08.28.23 PRAB PacketAGENDA
All agenda times are approximate.
The August 28, 2023, PRAB meeting is a special meeting focused on a tour of
upcoming Parks and Recreation capital projects. The PRAB will convene briefly in the
Penfield Tate Building from 5:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. with a virtual Zoom meeting link to
be posted the morning of the meeting. There is no public comment at this special
meeting, refer to Item III below for further direction regarding public comment.
Following the brief meeting in the Chambers of the Penfield Tate Building, the PRAB
will begin a Capital Projects Tour. The tour is open to the public, community members
may reference the schedule in the agenda packet, and travel to the various sites on
their own.
I.APPROVAL OF AGENDA (2 minutes)
II.FUTURE BOARD ITEMS AND TOURS (2 minutes)
III.PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
A.None. This is a special meeting focused on a tour of upcoming Parks and Recreation capital
projects. There is no public comment at this special meeting; however, community
members may email the board with any timely feedback or input at
PRABadmin@bouldercolorado.gov before 4:00pm the day of the meeting.
IV.CONSENT AGENDA (5 minutes)
A.Approval of Minutes from July 24, 2023
B.Parks and Recreation Planning, Design and Construction Updates
C.Parks and Recreation Operations Updates
V.MATTERS FROM THE BOARD
A.PRAB Study Session Planning (5 minutes)
B.PRAB Matters (Verbal) (5 minutes)
VI.MATTERS FROM THE DEPARTMENT
A.Capital Improvement Program Tour
VII.NEXT BOARD MEETING:
A.6:00 p.m. September 25, 2023
VIII.ADJOURN
Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
Hybrid Meeting
6:00 p.m., August 28, 2023
Boulder Parks & Recreation
Advisory Board Members 2023
Andrew Bernstein
Charles Brock
Elliott Hood
Anna Segur
Anita Speirs
Jason Unger
Sarah van der Star
Mission Statement
BPRD will promote the health and
well- being of the entire Boulder
community by collaboratively
providing high-quality parks,
facilities and programs.
Vision Statement
We envision a community where
every member’s health and well-
being is founded on unparalleled
parks, facilities and programs.
Goals of the Master Plan
1.Community Health and Wellness
2.Taking Care of What We Have
3.Financial Sustainability
4.Building Community
5.Youth Engagement
6.Organizational Readiness
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PRAB Future Board Items Agenda
AUGUST 28 / Tour SEPTEMBER 25 OCTOBER 23 NOVEMBER 27
Hybrid for members & staff.
Public Comment remains
Virtual.
Hybrid for members & staff.
Public Comment remains
Virtual.
Hybrid for members &
staff. Public Comment
remains Virtual.
Hybrid for members &
staff. Public Comment
remains Virtual.
Regular
Mtg (c)
•Update on the Proposed
Civic Area Historic
District Application
•Boulder Creek
Management Plan
•Flatirons Golf Course
Hospitality Partnership
•Pleasant View Access
Study
•Propose Joint Landmark
Board meeting dates for
Civic Historic District
•2024 Operating & CIP
changes / updates from
EBT
•Snow Removal
Overview
•Boulder Youth Nature
Initiative (BYNI)
Regular
Mtg (a) •Approve revised Perm
Park appropriations for
2024 Budget
•Flatirons GC F&B
partner
•Accept Fee Schedule
(30 min)
Regular
Mtg
(d/i)
•Flatirons F&B Vendor
selection and Lease
Negotiations
•Fee Schedule (30 min)
•Peak Season Annual
After-Action Review
•Marketing Plan
Overview
Regular
Mtg
(md) •Capital Improvement
Program Tour
•Park on Violet (20 min)
•Financial Update (30
min)
•PRAB Request:
Overview of water
safety and access
•Peak Season AAR
•Final 2024 Operating
Budget w/significant
changes (30 min)
•Reimagining Civic
Area East: Phase 2
Engagement Summary
Regular
Mtg
(mb)
•PRAB Study Session
Planning
•PRAB Study Session
agenda review
•PRAB Study Session
Planning (20 min)
•PLAY Boulder
Foundation
•PRAB Study Session
agenda
•December meeting
planning
•Guidance for Annual
Letter to Council
•PRAB Recruitment
•PRAB input for
Council Retreat (TBD)
Other
Mtgs or
Topics
•September 1 – Proposed
Budget shared with
Council & public
•September 5 - CIP at
Planning Board
•September 14 – Budget
Study Session (cc)
Oct 5: Budget 1st Reading
& Public Hearing w/Fee
