HomeMy WebLinkAbout06.22.26 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 (15-45 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 May 18, 2026, Page 4
B.Updates from the Director of Parks and Recreation, Page 6
C.Parks and Recreation Operations Updates, Page 10
D.Parks and Recreation Planning, Design and Construction Updates, Page 13
V.ACTION ITEMS (10 mins), Page 18
A.Public Hearing and Consideration of a Motion related to Boulder Creek Park
Naming
VI.MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION/INFORMATION
A.None
VII.MATTERS FROM THE DEPARTMENT (30 mins), Page 20
A.All things downtown: Civic Area East Bookend P3 Opportunity, Civic Area
Park Management Plan, Pearl, DDA and Barker (30 mins)
VIII.MATTERS FROM THE BOARD, Page 26
A.Consideration of Parks and Recreation Funding Ballot Letter
B.PRAB Matters (verbal)
IX.NEXT BOARD MEETING:
A.July 27, 2026
X.ADJOURN
Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
Fully Hybrid Meeting
6:00 p.m., June 22, 2026
Boulder Parks & Recreation
Advisory Board Members
2026-2027
Channing Benson
Andrew Bernstein
Yvonne Castillo
Dana Riess
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
July August September
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) Courts Update
2) Update on 2027 Budget Process
3) Chautauqua Update
4) Valmont Park Signs
1) Maintenance Closure Project
Summaries
2) Courts Update
3) Barker Park Update
1) BPR Summer Games
2) Construction Update: Tom Watson
Pickleball Project
Regular Mtg
(a) Harbeck-Bergheim House Lease 1) Recommendation of CMO
Recommended Budget (Rev, Exp, Fee
Schedule)
Regular Mtg
(d/i) Harbeck-Bergheim House Lease 1) Budget Fee Discussion 1) Q1 - Q3 Budget Actuals & Summer
Season KPI's
Regular Mtg
(md)
1) City Council Updates (Ballot
Measures and Facilities Investment)
2) CIP Tour Scheduling
1) Safe and Managed Public Spaces
Overview
1) Primos Park Update
Regular Mtg
(mb)
Board Discussion on 2026 Ballot
Measures
1) Discuss November–December
holiday meeting adjustments (if needed)
Other Mtgs
or Topics
7/23 City Council: East Bookend
Civic Area Redevelopment Update
8/6 City Council: Ballot Measures
2nd Reading
8/13 City Council: Strategic Planning
Check-in
9/10 City Council: Recommended
Budget Study Session
Dept Events
& Items of
Interest
Arts in the Park:
7/4 Boulder Symphony: The 2026
program celebrates America’s 250th
birthday
7/11 Prana in the Park
7/17–18 Shared Atmospheres: A
two-day free community arts
experience
7/23 Boulder Creek Park Naming
Celebration
8/15-8/23 North Boulder Recreation
Center (NBRC) Annual Maintenance
Shutdown
8/29-9/7 South Boulder Recreation
Center (SBRC) Annual Maintenance
Shutdown
Arts in the Park:
8/2 Beyond Academia Free Skool
8/23 Arts Hub
9/11 PLAY Golf Tournament
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
Matt Gazdik, Acting Senior Manager, Recreation
Scott Schuttenberg, Deputy Director
Erynn Simone, Senior Manager, Regional Facilities
SUBJECT: Consent Agenda
DATE: June 22, 2026
A.Approval of May 18, 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: May 18, 2026
Contact Information Preparing Summary: Clarisa Collins; 720-564-2147
Board Members Present: Channing Benson, Bernie Bernstein, Yvonne Castillo, Dana Riess,
Jennifer Robins, Michael Schreiner, Kyra Siegel
Board Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Jen Bandoni, Bryan Beary, David Choate, Clarisa Collins, Tina Dalton, Mark Davison,
Denise Dawson, Kate Hernandez, Stacie Hoffman, Jackson Hite, Charlotte O’Donnell, Chris
Passarelli, Ali Rhodes, Scott Schuttenberg, Erynn Simone
Guests Present: Chelsea Hackett: Growing Up Boulder
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 Robins and seconded by Benson. The motion passed
6-0. Castillo was not yet present; however, Castillo joined the meeting virtually at 6:13 p.m..
A motion to amend the agenda to move the PRAB Handbook Amendment into the Action Item section
was made by Schreiner and seconded by Riess. The motion passed 5-1, Robins opposed.
Agenda Item 2: Future Board Items and Tours
Rhodes, Director of Parks and Recreation, reviewed upcoming items, including the June 25 City
Council discussion on potential ballot measures, planning for the Capital Investment Program tour and
Memorial Day weekend events across Boulder. Board members had no questions or comments.
Agenda Item 3: Public Participation
In-Person
Catherine Sundvall: Spoke about the Cheyenne-themed Botanic Gardens idea at Hogan-
Pancost.
Rachel Bloombaum: Commented about ongoing tennis court shortages and delays at East
Boulder Community Park project.
Zach Maiorca (BOCO Pickleball President): Expressed frustration with continued delays to
the Tom Watson project and that Boulder still lacks dedicated pickleball courts.
Virtual
Trish Emser: Raised safety concerns in the Civic Area, including drug use, smoking,
obstructed pathways and its implications for Safe Zones for kids.
Michael Broder: Discussed safety and security concerns on Boulder Creek paths and
questioned the practice of distributing needles in the downtown area.
