Rebecca Dunn, Chair

Michael Smith, Vice Chair

Scott Dowis

Parks and Recreation Commission

Meeting Minutes

Jessica Kallweit

Melissa Lindsay

Karly Morkes

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

5:00 PM

Central Service Center

1400 Caprice Drive

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. 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 p.m.

Staff members in attendance included Jeff Brauer, Jeff Smullen, Mike Kilman,

Brian Peterson, Matt Roth, Jennifer Martin and Maia Yates. The Executive

Director of the Castle Rock Parks and Trails Foundation Marne Hansen and

board member Rita Klement were also present.

2 - Commissioner Michael Smith, and Commissioner Melissa Lindsay

Present

1 - Commissioner Karly Morkes

Not Present

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 2025-004

Approval of the Minutes

The minutes of the regular meeting were not approved due to lack of quorum.

AGENDA ITEMS

PRC 2025-005

Lost Canyon Ranch Open Space Events Update

Marne Hansen and Rita Klement shared upcoming plans for community

engagement and fundraising opportunities at Lost Canyon Ranch Open

Space this summer. The Foundation plans to host a series of small-scale

events with an emphasis on conservation to remain in alignment with the

requirements of the easement holder, the Douglas Land Conservancy. These

events aim to offer meaningful experiences and a “sneak peek” of the

property while respecting the natural environment since the property has yet to

be opened to the public.

Planned events include:

Guided hikes - each will include discussions on local history and

archaeology. Due to the lack of formal trails, events will likely use

existing service roads.

Astronomy night - in partnership with the Denver Astronomical Society,

a family-friendly stargazing event will be held near the ranch house on

the lawn area, taking advantage of the dark skies adjacent to

Castlewood Canyon State Park and nearby open space.

Full moon hike - this themed event will feature moon-inspired cocktails

and encourage participants to wear LED accessories. Trail guides will

assist with safety and navigation.

Sunrise yoga and meditation - planned for the north side of the

property, offering a peaceful early morning wellness experience.

Senior driving tour - a possible addition to allow senior residents to

experience the property via a guided driving tour.

Twilight on the Trails Gala on July 12 - an evening gala at the ranch

house featuring tents, furnishings, and a boho theme. Guests will be

encouraged to dress with the motto "party on the top, trail on the

bottom. The event will include coordinated amenities in partnership

with the Town. The Foundation plans to sell 100 tickets, with proceeds

going toward trail development and implementation of the master plan

for the property.

Chair Rebecca Dunn asked when registration would be available and Marne

confirmed that the Foundation is working to ensure registration and event

information will be available on their website, and also noted that volunteer

opportunities will be available to support event logistics.

PRC 2025-006

Endorsing the Lost Canyon Ranch Open Space Master Plan

This agenda item was tabled due to a lack of quorum.

TOUR OF CENTENNIAL PARK RENOVATIONS

Park Planner Matt Roth provided a tour and project update on the renovation

of Centennial Park, a portion of which remains closed to the public during

construction.

The area previously occupied by three asphalt tennis courts and basketball

courts had significantly deteriorated and was no longer functional. The new

design features regulation-sized tennis courts with added run-out areas,

creating a safer playing environment.

A grade extension to the east allowed for the integration of seat walls,

benches, and future shade structures, and the courts will be finished in tan

and green colors.

The redesigned courts will accommodate tennis only and are not intended for

multi-use, precluding pickleball, skateboarding or rollerblading. The courts will

initially operate as drop-in only and will not be programmed or reserved

during the first year of use. Staff may reassess the need for scheduling or

reservations based on usage patterns. If reservation systems are

implemented in the future, standard court reservation fees will apply.

The concrete for the courts was poured in early May and was curing. The

surfacing process will begin after approximately a month of cure time and will

take one to two weeks, depending on weather.

Chair Rebecca Dunn asked when staff anticipate reopening the courts to the

public, and Matt explained they will likely be completed in June or July so will

be able to open in July or August.

Jeff Brauer asked if there were current plans to install windscreens, and Matt

confirmed that there were not.

Matt further explained that survey error was discovered prior to the basketball

court pour, which required an elevation adjustment and the addition of side

“wings” to the court, which will also allow for safer play.

The ADA-accessible pathway to the court area was redesigned and now

includes grading for potential future railings. An old rhyolite wall was also

removed as it was deteriorating and needed to be cleared to accommodate

the expanded court area.

Tree removal occurred where roots were impacting court infrastructure. New

trees will be planted along the east side of the court path.

