Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/23/2024 - PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD - AGENDA - Regular MeetingPage 1 Nick Armstrong, Chair Park Shop Meghan Willis, Co-Chair 413 South Bryan Avenue Josh Durand, Secretary Ken Christensen Marcia Richards Paul Baker Mike Novell John Mola Lorena Falcon Fort Collins, Colorado Hybrid Meeting October 23rd, 2024 5:30pm Participation for this hybrid Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting will be available in person, online, or by phone. Public Participation (In-person & online): Individuals who wish to address the Parks and Recreation Board via remote public participation can do so through Microsoft Teams at the following link: Microsoft Teams Need help? Join the meeting now Meeting ID: 222 246 382 644 Passcode: vPEDMn Individuals participating in the Microsoft Teams session should also watch the meeting through the site. The virtual meeting will be available to join beginning at 5:30 pm on the scheduled date. If attending virtually, participants should try to sign in prior to the 5:30 pm start time, if possible. For public comments, the Chair will asl participants to “Raise Hand” button to indicate if you would like to speak at that time. Staff will moderate the Zoom session to ensure all participants have an o pportunity to address the Board or Commission. In order to participate: Documents to Share: If residents with to share a document or presentation, the staff liaison needs to receive those materials via email by 24 hours before the meeting. Individuals uncomfortable attending in person or unable to access the Zoom platform or unable to participate by phone are encouraged to participate by emailing general public comments to mcalhoon@fcgov,com. The staff liaison will ensure the Boards or Commissions receives your comments. Parks and Recreation Advisory Board AGENDA Page 2 If you have specific comments on any of the discussion items scheduled, please make that clear in the subject line of the email and send 24 hours prior to the meeting. • CALL TO ORDER • ROLL CALL o Board Members Present ▪ Nick Armstrong – Chair ▪ Meghan Willis – Co-Chair ▪ Josh Durand – Secretary ▪ Ken Christensen ▪ Marcia Richards ▪ Paul Baker ▪ Mike Novell ▪ John Mola ▪ Lorena Falcon o Staff Members Present ▪ LeAnn Williams – Director of Recreation ▪ Mike Calhoon – Director of Parks ▪ Jill Wuertz – Sr Manager, Park Planning & Development ▪ Scott Phelps – Sr Manager, Golf ▪ Rachel Eich – Business Support III • INTRODUCTION • AGENDA REVIEW • CITIZEN PARTICIPATION (10 minutes) • APPROVAL OF MINUTES • UNFINISHED BUSINESS o Emergency Response Update • NEW BUSINESS o Golf Division Update – Scott Phelps o 2025 Work Plan Review o 2024 Annual Report Review o Letter of Support for NoCo Trails Summit • BOARD MEMBER REPORTS • STAFF REPORTS • RECREATOR ARTICLE SCHEDULE o Next Recreator Article Due: January 31st Page 3 • 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 September 25th, 2024 Northside Aztlan Community Center – 112 E Willow St 0 9/25 /2024 – MINUTES Page 1 1. CALL TO ORDER Nick Armstrong called the meeting to order at 5:39pm. 2. ROLL CALL • List of Board Members Present Nick Armstrong – Chair Meghan Willis – Co-Chair Ken Christensen Marcia Richards Lorena Falcon Mike Novell John Mola • List of Board Members Absent Josh Durand Paul Baker • List of Staff Members Present LeAnn Williams – Director of Recreation Mike Calhoon – Director of Parks Jill Wuertz – Sr Manager, Park Planning & Development Kendra Boot – Sr Manager, Forestry Rachel Eich – Business Support III Kendra Benson – Executive Admin Assistant 3. AGENDA REVIEW • No changes to the agenda 4. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION • Community members living in the Huntington Hills neighborhood with concerns on the potential outdoor pickleball complex at Fossil Creek Community Park. o Cited the noise level policy from Larimer County Ordinance 97-03 with concerns about who will be policing the sound from the proposed pickleball courts o Citizen expressed that the 2nd and 3rd options would be preferred to the location chosen o Expressed concerns for the wildlife and birds that migrate through the Parks and Recreation Board TYPE OF MEETING – Hybrid Meeting 0 9/25 /2024 – MINUTES Page 2 pond are. o Citizen requested the City to reconsider the pickleball complex at Fossil Creek Community Park due to the desire to preserve the natural elements of the park. o Questions: o Board member, Ken Chrsitensen, asked staff what the noise considerations are when investigating sites for new facilities ▪ City project team studied noise at a high level to understand the noise levels and potential mitigation (fencing, berming, vegetation, etc.) ▪ More research will likely be conducted to determine how topographic and elevation differences impact sound o Board member, Ken Christensen, requested to see what is being done for noise abatement and mitigation. ▪ Staff will plan further study with noise mitigation techniques • Fort Collins Hockey Representatives o Fort Collins adult hockey representatives met with City staff to discuss potential solutions to the concerns previously raised regarding adult hockey ice time at EPIC. o Hockey representatives asked what a good approach would be moving forward to continue to work toward a solution with the City Recreation team. