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, October 16, 2024 5:00 PM Matney Park 5790 Lantern Circle 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 Chair Rebecca Dunn called the meeting to order at approximately 5:02 p.m. Staff in attendance included Jeff Brauer, Jeff Smullen, Mike Kilman and Maia Yates. Marne Hansen, Acey Holmes and Juli Watkins of the Castle Rock Parks and Trails Foundation also attended. 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. None. MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING PRC 2024-012 Approval of the Minutes Dan Ahrens motioned and Karly Morkes seconded the approval of the September 18, 2024 meeting minutes. The motion passed unanimously. "i move to approve the minutes of the September 18, 2024 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting." Yes: 5 - Chair Dunn, Commissioner Ahrens, Commissioner Dowis, Commissioner Lindsay, and Commissioner Morkes Not Present: 2 - Commissioner Smith, and Commissioner Kallweit CASTLE ROCK PARKS AND TRAILS FOUNDATION OVERVIEW Marne Hansen, Executive Director of the Castle Rock Parks and Trails Foundation, introduced board members Acey Holmes and Juli Watkins and Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes October 16, 2024 provided an overview of the nonprofit organization. The group works to enhance Castle Rock's parks, trails and open space by partnering with the Parks and Recreation Department. Previous projects have included funding the Legacy Trail at Gateway Mesa Open Space. Last year's efforts focused on fundraising $1.3 million to support Castle Rock's first fully-inclusive playground at Butterfield Crossing Park. Chair Rebecca Dunn commended the organization for their huge success making Possibilities Playground become a reality. TOUR OF LOST CANYON RANCH Director Jeff Brauer and Assistant Director Jeff Smullen provided a tour of Lost Canyon Ranch Open Space. The land acquisition of $15 million was made possible in partnership with Douglas County, Castle Rock Water, the Douglas Land Conservancy, The Conservation Fund and Great Outdoors Colorado. The open space features a wide variety of environmental resources including wildlife, rocky canyons, Willow Creek and unique ecology and riparian habitat. A single family residence built in the 1970's sits south of the canyon, along with stables and a riding arena. An additional caretaker home also exists closer to the entrance, but will be removed for future potential trailhead placement. Lost Canyon Ranch also features the archeologically significant Franktown Cave and sits adjacent to Castlewood Canyon State Park. The majority of the property is protected through a conservation easement held by the Douglas Land Conservancy. The property features three building envelopes that will be available for future development and will allow for placement of user amenities such as bathrooms, parking, etc. The department will need to work closely with DLC to determine usage types for the overall site. To develop the property's master plan, the department has hired contractor Wenk Associates. The firm held a meeting with adjacent neighbors in September. While the neighbors expressed concern over the potential for increased traffic, they were also relieved the site wasn't purchased for future development. Another neighborhood meeting will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 22 at the home on site, and a community-wide public meeting will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at Cantril School to gather feedback for the planning process. COMMISSION COMMENTS None. ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at approximately 6:32 p.m.