John Scarffe, Nederland.  The Nederland Public Works Department asked the Nederland Board of Trustees to approve a grant request for improvements to Chipeta Park during a regular meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 1, at the Nederland Community Center. Public Works Director Chris Pelletier presented a resolution to request funds from Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) for the rehabilitation of Chipeta Park and improve ADA accessibility.

“The project will include a paved path from the parking area to the kids’ fishing dock, rebuilding the fishing dock to be ADA compliant, improving and beautifying the Veterans’ Memorial, repairing the Tungsten Trail next to the Weir Bridge, and adding park benches and a picnic table, Pelletier wrote to the Board.

“I have community support for the project and have secured multiple donations to make the project successful,” Pelletier wrote. “I also have the support of Parks Recreation Open Space Advisory Board (PROSAB). This project will meet their goals of improving the Tungsten Trail.”

In an October 19, 2016 memo, Pelletier wrote that he is working on a grant to rehabilitate Chipeta Park, and the primary goal of the project is to provide better ADA accessibility and to rebuild the fishing dock for ADA use. “We will also be improving trails, adding benches and beautifying the Vets memorial. Nederland will install a sign recognizing all who have supported the project.”

This project was briefly introduced at the October 18th Board meeting. “Several suggestions were made at this meeting including moving the trail closer to the east side of the pond, using more sustainable materials and utilizing the recommendations of a Riparian Study performed on the area as a guide to restoring native plants and trees. All of these recommendations will be taken into consideration.”

The grant is to support a $60,000 project. The Town is requesting $45,000 and is required to match 25 percent, a cash match of 10 percent or $9,165, with the rest being in-kind work, according to background.

Some maintenance will be required. The park benches are expanded metal, supported by PROSAB, and will require minimal maintenance. The fishing dock will not require more maintenance than the one that already exists and, depending on the materials used, could be improved to reduce maintenance.

“The trails will require some upkeep,” according to background. “When constructed properly they should be slightly elevated to shed water and reduce potholing.

“The asphalt trail was chosen to further reduce the need for maintenance and make this section more durable for higher traffic. This type of surface will better serve wheelchairs and other walking aids. If we choose to plow, it will better withstand the normal abuse of plowing.”

In a letter to the Board, Kris Hess, PROSAB Chair, expressed support for the project. “The proposed improvements to Chipeta Park meet three specific goals within the Nederland PROST Master Plan.”

The goals include making facilities ADA‐compliant to increase accessibility of public facilities, paying attention to the recreational needs of youth and seniors, and developing the Tungsten Trail along Middle Boulder Creek and the western shoreline of Barker Reservoir as a river walk.

“The Nederland PROSAB has been involved in the conceptual development of the proposed improvements for Chipeta Park. The Board feels the proposed improvements of asphalt and crushed gravel trails offer surfaces for increased use of the park by a more diverse set of users and will also encourage new user activities,” according to the letter.

“The PROSAB feels strongly that this project will have a large impact on those in our community as well as visitors to the community who require increased accessibility to enjoy our public spaces.”

Pelletier told the Board that the resolution will request grant funds from GOCO that support community recreation. The intent of the project is to improve the park and build some trails.

Trustee Kevin Mueller asked if they considered a surface as opposed to asphalt, and Mayor Kristopher Larsen asked if it is ready to build. Pelletier said it is essentially ready, and they did consider materials other than asphalt.

“I’m not going to the mat for asphalt,” Pelletier said. “Crusher fines are cheaper, but I prefer a hard surface for the parking lot. The project can be molded as to what we want.” It can start in the spring.

Town Administrator Alisha Reis said that, at this point, this is a conceptual design. Town Code requires that any public project go through the Planning Commission, and they have about six months to consider the project if awarded.

Mueller said the focus should be on making the Weir Bridge ADA accessible. Trustee Julie Gustafson said she was impressed with other folks being willing to throw resources behind the project. “That is a valid need -- people moving safely from the parking area. If you improve the trail around the pond, you can get people to stay on the trail. When people know where to go they’re going to have less impact on the area.”

Larsen said Public Works has pulled together a great proposal. The Trustees will have to get input from PROSAB and others before committing to construction plans.

Trustee Topher Donahue said he has spent a lot of time around the ponds, and that the aspen grove is really heavily used. He was concerned that putting in a trail will increase the traffic between the trail and the water.

Mayor Pro-Tem Charles Wood said he is in favor of the grant, and he made a motion to approve the resolution. The Board voted to approve the motion and the Chipeta Park grant application.

The next meeting of the Nederland Board of Trustees will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, November 15, 2016, at the Nederland Community Center.