeline. The project team will provide full updates to PRAB at strategic
points in the planning process and brief monthly updates will be provided by PRAB members
serving on the STP Community Working Group and Parks staff.
BACKGROUND
An interdepartmental team is updating the 2013 Paved Recreational Trails Master Plan ,
renamed, the Strategic Trails Plan (STP). STP will provide a framework for the future planning,
design, maintenance, and preservation of the paved trail system. The planning process is
underway, and staff has prepared a number of immediate public input opportunities as part of
the first phase of community engagement to access community needs :
• An in-person public open house event was held on Monday, April 15 at the Northside
Aztlan Community Center introducing community members to the STP and listening to
initial concerns and ideas regarding the current state of the trail system and potential,
future trail connections.
• Development of the plan's Our City webpage to review supplemental information and
receive periodic project updates via email, including:
o A questionnaire open through May 1.
o An interactive mapping tool to share feedback and suggestions regarding specific
trails, existing and proposed.
Page 2 of 4
o An interactive StoryMap showcasing the history of trail construction in Fort
Collins created by the Geospatial Centroid at Colorado State University in
partnership with Park Planning & Development.
A Community Working Group consisting of at-large community members and representatives
from key stakeholder organizations has been formed to help steer the planning process and to
vet key planning concepts and policies, including the project goals to:
• Assess if the paved trail system is meeting the needs of the community and determine
opportunities and challenges for improvement.
• Develop a shared vision for the expansion of the paved trail system to meet the future
needs of a growing community.
• Create transparency to trail funding, planning, design, construction , and maintenance.
• Explore and develop new policies to improve the current and future paved trail system.
The focus areas of the STP extends past the 2013 plan objectives to address existing and new
challenges and opportunities associated with growing and preserving the trail system:
• Plan Congruence: Ensure the STP aligns with recommendations from several
supporting adopted plans, including:
o ReCreate: Parks and Recreation Master Plan (P. 228) – which identifies the
following key action items:
▪ Expand the network of paved, multi-use trails.
▪ Increase safe routes to parks and recreation facilities (including schools
and neighborhoods).
▪ Ensure trails function for a range of recreational and transportation users .
o Active Modes Plan and its goals and objectives pertaining to Safe Routes to
School and the 15-Minute City.
o Natural Areas Strategic Framework Plan (In Progress).
o Our Climate Future .
Page 3 of 4
• Equity of Existing & Future Trails: Review proposed trails and provide
recommendations on new trails to meet the needs of Fort Collins’ expanding population,
including a focus on connecting to underrepresented neighborhoods and schools.
• Community Engagement: Utilize a diverse array of community engagement and
communication tactics to engage community members, with special focus on connecting
with underrepresented community members.
• Safety, Mobility, and Accessibility: Review current safety outreach practices and
ordinances; and provide recommendations to create a culture of safety among users of
the trail system.
• Maintenance: Analyze trail conditions, consolidate current and new maintenance
issues, and prioritize improvements.
• Design and Construction Standards: Review existing design standards and provide
recommendations to ensure standards are contemporary and meet the needs of Fort
Collins’ growing population.
• Development Review: Review and provide recommendations on developer
requirements for trail easements, cost shares, construction, maintenance, and
connections.
• Irrigation Ditch Compatibility: Evaluate the feasibility of pairing trails on, along, or
across irrigation ditches. Create public transparency to known challenges and explore
opportunities for future collaboration with irrigation ditch companies .
• Funding: Review and summarize trail funding strategies and identify new funding
opportunities to potentially accelerate the growth of trail construction.
PROJECT TIMELINE
The Strategic Trails Plan is comprised of three project phases with three respective phases of
community engagement. Beginning in March 2024, the planning process is expected to last
approximately 12 months with hopeful council review and adoption in spring 2025. Below is the
project timeline:
1. Vision & Needs (March – May)
a. Phase I – Community Engagement: Assessing community needs
Page 4 of 4
i. City Boards and City Council updates
b. Key Tasks:
i. Plan congruence
ii. Trail inventory & maintenance assessment
iii. Gaps & future trails assessment
2. Proposed Connections & Policies (June – October)
a. Phase II – Community Engagement: Reactions to proposed new connections & trail
experience enhancements
i. City Boards and City Council updates
b. Key Tasks:
i. Gaps and future trails (continued.)
ii. Level of Service
iii. Irrigation Ditch Compatibility
iv. Development Review – Code Refinements
v. Design and Construction Standards
vi. Safety, Mobility, and Accessibility
vii. Funding & Implementation
3. Draft Plan & Recommendations (October – March 25’)
a. Phase III - Community Engagement: Public review
i. City Boards updates
ii. City Council Work Session
iii. City Council adoption
b. Key tasks:
i. Incorporate public input
ii. Prepare final plan
In summary, staff is excited to launch the Strategic Trails Plan and looks forward to a robust and
equitable engagement process with Fort Collins’ community members and stakeholders. Staff
will be available to members of PRAB throughout the process to provide any information.