Policy (cc)
October 19: Budget 2nd
Reading and Public
Hearing w/ Fee Policy
(cc)
Potential Civic Historic
District Joint Study
Session with Landmark
Board
•Joint meeting with
Landmark Board for
Civic Area Historic
District
Dept
Events
& Items
of
Interest
Aug 4:
Yappy Hour on 13th Street,
3pm
Rec Center Shutdowns
Aug 12-20: NBRC
Aug 26-Sept 4: EBCC
Sept 10:
What’s Up Boulder and
Satellite event at Violet
Sept 4:
•COB Holiday
Oct 26 and 27:
Drive In Movie @
Reservoir
Nov 23:
Thanksgiving Day Closure
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PRAB Future Board Items Agenda
Outdoor Swim Areas (Scott
Carpenter, Spruce Pool and
Boulder Reservoir) begin end
of season hours/school year:
August 14
August 27:
2023 Great Boulder Duck
Race at Scott Carpenter Pool
•Outdoor Pools and
Reservoir Swim Beach
close for the season
AGENDA SETTING
The PRAB Chair, PRAB Vice Chair and BPR staff set the agenda for the next month on Thursday directly following the regular PRAB meeting. PRAB members can
submit agenda requests to the Chair and Vice Chair by Wednesday following the PRAB regular meeting for consideration. If time-sensitive matters arise, PRAB
Chair and Vice Chair may amend the agenda as needed.
LEGEND
Action Item (a): A public hearing item to be voted on by the Board (public comment period provided).
Procedural Item: (p): An item requiring procedural attention.
Consent Item (c): An item provided in written form for consent, not discussion by the Board; any consent item may be called up by any Board member for discussion
following the consent agenda.
Discussion/Information Item(d/i): An item likely to be a future action item (or council item) and/or that benefits from an in-depth discussion.
Matters from the Department (md): Items that will be reviewed and discussed during the meeting but not requiring as much in-depth analysis.
Matters from the Board (mb): Items initiated by the Board that will be reviewed and discussed during the meeting but not requiring as much in-depth analysis.
City Council Item (cc)
Other Boards and Commissions (obc)
Community Engagement and/or Events (e)
Holiday/Closure (h/c)
Italics indicate a tentative date or plan.
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TO: Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
FROM: Alison Rhodes, Director of Parks and Recreation
Bryan Beary, Senior Manager, Community Building and Partnerships
Mark Davison, Senior Manager, Planning
Regina Elsner, Senior Manager, Natural Resources
Jackson Hite, Senior Manager, Business Services
Megann Lohman, Senior Manager, Recreation
Stephanie Munro, Senior Manager, Regional Facilities
Scott Schuttenberg, Deputy Director
Dennis Warrington, Senior Manager, Urban Parks
SUBJECT: Consent Agenda
DATE: August 28, 2023
A. Approval of Minutes July 24, 2023
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CITY OF BOULDER
BOULDER, COLORADO
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS MEETING MINUTES
To listen to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meetings in their entirety, please go to the
following link: www.boulderparks-rec.org
Name of Board/Commission: Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
Date of Meeting: July 24, 2023
Contact Information Preparing Summary: Rosa Kougl; 303-413-7223
Board Members Present: Charles (Chuck) Brock, Elliott Hood, Andrew (Bernie) Bernstein, Anita
Speirs (departed following Items for Action at 7:36 p.m., Anna Segur
Board Members Absent: Jason Unger, Sunny van der Star
Staff Present: Ali Rhodes, Rosa Kougl, Scott Schuttenberg, Tina Briggs, Jackson Hite, Stacie
Hoffmann, Shihomi Kuriyagawa, Aaren Morrell, Regina Elsner, Jonathan Hite, Bryan Beary,
Stephanie Munro
Guests Present: N/A
Type of Meeting: Regular
Agenda Item 1: Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. A quorum was present for the conduct of business.
Motion to approve agenda. First motion by Hood, second by Bernstein. The motion passed 5-0.
Agenda Item 2: Reading of Parks and Recreation Month Declaration
Agenda Item 3: Future Board Items:
Rhodes, Director of Parks and Recreation, reviewed upcoming agenda items and events.
No PRAB follow up questions or comments.
