Jessica Boehner

Nederland 

The Nederland Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Advisory Board (PROSAB) met on Thursday, December 21, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. to recap new areas for town scrutiny, and to review the 2024 budget.

Temperatures haven’t dropped low enough this season for all of the holiday activities to be in full swing. Transitioning the RINK from the tennis season to the skating season has been challenging because of the leaking surface and the curb. All RINK and PROSAB members are getting together to discuss the GoCo grant and changes to the RINK design. 

Town Administrator Miranda Fisher informed PROSAB that the approval of the Town budget is still pushed back to January 2, 2024, since the governor signed a bill providing property tax relief to residential properties.  Town staff have been working hard to create revenue streams to help Nederland sustainability for 2024. A few of the new sources include paid parking, charging for EV chargers, a sustainability fee, and increased enforcement of speeding tickets. 

PROSAB discussed an update from the Town Administrator, Miranda Fisher, on the BOT’s upcoming animal control discussion. There is currently a gap between who can assist with animal affairs because for Animal Control to help, calls must be within a certain code of enforcement. Boulder County can only assist with matters that are deemed criminal. A new animal control system in town will help deal with situations that are currently problematic. 

The new Tourism Advisory Board (TAB) is expected to be approved in February. This board will focus solely on tourism management with help from Reimagine Destinations and Destination Blueprint. 

The Colorado Tourism Organization (CTO) will assist PROSAB with Chapters 3 and 4 of the Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Trails Master Plan (PROST). An outdoor recreation technical assistant from Reimagine Destinations will conduct analyses for Chapter 3 and rewrite Chapter 4. 

PROSAB members observed the plot where the new Pump Track is possibly to go, and were able to locate utilities underground, including manholes. Currently, there are five feet of cover layer over the piping, and now that American Ramp Company (ARC) has this information, they can update the 2D design based on the utility markings. Once the 2D design is approved, they will begin working on the 3D design. 

PROSAB hopes to recruit more town volunteers to assist with tasks in the spring and summer. A few trails need maintenance, along with other routine upkeep around town. The Board is in the process of organizing a volunteer program that will arrange an effective volunteer system. 

The Nederland Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Advisory Board meets on the third Thursday of every month. Their next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 11, 2024, and can be attended online. For more information go to townofnederland.colorado. gov/parks-recreation-open-spaceadvisory board.