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Ken Christensen moved to approve the minutes as written at 6:16pm, Marcia seconded, all in favor 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS • Emergency Response Update o Executive team met and recentered the organization for moving forward with emergency responses o Emergency levels: ▪ Yellow: normal operations while informing user groups (may not include larger community level communication ▪ Orange: Emergency Operations team involved ▪ Red: Increased orange level responses ▪ Purple: Impacts to the larger community; regional response o Debrief scheduled with Police, Safety & Risk Management, Parks, and Recreation teams concerning previous incident near City Park and Grand View Cemetery • Adult and Private Hockey League Ice Time Allocation Update Parks and Recreation Board TYPE OF MEETING – Hybrid Meeting 0 9/25 /2024 – MINUTES Page 3 o Ice is scheduled similar to other programs at all facilities: internal programs get first priority o Scheduling team has to take different criteria into account for different organizations ▪ Female league has to have a certain number of hours to be a sanctioned team o City Recreation Department was struggling with large waitlists for youth programs, so staff started to examine how to expand current youth program opportunities. ▪ Learn to Skate, Junior Rams, etc. o City staff is working with Larimer County to understand why the County has not built their additional sheets of ice yet. o Next steps: Recreation Director recommends the Fort Collins Hockey Club begin monthly meetings with the Ice & Aquatics staff • Board and staff toured the newly remodeled childcare wing of Northside Aztlan Community Center • Urban Forest Strategic Plan Update – Kendra Boot o Presentation of an overview of the final draft of the plan o Most recent version of the plan is available on the Our City webpage o Meghan Williams moved to support the Rooted in Community: Urban Forest Strategic Plan letter of support with edits at 7:46pm, Marcia Richards seconded, all in favor • BFO Letter to City Council o Ken Christensen moved to approve the letter of support as edited at 8:03pm, Mike Novell seconded, all in favor 7. NEW BUSINESS • 2025 Work Plan Development o Board members began initial development on the 2025 Work Plan. o Edits to be reviewed and approved at the October 2024 meeting 8. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS • Marcia Richards and Meghan Willis attended the Volunteer Engagement Summit on 8/29. • Thanks to staff from board member for fixing the pickleball courts at Spring Canyon Park • Nick Armstrong and Meghan Willis will both be attending the STP Northern Colorado Trails Summit (9/26). • Nick Armstrong attended Leadership PSD. o Graduation rates are at 87% for the last few years Parks and Recreation Board TYPE OF MEETING – Hybrid Meeting 0 9/25 /2024 – MINUTES Page 4 o PSD ranked #4 among all regional schools o Emphasis on graduating with a degree in integrity • Meghan Willis attended the Pickleball Open House on 9/18. • Ken Christensen discussed experience with E-bikes. • John Mola discussed recent trip to Japan and their impressive parks system. 9. OTHER BUSINESS • Recreator Article o John Mola finalizing draft for Recreator article due on October 4th • Recreation Update – LeAnn Williams o Adaptive inclusive group hosted a golf event at Collindale Golf Course with 50 families in attendance, launching an Adaptive Golf Program o Fall sports have begun o Recreation software: Team completed process improvements with FC Lean ▪ Implemented changes to the way registration occurs with staffing ▪ Will be launching an app and moving to Paytrack o SE Community Center: Department will continue to bring monthly updates to the board ▪ Interviewing contractors to be brought on board at the end of October ▪ Will be discussed at Council Finance the 1st Thursday of December o Mulberry Pool Feasibility Study: Recreation team will be meeting with CSU leadership in Athletic Department to review the feasibility study before determining next steps ▪ CCIP will be key to replacing the facility o Finalizing costs and narratives for CCIP – Council Finance in October • Park Planning & Development Update – Jill Wuertz o Schoolside Park: Progressing at 75% CDs ▪ Met with PSD regarding agreement for easements o NoCo Trails Summit will take place on Thursday, September 26th o Hosted a table at the 2024 Open Streets event o Attended the Senior Advisory Board to discuss the STP update o Poudre River Trail: Section under I-25 almost complete and construction is underway for additional phases o Pickleball open house was one of the highest attended events PPD has hosted o Sport court improvements and replacements are continuing throughout the system o Moving forward with improvements for the interactive pump controls at the interactive fountain at Spring Canyon Community Park Parks and Recreation Board TYPE OF MEETING – Hybrid Meeting 0 9/25 /2024 – MINUTES Page 5 o