Board members asked follow-up questions regarding needle distribution policies, SAMPS/ranger
monitoring along Boulder Creek and court construction delays.
Agenda Item 4: Consent Agenda
A. Approval of Minutes from April 27, 2026
A motion to approve the consent agenda was made by Robins and seconded by Benson.
The motion passed 7-0.
B. Updates from the Director of Parks and Recreation
C. Parks and Recreation Operations
D. Planning, Design and Construction Updates
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Board members asked clarifying questions regarding the recent snowstorm damage,
including tree loss, impacts to the urban canopy, and related forestry response processes.
Agenda Item 5: Action Items
A. PRAB Handbook Amendment
A motion to approve the PRAB Handbook Amendment was made by Schreiner and
seconded by Robins. The motion passed 7-0.
The approved language codifies a 3-minute speaking limit per individual and no overall
time limit for public comment.
Board members emphasized that advance sign-up is encouraged and staff affirmed that
this preference will be highlighted in online information for public comment.
Agenda Item 6: Matters for Discussion/Information
A. None
Agenda Item 7: Matters from the Department
A. Renaming Civic Area
O’Donnell, Hackett and Kuriyagawa presented this item.
The final recommended name presented to PRAB was Boulder Creek Park.
The Board discussed the results of community engagement, how staff resolved the tie
between the two top names and asked various questions about the process and names.
In responding to questions from staff, the board did not express a need for any more
information or process prior to considering an action item at the June meeting.
B. Budget
Hite and Hoffman presented this item.
Board members asked clarifying questions about funding sources, potential ballot measure
implications, the Permanent Parks & Recreation Fund and ongoing concerns about
underfunding within the parks and recreation system.
The Board explored how best to advocate for parks and recreation funding as City Council
and the community consider the 2027 budget and 2026 ballot measures.
Agenda Item 8: Matters from the Board
A. PRAB Matters (verbal)
Siegel: Shared that while playing badminton at North Boulder Park, several high school
students asked to join the game; noted it was wholesome activity from youth. She also
mentioned positive activity levels she observed at Boulder Creek Park and the Wildwoods
area.
Schreiner: Highlighted upcoming volunteering opportunities and the recent Boulder Creek
cleanup, where volunteers were surprised by how clean the area was.
Benson: Mentioned visiting the Flatirons Golf Course and its onsite restaurant, Ironwood
Bar & Grille.
Agenda Item 9: Next Board Meeting
Next Board meeting: Monday, June 22, 2026, hybrid
Agenda Item 10: Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 9:08 p.m.
Approved by: Attested:
________________________ ________________________
Bernie Bernstein Clarisa Collins
Board Member BPR Staff
Date: ___________________ Date: ___________________ 5
B. Updates from the Director of Parks and Recreation
2027 Budget Development
The purpose of this consent item is to provide the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
(PRAB) with an update on the development of the 2027 operating budget and the 2027 –
2032 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget for the Parks and Recreation
Department.
The City of Boulder is currently developing the 2027 budget in response to slowing
revenue growth and increasing operating expenses. As part of this citywide effort, all
departments and major funds have been asked to identify approximately 4% in ongoing
budget reductions. The department is submitting proposals to the Finance Department
and Executive Budget Team in late June. These submissions will provide city leadership
with options as they work to balance priorities and financial needs across the
organization.
The need to balance the current budget reflects challenges that have been discussed in
department planning documents for more than a decade. The 2014 Parks and
Recreation Master Plan identified a growing gap between available funding and the cost
of maintaining facilities, assets, programs, and service levels. The 2022 BPR Plan
reaffirmed this challenge, noting that without additional ongoing funding, the department
would eventually need to reduce services, realign priorities, or identify new revenue
sources to maintain long-term financial sustainability.
Since adoption of the 2022 BPR Plan, the department has made meaningful progress
toward improving its financial position. Staff have expanded grant and philanthropic
support and pursued additional revenue generating opportunities. Revenue generating
opportunities that have been implemented since 2022 include: a BPR Fee Policy
establishing cost recovery targets based on who benefits, a Community Access
Framework to collect revenues for organized activities on public lands, implemented a
new recreation membership structure to better tie costs towards amenities accessed,
implemented a new recreation registration software, and relied on a Service Delivery
model to manage program life-cycle. These efforts align with both the 2022 BPR Plan
and the city's Long-Term Financial Strategy (LTFS), which seeks to improve the city's
long-term fiscal sustainability while maintaining community priorities. Most recently, staff
came forward to City Council on March 12, April 9, and May 14, to discuss potential tax
measures to support the city’s backlog of infrastructure needs, with focused discussion
on city facilities and funding options. As part of this development, staff will be coming
forward at the June 25th City Council meeting with a summary of the statistically valid
polling results of likely voters supporting the four potential ballot measure options for City
Council consideration in 2026.
While working to increase funding, ongoing expenses continue to grow faster than
revenues. As a result, the department is focusing on identifying ongoing savings rather
than one-time reductions. Staff are evaluating proposals across all service areas, with
potential reductions generally falling into three categories: adjustments to service levels,
changes to staffing, and the deferral of capital investments. At this stage, no final
recommendations have been made, and staff continue to refine proposals in
coordination with citywide budget development efforts.
Throughout this process, staff are evaluating proposals using several decision-making
lenses, including community impact, alignment with policy and community engagement,
financial sustainability, workforce considerations, and transparency. These criteria are
intended to help ensure that recommendations balance fiscal responsibility with
community outcomes and organizational effectiveness.