TOUR OF THE BRICKYARD SITE

Assistant Director Jeff Smullen provided an overview of the undeveloped

Brickyard property. On site, he noted that the project will serve as a major

planned development in Castle Rock and will include the Town’s new Sports

Development Center as part of its first phase.

To date, the site has been cleared of existing improvements, and grading

activities are underway in preparation for future development. Once final

approvals are secured, construction of the Sports Development Center will

begin as led by a public-private partnership between the Town and Acme, the

same builder as Confluence Companies.

A new roadway, Praxis Street, will be constructed to connect the development

to Plum Creek Parkway. The road will be fully graded, constructed and tied

into Prairie Hawk Drive as well. A 10-foot-wide accessible trail will connect

the northern portion of the site through a culvert under the roadway bridge or

across the creek, providing a critical link from the site to downtown Castle

Rock and connecting downtown to Philip S. Miller Park. The site is

approximately a half-mile from both the Miller Activity Complex and Festival

Park.

Staff are working to finalize development agreements, land conveyance and a

trust agreement for the Sports Development Center. Phase I will include the

recreation facility and a bowling alley. Future phases include multi-family

residential, a boutique hotel and additional retail and commercial uses.

Jeff Brauer emphasized that the project is part of an urban renewal initiative,

transforming a long-blighted industrial site into a vibrant, revenue-generating

community hub. The development features attractive architecture, public

greenspaces, and community gathering areas, contributing to a high-quality,

mixed-use district.

The project is reliant on sales tax revenue to help fund construction and

infrastructure improvements. Significant public improvements are included,

such as roadway extensions, drainage systems, and frontage connections.

The project represents the largest Parks and Recreation development to date

in terms of scope and square footage, with the new facility estimated at

145,000 square feet. The Town will own and operate the facility through a

lease-back agreement with its development partners.

Chair Rebecca Dunn inquired about the projected completion timeline. Staff

noted the Sports Development Center is expected to be completed in 2027,

though timelines for other facilities may vary.

In response to a question from Rita Klement, staff confirmed that railroad

coordination is required due to proximity to the tracks for the planned trail.

The alignment has been designed to remain outside of the 10-year floodplain

to avoid conflict, and additional review by the railroad and Public Utilities

Commission is required. The project also takes into account environmental

sensitivities, including habitat considerations for the Preble’s meadow

jumping mouse, and coordination with CDOT is ongoing.

Marne Hansen praised the project’s thoughtful connectivity, which Jeff Brauer

noted has been a central focus throughout the planning process.

THANK YOU TO VICE CHAIR MICHAEL SMITH

Staff and commission members extended sincere gratitude to Vice Chair

Michael Smith for his years of service on the Parks and Recreation

Commission. As a dedicated volunteer since June 2019, Michael contributed

significantly to enhancing the quality of life in Castle Rock through his

commitment to parks, trails, open space and cultural projects. During his

tenure, Michael played a role in the development, design, or support of

numerous impactful projects, including:

Deputy Zack S. Parrish III Memorial Park - A tribute park honoring

fallen law enforcement and serving residents of The Meadows

community.

Cobblestone Ranch Park - A long-awaited park project that now

serves a growing neighborhood with vibrant amenities.

Plum Creek Trail (Southern Extension) - A major trail enhancement

connecting neighborhoods and expanding the Town’s trail network.

Emerald Park - A revitalized community park that transformed an

outdated pool and restroom into a beloved neighborhood amenity.

Mitchell Gulch Park Improvements - Including tennis courts and

playground enhancements.

GOCO Grant Acquisition and the Colorado Front Range Trail

Development - The Town secured $2 million in Great Outdoors

Colorado funding for the Colorado Front Range Trail, linking Castle

Rock east to west and eventually connecting Denver to Colorado

Springs.

Legacy Trail at Gateway Mesa Open Space - A signature natural trail

experience that showcases Castle Rock’s unique geology and

vegetation.

Rueter-Hess Reservoir Access - Support for establishing the Town’s

first nearby flat-water recreation area offering kayaking, fishing, and

more.

Metzler Family Open Space - Preservation of historic structures and

scenic open space, including iconic barns and silo.

Castle Rock Sports Development Center Feasibility Study -

Contributed to the early visioning of this potential community facility.

Purchase of Cantril School - Now home to Castle Rock’s arts and

culture center and TriArts programming.

Butterfield Crossing Park - Renovation of existing park amenities and

the essential additional of the Possibilities Playground, a proud

moment in creating inclusive recreation for families with therapeutic

needs.

Acquisition of Lost Canyon Ranch - A major open space purchase