NEDERLAND - The Nederland Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Advisory Board (PROSAB) discussed the impact of the Town’s weak marijuana sales tax revenue for 2024. During the meeting on Thursday, October 17, 2024, the Board was faced with the reality of having lost marijuana businesses and pot-based tourism.  

As the Nederland Board of Trustees (BOT) enters into budget discussions with Town departments on October 29, members of PROSAB asked about the status of the Parks Department’s revenue and budget considerations going into 2025. 

Parks Manager Nicki Dunn stated that revenue from the Town’s special marijuana sales tax, which funds the Parks Department, was far below expectations for 2024. The low revenue was attributed to Colorado no longer being a destination for legal marijuana, and to the loss of Nederland’s only locally and independently owned dispensary, Harvest House.  

With Nederland’s 2024 Sales Tax revenue being below projections as well, Dunn added that alternative funding sources may need to be considered to continue to support the Parks Department, and by extension, PROSAB.

Dunn also presented her staff report, which contained updates on the Nederland Downtown Development Authority’s (NDDA) River Walk project, and mitigation efforts for the Wingate property that was donated to the Town. 

The Wingate property, which runs from the cellphone tower off Highway 119 down into the Big Springs neighborhood, has been indicated by the Nederland Fire Protection District as a high priority area for forest mitigation. Dunn is currently pursuing a grant to fund the mitigation project.

The River Walk project involves improvements to the trail running creekside behind the Boulder Creek Lodge to Chipeta Park, including widening the trail, improving drainage, and addressing ADA compliance. The NDDA is currently in the process of hiring a concrete company to build an S-curve ramp from the covered bridge to the trail. 

Dunn noted that there is a job opening on the Parks Department; those interested in applying can do so through the Town of Nederland’s website.   

Trustee Luke Miller, BOT liaison to PROSAB, delivered an update regarding a proposal from Jesse Seavers, owner of High Performance Earthworks. Seavers is offering to manage, authorize, and insure volunteers through his company for certain PROSAB-related projects including trail building.

Town Administrator Jonathan Cain is currently reviewing Seavers’ proposal.

Miller also provided the Board with an update on the Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Trails Master Plan (PROST). The drafting of PROST is currently on hiatus so it can include recommendations from the Town’s Comprehensive Plan and Multimodal Transportation Plan, which are both in the end stages of their development.

Miller stated that, having reviewed the Comprehensive and Multimodal Transportation plans with the BOT, there was enough data regarding topics related to PROST, such as trail and crossing improvements and connectivity, that drafting of their master plan can commence.  

Dunn added that many of the trail improvements recommended in the Multimodal Transportation Plan are “shovel ready” projects. Board members helped to identify which projects were low-hanging fruit, and those that would require negotiations with CDOT. 

In relation to trail connectivity, Vice Chair Sam Ovett delivered a verbal report regarding his research on land conservation and acquisition opportunities. His research led him into preliminary conversations with local recreation and open space management professionals regarding collaborative relationships with the Town of Nederland through PROSAB. 

Ovett spoke with Forest Service Recreation Program Manager Matt Henry, of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest’s Boulder Ranger District, regarding trail connectivity between the Town of Nederland and the National Forest. 

A proposal also came to PROSAB, through Ovett, from the U.S. Forest Service regarding the Town of Nederland running the West Magnolia campsite. Dunn stated she has heard the proposal before and considers managing the campsite a logistical challenge too big for Nederland’s capabilities and budget. 

Ovett also met with Stefan Reinhold, the Resource Management Division Manager for Boulder County Open Space, regarding the County’s recent acquisition of land near West 1st Street that connects to U.S. Forest Service land. 

Though Ovett specified that portions of the land in question would make for good mountain biking trails, it was noted that public access onto U.S. Forest Service land would remain restricted. Public entry points would need to be considered through private land only.    

The Nederland Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Advisory Board meets every third Thursday of the month at 5:30 p.m. Their next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 21, 2024. Meetings can be attended online via WebEx.

For more information go to: https://townofnederland.colorado.gov/parks-recreation-open-space-advisory-board.