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Budget development will continue throughout the summer as proposals are reviewed by
the Executive Budget Team and incorporated into the broader citywide budget process.
The City Manager's Recommended Budget is scheduled to be released on August 28,
2026. Following its release, staff will provide PRAB with an overview of the
recommended budget and any proposed impacts to Parks and Recreation services,
staffing, or capital investments. A public hearing on the Parks and Recreation budget is
anticipated at the September PRAB meeting to provide an opportunity for board
discussion and public comment before City Council's budget deliberations and adoption
process which will continue into October. The 2026 budget will be adopted before the
known outcome of any November 2026 ballot measures, as is standard practice.
This item is informational only. Staff will not have a presentation to share with PRAB but
will be available for any questions on the budget process.
Adjustment to Base (ATB) 1 – Supplemental Appropriations to the 2026 Budget
At its May 21, 2026 meeting, City Council approved supplemental appropriations to the
2026 Annual Budget through the city’s first Adjustment to Base (ATB1) process. ATB1 is
a routine component of the city’s budget cycle and allows appropriations to be adjusted
mid-year to align with actual revenues, grants, donations, and operational needs. These
adjustments are necessary because Colorado law requires annual appropriations to be
adopted by December 31 of the prior year, even though municipal operations and
funding activities continue throughout the budget year.
As part of ATB1, Boulder Parks and Recreation included $238,766 in grant funding
received during the first half of 2026. These appropriations recognize both the grant
revenues received and the associated expenditures supported by those funds. ATB1
grants are outlined in Table 1 and include:
• Youth Services Initiative (YSI) and EXPAND programs, which provide recreation
opportunities for youth from low-income families and individuals with disabilities.
Funding was received from the Boulder County Developmental Disabilities Mill
Levy Grant Program, the Scholl Foundation, and the I Have A Dream
Foundation.
• The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Coaches Grant, which
supports youth gymnastics coaching development and training.
In addition, BPR received $29,021 in private donations to support community recreation
amenities, including new disc golf baskets at the Valmont City Park Disc Golf Course
and memorial benches throughout the park system as part of the Memorial Bench
Stewardship Program.
These appropriations reflect the department’s continued success in leveraging grants,
philanthropy, and other non-traditional funding sources to support community programs
and services. This approach aligns with Goal 1 of Financial Sustainability in the 2022
BPR Plan, which calls for increasing alternative funding sources to enhance the
department’s long-term financial sustainability and reduce reliance on traditional tax-
supported revenues.
ATB1 also included:
• $14,550 in additional revenue and expenditure authority related to planned lease
payments at Harbeck House.
• $100,626 in additional revenue and expenditure authority associated with the
Tree Protection and Mitigation Program.
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A second Adjustment to Base (ATB2) process will occur in December 2026 to
appropriate any additional grants, donations, and revenues received during the second
half of the year. ATB can also be utilized for any expenses not anticipated in budget
development, in which case the department can tap into fund balance. Staff will provide
a similar informational update to the advisory board at that time.
GRAND TOTAL
Parks and Recreation $382,963
2180FD - .25 Cent Sales Tax Fund
Valmont City Park Disc Golf Donation $7,504
Forestry Tree Protection & Mitigation Program $100,626
2300FD - Recreation Activity Fund
NRPA Coaches Grant (Gymnastics Program) $2,500
Boulder County Developmental Disability Grant (EXPAND): IDD 2026 $199,366
Scholl Foundation Grant (EXPAND) $19,400
I Have a Dream Foundation Funding $17,500
3300FD - Permanent Parks & Recreation Fund
Harbeck House Lease Revenue $14,550
Memorial Bench Program $21,517
GRAND TOTAL $382,963
Table 1: BPR ATB1 by Fund
2026 Summer Hiring Update
BPR relies on a large seasonal workforce to support summer operations across parks,
recreation centers, pools, camps, natural lands and other services. This year’s hiring
campaign introduced a new theme: “Our Office Looks a Little Different. Yours Can Too!”
The message highlights the variety of work environments at BPR, from outdoor park
maintenance to aquatics, childcare, golf operations and recreation program support. It
also nods to an inclusive workplace and underscores how working with parks and
recreation could be more fun than an ordinary summer job.
BPR used a multichannel strategy emphasizing digital outreach, print materials and in-
person community engagement to reach job seekers. Staff participated in job fairs, set
up job tables at all three recreation centers from February through April, and distributed
bilingual business cards directing applicants to BPRjobs.org, the department’s summer
hiring webpage.
Digital marketing continued to play a significant role in driving visibility. A paid social
media campaign ran from March 13 through April 16 and reached 100,873 people and
generated 2,983 link clicks, exceeding typical industry engagement rates. Because
positions filled quickly, the team was able to end the campaign earlier than planned. As
of June 10, 2026, BPR welcomed 334 new hires as shown in Table 2.
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Parks and Recreation Employees Hired
(As of June 10, 2026)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Grand Total
Seasonal 6 55 80 39 8 188
Temporary 1 1 3 5
Varied 24 7 36 31 32 11 141
Grand Total 27 15 98 119 73 21 334
Table 2: Parks and Recreation Hiring Pipeline Summary
Please note that some of the hiring actions reflected in these totals were internal promotions (for
example, Lifeguard → Senior Lifeguard → Head Lifeguard).
