HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.23.26 PRAB PacketAGENDA
All agenda times are approximate
I.APPROVAL OF AGENDA (2 mins)
II.FUTURE BOARD ITEMS AND TOURS (2 mins), Page 2
III.PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (15-30 mins)
A.This portion of the meeting is for members of the public to communicate ideas or concerns to
the Board regarding parks and recreation issues for which a public hearing is not scheduled
later in the meeting (this includes consent agenda). The public is encouraged to comment on
the need for parks and recreation programs and facilities as they perceive them. All speakers
are limited to three minutes. Depending on the nature of your matter, you may or may not
receive a response from the Board after you deliver your comments. The Board is always
listening to and appreciative of community feedback.
IV.CONSENT AGENDA (5 mins), Page 3
A.Approval of Minutes from February 23, 2026, Page 4
B.Updates from the Director of Parks and Recreation, Page 7
C.Parks and Recreation Operations Updates, Page 9
D.Parks and Recreation Planning, Design and Construction Updates, Page 9
V.ACTION ITEMS
A.None
VI.MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION/INFORMATION
A.None
VII.MATTERS FROM THE DEPARTMENT (70 mins), Page 12
A.Draft Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan Review (30 mins)
B.North Boulder Park Renovation (20 mins)
C.Court System Update (East Boulder Community Park and Tom Watson)
(20 mins)
VIII.MATTERS FROM THE BOARD, Page 23
A.PRAB Orientation/Mentoring (20 mins)
B.Chair & Vice Chair Selection Process (5 mins)
C.PRAB Matters (verbal)
IX.NEXT BOARD MEETING:
A.March 31, 2026 Study Session
X.ADJOURN
Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
Fully Hybrid Meeting
6:00 p.m., March 23, 2026
Boulder Parks & Recreation
Advisory Board Members
2026-2027
Andrew Bernstein
Yvonne Castillo
Jennifer Robins
Michael Schreiner
Kyra Siegel
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
April May June
Fully hybrid for members, staff and
community.
Fully hybrid for members, staff and
community.
Fully hybrid for members, staff
and community.
Regular Mtg
(c)
1) Bill Bower Interpretive Area
Construction Update
1) ATB1 – Adjustment to Base
2) Summer Operations
3) Civic Area Renovation
1) Civic Area Nature Play
Updates
2) Valmont Park Signs
3) East Boulder Community
Center Update
Regular Mtg
(a)
1) Recommended Renaming
for Civic Area
Regular Mtg
(d/i)
1) Recommended Renaming for Civic
Area
Regular Mtg
(md)
1) Civic Area Schematic Design and
Consult Naming Process
2) Budget 101
3) Overview of Long-Term Financial
Strategy & Fund Our Future
1) Recommendation on Civic Area
Renaming Resolution
1) 2027 Budget Review
2) Consult on Future of Parks
System Overview
3) Inform on Chautauqua
Concept Plan Update
Regular Mtg
(mb)
1) Induct new members
2) Welcome new members
3) PRAB mentor assignments
4) Officer elections
5) Liaison role assignments
6) Spring CIP Tour Scheduling
Other Mtgs
or Topics
Early April: City Council Retreat
City Council: Financial Forecast, Long-
Term Financial Strategy Update and
Ballot Measures
City Council: Long-Term
Financial Strategy and Ballot
Measure Check-in mid-June
Council Summer Recess begins
late June through mid-July
Dept Events
& Items of
Interest
April 21: New PRAB members
orientation
April: Civic Area Renaming Engagement
at Dia del Niño
Early May: Scott Carpenter Lap Pool
opens for shoulder season
Memorial Day weekend: Outdoor pools
open
June: Bill Bower Interpretive
Area Opening Celebration
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
Denise Dawson, Senior Manager, Urban Parks
Jackson Hite, Senior Manager, Business Services
Megann Lohman, Senior Manager, Recreation
Scott Schuttenberg, Deputy Director
Erynn Simone, Senior Manager, Regional Facilities
SUBJECT: Consent Agenda
DATE: March 23, 2026
A. Approval of February 23, 2026, Minutes
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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: February 23, 2026
Contact Information Preparing Summary: Clarisa Collins; 720-564-2147
Board Members Present: Bernie Bernstein, Yvonne Castillo, Jennifer Robins, Michael Schreiner,
Kyra Siegel
Board Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Bryan Beary, Clarisa Collins, Michele Crane, Mark Davison, Julia Dullien, Kate
Hernandez, Jackson Hite, Stacie Hoffmann, Shihomi Kuriyagawa, Megann Lohman, Jake Minden, Ali
Rhodes, Scott Schuttenberg, Erynn Simone, Emily Urquhart
Guests Present: None
Type of Meeting: Regular
Agenda Item 1: Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:01 p.m. A quorum was present for the conduct of business.
A motion to approve the agenda was made by Castillo and seconded by Schreiner. The motion
passed 5-0.
