Rebecca Dunn, Chair

Cat Evans, Vice Chair

Robert Coltin

Parks and Recreation Commission

Meeting Minutes

Scott Dowis

Jessica Kallweit

Craig Kinnunen

Melissa Lindsay

Wednesday, November 19, 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. Council

Liaison Tim Dietz was present, as were Parks and Recreation Department staff

including Jeff Brauer, Jeff Smullen, Brian Peterson, Mike Kilman and Maia Yates.

6 -

Present

Chair Rebecca Dunn, Commissioner Robert Coltin, Commissioner Scott Dowis,

Commissioner Cat Evans, Commissioner Melissa Lindsay, and Commissioner Craig

Kinnunen

1 - Commissioner Jessica Kallweit

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 2025-015

Approval of the Minutes

“I move to approve the minutes of the September 17, 2025 Parks and Recreation

Commission Meeting.”

6 -

Yes:

Chair Dunn, Commissioner Coltin, Commissioner Dowis, Commissioner Evans,

Commissioner Lindsay, and Commissioner Kinnunen

1 - Commissioner Kallweit

Not Present:

AGENDA TOPICS

PRC 2025-016

Public Art Updates

Special Project Analyst Maia Yates provided an update to commission members

and staff on recent public art initiatives, including the Big Drive sculpture series

and the Art and Culture Grant Program. Public art in Castle Rock is guided by the

Town’s Public Art Plan and overseen by the seven-member Public Art

Commission, which works to ensure installations and programs reflect community

values, celebrate local heritage, and enhance public spaces.

Town Council approved an art acquisition and installation agreement with DKLA

Design, LLC for the Big Drive sculpture series at Rock Park. The project includes

three large-scale corten and galvanized steel sculptures depicting two cows and a

calf, symbolizing Castle Rock’s ranching and agricultural heritage. The sculptures

will be located north of the Rock Park parking area and are intended to serve as a

signature public art piece for the Town’s 2026 Sesquisemiquincentennial

celebration, marking both America’s 250th anniversary and Colorado’s 150th

anniversary. The total project authorization is $210,000 from the Public Art Fund,

including a $200,000 artist contract and a contingency. The Castle Rock Arts and

Culture Foundation plans to assist with fundraising efforts of up to $100,000. The

Public Art Commission selected the proposal following a national call for art and

review process, citing its strong alignment with community values and western

heritage. Fabrication is expected to begin following contract approval, with

installation anticipated in summer 2026. Commissioner Robert Coltin commented

that he liked the cows.

Town Council also approved funding recommendations for the 2025-2026 Art and

Culture Grant Program, which supports cultural programming, public art and

educational initiatives through the Public Art Fund. Seventeen applications were

reviewed by a panel consisting of Public Art Commission members, Town staff

and a Councilmember, and six projects were approved for funding based on

community impact, artistic merit and feasibility. The approved awards total

$30,683.15 and support a range of creative and community-focused projects.

Commissioner Cat Evans asked whether threshold amounts existed for different

grant types, and Maia Yates confirmed that thresholds are established for project,

program and educator grants. Staff noted that the review panel plans to refine

program guidelines, host informational sessions and open the next application

cycle earlier in late 2025 to encourage broader participation next year.

PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT COMMENTS

Staff provided several updates on current and upcoming initiatives. Staff shared

that the Parks and Recreation three year strategic plan is tentatively scheduled for

presentation to Town Council in December. The plan will be reviewed with the

Town Manager this week and has already been reviewed by the commission. The

plan reflects a realistic budget, emphasizes working within available means and

provides a clear roadmap for staff goal execution. Staff expressed optimism about

moving forward toward approval.

Staff also discussed a complex property transfer at Rhyolite Regional Park

involving an adjacent developer. Town Council has discussed adjustments related

to a prior development agreement that included a reversion clause tied to a

potential middle school site that was never utilized by the school district. The Town

is working between multiple parties to reach an agreement that addresses

neighborhood concerns, property obligations and access changes including an

entry connection from Plum Creek that will affect part of the park entry. Staff noted

that progress is continuing.