BPR continues to monitor the diversity of its workforce to ensure progress toward
broader representation. Table 3 compares 2026 BPR non-standard workforce
demographics to the City of Boulder’s 2020 Census benchmarks. The percentage of
staff identifying as Hispanic or Latino remains lower than the City of Boulder’s overall
demographics. To address this, the department will continue to implement bilingual
recruitment efforts and explore additional strategies to attract Spanish-speaking and
bicultural employees.
Maintaining a strong, diverse applicant pool and improving pathways into BPR roles will
remain key priorities for 2027 and beyond. The department will continue to assess the
effectiveness of 2026 recruitment and retention strategies through:
• Formal feedback from supervisors and non‑standard employees through surveys
• Collaboration with HR on applicant pipeline analysis and process improvements
• Assessment of community outreach, digital engagement and bilingual
recruitment materials for return on investment
• Identification of opportunities to broaden access and target progress towards
community representation in future campaigns
BPR Non-Standard
Workforce
2020 Census –
City of Boulder
American Indian or Alaska Native
(Not Hispanic or Latino) 0.6% 0.6%
Asian (Not Hispanic or Latino) 2.6% 5.9%
Black or African American
(Not Hispanic or Latino) 1.5% 1.0%
Hispanic or Latino 7.1% 10.7%
I wish to not self-identify 1.5% 0.0%
Two or More Races (Not Hispanic or
Latino) 1.8% 7.3%
White (Not Hispanic or Latino) 54.7% 76.2%
Table 3: Demographics of BPR Non-Standard Employees
Totals from January 1, 2026 through June 10, 2026 compared to City of Boulder 2020 Census
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C. Parks and Recreation Operations Updates
Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse Rose
Created as gift to the City of Boulder from its sister city, Dushanbe, the capital of
Tajikistan, the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse sits on city property and has operated as a
unique and vibrant partnership benefitting the community since 1998.
Members of the Boulder Valley Rose & Garden Club have lovingly cared for the Boulder
Dushanbe Teahouse rose gardens and have maintained the space as adopters for
decades. Their efforts are supported by the department’s Volunteer Services workgroup
through ongoing programs like ‘Teahouse Tuesdays’ where community volunteers work
alongside the Boulder Valley Rose & Garden Club each week to care for one of
Boulder’s most beloved spaces. The volunteers’ work is also supported by BPR Park
Operations, which coordinates materials and irrigation.
Recently, one of the club members created a brand-new rose, and a celebratory event
took place on May 28 to announce the new name and hold a ceremonial planting of the
Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse Rose.
Officially accepted by the American Rose Society, the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse
Rose will now be recognized internationally, a fitting tribute to the volunteers who help
keep these gardens flourishing year after year (see Figure 1).
Figure 1 Pictured: Placard in soil reading “Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse” “Shrub” “2026”
alongside a laminated photograph of a white rose, also positioned in the soil. The rose photo has
two googly eyes added to give the appearance of a face.
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Boulder Valley School District (BVSD) – Joint Use Interagency Team Meeting
The 2022 Boulder Parks and Recreation Department Plan includes direction toward the
development of enhanced relationships with certain organizations, including BVSD
(page 82, Building Community & Relationships – Goal 3: Strengthen and Build
Partnerships).
Both entities are authorized by state law to organize, promote and conduct community
recreation programs, to establish park areas, playgrounds and recreational facilities and
to acquire, improve, maintain and operate these areas. The city provides BVSD with
priority scheduled access to indoor swimming pools, an outdoor baseball field and the
Flatirons Golf Course for use by its student athlete populations. BVSD provides the city
priority scheduled access to district facilities for department-led summer camp
programming and gymnasium access for sport programs.
Semi-annually, department staff meet with representatives from the Boulder Valley
School District to collaborate on an intergovernmental Joint Use Agreement (JUA),
which seeks to maximize the use of existing and future recreational facilities to mutually
serve students and residents.
Staff representatives from both parties met on June 2 to review and discuss property use
and evaluate facility conditions, including the lifecycle and capital repair schedule for
facilities involved. In addition to the annual review of the exchange of benefits (including
hours of use, costs, fees and charges and potential capital investments), staff explored
options to shift high school swim team hours later in the day to meet increasing
community demand for youth swim lessons and lap swimming immediately after school.
Boulder Reservoir Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM) Management Program
This is the first year of an expanded program that manages EWM using multiple
nonchemical methods: manual removal, mechanical harvesting and Diver Assisted
Suction Harvesting (DASH). The approach follows a 2025 decision by the city and
Northern Water to not pursue herbicide treatment at this time, due to the difficulty of
guaranteeing downstream water deliveries during treatment, treatment cost and
community concerns about introducing herbicide into a multiuse regional water supply.
Herbicide remains available as a future option. The early months focused on planning,
permitting, hiring, training and contracting.
Field operations began in mid-May and are
now fully underway.
April Survey
As shown in Figure 2, a Biobase sonar
survey on April 15 showed EWM growth
resuming in the same locations as prior
years, with noticeably less EWM than in
past spring surveys, especially in the
western bay.
Figure 2: April 15 Biobase mapping: Green indicating areas of EWM density
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May Field Operations
• Crews logged 336 hours across all methods in May and removed approximately
1,461 cubic feet of biomass.
• Mechanical harvesting (APM) cleared about 12 acres of high biomass and
treated about 81 additional acres, then shifted to support DASH priority areas.
• Contract DASH (APM) completed the swim area around the buoy line and is
working toward the open water swim zones. Deep clay sediment and underwater
visibility of less than one foot continue to slow diver progress.
