Expect to see activity happening down at Barker Reservoir shoreline soon! In March the Nederland Parks, Recreation, Open-Space Advisory Board (PROSAB) was awarded $181,000 for the Nederland Shoreline Trails and Stewardship Project through the Great Outdoors Colorado Resilient Communities Program. Unlike previous years, the grant had to address issues and impacts that have arisen in direct response to Covid.

Since the pandemic began, the western shoreline of the reservoir has seen a record high volume of foot traffic. Last summer, Nederland Public Works tracked parks usage and noted at least a 50% increase in users from the year before. Hot, dry conditions and nearby wildfires caused local forests to be closed to all recreational use. This also resulted increased usage of our in-town amenities.

The goal of the Nederland Shoreline Trails and Stewardship Project is to have a safe, accessible, welcoming space at the shoreline, available for activities like walking, fishing, running, frisbee, ball games, family picnicking, kite-flying, and to support future festivals and events.

Old trails will be widened, regraded and repaired, and new ones will be created to improve accessibility, create flow, and help protect the land. ADA accessible trails will allow wheelchairusers, walkers and strollers to get to the water’s edge. Much needed trash and recycling receptacles and doggie waste stations will be strategically placed to help people dispose of their pet’s waste correctly.

A couple of interpretive signs will be placed to encourage responsible land use and provide ecological and historical information. This area will become an outdoor space for residents and visitors of all ages, abilities and background to enjoy Nederland’s public space at the shoreline of Barker Reservoir.

Directly next door is TEENS, Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides youth services including an alternative high school, outdoor leadership, recreation opportunities, a soccer league and youth employment. A TeamWorks youth crew will be employed through this project for fifteen days to construct and refurbish trails and Chinook students will assist visiting artist Jayson Fann in creating an interactive art installation.

Fann is often listed up there next to Andy Goldsworthy in terms of nature art, and has been featured in Audubon, NY Times, modern met and more. He uses sustainably harvested materials to create what he calls “Spirit Nests.” The nests are fun for all to interact with once built, but he intertwines environmental education into all of this by engaging youth in the actual making of the nests, regularly collaborating with schools and youth groups.

“I want to get young people excited about the world that we live in and passionate about how all things are connected,” he says. Built by youth and used by children and families, this part of the project will break down barriers to the outdoors. For this component, we need to source wood of all diameters and lengths.

Freshly cut willow, cottonwood and other more flexible woods of at least 5ft in length are ideal, but Jayson can also create seating out of large pine logs, or fir, oak, etc. You can drop off the wood at a designated area at the Nederland area Forestry Sort Yard, or hopefully, at select other locations in and around Boulder County soon.

A portion of the land was a former sludge pond reclaimed from the Town of Nederland Wastewater Treatment Plant when the plant was upgraded. This area, Barker Meadow, will see some minor grading and drainage work. Reseeding will return the area to a natural meadow, with the intention of providing a functional space for future community gatherings.

As long-term maintenance is an important factor for Nederland, this project focuses on creating lowmaintenance features and using sustainable components. This means choosing hardy, drought tolerant grasses and native species. Preserving this open space will also increase habitat for native species and pollinators. Native trees, shrubs and thoughtfully placed benches will be planted and placed around the fenced perimeter of the current Wastewater Treatment Plant to vastly improve the wildlife habitat, visuals, shelter, and offer visitors shade.

This project doesn’t include turf or irrigation for Guercio Ballfield. GOCO rejected this component from consideration in late 2020. This means that there won’t be a pristine ball field coming from this round of funding, but the space will remain open for future community events and remain accessible for emergency flight for life landings and ambulance pick-ups. The Resilient Communities Program addresses pandemic related stressors only.

The limited budget for this project means that the PROSAB does not have the ability to add any new components to the scope. Nothing more can be added at this time, but the future could and should still hold further improvements and additions to Barker Meadows Park.

There are many opportunities and ways for volunteers to get involved, from laying down crusher fines (finely crushed rock for trails), to plantings, mulching, weed pulls, workshops, to donating wood or funds to help house the artists and workshops. Hop in on any virtual PROSAB meeting to get involved, third Thursdays of every month at 7 p.m., accessible through Nederland Town website: www.nederlandco.org

Visit the PROSAB grant page to learn more about the project and follow updates at www.nederlandco.org/ goco- resilient- communitiesgrant/. Or email the PROSAB Chair at jessie.prosab@gmail.com