Please contact: Dave “DK” Kemp, Senior Trails Planner: DK@fcgov.com or mobile: 970-290-
0780.
Headline Copy Goes Here
April 24, 2024
Parks and Recreation
Advisory Board
Strategic Trails Plan
UPDATE
Headline Copy Goes HereAgenda
2
1.PROJECT SCOPE AND SCHEDULE
2.PLAN LEADERSHIP
3.COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PLAN
4.OUR CITY WEBPAGE LAUNCH
a.Visual Brand and Theme
b.Questionnaire
c.Interactive Map
d.“History of FC Trails” StoryMap
e.Result of April 15 Open House Event
5.NORTHERN COLORADO TRAILS SUMMIT
6.NEXT STEPS
Headline Copy Goes HereProject Scope and Schedule – 3 Phases
3
1.Vision & Needs (March – May)
•Assessing community needs (Phase I community engagement)
•Plan congruence
•Inventory & maintenance assessment
•Gaps & future trails
2.Proposed Connections & Policies (June – October)
•Community reactions to proposed new connections & trail experience
enhancements (Phase II – community engagement)
•Gaps and future trails (cont.)
•Level of Service
•Irrigation Ditch Compatibility
•Development Review – Code Refinements
•Design and Construction Standards
•Safety, Mobility, and Accessibility
•Funding & Implementation
3.Draft Plan & Recommendations (October – March 25’)
•Public review, incorporate input (Phase III community engagement)
•Prepare final plan
•Council adoption (March 2025)
Headline Copy Goes Here
4
Plan Leadership: Community Working Group, Boards & Council
•Community Working Group
•Sounding board for ideas and recommendations, identify
gaps and priorities, review proposed routes, and policies
•At-large representation
•CSU students and staff
•Chicas en Bicicletas
•PRAB & AMAB representatives
•Larimer County Natural Resources
•North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization
•City Boards
•Review and advise project team on concepts, policies, and
plan recommendations
•Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
•Active Modes Advisory Board
•Disability Advisory Board
•Land Conservation Stewardship Board (TBD)
•City Council
•Review and provide direction to project team on concepts,
policies, and plan recommendations.
Headline Copy Goes HereCommunity Engagement Plan
5
•Community Driven (Plan Leadership)
•Community Working Group
•City Boards
•City Council
•Reaching Underrepresented Communities
•Three phases of engagement
(coincides with phases of project)
•Phase I – Vision and Needs
•Phase II – Proposed Connections & Policies
•Phase II – Draft Plan
•Web -based & In-person engagement opportunities
•Schedule
Headline Copy Goes HereThree Phases of Engagement
6
Headline Copy Goes HereOur City Project Webpage
7
•Background & purpose
•Goals
•Shaped by Community Working
Group)
•Plan Focus Areas
•Timeline of Key Events
•Link to Questionnaire
•Link to Interactive Map
•Link to “History of Trails” StoryMap
•As of April 17:
•1,900 total visits, with 643 visitors
engaging with the project.
Headline Copy Goes HereVisual Brand and Theme
8
Headline Copy Goes Here
9
Questionnaire
Purpose (open until May 1)
•Gauge community satisfaction,
attitudes, and perceptions
•Identify barriers to trail use
•Understand mode type and frequency
of use
•Understand what factors may increase
trail use
•As of April 17:
•650 responses
Questions:
1.What are your top motivations for using the paved
trails in Fort Collins
2.If you have not used the paved trails, why not?
3.How do you travel to access the paved trails?
4.What is your primary activity when using the
paved trails?
5.Which trails do you use the most?
6.What factors would increase your use of the
paved trails?
7.What suggestions would you offer the city to better
balance the needs of various types of trail users?
8.With an understanding that certain locations will
remain protected for their natural and cultural
resources, are there areas of the city (including
parks) where trail connections are missing that
you think would be valuable?