• In house City DASH began mid-May and logged 66 hours focused on the swim
area and triathlon entry and exit zones.
• Mile High Youth Corps removed shoreline EWM along the South Shore during a
pilot week, the start of a 22-week program funded by a $303,600 GOCO grant.
• On site composting with Eco-Cycle continues, and compost from the 2025
season is now being applied to reservoir turf.
Status as of June 2026
• Five-year management plan is in progress with contractor Aquatic Plant
Management (APM).
• Boat and staff training is complete, including delivery of the city owned DASH
boat and SCUBA certification for four staff.
• Contract DASH is on track for 20 days, with roughly 196 cubic feet removed as of
June 2.
• Contract harvesting is on track for 15 days, with roughly 1,265 cubic feet
removed as of June 2. It ended early under adaptive management, and
remaining days are held in reserve for a possible August return.
Funding
Committed 2026 funding includes
$270,000 from city Water Utilities, a
Northern Water cost share of up to
$200,000, $50,000 from BPR and the
$303,600 GOCO grant supporting
Youth Corps staffing. Direct BPR costs
through May totaled $1,450 for dive
training and equipment.
Looking Ahead
• Integrate Youth Corps into in-water removal, composting, and outreach.
• Fill the AIS Program Manager position.
• Launch a volunteer diver program.
• Complete contracted DASH days and confirm timing for a possible August
harvesting return.
• Resolve the outstanding CPW authorization letter for possession of Aquatic
Nuisance Species.
Figure 3: June 3 Biobase Mapping:
Red indicating growth and increased density
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Pride Night at Scott Carpenter Pool
The second annual Pride Night pool party took
place at Scott Carpenter Pool on June 9. With
reduced admission fees and extended swim hours,
the event drew 226 visits. Attendees enjoyed a DJ,
bandana tie dye activities, and a mermaid photo
opportunity hosted by city staff. Community
partners Rocky Mountain Equality and the Boulder
County AIDS Project offered tables with bracelet
making, informational and support resources, and
complimentary snacks (shown in Figures 4, 5 and
6).
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.
Figure 4: Scott Carpenter Entry with Pride Balloons
Figure 6: Scott Carpenter Pride Night
Tabling
Figure 5: Scott Carpenter Pride Night –
Pride Activities
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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 4:
Projects Status Next 2026 PRAB Milestone
System Planning
Park System Plan Planning Q4
Park & Facility Renovation Plans
Boulder Junction Park Design Q4
Chautauqua Updates Design July (consent)
Civic Area Renovation and Renaming Design June
East Boulder Community Center
Renovation
Design June (consent)
North Boulder Park Renovation Design Q4
Pearl Street Renovation Design Q3
Primos Park: Opening a New Park Design September (consent)
Barker Park Renovation Design August (consent)
Park Asset Management
Boulder Reservoir: ADA Dock
Replacement
Construction Q3
East Boulder Community Park: Racket
Courts
Design Q3
Tom Watson: Pickleball Courts Permitting Q3
Valmont Park: Signs Design July (consent)
Table 4: Overview of Major Projects
Primos Park Open House
The project team hosted a community open house to share the final designs with
community members on Saturday, June 6 at Primos Park. About 80 community
members attended. Staff from multiple departments were onsite to provide information
and answer neighbors’ questions related to the park, transportation, bridge and stream
project.
As part of the Youth and Family Services Initiative (YSI), local youth helped to create an
interactive walk for the open house while learning about the park plans, mapping, and
ecology of the site (see Figure 7).
Figure 7: YSI participants learn about the park and help make signs for the event
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In addition to printed plans and
sketches showing the design of the
park, staff led guided tours in English
and Spanish to show the location of
planned elements throughout the site
(see Figure 8). This provided a better
understanding of how the design will
come to life within the space. Kids
also played an environmental bingo
game along the way provided by the
Climate Initiatives department.
Figure 8: Staff lead a tour in Spanish highlighting where future amenities will be placed at Primos
Park.
Xcel, Red Cross and
PLAY Boulder
provided other free
resources to the
attendees as part of
the event. The
informal, drop-in style
gathering included
food provided by
small, neighbor-
owned businesses
and celebration of the
work that Community
Connectors
contributed in the past
3 years as they acted
as key liaisons to the
neighborhood (see
Figure 9).
Figure 9: Staff and community connectors with bird houses painted to represent their
contributions to the project.
Following this open house, the project team will continue work on design development
and permitting with groundbreaking anticipated in late 2027. Construction will be phased
over time to allow thoughtful completion of the Violet Avenue and multi-use path, utilities
and stream and park amenities. Staff will keep PRAB informed of key project milestones
including groundbreaking celebrations.
More information is available on the Primos Park webpage.
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Courts Update
Tom Watson:
In conjunction with the courts project, on May 20, 2026 the Volunteer Services team led
a volunteer service project with Boulderthon at Tom Watson Park. During the event,
volunteers helped paint the handball wall and a shed that will be used to support court
snow-shovel champions and removed overgrown vegetation from the site (see Figures
10 and 11).
East Boulder Community Park – Racket Courts Project:
The following project updates reflect ongoing progress in the park’s design and
development:
•Staff continue to actively monitor the site’s ecological conditions to support
overall environmental well-being, with a focus on wetland health and wildlife
activity.
