Parks and Recreation Commission

Inger Hiller, Chair Rebecca Dunn, Vice-Chair Parks and Recreation Commission Madeline Self Meeting Minutes Michael Smith Nathan Jones Scott Dowis Shawn L'Esperance Wednesday, March 20, 2024 5:00 PM Castle Rock Recreation Center 2301 Woodlands Blvd Castle Rock, CO 80104 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 ADDITIONS/DELETIONS/MODIFICATIONS TO THE AGENDA Vice Chair Rebecca Dunn called the meeting to order at approximately 5 p.m. Staff in attendance included Jeff Brauer, Jeff Smullen, Brian Peterson, Mike Kilman, Dan Wahl, Lori Kaupp and Maia Yates. Present 6 - Commissioner Nathan Jones, Commissioner Madeline Self, Commissioner Shawn L'Esperance, Chair Rebecca Dunn, Vice Chair Rebecca Dunn, and Commissioner Michael Smith Not Present 2 - Chair Inger Hiller, and Commissioner Scott Dowis 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. None. MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING PRC 2024-003 Approval of the Minutes Shawn L'Esperance motioned and Michael Smith seconded the approval of the meeting minutes. The motion passed unanimously. "I move to approve the minutes of the previous Parks and Recreation Commission meeting as presented in the agenda packet." Yes: 6 - Commissioner Jones, Commissioner Self, Commissioner L'Esperance, Chair Dunn, Vice Chair Dunn, and Commissioner Smith Not Present: 2 - Chair Hiller, and Commissioner Dowis PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT COMMENTS The following updates were provided to members of the Parks and Recreation Commission: Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes March 20, 2024 Staff recently addressed Town Council to provide background information on pickleball court development and league play in Castle Rock. Staff received direction to better analyze court distance from homes in new construction projects, with a tentative and flexible 200-foot distance set-back standard. T-Mobile's request for a cell tower at Butterfield Crossing Park was approved. The tower will be installed adjacent to the pool facility. The communication company had also submitted a request to place an additional tower at Bison Park, but this application was denied. Town Council approved an equipment and services acquisition agreement for Red Hawk Ridge Golf Course to purchase new golf carts, which will be available for players this spring. The course also recently received top honors in AvidGolfer Magazine as the Best Denver Region Course in the Public/Resort Category, as well as recognition as the Public Course with the Best Conditions. Jeff Brauer attended the Great Outdoors Colorado's Centennial Grant Program Kick-off event. The Town is in line to receive significant funding support for the acquisition of Lost Canyon Ranch. Brian Peterson provided updates on Mitchell Gulch, Emerald and Cobblestone Ranch parks. All projects were making headway and staff anticipated officially opening Mitchell Gulch Park with six new tennis courts this summer. Brian also indicated that a portion of the East Plum Creek Trail south of Plum Creek Parkway would be temporarily closed due to the Crystal Valley Interchange Project. Dan Wahl explained that summer camp registrations were the fastest to date, with 3,000 almost signed up and 1,200 already on waiting lists, highlighting the need for increased facility space to keep up with high community need. Dan also indicated that staff posted a request for proposals to advance art and enrichment programming at Cantril School. The hope of the request is to offer more advanced classes to adults and a creative space for art making for local artists. Planned capital improvements at Cantril include adding upgraded electrical for kilns for the pottery program, converting some of the classrooms to art spaces and constructing an accessible bathroom near the main entrance. Maia Yates noted that the annual board and commission recruitment process was about to launch this spring and that applications would be sent to eligible incumbents should their terms expire in May. COMMISSION COMMENTS Vice Chair Rebecca Dunn asked about the extensive trail closures resulting from the snow. Jeff Brauer confirmed that while hard surface trails remain open, soft surface trails are closed to prevent damage. Shawn L'Esperance asked if a new Special Events Supervisor had been hired, and Mike Kilman confirmed that the Town had offered the position to a really strong candidate, Erika Alsobrook, who would bring a wealth of knowledge and background to the position. Nate Jones commented that the renovation work underway at Mitchell Gulch Park Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes March 20, 2024 looked fantastic, specifically noting that he sees way more use on the open portion of the park now than ever before. TOUR OF LEISURE POOL/SIDE TOWER RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT Brian Peterson and Lori Kaupp provided members and staff with a tour of the major reconstruction project of the Recreation Center's leisure pool slide tower. The slide structure had been closed since March 2022 due to safety concerns of the tower's structural components. In fall 2023, Town Council approved a contract with Saunders Construction to demolish the old staircase, pump pit ceiling and building enclosure area surrounding the stair structure. Saunders then constructed a new enclosure featuring galvanized steel railings and stairs, fiberglass treads and landing decks. New coatings and insulation would be applied to the slides to ensure future moisture protection. Staff hope to have the slides up and running in late spring or early summer. ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at approximately 6:09 p.m.