Agenda Item 2: Future Board Items and Tours
Rhodes, Director of Parks and Recreation, reviewed upcoming items.
Agenda Item 3: Public Participation
Janet Streater – Expressed support for preserving the South Boulder Recreation Center
(SBRC) pool and core amenities.
Judy Emery – BOCO Pickleball; recognized recent improvements at North and East Boulder
facilities and noted a reservation system gap for inclement weather reimbursements.
Jenny Ferris – Spoke in support of retaining a pool at SBRC, citing community demand and
need.
Mary Sznewajs – Stated that existing data is sufficient to determine desired SBRC amenities
and that additional engagement is not needed, citing the 2025 Rec Center Needs Assessment.
Christine Brescoll – Noted that the absence of a commitment to retain existing SBRC
amenities is itself a consequential decision.
Weston Bennett – Age 9; spoke to the importance of SBRC as a recreational resource for
South Boulder youth.
Ryan Bennett – Noted that North and East recreation centers each received reinvestment on
a regular cycle, while SBRC has not received meaningful renovation in over 50 years.
Yvonne Bennett – Stated that SBRC's lower attendance figures reflect reduced programming
and hours rather than insufficient community demand.
Alex Veltman – Raised concerns regarding capital funding equity and requested that PRAB
recommend moving SBRC into the active 2026 project queue.
Raahi Abujam Mainali – 3rd grader; requested that the board preserve the SBRC pool.
Kyle Rose – Noted that a change in court surface contributed to a decline in SBRC basketball
attendance, affecting overall visitation numbers.
Dr. Elizabeth Rasmussen – Spoke on behalf of young South Boulder families and identified
deferred maintenance needs at the outdoor volleyball courts.
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Mary Fiore – Expressed concern that consolidating aquatics to East Boulder would reduce
citywide pool capacity without a commensurate community benefit.
Lynn Segal – Expressed concern that South Boulder residents must advocate for facilities
supported by their tax dollars and raised broader concerns about developer subsidies.
Agenda Item 4: Consent Agenda
A. Approval of Minutes from January 23, 2026
A motion to approve the consent agenda was made by Schreiner and seconded by
Bernstein. The motion passed 5-0.
B. Updates from the Director of Parks and Recreation
Board members inquired about the interviews for the two open PRAB seats.
C. Parks and Recreation Operations
D. Planning, Design and Construction Updates
Agenda Item 5: Action Items
A. None
Agenda Item 6: Matters for Discussion/Information
A. None
Agenda Item 7: Matters from the Department
A. Long-Term Financial Strategy Status Update and Engagement Overview
Rhodes presented this item.
Board members inquired about recreation center budget assumptions, code requirements
and facility constraints, planning timelines and the scope of architectural work. Discussion
also addressed community perceptions of facility investment and clarification of cost
estimates.
Castillo made a motion for staff to include at least one SBRC renovation scenario
maintaining the existing pool; Bernstein seconded the motion. Schreiner opposed, stating
the request falls outside PRAB’s authority. Motion did not pass 1-4.
B. Pearl Street Mall Refresh
Dullien and Kuriyagawa presented this item.
Board members inquired about coordination with the Sundance Film Festival, strategies for
addressing vacant retail storefronts and potential infrastructure impacts on the Pearl Street
Mall.
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Agenda Item 8: Matters from the Board
A. Approval of Revised PRAB Meeting Dates
The Board considered the following changes to the 2026 PRAB meeting schedule:
1. Add a Facility Funding Scenarios: Recreation Centers Study Session for a date to be
determined in late March.
2. Add an Onboarding Study Session on April 13, 2026.
3. Move the May meeting from May 25 to May 18 to avoid the Memorial Day holiday.
4. Move the November meeting from November 23 to November 16 to avoid the
Thanksgiving break.
5. Move the December meeting from December 28 to December 21 to avoid the end of
the year holidays.
PRAB approved the meeting date changes for #2-5. A poll will be sent to PRAB to
determine if the Facility Funding Scenarios Study Session could be held March 30 or
March 31, 2026.
B.Public Comment Procedural Update
The board considered the following updates to the Public Comment section of the PRAB
Handbook:
1.Establish an overall time limit of 45 minutes for public comment.
2.Testimony at a public hearing is limited to three (3) minutes if there are 15 or fewer
speakers, or two (2) minutes for more than 15.
3.Clarification that in-person and virtual attendees may sign up at the meeting before the
public comment period closes.
•PRAB asked clarifying questions and approved the proposed updates to the PRAB
Handbook that align with City Council’s open comment and testimony rules.
C. PRAB Matters (verbal)
Robins provided an update on the PLAY Boulder Foundation. An invitation to join the
PLAY Boulder Foundation board was extended to PRAB members, including incoming
new PRAB members joining in March.
Siegel attended the citywide Bike to Work event; she spoke with city staff about shifting e-
bike regulations and mentioned that the event was a great opportunity for residents to
engage directly with city staff. Staff let her know that she can stay informed on city
projects by scanning QR codes for project updates. She encouraged people to sign up for
those project updates and subscribe to newsletters.