•Existing structures on site have been approved for deconstruction through
Planning and Development Services’ (P&DS) Historic Preservation program. The
structures are being tested for contamination and hazardous materials to ensure
a safe deconstruction process.
•A successful proposer has been selected from the RFP process as the design
consultant and the contract is being finalized, allowing the design phase to begin
in June.
•BPR staff have met with colleagues from P&DS through a pre-application
process to better understand permitting requirements and identify opportunities
for efficiency.
•Staff continue to coordinate with people who have expressed an interest in a
botanic garden at this site; the project’s scope, amenities or funding are not
determined, and no proposal has been submitted.
More information on the project's schedule can be found on the City of Boulder project
webpage.
South Boulder Recreation Center Courts Resurfacing:
The multi-sport (tennis and pickleball) courts at the South Boulder Recreation Center are
scheduled to be resurfaced in the fall of 2026.
Figure 10 Pictured: Volunteers collect overgrown
vegetation and weeds into a pile during a May 20th
service project at Tom Watson Park
Figure 11 Pictured: Volunteers paint
the handball wall during a May 20th
service project at Tom Watson Park.
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East Boulder Community Center (EBCC)
Phase 2A of the EBCC Renovation project is underway. Design Development of the
Age-Well wing of the community center is complete, and construction documentation is
in progress. The scope of the project is focused on infrastructure improvements, such
as:
•replace failing heating and cooling units, ductwork and controls,
•replace the leaking roof and add insulation to meet the current energy code,
•improve restrooms, access and circulation to meet current Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) and code requirements,
•update paint, floors, ceilings, and cabinetry with safe and easy-to-clean elements
to support efficient changeover from age-well activities to emergency services
and back; and
•add a permanent generator for stable utility access during emergency events.
The City of Boulder received a $1M U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) grant specifically for improvements related to emergency sheltering
services. Congressman Neguse presented the grant to Mayor Aaron Brockett on April 1,
2026 (see Figure 12).
Figure 12: Congressman Joe Neguse presents congressionally
allocated funding of $1M for EBCC resilience efforts.
Construction is anticipated to begin in the first quarter of 2027 and continue through the
end of that year. The Age-Well wing will be closed during construction. Several
departments are working together to support continuity of services during construction.
More information will be provided as the project approaches construction in 2027.
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C I T Y O F B O U L D E R
PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD AGENDA ITEM
MEETING DATE: June 22, 2026
AGENDA TITLE: Public Hearing and Consideration of a Motion related to Boulder Creek Park
Naming
PRESENTERS:
Charlotte O’Donnell, City Planner
Shihomi Kuriyagawa, Senior Landscape Architect
Mark Davison, Park Planning Manager
Jake Minden, Landscape Architect
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This item supports formal action by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board’s (PRAB)
regarding the renaming of the park currently known as Civic Area to the community’s
recommendation of Boulder Creek Park. As shared in the January 2026 PRAB packet (starts on
page 12), PRAB has authority over park naming as outlined in the Park Naming Policy.
City staff, in collaboration with Growing Up Boulder, worked with students in the Zonta Club at
Boulder High School to brainstorm initial ideas and elevate the aspects of park identity that they
feel are most important. Community members were then invited to provide input on these ideas
and suggest other potential names. Over 900 community members responded online and in-
person.
Following this public engagement, PRAB is now asked to consider the recommended name of
‘Boulder Creek Park’. This recommendation pulls from community feedback that identifies
Boulder Creek as the key feature and main landmark uniting this space through the heart of the
downtown park.
BACKGROUND:
As shared in the April 2026 PRAB packet (starts on page 18) and the May 2026 PRAB packet
(starts on page 11), engagement as part of Phase 2 revealed most community members do not
use the term Civic Area, do not understand what space this name refers to and where this is
located in the city. Additionally, renaming the space allows the community to find a name that
best reflects the values and hopes for this park.
To develop names that reflect community values, staff worked with Growing Up Boulder to
engage Boulder High School students as part of the Zonta Club. Four name ideas from Zonta
Club advanced for community-wide feedback along with four name ideas the project team heard
from other community members. Almost 1,000 people provided feedback in-person and online
on these name ideas and additional name ideas during this April engagement window.
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ANALYSIS:
To develop names reflecting Civic Area’s design principles, previous engagement feedback and
values heard from across the community, the Boulder High School students participated in
several workshops with the project team to identify potential names for this park. After these
names were chosen by students, community members weighed in on these ideas through an
online feedback form as well as in-person event at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art
(BMoCA) Día del Niño celebration which took place at the Glen Huntington Band Shell
alongside the Farmers Market on Saturday, April 25, 2026. The results showed:
• The top name ideas were Boulder Creek Park and Boulder Central Park
• The third most-popular choice was Creekside Park
• Several comments were gathered from the Zonta Club students and the community of
the importance of the creek in the park as key natural feature of the space.
• Community members also gave feedback that the name should include the word ‘creek’
in it and voting on two different names with the word creek split the total number of votes
between two different options
Based off this feedback and given the enthusiasm that community members expressed for the
creek as a key part of the park and identity of the space, staff recommends the name Boulder
Creek Park. This name was tied as the top choice and the overall sentiment from the community
supported highlighting the creek in the park name.
The PRAB discussed this name at the May meeting and generally expressed support.
Suggested Motion Language:
Move to approve the name Boulder Creek Park for the property currentlyy known as Civic Area.