Agenda Item 4: Public participation:
•Mike Stabler voiced concern about the existing state of facilities and lighting of tennis courts
and the request for pickleball courts.
•Jerry Price shared experiences with existing tennis and pickleball facilities and finds restricted
access to availability of the courts.
•Mark Eller shared views on the associated fees users are charged at the Boulder Reservoir.
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Agenda Item 5: Consent Agenda
A.Approval of Minutes from June 26, 2023, Business Meeting
Motion to approve the minutes from the June 26, 2023, Regular PRAB meeting. First motion by
Hood, second by Bernstein. The motion passed 5-0.
B, C, D. Updates from the Director, Project Updates, Operations & Development
•Question regarding the water table at the Flatirons Golf Course and requested impact on
timeline.
•Interest expressed in the process for securing a partnership for the Flatirons Golf Course.
•Questions about encroachment issues at Wonderland Lake and the existing communications
efforts in place with HOAs and neighbors.
Agenda Item 6: Items for Action
•A. Public Hearing and Consideration of a Motion to Accept the Boulder Parks and Recreation
Fee Policy
Hite presented this item.
PRAB had the following questions or comments:
•Questions about the process of a City Manager’s Rules
•Requested elaboration of standardized discounts for users.
•Concern expressed that equity was not included in the policy.
•Are verification measures in place for those being awarded financial assistance.
•Does the Fee Policy go through Racial Equity review?
•Distinction for public awareness of why municipal fees is different than public fees found
elsewhere.
Public hearing opened.
•Larry McKeogh, on behalf of masters swimming, requested a lower fee structure as they are
associated with the community given that they provided classes, clinics, and workshops.
Motion to approve the Boulder Parks and Recreation Fee Policy contingent on staff making edits to
highlight the importance of achieving equity: Motion by Hood. Second by Speirs. The motion passed
5-0.
•B. Public Hearing and Consideration of a Motion to Accept the Boulder Parks and Recreation
2023 Historic Places Plan with the exception of the Glen Huntington Bandshell Chapter, which
will be submitted as an amendment to document for acceptance at a later meeting.
Briggs presented this item.
No PRAB follow up questions or comments.
Public hearing opened. As there was no one who wanted to speak, the public hearing closed.
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Motion to Accept the Boulder Parks and Recreation 2023 Historic Places Plan with the exception of the
Glen Huntington Bandshell Chapter, which will be submitted as an amendment to document for
acceptance at a later meeting: Motion by Brock. Second by Hood. The motion passed 5-0.
Agenda Item 7: Matters from the Department
A.Urban Ranger Program Introduction
Morrell presented this item. PRAB had the following questions/comments:
•What are the dog violations you are seeing?
•Who enforces the ban on off-leash dogs on Pearl Street?
•How do we report off-leash dogs?
•Are you sworn law enforcement officers?
•Thank you for working on the consequences of homelessness in Boulder.
•Explanation requested on drug enforcement at North Boulder Park.
B.Reimagining Civic Area: Phase 2
Kuriyagawa presented this item. PRAB had the following questions/comments:
•Does the Age-Well Building belong to the City?
•Clarification offered that the Planning Board approves and provides a recommendation to
council. Not the PRAB. PRAB provides a review and recommendation about the design.
•Are the Community Connectors being used for community feedback?
•The tail extending down to the University will be a very important connecting element
between the two dynamic areas of Boulder.
•The trail hugs a recreation field around Boulder High School, has there been any
consideration with BVSD to partner and trade a little bit of land to expand the trail?
•What is the phasing like for the construction of this project and the movement of some
people in buildings in the flood plane to Alpine-Balsam?
•Will the engagement also include lower income groups?
•Engaging with CU Boulder will be very important for the connector path for the increased
traffic.
C.Propose August PRAB Tour – Format and Locations
Rhodes presented this item. PRAB had the following questions/comments:
•Request for a start of 5pm with dinner and a 20-minute meeting so that the tour can begin at
5:30p.m. Ending at East Boulder Recreation Center.
•Board Secretary will check in for approval of 5pm start time from PRAB members not in
attendance.
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Agenda Item 8: Matters from the Board Members
a.PRAB Handbook discussion
PRAB had the following questions or comment:
•A second reading of the Handbook will take place at the September meeting.
b.PRAB Study Session meeting planning
PRAB had the following questions or comment:
•Chair and Vice Chair to come up with a day to propose to the PRAB, this will be followed
up by a doodle poll to garner interest.
