HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021 - Parks And Recreation Board - Annual ReportPARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
2021 Annual Report
December 2, 2021;
5:30pm meeting
The City of Fort Collins Parks and Recreation Advisory Board held 11 regular meetings in
2021 at 413 S. Bryan Avenue and through virtual zoom meetings. The 2021 Board
Members were Catherine Carabetta, Mary Carlson, Ken Christensen, Shari Heymann, Bob
Kingsbury, Mike Novell, Jesse Scaccia, Jeff Haber and Mike Tupa. The Board elects its
officers annually in February, and Catherine Carabetta was elected as Board Chair, with
Ken Christensen as Vice-Chair and Bob Kingsbury elected as Secretary. Jenny Arndt was
appointed as the City Council Liaison to the Board for 2021. Kurt Friesen, Park Planning
and Development Director; Mike Calhoon, Parks Director; and Aaron Harris, Interim
Recreation Director served as Staff Liaisons to the Board, with Stephanie Whall, Business
Support III and Shanae Core, Business Support I providing staff support.
1.PARKS
•The Board provided review and input on the Parks and Recreation Master Plan
update focusing specifically on sustainable life cycle and park refresh funding
options.
•Reviewed BFO funding matters associated with Parks and communicated support
for Library Park Irrigation, City Park Train/Tennis/Pickleball Court improvements,
Park Planning and Development Special Project Support and Master Planning
Existing Parks to Council via a letter of support and presented in-person at a public
Council meeting.
•Continued to review matters related to the development of new parks and facilities.
The Board reviewed the designs for East District Maintenance Facility, Traverse
Park, Bucking Horse Park, City Park restroom, Crescent Park Irrigation Pump
House, etc.
•The Board provided input on the city's Wireless Master Plan.
•Discussed possible solutions to the increased vandalism of existing parks such as
Twin Silo Park.
•Encouraged continued dialogue and awareness of the inclusivity and equity as it
concerns Parks.
•Recommended hammocking guidelines in Fort Collins' parks
2021 ANNUAL REPORT Page 1
PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
2021 Annual Report
2021 ANNUAL REPORT Page 2
2.RECREATION
•Reviewed BFO funding matters associated with Recreation and communicated support for funding the Mulberry Pool HVAC and Roof Replacement to Council via a letter of support and presented in-person at a public Council meeting.•Crafted Parks and Recreation Advisory Board letters for the Recreator quarterly.
•Provided feedback regarding the Senior Center opening its services to all age groups.
•Encouraged and reviewed efforts to improve low- and moderate-income citizens access
to, and participation in, City programs and facilities.
•The Board reviewed childcare and recreation educational programing related to COVID.
3.TRAILS•Continued to partner with Parks and Natural Areas to develop, fund and maintain an
interconnected, safe trail system within Natural Areas and Parks.
•Continued to collaborate with FC Moves for an integrated, regional, and local
transportation network of parks, trails, bike facilities, pedestrian walkways and
accessible recreational facilities.
•Encouraged proposals to accelerate funding and land acquisitions to build new trails
(i.e., GOCO Resiliency Grant Application).
•Ensured and supported the funding of ongoing maintenance of the City’s local and
regional trails.
•Continued to collaborate with Park Planning and Development of new trails such as
the trail crossing of Timberline near Bacon (Mail Creek Trail) as well as the Power
Trail crossing at Harmony.
•Reviewed and supported a multi-agency GOCO grant application for Poudre Trail
crossing at I-25.
•The Board reviewed and made recommendations for an E-bike pilot program allowing
class 1 and class 2 e-bikes on the paved trail system.
4.COMMUNICATION/COLLABORATION
•Worked with staff to promote awareness and stewardship of the City’s parks, trails and
recreation facilities.
•Focused on improving communication with other Boards to achieve common goals.
•Regularly participated on the Bicycle Advisory Committee and received updates from
our Board Liaison. This Committee is comprised of a variety of members representing
other Boards.
•Advised and recommended development and adoption of the Parks and Recreation
Master Plan update.
•Met with various community groups (E-skateboard, Disc Golf, etc.) to provide feedback
and/or support to recreation requests from the larger community