Headline Copy Goes HereInteractive Map
10
•First of three map phases
•Open until May 1
•Location-based public commenting on:
•Safety
•Personal security
•New trail connections
•Trail amenities
•Maintenance
•Other observations
•As of April 17:
•248 individual comments w/116
replies,
•157 “Likes”
Headline Copy Goes Here
11
StoryMap
Headline Copy Goes HerePublic Open House - Meeting #1
12
•DATE & TIME: April 15, 5:00-7:00 pm
•LOCATION: Northside Aztlan Community Center, Eagle Rooms
•Purpose:
•Introduce the community to project goals & objectives
•Gauge community needs, preferences, challenges, and
satisfaction with paved trails
•Identify gaps and potential new trail connections
•Engagement Tracking: Where do you live? Map with City
Council districts
•Informational & Interactive stations
•Write-in activities
•Giant floor map: opportunities, challenges, new
connections
•Public Participation Level – Medium
Headline Copy Goes Here
13
Northern Colorado Trails Summit (Public Meeting #3)
•SAVE THE DATE!
•Thursday, September 26
•4:30-8:00 pm
•The Agave Room
•“Exhibit” Hall & Networking (4:30-6:00pm)
•Private Sector Partners/Vendors
•Non-profit Organizations
•Related University Departments
•Related City Departments/Projects
•Regional Presentations (6:00-7:00pm)
•Three 10 to 20-minute presentations with Q&A
•Keynote Speaker (7:00-8:00)
•Chuck Flink,The Greenway Imperative
Headline Copy Goes HereNext Steps
14
•Synthesize public input collected through May 1
•Share information gleaned in Phase I
•Seek community reaction to proposed new connections & trail
experience enhancements
•Web-based:
•Interactive Map: Proposed connections, opportunities for
improvement
•In-Person:
•CWG meeting
•Public meeting
•NoCo Trails Summit
•Focused stakeholder/neighborhood meetings
•Review results of tasks and other policies in development
Headline Copy Goes Here
15
Questions?
Dave “DK” Kemp
Senior Trails Planner
Park Planning & Development
Parks Department
dk@fcgov.com
AGENDA CONCEPT REVIEW
SCHOOLSIDE PARK
Agenda
• Open House Feedback
• Public Outreach - Online Survey
• Program Requirements
• Site Considerations
• Presentation of Concept Plans A-D
• Questions / Feedback
PARKS & RECREATION BOARD
1. Schoolside Park Amenities & Programming
2. Existing Site Conditions, Opportunities & Constraints
3. Public Outreach Feedback
4. Conceptual Design Plan
5. Project Schedule
6. Questions / Comments
AGENDA
TYPICAL PARK AMENITIES
SCHOOLSIDE PARK
•5+ Acres
•Seating/Casual Use Spaces
•Community Gardens
•Internal Walking Trails
•Unique Landscape Features
•Natural Spaces
•Outdoor Fitness/Exercise Facilities
•Creative Play Attractions/Playground
•Rectangular Fields
•Basketball/Volleyball Courts
•Individual Picnic Areas
•Park Shelters
•Restroom
•40+ Acres
•Seating/Casual Use Spaces
•Community Gardens
•Internal Walking Trails
•Unique Landscape Features
•Natural Spaces
•Biking Trails
•Outdoor Fitness/Exercise Facilities
•Creative Play Attractions/Playground
•Rectangular/Diamond Fields
•Basketball/Tennis/Volleyball/Pickleball Courts
•Water Play
•Dog Park
•Individual/Group Picnic Areas
•Park Shelters
•Outdoor Event Space
•Restroom
Community Parks Neighborhood Parks Schoolside Parks (5+ Acres)
•5+ Acres
•Seating/Casual Use Spaces
•Internal Walking Trails
•Natural Spaces
•Biking Trails
•Outdoor Fitness/Exercise Facilities
•Playground
•Rectangular/Diamond Fields
•Basketball/Tennis/Volleyball Courts
•Individual/Group Picnic Areas
•Outdoor Event Space
•Restroom
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
SCHOOLSIDE PARK
Programming Menu
Schoolside Park
Parking
30 Spaces
Separate
Flush Vault
Spin Bouldering
Septic System Swing
Obstacle
Course
Shared
Non-Flush Vault
Climb Fitness Stations
Extend Sewer Slide
Ages 2-12Options Ages 13+
Restroom Active
RecreationPlayground Passive
Recreation Landscaping Picnicking
Dog Walking
Birding
Soft Surface
Trails
Interpretive
Path
Native
Sod
Event Space
Group
Individual
or or
or
or
Shaded/Quiet
Inclusive
Basketball
Court
Teen
Hangout
Public Art
Themed
Integrated
Central
Planting Beds
EXISTING
HOUSE
EXISTING
HOUSE
FUTURE PARK
SITE
FUTURE PARK
SITE
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SCHOOL
PARKING LOT
SCHOOL
PARKING LOT
BACON ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL
BACON ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL
1
4
2
EXISTING CONDITIONS
SCHOOLSIDE PARK
1. Sidewalk along Timberline/Connection to underpass
2. Existing house & trees 3. Mail Creek Trail underpass/Connection to Power Trail 4. Bacon Elementary School/adjacent neighborhood
3
MAIL CREEK TRAIL
CONNECTION PROJECTS
KECHTER RD.