•Chair and Vice Chair to go over the Study Session agenda items during the next Agenda
Setting meeting.
c. PRAB Matters
PRAB had the following questions or comment:
•Request for overview of water safety and access.
•Valmont Dog Park looks amazing, only concern is lack of water stations.
•Request for engagement plan for the Courts System Plan.
Agenda Item 9: Next Board Meeting
Next Board meeting: Study Session, Monday, August 28, 2023, Tour
Agenda Item 10: Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 8:51 p.m.
Approved by: Attested:
___________________ _____________________
Chuck Brock Rosa Kougl
Board Member BPR Staff
Date: ______________ Date: _________________
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B. Parks and Recreation Planning, Design and Construction Update
The following information is intended to provide the PRAB with relevant updates on specific projects as
they reach major milestones. This section is not all inclusive of all current projects and only illustrates
major project updates. For a complete list of all current projects and details, please visit
www.BoulderParkNews.org.
Overview of Project Status
•Planning Projects Underway: Staff or contractors continue to work on the following projects
and will update the PRAB as major milestones are achieved:
o Civic Area Reimagining – Phase 2 (design phase)
o Civic Historic District Evaluation (planning phase)
o Central Park Cultural Landscape Assessment (planning phase)
o Courts System Plan (planning phase)
o Flatirons Golf Course (construction phase)
o North Boulder Park (design phase)
o Pleasantview (planning phase)
o Recreation Facilities Plan (planning phase)
o Violet Park (planning phase)
•Planning Projects in Scoping: Staff are working on scoping the following projects for 2023 and
2024 and will update the PRAB as projects get underway.
o Pearl Street Place Making – Q2 2024
Planning
•Court System Plan: Consultant proposals for the Court System Plan were received on August
14. Staff are reviewing the proposals now. Once the project is awarded to a consultant, contract
negotiation and development will begin. Consultants are anticipated to begin work in September.
•Chautauqua Sculpture Donation:
Thanks to a generous donation new bronzed sculptures have been installed this week in the
garden bed at the Chautauqua Playground. The sculptures honor Mila, a young girl who passed
away in 2021 after a historic battle with a rare disease. To learn more about Mila, please visit
milasmiracle.org.
These new additions will complement the existing “Sleepy Bear” statue, already a beloved part
of the playground. The sculptures will be installed in late August. A small celebration for Mila’s
friends and family is planned for September at the park.
9
•What’s Up Boulder
The City is bringing back a citywide engagement event called “What’s Up Boulder,” which was
last held in spring 2018. This year, “What’s Up Boulder” will take place on Sunday, Sept. 10
from 1-3:30 p.m. at Foothills Community Park in the pavilions area, with a satellite event at the
future park site on Violet Avenue.
This citywide open house will be a streamlined opportunity for community members to learn
about and engage in a variety of current city projects and resources. The family friendly event
will also include face painting, arts and crafts, free dessert, and free, non-alcoholic beverages.
BPR will participate in several ways:
•Hosting two tables at Foothills Park about all active BPR projects, as well as the Boulder
Youth Nature Initiative.
•Hosting fun engagement activities at the future park on Violet.
•Staffing an accessible Youth Services Initiative (YSI) van to provide access to and from
Foothills and Violet for those experiencing mobility impairments.
Activities at the Violet site will include temporary nature play installations, field games, live
music, storytelling, and community gathering. Community members are invited to help shape the
vision for the park and brainstorm ideas for its official name. We’ll have food, giveaways, and
Wilder, who is the “spokes creature” for Great Outdoors Colorado’s Generation Wild Campaign.
All PRAB members are invited to both events, so thank you in advance for attending and
participating as you are able.
For more information and event updates, staff have set up a website here: bldr.fyi/whats-up-
boulder.
•Update on the Proposed Civic Area Historic District Application
On July 12, the Landmarks Board voted to initiate the designation process for the proposed Civic
Area Historic District. This vote initiates a Boulder Revised Code outline set of steps and
timelines. The vote included direction for the applicant groups and staff to agree upon an
extended timeline to complete the Cultural Landscape Assessment (CLA) and the research and
community engagement necessary for a city-owned historic district.