Agenda Item 9: Next Board Meeting
Next Board meeting: Monday, March 23, 2026, hybrid
Agenda Item 10: Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 8:54 p.m.
Approved by:Attested:
________________________________________________
Jennifer Robins Clarisa Collins
Board Member BPR Staff
Date: ___________________Date: ___________________
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B.Updates from the Director of Parks and Recreation
2026 PRAB Recruitment
Throughout February, 15 potential candidates interviewed for the two Parks and
Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) vacancies. City Council made the new appointments
at the March 5, 2026 council meeting, as outlined in the table below:
Seat Number Board Member Term
1 Eliza Blood
Appointed 03-2026
To fill a 5-year term ending in 2031
2 Yvonne Castillo
Appointed 03-2025
Ending in 2027
3 Andrew Bernstein
Appointed 03-2023
Ending in 2028
4 Channing Benson
Appointed 03-2026
To fill a 2-year term ending in 2028
5 Jenny Robins
Appointed 03-2024
Ending in 2029
6 Michael Schreiner
Appointed 03-2025
Ending in 2030
7 Kyra Siegel
Appointed 03-2025
Ending in 2030
The City Clerk’s Office and the City Attorney’s Office will hold orientation for all new
PRAB members on April 21, 2026. PRAB onboarding is also supported by items
included in the April PRAB meeting, meetings with city staff and support from PRAB
mentors.
All board and commission members receive access to the citywide mandatory in-house
staff training called Advancing Racial Equity: The Role of Government. This training
establishes the City of Boulder’s shared language for racial equity values and
commitments, and helps board members understand how government actions can
contribute to or counteract systemic inequities. As public service volunteers, PRAB
members play an important role in advancing a more equitable and inclusive community.
Board members appointed in 2026 will benefit from this training as part of their
onboarding.
Summer Recruitment Campaign
Boulder Parks and Recreation (BPR) has launched its 2026 summer hiring campaign
with the theme “Our office looks a little different. Yours can too!” This theme highlights
the variety of environments where BPR staff work, from outdoor pools and parks to
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recreation centers. It is designed to attract candidates looking for meaningful, active
work that serves the community.
BPR is recruiting for approximately 200 seasonal positions across various work groups,
with a strong focus on hiring camp counselors, recreation center and outdoor pool staff,
aquatic team members and park maintenance personnel. These roles have broad
community impact, support work critical to BPR’s mission and have the largest number
of job openings in the department.
To support targeted recruitment, hiring and onboarding seasonal staff, BPR has
assembled a cross-departmental staff team known as the Summer Squad. The team
includes representatives from multiple workgroups and organizational levels, and is
working closely with the Human Resources Department, Innovation and Technology
Department and BPR’s Marketing Team to ensure a smooth process throughout the
season.
BPR’s Marketing Team and Summer Squad collaborated to develop this year’s summer
hiring campaign. Marketing materials currently being distributed include:
•A-frame signs, banners, bilingual flyers and posters placed at the three recreation
centers
•Recruitment tables at all three recreation centers
•Bilingual business cards for staff to use at job fairs and during community
interactions
Examples of these materials are included in Attachment A – BPR Summer Squad
Marketing Materials. Each type of material features a unique QR code to help staff
track which marketing materials are most effective in reaching potential candidates.
Building on the success of last year's feedback initiative, BPR is continuing to use three
seasonal staff feedback forms in place of the single end-of-season form used in prior
years. Distributed directly to seasonal employees at the beginning, middle and end of
the season, these forms give staff a voice in their own experience and provide
supervisors with timely insight to act on. This approach has proven effective in improving
retention by allowing BPR to:
•Identify and address any early challenges employees and supervisors face before
they escalate
•Gauge mid-season morale and address concerns before the peak summer months
•Measure overall impact at the end of the season to refine recruitment and retention
strategies going forward
By collecting feedback throughout the season, supervisors can proactively enhance the
employee experience, foster stronger connections among staff and demonstrate our
commitment to continuous improvement.
As hiring transitions into summer operations in May, Summer Squad’s focus will shift
toward onboarding, training and ensuring seasonal staff feel supported in their roles.
With strong recruitment strategies, improved feedback initiatives and supervisor training,
BPR is confident in creating a successful and rewarding summer for both staff and the
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community to recreate and enjoy Boulder’s many wonderful parks, programs and
facilities.
The Summer Squad team is committed to uplifting the goals outlined in the
Organizational Readiness theme of the 2022 BPR Plan, including Justice, Equity,
Diversity and Inclusion goals to support building a diverse workforce. Summer Squad is
also working closely with BPR’s Diversity, Equity and Belonging team to ensure the
hiring campaign advances equitable practices and that employees at all levels in the
organization have access to meaningful development opportunities and support
throughout the season.
Staff will provide further hiring updates as the 2026 season progresses.
