Jessie Ansari, Nederland Parks, Recreation, Open-Space Advisory Board. The PROSAB is finalizing a grant application to send in to Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) for the one-time Resilient Communities Program; a funding opportunity for outdoor recreation, and stewardship that best reflects community needs at this time, in the face of the unprecedented disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program funds immediate needs within the context of capacity and operations support, stewardship and community vitality. The goal of this project is to transform unusable outdoor public space into Barker Meadows Park, a flourishing recreational and natural area for the community. The focus is on creating equitable recreational opportunities that involve no cost for park visitors.

Nederland is surrounded by forests, wilderness and mountain trails, yet there is little opportunity for residents to recreate within town. This disproportionately affects marginalized residents, those lacking personal transport, the elderly and young families. During regular years, Nederland sees high levels of recreational traffic, but due to effects of the pandemic this spring and summer, Nederland parks have seen an unprecedented record number of visitors. Narrow trails and a lack of overall trails mean that visitors are funneled along one path, where they could be spread out much more effectively given the space available. Enhanced circulation is a prominent feature of this project. This year, the restrooms at Chipeta Park were closed and remain closed due to COVID health and safety requirements. An important part of this project includes restroom upgrades such as installing contactless amenities and mechanical doors. These upgrades will allow for the restrooms to be safely reopened. 

Much of the western shoreline land designated as public park space is rarely used due to lack of shade, no trees, no seating, no grass, rocky, uneven ground, debris and lack of trails. A portion of the land designated for rehabilitation, Barker Meadow, was reclaimed from the Town of Nederland Wastewater Treatment Plant when the plant was upgraded to a more sustainable system. This area will remain a natural meadow with space for future gatherings, festivals, and for now, socially distant events. This area needs stormwater grading, topsoil and improved drainage. Around the perimeter, native trees and shrubs will be planted around the fence of the current Wastewater Treatment Plant to vastly improve the visuals, shelter, and shade for the park. Hardy, drought tolerant grasses and native species will benefit pollinators. It will double the amount of prime public park space at the reservoir shoreline area that the Nederland community needs for the moment and for future safely spaced gathering opportunities. 

For the small beloved open-space field, created in the 1970s and formally named the Jeff Guercio Memorial Ballfield, (abbreviated to Guercio Field), this project would restore the field into a functional multi-use recreational space by screening and leveling the ground, installing irrigation, vastly improving the turf with topsoil and drought tolerant grass species. This open space preserves a treasured view of the reservoir from town and East Street. The goal is to have a place available for team sports but also for activities like picnicking, frisbee, festivals and kite flying. Next to Guercio Field is TEENs, Inc., an organization that provides youth services, education and employment. The teens would like to be able practice sports on the field but playing there is a hazard. The Barker Meadows Park Project is taking a collaborative approach by employing a local youth corps crew through TEENS, Inc. The current plan proposes the youth crew be involved in a series of educational workshops held by an internationally recognized eco-artist in construction of a natural playscape installation. The TeamWorks crew would also be employed to help build the park trails. Fostering these kinds of authentic partnerships and engaging local youth labor will encourage land stewardship.

If awarded, this funding will accelerate a much needed parks improvement project and local vision for Nederland, and a realization of priority components of that shared vision first laid out within the Town of Nederland’s 2013 Parks, Recreation, and Open-Space Master Plan.

Here in Nederland we have a unique sense of place - culturally, socially, environmentally and historically. These qualities provide meaning to our community and add both social and economic value. This project features a few interpretive signs in strategic locations that will encourage stewardship and learning about local ecology, wildlife, and historical information such as how Barker Reservoir and Guerio Field got their names. Barker Meadows Park will be a place that honors Nederland’s history, provides for the current moment and serves to preserve limited and treasured open space for future generations. The masterplan-led vision for this outdoor community space will make it a centerpiece of Nederland’s shared community space.

Visit www.nederlandco.org/goco-resilient-communities-grant/ to see the grant application drafts in more detail. Community input is encouraged! Please email your feedback to prosab@nederlandco.org.

(Originally published in the September 17, 2020, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)