To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
Through: David L. Corliss, Town Manager
From: Jeff Brauer, Director of Parks and Recreation
Title
Park Renovation Planning Update
Body
________________________________________________________________________________
Executive Summary
The 2021 Parks and Recreation Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) identifies the need for improvements at Butterfield Crossing, Mitchell Gulch and Plum Creek area parks to address safety, life cycle replacement and accessibility and to improve user experience. Approximately $4.5 million is currently available in the Conservation Trust Fund, which includes lottery and Douglas County Shareback revenues. Additional parks, such as Castle Highlands, Metzler Ranch and Centennial parks will be included in future capital planning.
The Castle Rock Parks and Recreation Department has contracted with professional landscape architecture firms to engage residents in the process of renovation planning.
Design Concepts was awarded the design contract in February 2020 to work with the community on creating the overall improvement plan for Butterfield Crossing Park; DHM Design was also awarded in February 2020 to develop plans for Mitchell Gulch and Plum Creek area parks.
Both firms first met with Parks and Recreation Department staff to review current and future programming needs and maintenance issues and discuss potential enhancements for each site. Using these discussions as a starting point, the firms then posted surveys and online forms in June 2020 to help convey needed repairs to community members and to solicit public feedback for improving these older parks.
After incorporating public and staff feedback, renovation concept sketches were created for each park site and posted on the Town’s website (<http://crgov.com/3169/Park-Improvements>) for resident review and comment in fall 2020. DHM Design also created project websites for Mitchell Gulch (<http://www.mitchellgulchpark.com/>) and Plum Creek area parks (<http://www.plumcreekparks.com/>). Comments and ideas from the fall surveys were then compiled and incorporated into renovation master plans for each park along with budget level estimates (Attachments A-D).
The next step in the planning process is to finalize new contracts with the existing design firms to create construction drawings, specifications and bid documents for each site. The design and review process is expected to take 4 to 6 months. Completed plans will be submitted to Development Services for approval and the projects will be distributed for competitive bidding once permits are in place. Construction is expected to begin after future Council approval. Funding will be allocated in accordance with the need based on the bids received.
History of Past Town Council, Boards & Commissions, or Other Discussions
Staff provided updates to the Parks and Recreation Commission at their September 2020 meeting. Commission reviewed public comments for each site and preliminary concepts. Comments were incorporated into the final renovation master plans.
Discussion
Butterfield Crossing Park
Butterfield Crossing Park was constructed over thirty years ago. The asphalt basketball and tennis court surfaces have deteriorated and the Mateflex tiles that were put in place to keep the courts playable have reached the end of their lifespan. The irrigation system also requires significant upgrades and the existing playground needs replacement as well as portions of the surrounding concrete. The 15-year old synthetic turf has also reached the end of its lifespan and the park requires overall accessibility improvements. The scale of improvements provides the opportunity to consider relocating or adding new amenities.
In July 2020, Design Concepts initiated public outreach, which included a general survey in addition to an accessibility survey regarding possible inclusive playground improvements, the addition of a Miracle Field and Special Olympics programming. The results and feedback were incorporated into the park’s draft renovation master plan (Attachment A).
Elements in the plan include fitness stairs, an additional paved path, a relocated and expanded playground, new courts and upgraded restrooms, expanded play opportunities, lighted pickleball courts and enhanced trails within the park. Park and recreation staff will work with The Meadows Metropolitan District 1 and will explore grant opportunities to complete as much of the renovation master plan as possible. Priority will be given to safety and accessibility items first and then enhancements.
Mitchell Gulch Park
Mitchell Gulch Park was constructed over twenty years ago. Park deficiencies identified within the design process included a lack of paved parking, the need for playground replacement, security lighting, the lack of a small structure to contain the portable restroom and the lack of a park sign. The park also contains undeveloped space that could support additional improvements. DHM Design’s renovation master plan for Mitchell Gulch Park can be referenced in Attachment B.
Plum Creek Area Parks
Since two parks require renovation improvements within the Plum Creek neighborhood, DHM Design has been retained to evaluate and create an improvement plan for both sites to take a holistic view of how their complementary amenities can serve the overall neighborhood.
Plum Creek South Park
This park is over twenty years old and contains a playground, half basketball court and site furniture, all of which require replacement. Much of the park property was planned as a future school site. The Douglas County School District has not used the property for this purpose nor have they released it from future consideration. This may limit the amount of funding that can be invested into the project. The property is also used extensively for walking and may have the potential for a more formal trail system. Park deficiencies identified included a lack of ADA access, the need for playground replacement and improvement of trails on the property. The Plum Creek South Park renovation master plan can be referenced in Attachment C.
Plum Creek North Park
The Town of Castle Rock acquired the Plum Creek North Park property from Southwest Greens in late 2019. The park is located adjacent to the Plum Creek Golf Club’s clubhouse and contains the former community pool, tennis courts, a pavilion and walkways. The park is over twenty years old and has not been maintained for several years. A playground previously located on the site was removed several years ago and the tennis court, pool and pool building were removed in December 2020. The Plum Creek North Park renovation master plan can be referenced in Attachment D.
Budget Impact
The Conservation Trust Fund has $4.5 million available for project design, permitting and construction costs. Funding has been allocated to complete the final design and bid documents for each project with priority given for capital replacement needs, safety and accessibility. Alternates will be included to ensure that the projects can be completed based upon available funding. All future contracts for these park improvements will be presented to Town Council for approval before proceeding.
Staff Recommendation
The information in this memorandum is intended as an update only. No action is required at this time.
Attachments
Attachment A - Butterfield Crossing Park Renovation Master Plan
Attachment B - Mitchell Gulch Park Renovation Master Plan
Attachment C - Plum Creek South Park Renovation Master Plan
Attachment D - Plum Creek North Park Renovation Master Plan