Working on design and installation of a new sign at the Veterans Plaza at Spring Canyon Community Park. • Parks Update – Mike Calhoon o EPIC parking lot improvements complete o Tennis courts at Edora Park complete o Winterization of splash pads began after Labor Day weekend o Continuing to monitor the Japanese Beetle infestation (particularly at City Park) o Hosted a successful tour of the downtown flowers and horticulture program with City Council o Received the new showmobile o Harvested the orchard and hop yard at Twin Silo Park ▪ Over 200 pounds of fresh produce taken to Larimer County Food Bank o Sold 960 trees at the Community Canopy Program o Aeration occurring at the golf courses o Hosted a concert and fireworks show at Southridge Golf Course in coordination with Ag Day on September 6th o Parks Managers Meeting scheduled for December 11th • 6-month Planning Calendar Review 10. ADJOURNMENT Nick Armstrong adjourned the meeting at 9:24pm. Work Plan City of Fort Collins Parks and Recreation Advisory Board 2025 Work Plan The Parks and Recreation Board acts as an advisory board. The Board advises and makes recommendations to Community Services and the City Council for their approval as to the rules, regulations, policies, and administrative and budgetary matters pertaining to the Parks and Recreation Departments, including matters relating to the operation and maintenance of City-owned golf courses. The Board assists the City in cooperating with Poudre School District and other organizations and individuals interested in the City’s Parks and Recreation programs. Advocacy • Work with staff to promote awareness and stewardship of the City’s parks, trails, and recreation facilities as part of a holistic public space network o Implement ways to regularly share the story of parks and recreation in the community o Focus on improving communication with other Boards to achieve common goals o Assist with the development of youth programs and increased outreach to the youth and student populations in partnership with Poudre School District and CSU o Encourage continued dialogue and awareness of safety, vandalism concerns, and emergency preparedness o Encourage and review efforts to improve access to, and participate in, City programs and facilities for historically under-served populations • Deepen the understanding and collaboration with the diverse populations of the region and provide a platform for community feedback • Collaborate on communication with Neighborhood Services, City departments, and external partners for available activities with Parks and Recreation • Support collaboration between various departments to better align their strategic plans such as Parks, Recreation, Urban Forestry, Trails, Active Modes, Transportation, and Natural Areas • Review information relating to Parks, Recreation, Trails, Forestry, and Golf to share opportunities and concerns with the community and Board • Review and support the Youth Golf Scholarship program and periodically review the financial status of the Golf fund • Continue to collaborate with FC Moves for an integrated, regional, and local transportation network of parks, trails, bike facilities, pedestrian walkways, and accessible recreational facilities • Promote environmental stewardship practices that conserve natural resources • Work with staff to support their efforts to provide a wide variety of high quality of services in partnership with clubs and partner organizations • Encourage continued support and review of the infrastructure replacement for Parks and Recreation assets, including pools and aquatics, through continued communication and community education • Work with staff to ensure consistent level of service standards for all Parks and Recreation assets and amenities Funding • Review sustainable funding initiatives to address Parks, Trails, and Recreation opportunities that lack long-term funding and encourage continued discussions of ways to diversify the revenue base and find new revenue sources • Advocate for long-term consistent funding for Parks, Trails, and Recreation • Encourage proposals to accelerate funding and land acquisitions to build new trails Operations & Development (New Facilities & Infrastructure Replacement) • Provide feedback and support on matters related to the development of new Parks and Recreation facilities and projects o Southeast Community Center o CAPRA reaccreditation o New park development (Schoolside Park near Bacon Elementary & future park near Mosaic neighborhood) o Strategic Trails Plan • Review matters associated with Parks and Recreation operations and maintenance ANNUAL REPORT City of Fort Collins Parks and Recreation Advisory Board 2024 Annual Report *October and December will be added to the report prior to submission The City of Fort Collins Parks and Recreation Advisory Board held 11 regular meetings in 2024 at 413 S Bryan Avenue, Twin Silo Park, The Fort Collins Senior Center, and Northside Aztlan Community Center. Meetings were held in-person with hybrid/virtual options available when technology allowed. The 2024 board members were Nick Armstrong, Meghan Willis, Josh Durand, Ken Christensen, Paul Baker, Marcia