C.Parks and Recreation Operations Updates
Each year, Boulder Parks & Recreation (BPR) temporarily closes recreation centers for
deep cleaning and routine maintenance. The three city recreation centers are scheduled
for the following shutdown dates:
•The East Boulder Community Center (EBCC), including the East Age Well
Center, will temporarily close Saturday, March 14 to Sunday, March 22 with
plans to return to normal operational hours on Monday, March 23.
•The North Boulder Recreation Center (NBRC) is tentatively scheduled to
temporarily close Saturday, Aug. 15 to Sunday, Aug. 23. with plans to return to
normal operational hours on Monday, August 24.
•The South Boulder Recreation Center (SBRC) is tentatively scheduled to
temporarily close Saturday, Aug. 29 to Monday, Sept. 7, with plans to return to
normal operational hours on Tuesday, Sept. 8.
Annual, week-long shutdowns are key to ensuring that recreation facilities are not
impacted by maintenance closures throughout the year by proactively addressing routine
maintenance needs. During the temporary facility closures, community members are
encouraged to explore activities, pools and recreational opportunities at neighboring
facilities including city recreation centers, Spruce and Scott Carpenter outdoor pools
(when open for the season) and the Boulder Reservoir.
Maintenance closure details will be updated on BPR’s website. For updated information
on BPR’s Future of Recreation Centers, please visit the project webpage and
accompanying Frequently Asked Questions.
D.Parks and Recreation Planning, Design and Construction Updates
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.
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Overview of Major Projects
Staff continue to work on the following projects and will update the PRAB as major
milestones are achieved, as outlined in Table 1:
Table 1
Projects Status Next 2026 PRAB
Milestone
System Planning
Future of Parks Planning June
Boulder Valley Comp Plan Planning March
Park & Facility Renovation Plans
Boulder Junction Park: Opening a New Park Design Q3
Chautauqua Updates Design June
Civic Area Renovation and Renaming Design April
East Boulder Community Center Renovation Design March
North Boulder Park Renovation Design March
Pearl Street Renovation Planning Q3
Primos Park: Opening a New Park Design September
Barker Park Renovation Design August
Park Asset Management
Bill Bower Park: Interpretive Area Construction April
Boulder Reservoir: ADA Dock Replacement Construction June
East Boulder Community Park: Racket
Courts
Design March
Tom Watson: Pickleball Courts Permitting November
Valmont Park: Signs Design Sept
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Attachment A – BPR Summer Squad Marketing Materials
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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
Denise Dawson, Senior Manager, Urban Parks
Jackson Hite, Senior Manager, Business Services
Megann Lohman, Senior Manager, Recreation
Scott Schuttenberg, Deputy Director
Erynn Simone, Senior Manager, Regional Facilities
SUBJECT: Matters from the Department
DATE: March 23, 2026
A. North Boulder Park Renovation
PURPOSE
The intent of this memo is to update the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) on
the North Boulder Park improvements including engagement, design development, and
updated schedule and next steps for the park.
QUESTIONS FOR PRAB
1. Does PRAB have questions about the engagement events and their findings?
2. Does PRAB have questions about the final design for the park?
PROJECT BACKGROUND
2022 BPR Department Plan: Key Themes Advanced:
• Taking Care of What We Have
• Community Health and Wellness
• Youth Engagement & Activity
• Financial Sustainability
The North Boulder Park Renovation project had initially been scoped to replace the
playground, update the restrooms and install a new fitness court in the park. An initial
concept plan and site program was developed from community input in 2022. This design
initially considered mitigating a small portion of the overall drainage challenges found
throughout the park.
Later, the scope for the project was adjusted to fix the drainage as a whole across the park.
Collaborating with the Utilities Department, the project team has designed the park to
support citywide goals: achieving protection from 5-year storms across the southern portion
of the park (south of Cedar Avenue) and 100-year storms in the northern portion of the park
(north of Cedar Avenue) to protect park infrastructure. The project team advanced the
design past the schematic design phase, incorporating the feedback received from the
community in 2022 as well as three engagement events (followed by comment periods) in
2025 which allowed community members to comment on program elements and the park
layout.
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REVISIONS FOLLOWING PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
There is a strong community desire to preserve North Boulder Park’s open, flexible, multi-
use character, especially its expansive green space, Nordic skiing, and self-organized
community activities, which are viewed as core to the park’s identity and value.
Key Themes:
1. Importance of preserving large multi-use open lawn areas for informal activities
The central theme is a strong community desire to preserve North Boulder Park’s open,
flexible, multi-use character, with particular emphasis on protecting Nordic (cross-
country) skiing, expansive green space, and informal community activities. Community
members want to ensure the park keeps the open lawn area for various uses: Nordic
skiing in winter; volleyball, ultimate frisbee, yoga, slacklining, picnicking, walking,
reading, and family gatherings throughout the year.
Updates include:
• The flex lawn to the south of the pavilion has been reduced and the multi-use
open space is maintained by revising the walkway location (north of the existing
walkway connection between Cedar & 9th Streets / Cedar & the Alley) which
many feel is the boundary of the large multi-use open space.
