Rebecca Dunn, Chair

Michael Smith, Vice Chair

Dan Ahrens

Parks and Recreation Commission

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.

5 -

Present

Chair Rebecca Dunn, Commissioner Dan Ahrens, Commissioner Scott Dowis,

Commissioner Melissa Lindsay, and Commissioner Karly Morkes

2 - Commissioner Michael Smith, and 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.

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."

5 -

Yes:

Chair Dunn, Commissioner Ahrens, Commissioner Dowis, Commissioner Lindsay, and

Commissioner Morkes

2 - Commissioner Smith, and Commissioner Kallweit

Not Present:

PRC 2024-005

Approval of the Minutes

Chair Rebecca Dunn motioned and Dan Ahrens seconded the approval of the

minutes.

"I move to approve the minutes as presented in the packet."

5 -

Yes:

Chair Dunn, Commissioner Ahrens, Commissioner Dowis, Commissioner Lindsay, and

Commissioner Morkes

2 - Commissioner Smith, and Commissioner Kallweit

Not Present:

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

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.