Jessie Ansari, Nederland. Nederland’s Parks, Recreation and Open Space Advisory Board (PROSAB) members would like to get public feedback on the shoreline park development. Please stop by Guercio Field on August 4, 2019, from 10 a.m. to  noon for a walk-around. Share what is most important to you. Also plan on visiting the PROSAB table at the Nederland Farmers Markets on Sunday,  August 11, 2019, to pick up informational leaflets and fill out mini surveys to collect public comments. There will be a third walk-around at 10 a.m. to noon on Sunday, August 18, 2019. 

Board members are seeking approval from the Nederland Board of Trustees to focus their attention on the Priority Improvements as listed in the 2013 Nederland Area Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Trails Master Plan. The Parks Advisory Board would like to submit 2019 GOCO (Great Outdoors Colorado) grant in order to begin implementing the first four priority improvements as listed on pages 46-47 of the 2013 Master Plan: “Existing soft-surface trails improved by widening and resurfacing, addition of benches and creekside boulders. Improved stormwater management. Natural areas and water access. Bioswale filtration areas established to protect water quality. An open area serves as a community gathering space. The existing ballfield is converted to a multi-use lawn, which includes improvements to turf, stormwater drainage, irrigation.”

These initial priority improvements were well supported by the community in 2013 and won’t require the full grant amount. Local non-profit Wild Bear also hopes to apply for a 2019 GOCO grant to assist with their creation of a north Nederland park including a nature education center and natural play area. In June 2019, the Parks Board received a request from Wild Bear’s Jill Dreves to consider collaborating on the 2019 grant. The Nederland Parks Board is interested in the possibility of writing a grant in partnership with this local non-profit for funds to begin creating two amazing new parks and open space areas that will benefit the Nederland community; Barker Meadows Park, and the Wild Bear Nature Area.

Wild Bear was key to preserving the 200 acres now known as Mud Lake Open Space. Volunteers hauled out tons of trash and restored the wetland habitat. Wild Bear purchased five acres over twenty years ago, and got approval to create a nature center there. Due to historical mining subsidence issues they swapped the land with Boulder County for land slightly further south across from the Caribou Room. Volunteers are currently clearing land of deadwood and trash. Wild Bear have been planning the nature center for many years, and recently held a land party where members of PROSAB met with the public to get feedback about the current parks direction. 

During the time it will take to complete the improvements at Barker Meadows Park, the community will be encouraged to participate in discussions regarding the second stage of park creation. The PROSAB want to know what residents would like to see at the shoreline. Input is wanted from residents about the locations of benches, picnic tables, trees, restrooms. Should it feature any of the 2013 Master Plan Short-Term Optional Improvements, such as a bouldering feature, slackline anchors, horseshoe pits? The 2019 Parks Board has brought in festival event organizers from NedFest and Frozen Dead Guy Days to incorporate the festivals needs into the park design. Current feedback from community members reflects an overall desire for natural looking open space that serves multiple recreational purposes, from dog-walking, kite-flying, picnics and athletics, to festivals and events. Residents would overwhelmingly support native trees and plants to shield the wastewater treatment buildings from view. The board would like to keep a vision on the bigger picture for Nederland Open Space; parks connectivity for pedestrians and bicycles and the eventual acquisition of the land currently occupied by Amerigas and Dillon Developers. There are many historical, legal and financial complications to consider, but the Parks Board hope to set up a special task force in the coming year to focus entirely on acquiring this land for community use.

Learn about the PROSAB/ Wild Bear partnership and share your thoughts about Barker Meadows Park at upcoming PROSAB community feedback meet-ups to be held on location at Guercio Field. Residents of all ages, backgrounds, and interests are encouraged to stop by on August 4, 11 and 18, 2019. The shoreline park and future Wild Bear nature space is for everyone, so we’d like plenty of feedback that represents the community as a whole. Email the Nederland Parks, Recreation and Open Space Advisory Board (PROSAB) for more information at: prosab@nederlandco.org

(Originally published in the August 1, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)