• Overlays for Nordic skiing, ultimate frisbee, volleyball, and two sizes of soccer
fields have been applied to the plan to ensure these activities can occur in the
future.
The park’s large uninterrupted lawn, minimal fencing, and lack of over-programming are
seen as its greatest strengths. New relocated ballfields and fencing would obstruct
views, deter self-organized activities and negatively impact cross-country skiing.
Dedicating large areas to a single-use, such as an event lawn, undermines the park’s
inclusive, multi-use nature.
Updates include:
• The ballfields move slightly south of the current location (now 75 feet vs. the 510
feet initially shown). The small shift allows drainage improvements to address the
marsh that has taken over a portion of one outfield while balancing other
community feedback on desired amenities.
We heard how much folks value these unprogrammed, flexible spaces and the shade
and solace the trees provide. They are unchanged in the concept plan.
North Boulder Park’s open, flexible, expansive green space
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Updates include:
• Proposed walkways near the play area have mostly moved back to their present-
day alignment in order to preserve picnicking in the shaded northeast portion of
the park. This shift allows the flexible space in this area to be maintained and
also allows for more variations in the Nordic ski track.
2. The need for a dedicated “third space” for teen socializing and informal activities
• Prioritize teen-specific amenities:
full basketball court and volleyball
court(s)
• Creative seating/hangout spaces
with light-up features
• Develop sports programming
• Balance new development with
open space preservation
• Incorporate water elements
• Create evening programming
infrastructure
• Upgrade core facilities
• Balance usage across the site
Updates include:
• A full basketball court and lawn space for volleyball are now shown in the plan
alongside creative seating that can incorporate low level lighting that is dark sky
compliant. These amenities are located to preserve the greatest amount of
existing open space and balance use across the site. Water elements will be
limited the stormwater features and evening programming can occur at the
renovated pavilion or possibly integrated with the snowmobile shed. Additionally,
equipment rentals similar to Amazon lockers will be available and free to the
public.
3. Maintenance and safety concerns
The idea of preserving a clear line of sight to the playground is desired by park users as
well as keeping the tot bike track in close proximity to the playground for parents to
watch kids using both features from a single vantage point.
Updates include:
• The pavilion is being renovated with 3-season partitions that allows an
unobstructed view to the play area. Additionally, the tot track location has been
relocated so that it is once again adjacent to the play area.
Neighbors expressed safety concerns on after-hours use and illegal activities.
Updates include:
• Park hours are not changing and a security camera that communicates with the
Boulder Police Department will be added which will automatically turn on when
the park closes.
Teen representatives presented their findings
at the November 2025 PRAB meeting.
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Improving drainage, revitalizing the shade shelter and restrooms, renovating the
playground including more shade, fixing the tot bike track, and limiting high maintenance
landscape were consistently communicated during public engagement.
Updates include:
All maintenance concerns are addressed in the current plans including limiting the
amount of high maintenance landscape areas.
UPDATED SCHEDULE / NEXT STEPS
March – Aug. 2026: Design Development (site)
March – Sept. 2026: Construction Documents / Permitting (restroom / pavilion)
October – March 2027: Renovation Begins (restroom / pavilion)
September – Dec. 2026: Permitting (site)
September – March 2027: Construction Documentation (site)
April – June 2027: Bidding and Negotiations (site)
September 2027: Construction Begins (site)
FUTURE / PAST UPDATES: bouldercolorado.gov/projects/north-boulder-park-renovation
Existing activities at
the park will remain
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B. Court System Update
PURPOSE
The intent of this item is to update PRAB on the Court System Plan progress pertaining
to Tom Watson Park and East Boulder Community Park (EBCP).
QUESTIONS FOR PRAB
1. Does PRAB have questions in regards the progress on updating the court system to
take care of what we have?
2. Does PRAB have questions about the latest court projects to meet service levels
identified in the 2022 Courts System Plan?
PROJECT BACKGROUND
With the completion of the Court System Plan in 2024, there is now guidance for Boulder
Parks and Recreation (BPR) to add 22 dedicated outdoor tennis courts and 22 dedicated
pickleball courts by 2036 to achieve our desired level of service. Plans are underway at
Tom Watson Park and EBCP to make progress towards that goal.
2022 BPR Department Plan: Key Themes Advanced:
• Taking Care of What We Have
• Community Health and Wellness
• Youth Engagement & Activity
• Financial Sustainability
Managing the Racket Courts System
With the completion of the courts system plan the department was able to prioritize work
on existing courts and a decision was made to use post tension concrete when replacing
the courts. First, they have a 50-year life cycle and will save the department in terms of
maintenance costs over the life cycle of the courts. Second, the durability of this material
reduces cracking and uneven playing surfaces making for a much better playing
experience for decades to come. The three locations, totaling five courts, have been
updated using this approach since 2024 are:
• Chautauqua (1 Court)
• Columbine (2 Courts)
• Arapahoe Ridge (2 Courts)
Tom Watson Park Pickleball Courts Project Update
The project’s Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) and associated permitting
applications are currently under review within the Planning & Development Services
Department. Once approvals are received and permits are issued, construction is
anticipated to begin between late April and May.