ZEPHYR RD.
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BACON ELEMENTARY
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Siphon
Pedestrian Overpass
anticipated
completion 2024
Willow Springs
Subdivision
Kechter Farms
Subdivision
Future Neighborhood
Development
23-25283
KINARD CORE KNOWLEDGEMIDDLE SCHOOL
New C
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Pedestrian Underpass
recently completed
Trail Construction
Summer 2023
Future Trail
Spring 2024
Siphon
Overpass
Future
Neighborhood
Park
PARK OPPORTUNITIES & CONSTRAINTS
SCHOOLSIDE PARK
Opportunities
Constraints
Bacon
Elementary
School
Future Park
Zephyr Rd
S.
T
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School
Parking
Lot
Existing House
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xx
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Detention
Pond
F
uture Mail Creek Trail
Views of
Horsetooth
Legend
Pedestrian
Connection
Future
Mail Creek Trail
Underpass
School Gate
x x x x Fence
Existing Trees
ROW Buer
1” = 50 feet x
x
x
x
x
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Mail Creek Ditch
Potential Site
Access
Mail Creek Crossing
Subdivision
Mail Creek Crossing
Subdivision
0 50’ 100’150’200’
• Pedestrian connection to adjacent neighborhoods
• Pedestrian connection to Mail Creek Trail
• Existing trees
• Western views of Horsetooth & Foothills
• PSD school partnerships:
• Bacon Elementary School
• Kinard Middle School
• Traut Elementary School
• Preston Middle School
• School programs:
• Center Based Autism
• Safe Routes to School
• Early Childhood Development
• Potential partnerships:
• Adaptive Recreation Opportunities (ARO)
• CSU Little Shop of Physics
• Adjacency to Timberline Road
• No on-street parking
• Mail Creek ditch
• Existing house deconstruction/demo
• Lack of sanitary sewer connection
View of Horsetooth and Foothills
PUBLIC OUTREACH FEEDBACK
SCHOOLSIDE PARK
Summary of Results Most Supported
Passive Recreation
picnicking
shaded seating
dog walking
#2
#1
hammocking
#3
soft surface trails
#4
#5
Most Supported
Active Recreation
irrigated lawn
swinging
bouldering
obstacle course
#1
#2
#3
#4
basketball
#5
• Open House was held February 15, 2024 from 6:30-8pm.
• Comment cards were provided at Open House for attendees to share
their opinions, preferences, and concerns regarding the park character &
programming.
• Online survey was conducted Feb. 15- March 1 as well and results were
combined to identify common themes, preferences, and priorities among
respondents.
• 5,259 invitations sent to residents within a 1-mile radius of the park site.
• 105* community members attended the Open House
• 27 comment cards filled out
• Over 840 votes cast at Open House
• 51 completed online surveys
* number was extrapolated from the number of community members who signed in and the number of votes cast.
Initial public outreach included a drop-in open
house and online survey. Overall, the outreach
efforts indicate a desire for a park design that
provides rolling, open and enclosed spaces while
providing natural buffers. Feedback suggest there
is a preference for the park to have a muted or
earth-tone color palette. Additional feedback on
preferred playground features identify bouldering,
climbing, spinning, swinging and a zipline as desired
playground features.
The park design will address concerns shared such as
the need for pet waste stations and pedestrian safety.
Although there was an expressed interest in pickleball
in this park, due to close proximity to both the school
and nearby homes, the noise levels associated with
this activity make this use unsuitable at this park
location. Pickleball courts are available for use at the
nearby Twin Silo Park. Additionally, although interest
was shown in a splash pad, the cost of providing
sanitary sewer service required for this use, makes it
infeasible for a splash pad to be provided within this
park.