NEXT STEPS:
Following PRAB approval, the new name and other elements of theme and identity will be
incorporated into the design during Summer 2026. The project team will share progress on the
theming and branding as part of the naming celebration on July 23, 2026. PRAB and Council
members will be invited to this celebration.
PRAB and community members are also invited to attend the many community events
happening in the park this summer including Arts in the Park. For more details, visit the Arts in
the Parks webpage.
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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
Denise Dawson, Senior Manager, Urban Parks
Jackson Hite, Senior Manager, Business Services
Matt Gazdik, Acting Senior Manager, Recreation
Erynn Simone, Senior Manager, Regional Facilities
SUBJECT: Matters from the Department
DATE: June 22, 2026
A. DOWNTOWN PROJECTS UPDATE
The intent of this item is to inform PRAB on downtown projects related to parks and
recreation and to provide an opportunity for questions to ensure clarity of scope and
timing. Several ongoing projects in Boulder will support the effort to revitalize public
spaces in the downtown area and each consider the four quadrants of successful public
spaces: to take care of what we have through maintenance and operations strategies; to
activate spaces to support community building; to design meaningful spaces with
amenities that serve the community throughout the years; and to ensure that park rules
and enforcement of them promote safe and welcoming spaces.
QUESTIONS FOR PRAB
Questions for PRAB:
1. Does PRAB have questions or comments about downtown projects?
2. Does PRAB have questions about their role in the development approach to the
East Bookend?
Civic Area: East Bookend Public – Private Partnership:
Background
The East Bookend refers to the eastern edge of the Civic Area: the land east of 13th St.
between Arapahoe and Canyon and west of 14th St. As part of a city-wide effort to
rethink Boulder’s urban core, the 2015 Civic Area Plan envisions this block and its
surroundings as a hub of urban living connected to lively commercial spaces and iconic
views of the Flatirons. Three themes guide the development priorities for the East
Bookend:
1. Food – strengthening and celebrating the relationship with Boulder County
Farmer’s Market and the region’s agriculture;
2. Recreation – connecting to adjacent amenities like enhanced park features and
Boulder Creek;
3. Arts and culture – amplifying art, performance, cultural events and welcoming
Sundance to downtown Boulder.
Investments into downtown spaces such as the East Bookend are known to support the
economic health, community vibrancy and success of a connected urban center. The
East Bookend development effort is intended to advance the Civic Area Park Plan and
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city-wide goals, including opportunities for adaptive reuse, cultural programming,
economic activity, and enhanced public spaces.
Figure 1: The area outlined in yellow of the East Bookend will be offered for partnership as well
as an optional area in the West Bookend.
Why Partnership
A public-private partnership (P3) offers a strategic opportunity to achieve the
community’s vision for the Civic Area by combining public goals with private-sector
investment, design creativity, and operational expertise. The P3 process will focus on
the East Bookend and include the option of incorporating properties on the West End
(see Figure 1).
Through a P3, the city can leverage its assets to catalyze development that delivers
community benefits, activates the site through programming and public use, and attracts
new sources of capital and investment. This approach can also reduce the city’s long-
term role in facility management while generating revenue through mechanisms such as
land leases, property sales and increased tax revenues, helping support both near- and
long-term community priorities.
A P3 will also strengthen the longstanding partnership between the City of Boulder and
the Boulder County Farmers Market (BCFM), creating opportunities to enhance the
market’s role as a year-round community gathering place and economic driver while
supporting its successful, long-term presence in the Civic Area.
Project Updates and Process
Request for Interest (RFI): Earlier this year, the city issued a Request for Interest (RFI)
to better understand market interest and gather ideas from potential development and
programming partners regarding development opportunities on city-owned properties in
the Civic Area. Nine teams responded to the exploratory RFI process, representing a
mix of development firms, cultural organizations, design teams and local partners. The
RFI was an informal process, and no development concepts or partnerships will be
selected from the responses, instead, the responses inform next steps. The RFI
responses provided input in response to a core set of questions posed by the city,
including thoughts on the potential mix of uses (civic, cultural, commercial, hospitality,
recreation, community-oriented etc.), as well as possible partnership and financing
structures. For a summary of findings from the RFI, please refer to the project page on
the city’s website.
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Request for Proposals (RFP) Process: Based on insights gathered through the RFI, staff
is developing a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) that is planned for release later this
summer. The RFP will solicit formal partnership proposals and is intended to identify a
qualified development partner capable of advancing a comprehensive concept planning
effort that integrates historic resources, Civic Area Park Plan priorities and long-term
operations objectives.
Project next steps include:
• Release of the East Bookend RFP: Late Summer 2026
• Evaluation and selection of a development partner: Late 2026
• Concept plan development process: 2027
• Future concept plan, site review and historic preservation review processes: To
be determined with development partner.
*All dates are subject to change pending the outcomes of key project milestones
Staff will seek input from the PRAB in the concept planning process in 2027. PRAB has
no formal role in the partnership development, however, due to connections to the park
and public spaces, staff will seek input during the concept planning process and inform
the board on the project progression.
Civic Area Park Management
The Civic Area has historically operated through a fragmented governance model
involving multiple city departments and partners, with no single entity responsible for
long-term coordination, activation, fundraising, and overall site stewardship. As planning
for Civic Area Phase 2 has advanced, an operations study identified a growing gap
between the level of service typically provided for a successful urban park and existing
city resources.