The initial phase to complete Phase 1 of the project Site Plan is expected to take
approximately four months and will include:
• Construction of twelve (12) lighted pickleball courts
• Three (3) small shade structures adjacent to courts
• A community gathering plaza with food truck parking
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• New accessible concrete walkways around courts and plaza
• Resurfacing of the existing basketball court adjacent to the project area
• Demolition of existing play area and restroom
Site plan showing limits of work for Phase 1 of the Tom Watson Pickleball Project with 12 pickleball courts,
community gathering plaza, and walkways.
Additional Scope
Staff have begun the planning process for additional site enhancements anticipated for
winter 2026 and mid-2027, contingent on available funding. Planned enhancements
under review include:
• A new nature discovery play area
• Resurfaced and expanded parking lot
• New restroom facility
• Refurbished loop path
Funding & Fundraising Efforts
Staff are actively pursuing grant opportunities and working with PLAY Boulder to begin
fundraising efforts to support site amenities beyond the core infrastructure (e.g.,
courtside benches, paddle racks, and related player amenities), with verbal interest from
several local organizations in supporting the project.
Tom Watson Courts Schedule
• Planning + Design (2025)
• Permitting + technical Document Review (Winter – Spring 2026)
• Groundbreaking + Deconstruction (Spring 2026)
• Construction (Spring – Summer 2026)
• Courts Grand Opening (Anticipated Labor Day 2026)
East Boulder Community Park – Racket Courts
Project Background
East Boulder Community Park (EBCP) currently has 5 courts. The set of 3 courts on the
west side will be converted to 6 dedicated pickleball courts. The other set of 2 existing 17
courts on the east side will remain dedicated tennis courts until the courts can be
completely replaced, allowing for additional pickleball courts.
Additionally, 8 outdoor tennis courts are planned for the southern expansion of EBCP.
Converting the three existing courts to pickleball will result in a total of 10 dedicated
tennis courts and 6 dedicated pickleball courts at EBCP.
Annexation
The property for the southern expansion of EBCP was acquired by the city in 2019 for
stormwater and flood management, parkland, and open space purposes. The land,
formerly known as Hogan Pancost, was outside of city limits. Annexation brings the
property into city limits, allowing the Parks and Recreation Department to proceed with
plans to develop tennis courts on the expanded park property.
The annexation of 5399 Kewanee Drive, 5697 South Boulder Road, and portions of the
related 55th Street Right of Way was approved with a unanimous vote by the Planning
Board on November 18, 2025 and by City Council at the public hearing on Feb. 19,
2026, Item 5a.
Indoor Court Facility
An indoor court facility will not be included in the design development of the outdoor
courts. The site constraints and the cost of constructing a code-compliant, energy
efficient, indoor tennis facility ultimately proved to be challenges that the City and CU
Boulder could not collectively overcome. The City of Boulder and CU Athletics remain
committed to continuing to work together to identify opportunities that meet the growing
needs of the University of Colorado women's tennis team and those of the Boulder
Community. As these opportunities progress, the city will update the community as
appropriate.
Outdoor Courts Schedule
• Site Analysis (Sept. 2024 – Jan. 2025) - Complete
• Concept Plan Development (Mar. – Nov. 2025) - Complete
• Annexation Accepted (Feb. 2026) – Complete
• RFP for Consultant (March – June 2026)
• Monitor Wetland Boundaries (May – August 2026)
• Design Development Begins (July 2026)
• Design + Site Review + Permitting (Summer 2026 – Summer 2027)
• Construction (Fall 2027 – Summer 2028)
• Courts Grand Opening (Fall 2028)
The timeline for the project has shifted out to a 2028 completion date. The design
process was paused midway to allow for the necessary steps required for annexation of
the Hogan Pancost property as well as the city hiring freeze that required this project to
pause for 8 months due to staff capacity. With annexation achieved and the Planning,
Design and Construction team again fully staffed hired, the current Design Development
phase will be more granular with the permitting and construction processes. This phase
also includes facilitation of a Request for Proposals to identify a consultant firm to
complete the design process, which will take approximately four months. Through
careful planning of permitting review periods and a conservative approach to number of
review cycles, the longer timeline is predicted than previous assumptions.
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NEXT STEPS
Contracting
• The general contractor and design consultant contracts are currently being
developed, enabling the design development and construction documents to be
completed as the next major tasks in the project.
Monitor Wetland Boundaries
• Additional groundwater monitoring and analysis will be conducted in the spring of
2026 to address ongoing community concerns about the high water table and
wetlands during the design development.