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Schedule:
Research & Department Coordination (August 2023)
•Opportunity to tell complete history of area (racial equity, social and cultural
significance)
•Coordination with 9 city departments, 3 ditch companies and CDOT, and
applicants (3 community groups)
Community Engagement (September 2023)
•Walking tours, What’s Up Boulder, Farmers’ Market, newsletter update,
online engagement
•City of Boulder Community Engagement staff are part of the project team to
ensure the engagement efforts reach a broad audience and meet the City’s
engagement goals.
•Racial Equity Instrument and meeting with the Community Connectors in
Residence
•A project website
•Staff presents CLA finding and public engagement
Draft Design Guidelines (October – December)
•Technical Advisory Group to develop draft design guidelines
•Landmarks Board and Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Joint Study Session to
review boundary draft guidelines
•Department Coordination
Board & Council Review (January – March 2024)
•January 2024 – PRAB – Project review and comment
•Feb. 7, 2024 – Landmarks Board Designation Hearing (agreed upon with the
applicant)
•February – Planning Board (Land Use)
•March – City Council (1st and 2nd Readings)
PRAB Role
•PRAB does not have a formal role in the designation of a historic district. As the
proposed historic district includes land managed by the City of Boulder Parks &
Recreation Department, PRAB is invited to participate in the following ways:
•Attend community engagement events in September, including walking tours and
pop-up events. Staff will forward additional information as the events are
confirmed.
•Participate on the Technical Advisory Group for the development of draft design
guidelines. Design guidelines inform how an area changes over time. A Technical
Advisory Group comprised of community members with historic preservation and
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design expertise, Landmarks Board and PRAB members, and representatives
from City Departments will develop draft design guidelines. The draft design
guidelines will be reviewed by PRAB and the Landmarks Board members at a
joint study session. The design guidelines are reviewed by City Council and
adopted by the Landmarks Board as an Administrative Rule.
•Boulder Creek Management Plan
At the July 20, 2023 City Council meeting, staff with BPR and Boulder Fire & Rescue (BFRD)
presented a brief item on Boulder Creek and water safety. As a result of that conversation and in
response to three drownings in Boulder Creek in 2023, BFD, BPR and the Boulder County
Sheriff's Office are coordinating on updated safety protocols for Boulder Creek. This work
includes reviewing and updating the use restriction (aka tubing ban) flow rates for the major
drainages, updating applicable policies for both closure and flooding impact coordination, and
ensuring that the City/County Severe Weather Plan matches those implemented changes.
Changes to these safety protocols and a messaging campaign about water safety will be
implemented for the 2024 season.
The previous scope for a Boulder Creek Management Plan has been adjusted to accommodate
the need for these safety improvements and in coordination with 2024 budget development.
Initial analysis of existing park infrastructure and natural resources is still anticipated over the
coming year to provide necessary coordination with other departments to identify green asset and
infrastructure needs. It will also identify future opportunities for long-term improvements along
the creek to promote visitor safety along the path and associated recreation nodes, improve
recreation opportunities and create a plan for natural resource management along the corridor.
C. Parks and Recreation Operations Update
•2024 Budget Submission
BPR submitted the proposed 2024 department budget to the Finance Department in late June for
city-wide review and coordination. Through early August, the Finance Department and
Executive Budget Team reviewed department submissions across the organization to identify
synergies and prioritize funding based on revenue projections, City Council’s workplan, and
community priorities. The Executive Budget Team provided preliminary budget decisions to
staff and the City Manager’s recommended budget is being developed. It is expected that the
recommended budget is shared with the community by September 1, 2023. BPR staff will
provide an email update to the board with a link to the 2024 Recommended Budget when it is
published.
BPR staff will return at the September PRAB meeting with the following updates:
•2024 Operating and CIP Recommended budget – identify any proposed changes from the
budget reviewed by the PRAB at the June 26 budget meeting with what is included in the
recommended budget.
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•Action Item to approve revised Permanent Parks and Recreation Fund expenditures based
on revised property tax projections and recommendations from the Executive Budget
Team.
•A 2023 financial Year-to-date update with trends on revenues, expenses and utilization.
There will be various public engagement opportunities on the 2024 proposed budget, which
include:
•September 5, 2023 2024-2029 CIP reviewed at Planning Board
•September 14, 2023 Budget Study Session at City Council
•October 5, 2023 Budget 1
st Reading & Public Hearing at City Council
•October 19, 2023 Budget 2
nd Reading & Public Hearing at City Council
•Flatirons Golf Course Hospitality Partnership
The City of Boulder Parks & Recreation Department with assistance from The Colorado Group,
Inc., posted a Request for Proposals (RFP) for interested and qualified food and beverage entities
to operate a long-term leased space at the municipal 18-hole 166-acre Flatirons Golf Course.