Richards, Mike Novell, John Mola, and Lorena Falcon. The Board elected its officers in April. Nick Armstrong was elected as Board Chair, with Meghan Willis elected as Vice-Chair and Josh Durand elected as Secretary. Susan Gutowsky was appointed as the City Council Liaison to the Board for 2024. The Parks Director, Mike Calhoon, and Recreation Director, LeAnn Williams, served as Staff Liaisons to the Board. Rachel Eich, Business Support III, served as staff support. Advocacy • Work with staff to promote awareness and stewardship of the City’s parks, trails, and recreation facilities as part of a holistic public space network. o Implement ways to regularly share the story of parks and recreation in the community ▪ January 2024: Discussed the desire for a public dashboard on donor/charitable funding for Parks and Recreation projects ▪ February 2024: Completed Recreator article regarding the new Dovetail Park and future Bacon Park development ▪ April 2024: Discussed the plan for a future public dashboard to document infrastructure replacement projects ▪ May 2024: Completed Recreator article regarding the history of the Farm at Lee Martinez Park ▪ July 2024: Discussed need for yard signs at 2050 tax project sites ▪ September 2024: Completed Recreator article regarding pollinators ▪ September 2024: Approved letters of support for the Urban Forest Strategic Plan update and Budgeting for Outcomes process o Focus on improving communication with other Boards to achieve common goals ▪ March 2024: Board members attended the March Boards and Commissions Super Issues meeting and discussed interest from Board chairs to gather and discuss agendas ▪ July 2024: Board members attended the June Boards and Commissions Super Issues meeting o Encourage continued dialogue and awareness of public safety and vandalism concerns ▪ January 2024: Staff reported of new cameras installed at Crescent Park to help curb vandalism ▪ February 2024: Update from staff on the process for hiring a fourth Park Ranger ▪ May 2024: Update from staff on Twin Silo Park vandalism concerns and repair costs ▪ July 2024: Discussed recent officer involved shooting near City Park and Grandview Cemetery and line of communication with staff ▪ August 2024: Update from staff on the active shooter communication and safety plan ▪ September 2024: Update from staff on the emergency response plans in the organization for Park and Recreation facilities o Encourage and review efforts to improve access to, and participation in, City programs and facilities for historically under-served populations ▪ March 2024: Discussion on how interest groups can expand their collaboration with the indigenous/native groups regarding the Hughes stadium site ▪ September 2024: Update from staff on adaptive inclusion group hosted golf event and launch of an Adaptive Golf Program • Collaborate on communication with Neighborhood Services, City departments, and external partners for available activities with Parks and Recreation o January 2024: Update from staff on IGA with PSD and Library District for the future Southeast Community Center o February 2024: Discussion with community member on potential inclusion of planning efforts for a bike park and/or bike park facilities for Fort Collins youth o March 2024: Presentation from external group on desire for proposing a wildlife and nature campus on City property o May 2024: Report from board member on UDisc software for Disc Golf tracking in Fort Collins o August 2024: Citizen input from adult hockey league representatives regarding ice time allocation opportunities and challenges at EPIC o September 2024: Citizen input and update from staff regarding ice time allocation opportunities and challenges for adult hockey leagues • Support collaboration between various departments to better align their strategic plans such as Parks, Recreation, Urban Forestry, Trails, Active Modes, Transportation, and Natural Areas o January 2024: Nick Armstrong and Marcia Richards appointment as the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board representatives for the Strategic Trails Plan Community Working Group o February 2024: Touchpoint from Natural Areas staff regarding level of engagement for the Natural Areas Strategic Framework Plan update o February 2024: Board member attendance at the Urban Forestry Strategic Plan public open house o March 2024: Board member attendance at the Strategic Trails Plan Community Working Group meeting o April 2024: Presentation from staff on the Strategic Trails Plan update o April 2024: Board member attendance at the Strategic Trails Plan public open house o May 2024: Presentation from staff on the Urban Forest Strategic Plan update o July 2024: Presentation from staff on the high-level approach to creating and determining alignment of plans in the City o August 2024: Board member attendance at the Urban Forest Strategic Plan update meeting o September 2024: Staff update of the Urban Forest Strategic Plan o September 2024: Board approved official letter of support for the Rooted in Community: Urban Forest Strategic Plan o September 2024: Board member attendance at the Strategic Trails Plan Northern Colorado Trails Summit • Review information relating to Parks, Recreation, Trails, Forestry, and Golf to share opportunities and concerns with the community and Board o Monthly reports from Parks and Recreation staff on various projects, challenges, and opportunities o March 2024: Early season presentation from Golf Division staff o May 2024: Presentation from Forestry Division staff o May 2024: Presentation from Parks Maintenance Division staff on Twin Silo Park o September 2024: Presentation for Forestry Division staff • Work toward the successful merger between the Parks and Recreation and Golf Advisory Bords o Review financial status of the Golf fund o Review and support the Youth Golf Scholarship program ▪ March 2024: Update from staff on Golf Division prior to beginning of season • Promote environmental stewardship practices that conserve natural resources o February 2024: Touchpoint with Natural Areas staff regarding the level of engagement for the Natural Areas Strategic Framework Plan update • Work with staff to support their efforts to provide a wide variety of high quality of services in partnership with clubs and partner organizations o January 2024: Update from staff on Mulberry Pool replacement feasibility study in partnership with CSU o February 2024: Update from staff on Mulberry Pool replacement feasibility study in partnership with CSU o March 2024: Update from staff on Mulberry Pool replacement feasibility study in partnership with CSU o April 2024: Update from staff on Mulberry Pool replacement feasibility study in partnership with CSU o April 2024: Update from staff on Pickleball Feasibility Study, funded by the Fort Collins Pickleball Club o April 2024: Update from staff on Rolland Moore ball field renovations in partnership with Triple Crown o May 2024: Update from staff on Pickleball Feasibility Study, funded by the Fort Collins Pickleball Club o July 2024: Update from staff on Pickleball Feasibility Study, funded by the Fort Collins Pickleball Club o July 2024: Update from staff on downtown horticulture program tours in partnership with DDA o August 2024: Citizen participation and discussion regarding ice time allocation and challenges for adult ice hockey leagues o August 2024: Update from staff on Pickleball Feasibility Study, funded by the Fort Collins Pickleball Club o August 2024: Update from staff on partnership with DDA for new downtown alleys o September 2024: Update from staff on adult and private hockey league ice time allocation in response to discussions with adult hockey league representative o September 2024: Update from staff on Mulberry Pool replacement feasibility study in partnership with CSU • Encourage continued support and review of the infrastructure replacement for Parks and Recreation assets including pools and aquatics o January 2024: Update from staff on Mulberry Pool replacement feasibility study in partnership with CSU o January 2024: Update from staff on upcoming court replacement plans from the Infrastructure Replacement program o February 2024: Staff presentation on status of Infrastructure Replacement Program o February 2024: Update from staff on Mulberry Pool replacement feasibility study in partnership with CSU o March 2024: Update from staff on Mulberry Pool replacement feasibility study in partnership with CSU o March 2024: Update from staff on the scheduled replacement of the Westfield Tennis courts, as called out in the Infrastructure Replacement Program o April 2024: Presentation from staff on the 2050 Tax relating to the Infrastructure Replacement Program o April 2024: Update from staff on Mulberry Pool replacement feasibility study in partnership with CSU o April 2024: Update from staff on EPIC facility replacement and maintenance work o May 2024: Update from staff on Westfield Tennis court replacement and Infrastructure Replacement Program related BFO offers o July 2024: Presentation from staff on 2050 Tax/Infrastructure Replacement Program project updates o September 2024: Update from staff on Mulberry Pool replacement feasibility study in partnership with CSU o September 2024: Update from staff on sports court replacement and interactive pump control replacement projects, as called out in the Infrastructure Replacement Program • Work with staff to ensure consistent level of service standards for all parks and recreation assets and amenities o Monthly project reports and discussion from Parks and Recreation staff Funding • Review sustainable funding initiatives to address infrastructure replacement for Parks, Trails, and Recreation that lack long-term funding and encourage continued discussions of ways to diversify the revenue base and find new revenue sources to support both new and aging infrastructure. o January 2024: Presentation from City Give staff on philanthropic funding initiatives o February 2024: Update from staff on 2050 Tax and Infrastructure Replacement programs o April 2024: Update from staff on 2050 Tax budget process o July 2024: Update from staff on 2050 Tax and Infrastructure Replacement programs • Advocate for long-term consistent funding for Parks, Trails, and Recreation o February 2024: Presentation from staff on 2050 Tax and Infrastructure