FUTURE / PAST UPDATES:
Tom Watson Park Courts Project
East Boulder Community Park Racket Courts
C. Draft Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan Review
Staff Contact from Planning and Design Services
• Christopher Ranglos, Senior Planner, Planning & Development Services
• Tucker Horsch, Planning & Zoning Coordinator, Planning & Development Services
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This memo provides the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) with an overview
of how parks and recreation related policies are reflected in the draft Boulder Valley
Comprehensive Plan (comprehensive plan or plan). Staff seek board feedback to inform
the next steps in the development of the recommended plan. In September 2025, staff
met with the board to share the overall direction of the comprehensive plan and gather
initial input on parks and recreation-related priorities. Since then, staff have incorporated
advisory board feedback, community input, and policy direction from the plan’s four
approval bodies into the draft Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan.
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Role in the Comprehensive Plan
While the PRAB does not approve the comprehensive plan, the board plays a critical
advisory role in shaping policies and land use strategy related to the parks and
recreation system. Input provided by the board will be shared with the four
comprehensive plan approval bodies and incorporated, where appropriate, into
refinements of the final recommended plan. This meeting represents an important
opportunity for the board to share feedback on which policy and/or land use elements
related to parks and recreation the board strongly supports, as well as to help identify
areas where the draft plan may require additional clarity, revision or refinement. The
project team values the board’s perspective as the draft plan moves through the public
review period toward final adoption.
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Key Questions
1. Do the draft policies reflect the Parks and Recreation mission and 2022 Department
Plan Key Themes??
2. Does the Land Use Strategy identified reflect PRAB’s feedback to protect and
expand public use of parks to meet service levels and a growing population over the
next decade?
BACKGROUND
Process
The major update to the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan began in October 2024
and is anticipated to conclude in summer 2026. From the outset, staff have sought input
from a wide range of stakeholders, including elected officials, advisory boards, partner
agencies and community members to ensure that the draft Plan reflects shared values,
priorities and long-term community goals. Community engagement has been structured
to provide multiple opportunities for participation, ensuring that the Plan is informed by
diverse perspectives and experiences.
Phases of Work
The update process has been divided into four phases, each building on the previous to
ensure continuity and responsiveness:
• A Boulder Today – Phase 1: Project Orientation & Current Conditions
• A Boulder Tomorrow – Phase 2: Shared Vision & Community Priorities
• A Boulder Direction – Phase 3: Policy Options & Preferred Direction
• A Boulder Future – Phase 4: Plan Creation & Adoption
Phase 3 concluded with a joint-study session between the Planning Board and City
Council on December 11, 2025. This marked a pivotal point where staff presented ideas
and choices for advancing shared goals including policy statements, land use
designations and a conceptual future land use map. These materials reflected
thousands of comments from community members, partner agencies, advisory boards
(including a visit with PRAB in September 2025), and city and county approval bodies
and provided the foundation for the draft plan now under review.
Phase 4: Plan Creation & Adoption
The project team is currently advancing Phase 4. The draft plan was released for
community review on March 3 and is open for feedback through April 6. The city and
county hosted a Community Open House on March 10 at the Dairy Arts Center from
4:30 to 7:30 p.m., which offered community members a chance to learn about the draft
plan, ask questions, and provide input directly to staff.
Feedback collected during the public review period will inform revisions to the draft plan.
The project team anticipates releasing the recommended plan in mid-May. A joint public
hearing with City Council and Planning Board is currently scheduled for June 4, followed
by Planning Board deliberation and vote on June 16, and City Council deliberation and
vote on June 25. The tentative date for Boulder County Planning Commission
deliberation and vote is July 15 and the tentative date for Boulder County Board of
County Commissioners is July 28.
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ANALYSIS
At its September 24, 2025, meeting, the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB)
received an update on the Major Update to the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan and
provided feedback on parks policies, land use, and community needs. PRAB’s emphasis
on increasing access, protecting parkland and enhancing flexibility of park space to meet
community needs is reflected in policies and the Parks land use designation. Since the
Plan aims to provide high-level guidance, not all specific additional uses of parks are
recorded in this document.
Policy Feedback from PRAB:
• Retain and Increase parks’ level of service over time as needed to meet the needs of
a growing population
• Protect existing parkland for park use and add park land as needed to meet a
growing population and responding to recreation activity trends
• Ensure parks and greenways are accessible to all community members and become
more accessible over time
• Increase the connection between transportation planning and parks planning and
support 15-minute neighborhoods
• Create flexibility for parks so land can be used to meet community needs related to
ecosystem services for wildlife, resilience, and community mental health benefits.