Brian provided a construction update on the Castle Rock Sports Center and

Brickyard development. He thanked commissioners for attending the

groundbreaking and described the project as a major milestone years in the

making. Confluence Builders has partnered on the project and previously

purchased the site from Acme Brick. Phase one includes the sports center,

apartments and major infrastructure work including sewer and electrical. Phase

two will include a six story luxury hotel, a great hall with commercial and retail

space, a large conference and convention center, a parking garage and additional

residential. Phase three will add more commercial development. Road

connections are underway and exterior footings for the sports center are in place.

Brian reviewed renderings and current aerial progress.

The sports center design includes a competition pool, spectator seating,

recreation and competition gyms, a weight room, an adventure track, cardio

equipment, group fitness rooms, party rooms and adaptable courts designed for

multiple sports and age groups. Brian clarified that amenities such as basketball

hoops and volleyball nets will be adjustable to maximize use and that pickleball

nets will be the only non-automated feature. Commissioners asked questions

related to adaptability, track length and long term fee integration. Staff noted that

integrated fee schedules are a future goal but not yet established.

Brian also discussed specialty pool systems being used including a precision

competition pool panel system from Italy. In response to questions about pricing,

Brian explained that early approvals allowed the contractor to lock-in long lead

items such as steel and mechanical systems which helped avoid tariff related cost

increases. Confluence’s capacity and early fabrication efforts were noted as a

major advantage.

Additional updates included discussion of adjacent land west of the Brickyard that

remains in development limbo, ongoing coordination with nearby property owners

and progress at Lost Canyon. Staff reported that trail construction is underway

with the first half mile completed and that work will continue through winter as

conditions allow. Civil and landscape improvements, parking planning, signage

and wayfinding are in progress. Coordination continues with Douglas Land

Conservancy and Castlewood Canyon State Park with a shared goal of

connecting trail systems. Staff reiterated the goal of opening Lost Canyon to the

public next year.

Staff also shared an update on therapeutic recreation programming. Fundraising

efforts raised more than $29,000 this year and a Douglas County grant award will

provide approximately $20,000 annually to support scholarships and adaptive

swim lessons, resulting in nearly $50,000 to help offset program costs and

maintain accessibility for families.

Upcoming special events were reviewed as well including the Starlight Market,

Reindeer Games, Storytellers and S’mores, Winter Ball, Flag Day celebrations,

Fourth of July festivities and the Big Colorado Day Festival with both free and

ticketed concerts at Philip S. Miller Park.

COMMISSION COMMENTS

Rebecca congratulated staff on the Brickyard groundbreaking, noting the strong

turnout despite the chilly weather and expressing excitement about moving

forward and the visible community enthusiasm. Tim commented that it was one of

the best groundbreakings he had attended.

Bob thanked staff for the presentations and shared that he recently hiked the new

Santa Fe Quarry Trail, complimenting Timberline’s work and noting it was very

well done. He asked about signage plans and staff confirmed that signage will be

ordered and installed soon, including wayfinding improvements at the top of the

trail where a scenic grassy area overlooks the view. Bob also shared that he

recently joined the pickleball and badminton leagues and gave a shout out to Jim

and Connie Johnson for being welcoming and representing the program well.

Rebecca asked whether Jeff had received his award and staff confirmed that he

had.

Tim expressed appreciation for the group and thanked commissioners for their

service. He noted strong community response to Emerald Park and bocce ball

with potential for league growth and commented on the wide range of high quality

recreational opportunities in Castle Rock, expressing that the parks and recreation

system continues to stand out as top notch. He shared confidence that the

community will embrace Lost Canyon and the new recreation center as well.

ADJOURN

The meeting adjourned at approximately 6:13 p.m.