Replacement program status o April 2024: Presentation update from staff on 2050 Tax budget process o May 2024: Update from staff on 2025/2026 Budgeting for Outcomes offers o July 2024: Presentation from staff on 2025/2026 City Budgeting for Outcomes process o August 2024: Presentation from staff on 2025/2026 City Budgeting for Outcomes Parks and Recreation offers o August 2024: Board discussion on continuing to leverage partnership with other groups to fill community needs o September 2024: Board approved a letter of support for City Council’s 2025/2026 Budget process Operation & Development (New Facilities & Infrastructure Replacement) • Provide feedback and support on matters related to the development of new Parks and Recreation facilities and projects o Southeast Community Center ▪ January 2024: Update from staff on Southeast Community Center Owner’s Rep process ▪ March 2024: Update from staff on Southeast Community Center Owner’s Rep process and design team plans ▪ April 2024: Update from staff on status of project ▪ May 2024: Update from staff on status of project and plan for LEED Gold sustainability requirements ▪ August 2024: Presentation from staff on status of project and discussion of design process o Implementation of the new software for registration ▪ January 2024: Update from staff on the schedule for the soft launch of the new registration software with board discussion on testing the new software for feedback ▪ March 2024: Update from staff on having to go back to the old registration system due to challenges with vendor ▪ April 2024: Update from staff on the contract cancellation with new registration software vendor ▪ May 2024: Update from staff on the completion of a LEAN process to identify aspects of registration software that need to be prioritized ▪ September 2024: Update from staff on the implementation of process improvements for the Recreation registration software o New park development (Bacon Park) ▪ January 2024: Update from staff on negotiations for the purchase of land for future park property ▪ February 2024: Update from staff on the open house for the new park near Bacon Elementary School ▪ April 2024: Presentation from staff on the design process for the new park near Bacon Elementary School ▪ July 2024: Update from staff on development and easement process for the new park near Bacon Elementary School ▪ August 2024: Update from staff on the design plan process for the new park near Bacon Elementary School ▪ September 2024: Update from staff on the design plan and easement processes for the new park near Bacon Elementary School o Urban Forest Strategic Plan & Strategic Trails Plan ▪ January 2024: Presentation from staff on the Strategic Trails Plan input opportunities and board approach ▪ January 2024: Nick Armstrong and Marcia Richards appointed as the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board representatives on the Strategic Trails Plan Community Working Group ▪ February 2024: Board member attendance at the Urban Forest Strategic Plan public open house ▪ March 2024: Board member attendance at the Strategic Trails Plan Community Working Group meeting ▪ April 2024: Presentation from staff on the Strategic Trails Plan ▪ April 2024: Board member attendance at the Strategic Trails Plan public open house ▪ May 2024: Presentation from staff on the Urban Forest Strategic Plan draft for review ▪ August 2024: Board member attendance at the Urban Forest Strategic Plan update meeting ▪ September 2024: Presentation from staff on the Urban Forest Strategic Plan final draft ▪ September 2024: Board member attendance at the Strategic Trails Plan Northern Colorado Trails Summit ▪ September 2024: Board approved official letter of support for the Rooted in Community: Urban Forest Strategic Plan PRAB Northern Colorado Trails Summit Support Letter Dear City Leaders + City Council, The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board would like to applaud Dave Kemp and the Parks Planning team for the establishment of the Northern Colorado Trails Summit. Bringing together the Northern Colorado community around connecting trails and the economic impact of outdoor recreation experiences was nothing short of brilliant. Watching local municipalities connect and collaborate, making plans for future meetings, and building relationships and trust was extremely rewarding. The expo portion of the summit was well-attended by regional partners, including multiple organizations from the cities of Loveland, Greeley, Windsor, and Wellington, as well as intergovernmental partners such as the Poudre River Alliance, North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization, and even the consultant team working on the Strategic Trails Plan for the City of Fort Collins. The level of collaboration and expertise brought into one place by Dave and team was nothing short of extraordinary. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board formally recommends the Northern Colorado Trails Summit become a regular annual occurrence to promote regional outdoor recreation opportunities and economic vibrancy. With our thanks, The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board