Shaded/Quiet Seating
33%
Picnicking
22%
Dog Walking
18%
Hammocking
14%
Soft Surface Trails
13%
MOST SUPPORTED PASSIVE RECREATION
Fitness
Stations/Obstacle
Course
25%
Swinging
20%
Bouldering
19%
Irrigated Lawn
16%
Event Space
10%
Basketball
10%
MOST SUPPORTED ACTIVE RECREATION
CONCEPT A: FITNESS FOR ALL
SCHOOLSIDE PARK
PLAYGROUND
AGES 2-12
16,500 SF
OBSTACLE
COURSE AGES 13+
4,000 SF
PARKINGPARKING
LOTLOT
2828
SPACESSPACES
PARKING
LOT
28
SPACES
SOD
SOD
NATIVE
NATIVE
NATIVE
SO
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BACON
ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL
MULTI-PURPOSE
LAWN
BU
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F
F
SOD
SOD
Obstacle Course
Playground Inspiration
Picnic Shelter
Park Inspiration
Park Swings Sensory PathEvent Space
Design Description
The fitness-focused park design caters to individuals of
all ages and abilities, prioritizing physical activity and
wellness. The playground will be uniquely designed with
functionally linked play elements aimed at challenging and
enhancing fitness levels. For older participants aged 13 and
up, an exhilarating obstacle course provides an exciting
opportunity for physical exertion and skill development.
The park’s terrain is gently rolling, creating natural
separations between spaces and adding to the aesthetic
appeal. A network of well-defined walking paths guides
visitors throughout the park, connecting various areas and
leading to serene spots designed for quiet contemplation
and relaxation as well as providing connections to the Mail
Creek Trail. Overall, the park seamlessly integrates fitness,
recreation, and natural elements to provide a dynamic and
rejuvenating outdoor experience for everyone.
Obstacle Course : Ages 13+Obstacle Course : Ages 13+
Functionally Linked Play : Ages 2-12Functionally Linked Play : Ages 2-12
Half Basketball Hammocking
NORTH
1” = 40 feet
0’40’80’120’160’0’
MAIL
CREEK CROSSING
SUBDIVISION
LOOP
WALK
PICNIC
SHELTER
EVENT
SPACE
RESTROOM
V
I
E
W
S
T
O
H
O
R
S
E
T
O
O
T
H
1st grade
2nd grade
3rd grade
HALF BBHALF BB
COURTCOURT
HALF BB
COURT
VIEW
S
T
O
L
O
N
G
”
S
P
E
A
K
HAMMOCKING
EXISTING
TREES
TRAIL UNDERPASS
SHADED
BENCH
SWINGS
SHADED
BENCH
SWINGS
SHADED
BENCH
SWINGS
SHADED
BENCH
SWINGS
SHADED
BENCH
SWINGS
SHADED
BENCH
SWINGS
MAIL
CREEK
TRAIL
SENSORY
PATH
Traditional playground ages 6 mo-12
Loop walk
Qty. (2) basketball courts
Sand play
Future outdoor classroom
Painted asphalt games
Qty. (2) Parking lots
Raised planting beds
✓✓
SCHOOL AMENITIES:
✓✓
✓✓
✓✓
✓✓
✓✓
✓✓
✓✓
SOFT SURFACE TRAIL
PEDESTRIAN
BRIDGE
ROLLING
GATE
MAIL CREEK DITCH
POTENTIAL
EMERGENCY
ACCESS ONLY
CONCEPT A: FITNESS FOR ALL
SCHOOLSIDE PARK
HAMMOCKINGPARKING LOT
HALF-BASKETBALL
COURT
OBSTACLE COURSE
MAIL CREEK
TRAIL
UNDERPASS
SOUTH TIMB
E
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L
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R
D
SCHOOL
PARKING LO
T
PICNIC SHELTER
EVENT SPACE
RESTROOM
BACON ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL
MAIL
CREEK CROSSING
SUBDIVISION
SHADED
BENCH
SWINGS
MAIL CREEK
DITCH
MAIL CREEK TRAIL W/ ATTACHED
SOFT SURFACE TRAIL
ZEPH
Y
R
R
D
• Central multi-purpose lawn
• Playground adjacent to school
• Separate event space & picnic shelter
• Potential shared parking with school
• Quiet park swing & hammocking
• Obstacle course
• Half basketball court
Concept A:
FENCED
PLAYGROUND
AGES 2-12
MULTI-PURPOSE
LAWN
SENSORY PATH
NORTH
PROJECT SCHEDULE
SCHOOLSIDE PARK
Identify Opportunities
February 15, 2024
Present Concepts
Spring 2024
Review Final Plan
Summer 2024
Construction Begins
Anticipated Spring 2025
Park Opens
Anticipated Fall 2025