RE_ Longs Garden plot_RedactedFrom:Lohman, Megann
To:Rhodes, Alison; Schuttenberg, Scott
Subject:RE: Longs Garden plot
Date:Friday, May 3, 2024 12:59:21 PM
Attachments:image001.png
Good to know.
I will disengage from here.
From: Rhodes, Alison <RhodesA@bouldercolorado.gov>
Sent: Friday, May 3, 2024 12:57 PM
To: Lohman, Megann <LohmanM@bouldercolorado.gov>; Schuttenberg, Scott
<schuttenbergs@bouldercolorado.gov>
Subject: Re: Longs Garden plot
Knowing , I recommend you not engage further. You've gone above and beyond here. Based
on experience, you've given him facts and likely won't change his opinion and it isn't worth trying.
From: Lohman, Megann <LohmanM@bouldercolorado.gov>
Sent: Friday, May 3, 2024 12:54 PM
To: Rhodes, Alison <RhodesA@bouldercolorado.gov>; Schuttenberg, Scott
<schuttenbergs@bouldercolorado.gov>
Subject: FW: Longs Garden plot
FYI- Given this person is really engaged on this topic, I’m guessing you should both be
aware they may contact you or others.
From: Lohman, Megann <lohmanm@bouldercolorado.gov>
Sent: Friday, May 3, 2024 12:51 PM
To:
Subject: RE: Longs Garden plot
Hi ,
I understand you feel strongly that this particular property could and should be used for
tennis courts.
The specific easement has outlined:
“The conservation easement, for which Boulder paid $5.3 million, stipulates that
horticultural and agricultural activities must continue on the property. Those activities will
be guided by a management plan approved by the city. Further, there will be permanent
public access over the Forest Avenue and Farmers Ditch multi-use paths that bisect the
property.”
You can read about this further in this Daily Camera article:
https://www.dailycamera.com/2021/04/26/boulder-acquires-conservation-easement-on-
longs-gardens-property/
Boulder voters approved this easement through a vote in 2019. The property belongs to the
Long’s family and per the easement is required to remain for horticulture and agriculture
uses only.
While I understand your perspective, unfortunately building tennis courts at this specific
property is not an option.
I hope when the court study is published you will be happy to see the multiple locations we
believe courts could and should be added across the city.
Thanks,
Megann
From:
Sent: Friday, May 3, 2024 12:29 PM
To: Lohman, Megann <lohmanm@bouldercolorado.gov>
Subject: Re: Longs Garden plot
Knowing as little as I do, if the City paid for it, the City has some rights:
'The conservation easement will allow our family farm to continue to provide an agricultural oasis in
the middle of the city.'
4 tennis courts would still maintain the 'agricultural oasis'.
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On Friday, May 3, 2024 at 12:01:30 PM MDT, Lohman, Megann <lohmanm@bouldercolorado.gov> wrote:
Hey
Thanks for the additional information.
Digging a bit further, while the property is protected by an easement, it remains privately owned by Catherine
Long Gates, and her family; it is not available for indoor and year-round recreation.
Here is some information on the conservation easement which was approved through an Open Space sales
tax in 2019: https://longsgardens.com/conservation-easement/.
Our department is actively working on addressing the shortage of courts in the community and the results of
our court study will be shared soon. You can find the most up to date information on the work we are
compiling and the future planning on our Tennis and Pickleball Court System Plan page.
This work is at the top of our minds as well and we are eager to begin addressing the court shortage soon
after our plan is finalized.
Thank you,
Megann
From: >
Sent: Friday, May 3, 2024 11:20 AM
To: Lohman, Megann <lohmanm@bouldercolorado.gov>
Subject: Re: Longs Garden plot
I am jooking at a satellite view of the area north of the four tennis courts you have. It may not be all part of
Long's Garden, however I did notice that Boulder had spent $5.3 million I assume giving them some authority
over the property.
My point of course is the rec center would benefit from having a bubble, and adding courts adjacent to
existing courts is more logical than building a whole new facility.
A satellite view shows a large field between Broadway, Hawthorne, and farmers ditch, and also what appears
to be community gardens to the east.
Apparently the Longs parcel is 'conservation easement for agriculture'. I don't recall seeing any agriculture
there, and the addition of 4 courts wouldn't impact whatever agricultural use may be planned. There could
even be a quid pro quo of 'if we get to add 4 tennis courts, we contribute to some agriculture project.'
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On Friday, May 3, 2024 at 10:48:52 AM MDT, Lohman, Megann <lohmanm@bouldercolorado.gov> wrote:
Hi
Would you be able to share a screenshot of the specific plot you are referencing? I want to make sure I am
gathering the most accurate information for you.
As I know courts are a need in our community, it may be helpful for you to know we are in the end stages of
drafting a court study that would be shared with the public soon. That study has identified opportunities for
where we would add courts in the future. Once that study comes out, I am happy to share that with you.
Thanks,
Megann
From:
Sent: Friday, May 3, 2024 9:11 AM
To: Lohman, Megann <lohmanm@bouldercolorado.gov>
Subject: Longs Garden plot
It looks like the City spent about $5 million for that, does that mean the City has no authority to make
decisions about it? Just thinking pure practicality, 4 courts just north of your 4 existing would take up about
5% of that plot, on land that is used for nothing as near as I can tell.
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On Thursday, May 2, 2024 at 10:39:39 AM MDT, Lohman, Megann <lohmanm@bouldercolorado.gov>
wrote:
Hi ,
Thanks for reaching out.
Our Director, Ali Rhodes, is actually meeting with Kendal from the RMTC today to discuss possible future
partnership opportunities.
Reusing the bubble in the next 6 months isn’t a possibility for us, but I know we have a shared interest in
long term solutions to address the loss of courts in Boulder.
The land to the north of the Recreation Center belongs to Long’s Garden, and that would not be an option
for future courts.
I appreciate you thinking creatively about how we might expand court access soon, that is on our minds as
well. We are in the process of completing a court study and will be implementing aspects of it as soon as
next year.
Thank you,
Megann Lohman
Recreation Manager
CPRP
(Personal Pronouns: she/her/hers)What's This?
O: 303-441-4427
Lohmanm@bouldercolorado.gov
Boulder Parks & Recreation
3198 Broadway | Boulder, CO 80304
www.boulderparks-rec.org
From:
Sent: Wednesday, May 1, 2024 4:26 PM
To: Gazdik, Matt <gazdikm@bouldercolorado.gov>
Subject: Tennis bubble idea for NBRC
External Sender NoticeThis email was sent by an external sender.
Hi,
As an RMTC member for 20 years I have proposed a City/RMTC partnership regarding the bubble and the
youth program.
RMTC owns the bubble and lights. My idea is to move the bubble and lights to NBRC so you have
increase revenue from 12 months court availability. It looks like vacant land just north of the four courts
you have, where 3-5 courts could be added. Seems like a win-win situation and addresses the City search
for more tennis pickleball courts.
Glad to discuss at any time, thanks.
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