Parks and Recreation Commission

Inger Hiller, Chair Brian Glotzbach, Vice Chair Parks and Recreation Commission Sarah Grider Meeting Minutes Jan Meyer Michael Smith Michael Waggoner Wednesday, September 18, 2019 5:00 PM The Millhouse at Philip S. Miller Park 1381 W. Plum Creek Pkwy. Castle Rock, CO 80109 NOTE: THIS MEETING IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. THREE OR MORE COUNCIL MEMBERS MAY ALSO ATTEND THIS MEETING, DURING WHICH THE ITEMS LISTED HEREIN WILL BE DISCUSSED. TIMES SHOWN ARE APPROXIMATE AND MAY BE ADJUSTED DUE TO CHANGES TO THE AGENDA. CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 5 p.m. Staff members Jeff Brauer, Jeff Smullen, Brian Peterson, Mike Kilman, Jennifer Martin and Maia Aman were present. Present 5 - Vice Chair Brian Glotzbach, Commissioner Sarah Grider, Chair Inger Hiller, Commissioner Jan Meyer, and Commissioner Michael Smith ADDITIONS/DELETIONS/MODIFICATIONS TO THE AGENDA None. PUBLIC COMMENT DURING THIS TIME, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE INVITED TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION AND STAFF ON ITEMS THAT ARE NOT ON THE AGENDA. COMMENTS SHOULD BE LIMITED TO NO MORE THAN FOUR (4) MINUTES. Lori Huyette lives on New Haven Circle, adjacent to Deputy Zack S. Parrish III Memorial Park and her back yard faces towards the parking lot. Lori expressed concern that during the park’s planning process, it was stated that light would be kept to a minimum to avoid disturbing nearby resident homes. Lori noted that her house is now lit up at night due to the lighting in the parking lot, and also commented that headlights are intrusive. Another ongoing issue is that park users will oftentimes stay in the park until after midnight, even though the park is closed. Lori has notified the police. Lori inquired as to whether or not the light fixture could be shrouded and offered to pay for a shroud and installation. Lori also inquired if some type of shield could be installed to deflect headlights. Park Planning and Construction Manager, Brian Peterson, thanked Lori for her patience and feedback. Brian explained that the light manufacturer does not offer any type of external shield for the type of fixture that has been installed in the parking lot. Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation, Jeff Smullen, noted that staff would research some solutions and follow back up with Lori directly. Sharon Warrender, who also lives on New Haven Circle, commented that she loves the park and hearing the kids play. Sharon’s main concern, however, is her worry for her neighbors. Sharon does not want to see her neighbors move and also does not want to see property values depreciate due to high visitation at the park. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes September 18, 2019 Another New Haven Circle resident, David Burke, expressed concern related to the facility hours of Deputy Zack S. Parrish III Memorial Park, which currently closes at 11 p.m. David asked if the park hours could be adjusted to close at 9 p.m. Many older kids, who are not monitored, make a lot of noise in the evening, which makes it difficult for neighbors to sleep. David thanked staff for their time and consideration. Brian Glotzbach asked staff if there is an enforcement mechanism in place to help manage after-hours noise; even if the hours are changed, what would prevent people from continuing to make noise. Brian Peterson explained that the Parks and Recreation Department does not have an enforcement agency, so it is the responsibility of the Castle Rock Police Department. Sarah Grider asked why 11 p.m. was selected as the park’s closing time, and Director of Parks and Recreation, Jeff Brauer, noted that the ordinance setting open hours for parks in Castle Rock was adopted in the 80’s. Inger Hiller inquired as to whether historically, as new parks open, if they slow-down overtime once communities have gotten used to the new neighborhood amenity. Jeff Brauer explained that experience has taught that park use tends to cycle as neighborhood demographics change over time. Jeff also noted that it typically just takes time for neighbors to get used to new parks, and park users to get used to neighbors. Being mindful of the potential issues, Parks and Recreation staff are very intentional about designing buffers around active components of parks. Another neighbor of Lori, Sally Tice, also commented that the headlights of cars feel intrusive. Commission Chair, Inger Hiller, thanked everyone for their feedback. MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING PRAC Approval of the Minutes of August 21, 2019 2019-024 Brian Glotzbach motioned and Michael Smith seconded the approval of the minutes of the August 21, 2019 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting. “I move to approve the minutes of the August 21, 2019 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting.” Yes: 5 - Vice Chair Glotzbach, Commissioner Grider, Chair Hiller, Commissioner Meyer, and Commissioner Smith AGENDA TOPICS PRAC Update: Cobblestone Ranch Park Planning and Open House 2019-025 Jeff Smullen provided Commission members with an update on the Cobblestone Ranch park master planning process. The Cobblestone Ranch neighborhood was selected as the next priority for park development through a site selection process completed in late 2017. The 168-acre site is located on the east side of Castle Rock off of Castle Oaks Drive near Highway 83. The property is relatively flat and contains a portion of the Cherry Creek Regional Trial, along with a drainage pond. The site was originally set aside as a regional park, like Philip S. Miller Park, and many envisioned using the property as a sports complex. Because of its size, the future park would have the potential to draw in people from across Douglas County and nearby communities. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes September 18, 2019 While the Parks and Recreation Department does not currently have enough funding to construct the entire park site, it does have budget for 8-10 acres of development. To ensure the 8-10 acres is consistent with the future vision, staff are now obtaining input to set the park’s master plan. An open house was held on Aug. 27 to solicit feedback for the master plan. Approximately 130 people attended the event to view design concepts, ask questions and discuss the plan. An online survey was also posted at CRgov.com/futureparks and 136 responses were submitted. The feedback indicated that 65.5 percent of respondents preferred Concept A, placing 8-10 acre park on the south side of the site, away from homes. Feedback generally indicated preferences for trails, water, play and community gathering spaces. Once feedback is assessed and the visioning process complete, the design team will present a final master plan for resident review and Town Council approval. Upon master plan approval, an additional contract to finalize the design of the neighborhood park component and necessary construction services will be completed. Final design and public process related to the neighborhood park portion will occur in the near future. The project will be bid early next year and construction will begin in spring 2020 with a planned completion in 2021. Jan Meyer asked if staff plan to program the park from an athletics standpoint. Jeff Smullen explained that because many neighbors of the future site currently have to travel relatively far to use athletic services, staff do anticipate developing some multi-use athletic fields. Michael Smith noted that he heard many favorable comments at the open house in regards to the future park providing an open green space for catch and play, much like City Park. Brian Glotzbach asked if there was any drawback to not placing the park site in the location identified through Concept B. Jeff Smullen noted that placing the park on the south side of the site may limit neighborhood access and increase vehicle traffic due to the inability to directly walk to the park site. Inger Hiller noted that the first open house was very well attended and suggested bringing a PA system to the next meeting so attendees could hear better. PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT COMMENTS Town Council has approved the 2020 budget. Part of the budget discussion was increasing the impact fee rate for new park and recreation development. Going forward, the fee will be applied at the maximum justifiable rate. Staff recently provided Town Council members with an update on the Town’s use of Roundup. The Department uses an integrated management approach for weed mitigation, relying on chemical, biological and manual controls. While staff have tested other products such as Cheetah and vinegar, none have proven as effective. The usage of Roundup is closely managed, and all applicators are trained. Staff also use all necessary precautions pertaining to environmental conditions and equipment. Staff will continue to closely monitor its use. The Castle Rock Parks and Trails Foundation will host a sneak peek VIP event at Gateway Mesa Open Space on Friday, Sept. 27. Attendees will experience a guided hike on the newly constructed Legacy Trail. The East Plum Creek Trail Southern Extension grand opening event was rescheduled to Friday, Sept. 20. The event will be held at the same location as the groundbreaking, at the old trail terminus off of South Perry Street and west of Safeway. A light dinner will be provided as runners of the East Plum Creek Trail 10k and 5k break the ceremonial ribbon. The annual Zumba Glow Dance Party will be held on Friday, Sept. 20 at the Amphitheater at Philip Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes September 18, 2019 S. Miller Park. The installation of the FitGround Course is underway. The synthetic turf will soon be laid and the course should officially be open for the Castle Rock Trail Festival on Saturday, Oct. 5. COMMISSION COMMENTS Jan Meyer inquired as to whether or not the March meeting would be moved due to spring break. Staff will review dates and bring an agenda item to Commission for consideration at the next meeting. Jan also noted that the VIP bathrooms at the Summer Concert Series were a fabulous addition. Brian Glotzbach noted that a lot of overgrowth is present at Native Legend Open Space and Trail. Staff advised that they would review the trail and perform maintenance as necessary. Commission Chair, Inger Hiller, thanked everyone for tonight’s meeting and discussion. ADJOURN