Based on an analysis of the labor required to deliver a park in good condition and to
support space activation, peer-city case studies and stakeholder interviews, staff are
recommending a phased transition toward a third-party conservancy or nonprofit partner
model that would work alongside the city to support programming, fundraising,
partnerships, and long-term park stewardship while maintaining public ownership and
oversight.
Later this summer, staff are forming a Civic Area Park Management Steering Committee
to guide interim agreements, coordinate operations and activation pilots, identify seed
funding, and establish the governance structure needed to support eventual partner
organization formation and long-term management of the Civic Area. This funding gap is
also informing conversations about downtown funding.
Renaming the park is an immediate action to activate the park. Please see this month’s
action item for more information.
Pearl Street Mall Refresh:
Background
Located within downtown Boulder, Pearl Street Mall is a nationally renowned, historic
pedestrian mall covering four city blocks. The mall opened in 1977, and while still vibrant
and well used, it is also showing signs of age over the fifty years of service it has given
to the community and to visitors beyond. The city has identified priority improvements
that include maintenance needs, enhancements in key locations along the mall and
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space activation opportunities to be completed for Sundance’s opening in Boulder in
2027 and the Pearl 50th Anniversary. The allocated funding for this effort is pulling 1.15
million from the Community, Culture, Resilience and Safety Tax (CCRS) and 2 million
from the Central Area General Improvement District (CAGID) funds to cover all work in
2026 and 2027.
Project Updates
The project team completed scoping of this project in 2025 and has kicked-off the
Existing Conditions Assessment with a consultant that will conduct a site survey, an
existing utility evaluation and an urban design study that will include research that
studies innovative policy and site design from other successful public spaces. At the
same time, staff have begun designing key improvements on the mall that will support
the 50th Anniversary event in the summer of 2027. An updated assessment of ongoing
maintenance needs was also launched last summer in 2025 with implementation into
early 2027 to get ready for the summer celebrations. This project is supported by a
cross-departmental city effort that is closely collaborating with Downtown Boulder
Partnership (DBP) for improvements, events and engagement. The Pearl Street Mall
Refresh webpage is now available: Pearl Street Mall Refresh | City of Boulder
A myriad of engagement findings have been collected over the past few years about
what community would like to see on Pearl Street Mall. This feedback was collected
through the DBP Downtown Vision Plan, DBP-lead stakeholder engagement discussions
for the 50th Anniversary and through the city’s engagement process on the Civic Area
Project where the project team asked neighbors what they would like to experience
throughout a revitalized downtown. These findings will be incorporated into the
improvements the team is designing. Further engagement will be conducted by the city
around these new improvements at the 50th Anniversary to garner feedback for potential
future improvements to the full mall.
Next Steps
• Existing Conditions Draft Review: Late 2026
• Concept design: Spring 2027
• 50th Anniversary Celebration: Summer 2027
• Final Recommendations for a Vision Plan for Pearl: Winter 2027
*All dates are subject to change pending the outcomes of key project milestones
Barker Park:
Barker Park, located at Spruce and 15th St., is a unique downtown space connected to
the Boulder Day Nursery. In 2024, it was identified for a Park Refresh with plans to
enhance the playground, seating and fencing due to assets reaching the end of their life
cycle. The project team shared the schematic design for Barker Park with the public and
PRAB in November 2025.
Project Timeline
• March 2025: Project Kickoff
• April – June 2025: Site Analysis
• June 2025: Nature Play Picnic with Student and Parent Engagement
• June – August 2025: Concept Design
• August – October 2025: Schematic Design
• November 2025: Presentation to PRAB
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• November – December 2025: Design Development
• January – June 2026: Contracting
• June – September 2026: Construction Documentation & Permitting
• October 2026 – April 2027: Construction
*All dates are subject to change pending the outcomes of key project milestones
The project schedule was modified due to contractor availability. The construction start
date has moved from summer 2026 to fall 2026 with work anticipated to continue into
spring 2027.
Next Steps
• Now – September 2026: Finalize Design and Construction Documentation
• October 2026: Construction Begins
• April 2027: Ribbon Cutting
Downtown Development Authority Formation Exploration
The City of Boulder is exploring the formation of a Downtown Development Authority
(DDA) to provide long-term funding and governance structure for central Boulder and the
Hill including Civic Area and Pearl. This includes Tax-Increment Financing (TIF) and a
potential mill levy that would replace the existing Central Area General Improvement
District (CAGID) mill levy and apply it across the entire DDA area. The effort builds on
prior improvement district analyses recommendations and is intended to support a
thriving central business district through projects and programs that boost economic
growth, including but not limited to redevelopment at strategic sites, public space
improvements, cultural programming and coordinated investment in key civic
destinations, including partnering with the city on parks and recreation spaces such as
the Civic Area, Arboretum Path, Barker Park and Pearl Street Mall. See Figure 2 for the
DDA Study Area, showing the overlap with these public spaces.
Figure 2: Downtown Development Authority Study Area
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Recent updates presented to City Council and the community focused on refining district
boundaries, sharing a draft Plan of Development, furthering the financial analysis and
next steps. The May 28 City Council meeting includes additional information.
Next Steps
• Continued community engagement through 2026
• Preparation of legal and financial formation documents
• City Council review and a potential November 2026 ballot measure for voters
within the proposed DDA boundaries
ο If approved, the DDA could begin operations in early 2027 and help
support implementation of downtown and Civic Area investments
identified through current planning efforts.
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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: June 22, 2026
A.Consideration of Parks and Recreation Funding Ballot Letter to City Council
B.PRAB Matters (verbal)
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