Land Use Feedback from PRAB:
• Parks land use designation should be flexible to anticipate recreation trends, but
maintain existing recreation activities that are popular with the community
• Ensure there are limited pathways to remove park land from the system, there is
concern that the land use approach may provide enough flexibility to eliminate park
land. All current parkland is needed to even maintain existing service levels and the
need to bring non-developed parkland on-line over time
• Pair complementary uses with parks such as:
o Community Hubs
o Naturehoods
o Food and Beverage Services
• Some specific callouts for more uses at parks are:
o Energy generation and charging stations
o Partnerships with schools and libraries
o Programming of parks for entertainment and cultural events
o Ensuring youth of access to the outdoors, nature and parks
o Meet the needs of a growing aging population
o Provide programming for families in parks
o Urban agriculture and food
o Ensure universal access to parks to accommodate all community members
Other Recommendations from PRAB:
• Need more opportunity for the community to provide input on the community change
requests, especially concerning the Ballfields at Iris and Broadway.
• There is concern about the changes in the draft land use approach and the potential
loss of community spaces in redevelopment. Especially as the private sector and
HOAs reduce recreation services and new development does not include spaces for
recreation activities
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Key Takeaways from PRAB:
Parks, recreation and greenways are important assets to the livability, resilience, and
mission of parks to provide for the physical and mental health of the community. Efforts
should be made to maintain (and expand as needed) recreation service levels and
increase universal access to these amenities while enhancing the ability of parks to
support community resilience and other emerging needs. The current land use approach
will require care to ensure parks and recreation amenities are preserved and levels of
service continue to be sufficient in the case of population growth.
Draft Policy Direction
This feedback, together with broader community input and guidance from other city
advisory boards, Planning Board, City Council, the Boulder County Planning
Commission and Board of County Commissioners, informed refinements to the draft
policies and the future land use map. Staff carefully reviewed these recommendations to
ensure that proposed policies and land use guidance are aligned with community
priorities, are implementable, and support long-term sustainability, equity, and resilience.
All draft policies can be reviewed beginning on page 31 of the draft plan.
Draft Land Use Map Direction
To align land use guidance with policy intent, staff have proposed a new land use
strategy that lays a foundation for implementing policies that support an active, diverse,
and resilient city. The strategy is designed to be flexible, allowing neighborhoods and
other areas to adapt to changing priorities and unforeseen circumstances while
maintaining a coherent approach to growth and development. The draft future land use
strategy and future land use map can be viewed beginning on page 69 of the draft plan.
NEXT STEPS
Staff will revise the draft plan based on public and advisory board feedback, as well as
Planning Board, City Council, Boulder County Planning Commission and the Board of
County Commissioners before bringing a recommended plan forward for public hearings
and consideration by the four approving bodies in June and July 2026. Following
adoption, the project team will build and launch a new plan website in the second half of
2026 to provide ongoing access to plan policies, land use map, other resources, and
implementation updates.
Key Upcoming Milestones
1. March 26, 2026: City Council and Planning Board Joint Study Session
a. Review of Draft Comprehensive Plan
2. June 4, 2026: City Council and Planning Board Joint Public Hearing
a. Public Hearing on Final Recommended Comprehensive Plan
3. June 16, 2026: Planning Board Continued Public Hearing
a. Deliberate and vote on Final Recommended Comprehensive Plan
4. June 25, 2026: City Council Continued Public Hearing
a. Deliberate and vote on Final Recommended Comprehensive Plan
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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: March 23, 2026
A.PRAB Orientation/Mentoring (20 mins)
B.Chair & Vice Chair Selection Process (5 mins)
Excerpt from the PRAB Handbook (page 13):
The PRAB shall have a chair, a vice-chair, and a secretary. Pursuant to the City’s municipal code, the
secretary shall be the City Manager or someone designated by the City Manager. The secretary of the
PRAB is not a member of the PRAB and therefore has no voting authority.
The chair and vice-chair shall be current PRAB members chosen by majority vote of the PRAB at its first
business meeting following the annual City Council board appointments.
The chair shall run PRAB meetings consistent with these rules and Robert’s Rules of Order. The chair
shall, in running meetings, shall:
•recognize a quorum;
•call meetings to order;
•call for motions and for debate on such motions;
•ensure that public comment, if any, is heard according to these rules and the policies of the City of
Boulder and the BPR;
•ensure that BPR staff and other non-board participants have the opportunity to report information
to and seek action, guidance, or recommendations from the PRAB;
•ensure that the board’s business is conducted timely, fairly, and efficiently;
•facilitate discussion between among board members;
•enforce rules and expectations of decorum;
•ensure that each board member who wishes to speak on an issue is heard;
•rule on all questions of parliamentary procedure; and
•close the meeting.
The vice chair shall, without the need for a majority vote or appointment by the chair, run
meetings consistent with these rules when the chair is not able to attend a PRAB meeting or is otherwise
not able to run the meeting.
The chair and vice chair shall work with BPR staff to set the agenda and ensure necessary information
and materials are available for PRAB meetings.
The PRAB may, by an affirmative vote of a majority of the current members of the PRAB, at a publicly
noticed meeting, remove the chair or vice-chair from their position in leadership of the PRAB. Should a
vacancy arise in the office of either the chair or vice-chair, the PRAB shall fill the vacancy by majority
vote at a publicly noticed meeting of the PRAB.
C. PRAB Matters (Verbal)
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