HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Parks Advisory Board 2022-07-21Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, July 21, 2022
Minutes of a Regular meeting of the PARKS ADVISORY BOARD of the
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in the Municipal
Building in said Town of Estes Park on the 21st day of July, 2022.
Board: Chair Geoff Elliot; Members Christian Berry, Donovan
Colegrove, Elizabeth Kostiuk, Vicki Papineau, and Ron
Wilcocks
Attending: Chair Elliot; Members Berry, Colegrove, Papineau, and
Wilcocks; Trustee Younglund; Supervisor Berg; Recording
Secretary McDonald; and Presenters Greg Miles (Estes Arts
District) and Lars Sage (Art Center of Estes Park & Fine Arts
Guild of the Rockies)
Absent: Member Kostiuk
Chair Elliot called the meeting to order at 8:32 a.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Recording Secretary McDonald reported that some downtown business owners asked to
be notified in advance when downtown power washing is scheduled. Notice of the July
26-28 service is featured on social media.
ARTS COMMUNITY UPDATES
Chair Elliot welcomed Greg Miles, representing the Estes Arts District (EAD), and Lars
Sage, representing the Art Center of Estes Park (AC) and the Fine Arts Guild of the
Rockies (FAGR). Prior to their presentations, Chair Elliot summarized the PAB’s activities
and discussions to-date surrounding an Arts Master Plan (AMP) and the Town Board’s
position that an AMP is desirable but not as a Town-managed endeavor. Resources from
AMP legwork already done by the PAB will be available to the arts community.
Presenter Miles, EAD President, explained the history and current leadership of the EAD.
Town Administrator Machalek had presented the AMP as a possible project of the EAD,
and the organization is willing to take on this project; connections in the creative districts
of Greeley, Steamboat Springs, and Salida will be good resources. Base funding for the
AMP may be offered by the Town, and the EAD would work with grant writing contacts
and its own executive director to develop the document. Presenter Miles also explained
the FAGR’s support and production of local music festivals, mural work throughout the
community, and collaboration with Estes Park High School (EPHS) art students. The
FAGR is committed to increasing the cultural footprint in Estes Park.
Presenter Sage, AC Gallery Manager and FAGR Board President, reported that the AC
is in its 35th year and wants to be a voice in the AMP because it believes that Estes Park
Parks Advisory Board – July 21, 2022 – Page 2
should be an arts destination. The FAGR celebrates 65 years in 2023, and is hoping for
the development of a permanent space for theatrical and other performance art.
Both presenters indicated a strong desire for the Town to support the local arts community
in their efforts to develop the AMP.
TRUSTEE LIAISON UPDATES
Trustee Younglund reported that the Thumb Open Space (TOS) Dedication was an
enjoyable, successful event.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES DATED JUNE 16, 2022
It was moved and seconded (Papineau/Berry) to approve the June 16, 2022, meeting
minutes, and the motion passed unanimously.
THUMB OPEN SPACE DEDICATION
Supervisor Berg advised that the TOS ribbon-cutting ceremony went smoothly, and that
two guided climbing organizations are already active at the site; a third application was
just approved. Since the parking area can handle only 4-5 cars per day, Supervisor Berg
does not advise actively advertising the area beyond the Mountain Project website,
mountainproject.com. Further work at the TOS includes replacing the pump house
building and improving accessibility for climbers and other users with disabilities. Access
Fund will be a resource for developing accessibility for adaptive bikes, and the Rocky
Mountain Conservancy will be a resource for developing the emergency access trail.
VETERANS MONUMENT DONATION: SPACE FORCE ROCK
Supervisor Berg reported that the AIPP donation of the Space Force Rock was approved
at the July 12 Town Board meeting. Development and installation details are being
planned.
MRS. WALSH’S GARDEN
Supervisor Berg reported that Mrs. Walsh’s Garden will host its annual Garden Day event
on July 28, and that Merle Moore’s hosted walks in June and July were extremely
informative and well attended. Recording Secretary McDonald explained that the Mrs.
Walsh’s Garden webpage now has a tab providing event details; Member Papineau
stated that the Pikas in the Park scavenger hunt also draws visitors to the area. Trustee
Youngland will speak with a contact regarding placement of promotional brochures in
area lodges. Garden projects include reconstruction of the patio area, further plantings,
and development of the waterfall, where hummingbirds converge in the morning.
PARKS UPDATE
Supervisor Berg advised that Parks staff have been working on noxious weed control
since the Fourth of July. Trailblazer Broadband is working to expand service at the TOS.
The fall protection area is being developed at the Big Thompson Recreation Area, which
should officially open in August or September. The easement between the river and the
Visitor Center needs cleaned up, but improvements can only be made by the owning
Bureau of Reclamation.
Parks Advisory Board – July 21, 2022 – Page 3
OTHER BUSINESS
Chair Elliot announced that Vice-Chair Poggenpohl had officially resigned from the PAB,
and welcomed new PAB members Donovan Colegrove and Elizabeth Kostiuk. All PAB
members in attendance offered a brief introduction.
Chair Elliot inquired about the status of the Parks Master Plan; Supervisor Berg stated
that funding is still in process
For the August PAB meeting, Chair Elliot encouraged members to help coordinate the
availability of community resources on environmental awareness, wetlands, trails
recreation, and the arts. Such resources could be approved by the Town’s Public
Information Officer for placement as helpful links and/or download on the Parks and PAB
webpages.
There being no further business, Chair Elliot adjourned the meeting at 9:26 a.m.
/s/Lani McDonald, Recording Secretary