The Nederland Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Advisory Board (PROSAB) met on Thursday, February 2024, at 5:30 p.m. to review their addition to the April ballot and talk with SE Group representatives about Nederland’s new comprehensive plan.

As a result of many public comments to them and to the Board of Trustees, PROSAB decided to add the pump track to the April ballot in order to test its popularity. The language of the question on the ballot was approved unanimously: “Would you support the Town permitting the construction of an asphalt pump track in Chipeta Park between the basketball court and parking lot?”

Attorney Jennifer Madsen was present for this part of the meeting in order to help explain the details of the Fair Campaign Practices Act (FCPA). The FCPA states that you cannot use public money to urge voters to vote in favor or against a ballot question. This means that PROSAB can’t use Town meeting spaces, the Town website, or staff time to advocate for the pump track. Outside of PROSAB, board members are allowed to advocate for the pump track as individual members of the community.

Municipalities and counties are authorized to prepare comprehensive plans as long-range guiding documents to assist communities in achieving their vision and goals. The Town of Nederland is beginning the process of updating its Comprehensive Plan, and is seeking input and ideas from the community through an online survey.

Two members from the SE Group spoke with PROSAB during their meeting to ask questions about parks, recreation, open space, and trails. The Board members requested access to the survey results from the SE Group in order to better understand the public’s needs going forward.

To continue updating the Parks, Recreation, Open Space, Trails master plan (PROST), a member of the Colorado Tourism Organization made edits and suggestions to chapters 2-4. PROSAB is implementing those updates and will resume making edits to the PROST in the coming weeks.

Board Member and Parks Manager Nicki Dunn visited the new site for Wild Bear Nature Center this past week. She met with Jill Dreves, the Chief Visionary Officer of Wild Bear, to discuss how the Town can work alongside the nonprofit to support the new development. The facility passed its inspection last week, so they are now moving on to plumbing and framework.

January’s snow allowed for the RINK to finally open. The Colorado Avalanche Amateur Hockey Team came to Nederland and spent the day teaching kids how to skate and play hockey. There was even a special appearance from Bernie the Mascot. If weather permits, the RINK will continue to host more fun events throughout the rest of the season. For more information on Disco nights, Family Stick and Puck, and other events, visit https://nedicerink. wixsite.com/nedrink.

PROSAB is meeting this week to resume progress on changes to the RINK with the Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) grant. A mediator is now involved with the project to ensure that the town and GOCO are on the same page regarding design execution.

The Nederland Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Advisory Board meets on the third Thursday of every month. Their next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 21, 2024, and can be attended online. For more information go to https://townofnederland.colorado. gov/parks-recreation-open-space-advisory-board.