This opportunity will provide for the operation of a full-service restaurant and bar indoor/outdoor
venue with majestic Flatirons Mountain views and fostering a community-focused place to
gather, for food, beverage, golf, and providing private and special events occurring on the
property. Requests for proposals were due on June 30, 2023.
The Parks and Recreation Department interviewed the five proposals and interviews of all five
vendors were conducted in August. Vendor selection and associated agreement will be reviewed
with the PRAB during the September meeting as a discussion item and again in September as an
action item.
SELECTION SCHEDULE
Request for Proposals (RFP) Post April 3, 2023
Deadline for questions from respondent May 1, 2023
Response to questions May 15, 2023
Proposal Responses Due June 30, 2023
Finalists Identified July 17, 2023
Interviews August 1, 2023
Vendor selection August, 2023
Lease Negotiations / Completion September 15, 2023
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Contract approval process through the board and city council
September 1, 2023-November 1, 2023
Contract Completion (signed and routed)
Liquor License
December 1, 2023-
February 28, 2024
Vendor Partner hiring, set-up, etc. March 1, 2024-April
30, 2024
Grand Opening May 1, 2024
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3198 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80304 | www.boulderparks-rec.org | O: 303-413-7200
TO: Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
SUBJECT: Matters from the Board
DATE: August 28, 2023
A.PRAB Study Session Planning
B. PRAB Matters (Verbal)
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TO: Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
FROM: Alison Rhodes, Director of Parks and Recreation
Scott Schuttenberg, Deputy Director
Bryan Beary, Senior Manager, Community Building and Partnerships
Mark Davison, Senior Manager, Planning
Regina Elsner, Senior Manager, Natural Resources
Jackson Hite, Senior Manager, Business Services
Megann Lohman, Senior Manager, Recreation
Stephanie Munro, Senior Manager, Regional Facilities
Dennis Warrington, Senior Manager, Urban Parks
SUBJECT: Matters from the Department
DATE: August 28, 2023
A.Capital Improvement Program Tour
The intent of the tour is to build board awareness and understanding of upcoming major capital
projects. At each site, staff will provide a brief project overview and allow time for questions and
discussion. Please find attached to this item appendices that provide an overview of each project,
including timeline, scope, and funding.
Topic Start Time
(p.m.)
End Time
(p.m.) Location
Pre-Meeting Dinner 5:00 5:30 Tate Building
Park Reimagining 5:30 6:00 Civic Area
Travel 6:00 6:10 Transit
Park Improvements and
Alpine/Balsam considerations
6:10 6:30 North Boulder Park
Travel 6:30 6:40 Transit
Planning Process and
Engagement
6:40 7:00 Park on Violet
Travel 7:10 7:30 Transit
Facility Renovation and Park
Planning
7:30 8:00 East Boulder
Community Center
Appendix A: Civic Area
Appendix B: North Boulder Park
Appendix C: Park on Violet
Appendix D: East Boulder Community Center
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Civic Area:Phase II Reimagining
BY THE NUMERS:
ACREAGE: 35 AC
PROJECT BUDGET: 18M
EXPECTED COMPLETION: 2027
SCHEDULE
Project Discription: Boulder has routinely
been named one of the top places in America to call
home and in keeping with this charge, The Civic Area
Phase II Reimagining project is critical to maintaining
this way of life, with the opportunity arising at the
heart of downtown to rethink urban park design
to ensure the connection to nature, robust local
economy, dynamic art scene and the brimming
culture can continue to thrive.
Overview The project vision encompasses
the makings of a beautiful recreational urban
park at the core, with incredible views to the
celebrated Flatirons. This area is flanked by
bookends that can entertain civic, cultural, and
commercial development that are alive with activity,
collaboration, and innovation. This will be a space
for everyone - a lively and distinct destination that
reflects the community’s values, where people of
all ages, abilities, backgrounds, and incomes feel
welcome to recreate, socialize, relax and enjoy the
ambience of a high-altitude urban center at the feet
of the Rocky Mountains.
