Parks and Recreation Commission

Rebecca Dunn, Chair Michael Smith, Vice Chair Parks and Recreation Commission Dan Ahrens Meeting Minutes Scott Dowis Jessica Kallweit Melissa Lindsay Karly Morkes Wednesday, July 17, 2024 5:00 PM Emerald Park 2225 Emerald Drive 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. If you are unable to access any portion of these materials due to a disability as defined under Colorado House Bill 21-1110, please call us at 303-663-4440, email the Town’s accessibility team at accessibility@CRgov.com or submit an accommodation request form at CRgov.com/A11yRequest. 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. and welcomed the newest members of the commission; staff and members provided roundtable introductions. Present 5 - Chair Rebecca Dunn, Commissioner Dan Ahrens, Commissioner Scott Dowis, Commissioner Melissa Lindsay, and Commissioner Karly Morkes Not Present 2 - Commissioner Michael Smith, and Commissioner Jessica Kallweit 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. Previous member Shawn L'Esperance introduced herself and welcomed new members to the commission. AGENDA TOPICS PRC 2024-004 Appointments of Chair and Vice Chair Dan Ahrens motioned and Melissa Lindsay seconded appointing Rebecca Dunn to serve as Chair and Michael Smith to serve as Vice Chair from June 2024 through May 2025; the motion passed unanimously. "I move to appoint Rebecca Dunn to serve as Chair and Michael Smith to serve as Vice Chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission from June 2024 through May 2025." Yes: 5 - Chair Dunn, Commissioner Ahrens, Commissioner Dowis, Commissioner Lindsay, and Commissioner Morkes Not Present: 2 - Commissioner Smith, and Commissioner Kallweit PRC 2024-005 Approval of the Minutes Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes July 17, 2024 Chair Rebecca Dunn motioned and Dan Ahrens seconded the approval of the minutes. "I move to approve the minutes as presented in the packet." Yes: 5 - Chair Dunn, Commissioner Ahrens, Commissioner Dowis, Commissioner Lindsay, and Commissioner Morkes Not Present: 2 - Commissioner Smith, and Commissioner Kallweit TOUR OF EMERALD PARK Park Planner Matt Roth provided a tour of Emerald Park, which was under construction in the Plum Creek neighborhood. Starting in the parking lot, he noted the existing lot had been demolished but would be repaired with new asphalt and restriped. The Town’s new neighborhood park would also feature half-court basketball, bocce ball courts, two pickleball courts, turf around pathways and plaza areas for seating, a permanent four-season bathroom facility and two new playground areas complete with accessible and musical elements. A paved loop and sidewalk connection to the golf course would provide additional, accessible walking opportunities. Dan Ahrens asked about upcoming trends in the parks and recreation industry, and Matt recalled a popular new game in South America that is experiencing significant growth like pickleball. Matt also noted that the playground equipment being installed at Emerald was unique and custom designed. Town Manager David L. Corliss asked about the maintenance the bocce courts would require, and Matt explained that overtime the stabilized crusher fines would become more compacted with water and use. Matt also noted that the courts may occasionally require raking. Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Brauer asked Matt if there would be shade provided in the area of the pickleball courts. Matt confirmed that he was coordinating with Development Services to research options. Matt may be able to use leftover project contingency funds if available near the close of the project to provide some type of shade structure. Jeff also noted that the pickleball courts would not be programmed or lit for evening play, they would only be available for drop-in use. Karly Morkes inquired when the park would open to the public, and Matt replied that the park would likely open in October with a grand opening event. PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT COMMENTS Town Manager David L. Corliss provided an update on a proposed upcoming ballot initiative to increase sales tax by .2 percent to generate revenue for public safety. This increase would amount to an additional 20 cents on a $100 purchase and would generate about $3.75 million annually, which would allow for the hiring of 40 additional public safety personnel between 2025 and 2029. Castle Rock Fire has identified the need to hire 18 personnel, including nine to staff a fourth ambulance. Currently, there are on average 18 minutes a day when all three of the Town’s existing ambulances are on calls, which means there is no ambulance available to transport a patient having an accident or an emergency. Castle Rock Police has identified the need to hire 20 additional officers for patrol shifts, community resources in schools, animal control and traffic. Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Brauer thanked everyone who attended VIP event for Lost Canyon Ranch. He also thanked those who attended the Grand Reopening Event of Mitchell Gulch Park to highlight recent renovation work. Parks staff did an excellent job of Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes July 17, 2024 coordinating with the project designers and contractors to place fun, new amenities that the community will value for a very long time. Assistant Director Jeff Smullen provided an update that the design plans for the proposed Sports Development Center were nearing completion, and staff anticipate taking the project to Town Council for approval later in the year. The recreation facility would be built in conjunction with the Brickyard development, planned by Confluence Companies. In addition to the facility, the Brickyard would feature a hotel, restaurants, shops and residential. Should both projects be approved, construction would likely commence in 2025. Jeff Smullen also noted that a draft of the department’s next strategic plan was nearing completion. Staff anticipate seeking the Commission’s review and feedback sometime in the fall. Park Planning and Construction Manager Brian Peterson provided an update on the slide tower reconstruction project for the Recreation Center’s Leisure Pool. While the project had been underway for several months and nearing completion, one of the refurbished slides still required updates to its water pump. Once the plumbing corrections were completed, the slide would be reopened to the public after passing state inspection. Brian also noted that the Cobblestone Ranch Park project to repair settling concrete had been completed; the Town had received funds from the contractor to cover the damages. Recreation Manager Mike Kilman announced that the first Tunes for Trails free concert of the season at the Amphitheater at Philip S. Miller Park would feature That Eighties Band from 6:30-9 pm on Thursday, July 18. Representatives from the Colorado Lottery would also be attendance to present the Town of Castle Rock with two Starburst Awards for best use of Great Outdoors Colorado lottery funds for the Butterfield Crossing Park Renovation project and for the Colorado Front Range Trail project. The Amphitheater would also host Cooper Alan for the Summer Concert Series on Friday, July 19, Hairball on Saturday, Aug. 10, and Wilder Woods on Saturday, Aug. 17. Additional upcoming events included Pedal the Moon, the Western Heritage Welcome parade, the Petty Nicks Experience at the August First Friday’s and the Long Run Band at the August Tunes for Trails. Mike also expressed that while summer camp season is nearing a close, there are still 2,500 to 3,000 children on waitlists, even with the newly added programs at Cantril School. Summer camp programming at all facility was trending strong and remained in very high demand despite increased programs in 2024. COMMISSION COMMENTS Chair Rebecca Dunn provided an additional welcome to the new members of the commission. ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at approximately 6:05 p.m.