Scope:
•Park design of the Civic and Centeral Park
•Urban design of West and East Bookend
•Arboretum Path and Multimodal Connection
from CU and the Hill down to 13th Street
•13th Street festival and event shared road
•Planning analysis, landuse, conceptual design
and areas with refined schematic design will
be included
PLANNING + ENGAGE
MENT
2024 2025-26 2027 2028
DESIGN
+ ENGAGEMENT IMPLEME
NTATIO
N
+ ENGAGEMENT SPACE ACTIVATION + MAINTENA
NCE
Appendix A
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North Boulder Park: Renovation of the Main Gathering Area
BY THE NUMERS:
ACREAGE: 2 AC focus area
PROJECT BUDGET: 2.5 M
EXPECTED COMPLETION: 2025
Project Description: Boulder Parks & Recreation has
initiated an integrated and innovative design process to
renovate the northern end of one the city’s most beloved
neighborhood parks, North Boulder Park. Located within
Old North Boulder, the design for this approximately 2-acre
section of the park (see image on the left) has the potential
to reimagine how local residents can shape the look, feel, and
function of a neighborhood-scale park that is unique to this
community.
The park offers a wide range of recreation activities, with
a large field area for relaxing, play and informal activities,
the middle section of the park has baseball fields, and the
northern section --the focus of this project, contains the
heart of the park sporting a fantastic Flatirons view. The
concept plan to the left emerged from numerous community
conversations and will be used to create a final design prior to
construction.
Scope: the renovation covers numerous recreation activities
in this section of the park with a focus on:
•A mix of nature play and traditional equipment
•An area for teens,
•A new off the shelf fitness court,
•Water play opportunities,
•Park entrance signage and wayfinding,
•Tree and vegetation plantings
•Circulation improvements as needed
•Improvements for the picnic shelter,
•Storm water improvements mitigating annual flooding
2022 Concept Plan for Park Renovation
Park renoivations will focus to the north of park
Appendix B
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Violet Park:
A Neighborhood Park for North Boulder
BY THE NUMBERS:
ACREAGE: 11 AC
PROJECT BUDGET: 5.7 M
EXPECTED COMPLETION: 2025
Project Description: Boulder Parks and Recreation (BPR)
are initiating an integrated, inclusive and accessible design
process for what will become the city’s newest neighborhood
park. Located in north Boulder on Violet Avenue between
Broadway and 19th St.
The 9-acre site has a working title “Violet Park,” but
engagement and the city’s naming policy will inform a new
and final name for the park when it opens in 2025. Adjacent
to more than 600 manufactured homes in the Boulder
Meadows community, this park will become a shared outdoor
space for nearby children, youth, and families, many of whom
are disproportionately affected by disparities in healthcare,
income, housing, and other factors that determine physical
and mental health outcomes.
Scope: Engagement with the north Boulder community will
craft a collective vision for the park on Violet. Through that
process, staff anticipate exploring a range of possibilities, such
as how the new neighborhood park can
•Become a meaningful, vibrant community gathering
space that provides events across the seasons
•Promote time spent in the outdoors and the many
physical, emotional, and social benefits that provides.
•Provide for a range of recreation activities that reach
all ages
•Welcome all abilities through accessible recreation
activities including play and mobility features.
•Deepen connections with ecology, foods, arts, and
culture through family events, youth led
The park design will include water conveyance improvements
Park location and context
Appendix C
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East Boulder Park Renovate Recreation Center and Park
Project Description: Boulder’s three
recreation centers are aging and, to keep
them in good shape for the long-term for
our community, they will need significant
investment in the near future.
The community will help imagine the future of
these buildings and our high-quality recreation
system. Working with our partners in the
Facilities and Fleet Department (Facilities) we
will start planning for the indoor spaces and the
recreation center buildings themselves with a
focus on East Boulder Community Center first.
As we update the community center, we will
also look to make renovations to East Boulder
Community Park with a focus on bathrooms,
dog park area, courts, outdoor fitness, fields,
play area, the pond, and wayfinding.
As buildings, like our three recreation centers, get older,
they become more expensive to maintain. They eventually
reach a point where maintaining the infrastructure escalates
significantly. At this “inflection point” a decision should be
made to determine next step with the engagemnt of the
Boulder community (see diagram above).
BY THE NUMERS:
FACILITIES: 3 Recreation Centers: East, North & South
PROJECT BUDGET: Est. 58 Million (for East)
EXPECTED COMPLETION: 2026/2027
Appendix D
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