[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6176630,"mediaKeyId","5345562-1804d64b9fbace46521ff5e03637d2e3","parentId",5345562,"title","Public commenter urges changes to signup policy and raises concerns about homelessness impacts on Boulder parks","audioSeconds",241,"startMs",307000,"endMs",548000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5345562-1804d64b9fbace46521ff5e03637d2e3&start=307&end=548","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5345562-1804d64b9fbace46521ff5e03637d2e3/thumbnail_307000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6176630/Boulder/Boulder-County/Colorado/Public-commenter-urges-changes-to-signup-policy-and-raises-concerns-about-homelessness-impacts-on-Boulder-parks","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6176630-70d8c436550589f52ba25d61929c6904/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141941&Signature=bXQoktUlMWZWI5UAv8fc~XP00imdRVuEszyqR5-KZO4zIMwgnZguZYkHKw6uH2ElM7opady2aMSoE3ELR~I4CLYvPBISTLlkMgc04V3xQuMgKi-icJt-YBspibm6Eywb4MYvxb~snM0y7suIraRPoKcLNbs~qPGKkH1eC5bjll~-Rcs47~Ifgf~UEe6IbGgN57OvQMH4mxjiB3yHNlrKZSHqlB5a7TI7KOWXm749holaO-hHTZmt513PdU1CM~cFVrXmT29~eTP6uFqX-DlxWYZ5Q5gr8ODMFgCZUzzUuHy73JtemxzNa3P7mcudL8RfhJBzyzghKIyLc3hf5BjGtA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Boulder City, CO","date","2025-07-10T04:19:20.947Z","article","During public participation, a resident criticized the board’s advance sign‑up rule for speaking and said homelessness, litter and increased development are degrading Boulder’s park spaces.

Public comment and staff response
- Lynn, a resident, said she was “fed up with all the impact of the homeless in, you know, all my park areas,” described litter and sanitation problems in creeks and asked why the board requires speakers to sign up in advance. “You can’t do your job of providing services to the public for recreation,” she said, and urged the board to act during the budget and CIP discussions.
- Board staff responded that they had contacted the City Clerk’s office to review the sign‑up process and that the department accepts in‑person sign‑ups; staff committed to ensuring the department’s approach aligns across boards.
- Scott said the department works with the city’s outreach teams on “hard spaces” and continues coordinating to keep parks active and safe but offered no immediate operational remedy during the meeting.

Context and limits
- The commenters’ remarks reflect concerns about public space maintenance and safety but were expressions during the public comment period; the board did not adopt new enforcement or operational policy in response during the meeting.

Ending: staff said they will review the sign‑up policy with the City Clerk and continue interdepartmental coordination on park maintenance and outreach.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","6-23-25 Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","A member of the public criticized the board's requirement to sign up for public participation and complained that homelessness and litter are degrading park spaces; staff responded that the board will align sign-up procedures with the City Clerk and noted ongoing coordination on homeless‑related maintenance.","taxTitle","Boulder, Boulder County, Colorado","taxId",3386,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6176634,"Tom Watson park plan advances: 12 pickleball courts and phased improvements proposed",594,6422000,7016000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5345562-1804d64b9fbace46521ff5e03637d2e3&start=6422&end=7016","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5345562-1804d64b9fbace46521ff5e03637d2e3/thumbnail_6422000.jpg","/articles/6176634/Boulder/Boulder-County/Colorado/Tom-Watson-park-plan-advances-12-pickleball-courts-and-phased-improvements-proposed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6176634-97f73487c07a0e3da2002b94f31106e1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141941&Signature=o6WhJ8tbnqugShw61kNZ-5CrgywRgH1ipWGoTEtmCrA7xpy09XuwDoYySIN~YGK-NEaRxh4bTLEzgH-ONgDyb8gtXiaEz5zKaZCNpL3SemZTVOcUdfCIzhBX~HsA8unpIH9t1G6HB5~lx6y9xz1Q5DBhmE6UWxjGuVnX-RsE5k3Fc-Zj6xY46NtAy9MCP~MlRLnFmm1RjrELTXTy9ScPyMnSPg20ePhhWs0j4nBtV1-XpCsVXJ-J~wGZ~tJDxeXB-0hyjJ9~oMeQmqks7HiNaMk8r1mk-NuUlYJgIcgmKeuYJNH0VfVKBeWUgGHTtv3LlZPtrIi02RUZh~5UI1LLKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Parks & Recreation planning staff updated the advisory board on Tom Watson Park site plans that would install 12 dedicated pickleball courts, reconfigure circulation and add new site amenities in a two‑phase project.

What was proposed
- Mark, a parks planner, and Matt Pilger of the planning and design team presented a concept with 12 pickleball courts, improved pedestrian corridors, concrete walkways, lighting, fencing, new trees/landscaping and a future plaza and nature‑play area. Matt described the site as “somewhat complex” because of existing constraints and code requirements.
- Phase 1 focuses on new courts, sidewalks, primary circulation and safety improvements; staff said construction drawings are advancing and staff expect to advertise under existing city contracting mechanisms to shorten procurement time.

Schedule and budget
- Staff outlined a schedule that aims for construction in 2025 with substantial completion in late 2025 and final site wrap by winter. The team estimated phase‑two elements (restroom replacement, parking resurfacing, furnishings and landscape) at roughly $500,000–$600,000 and said phase 2 is currently unfunded.

Design and community considerations
- The design keeps existing trees where feasible and includes screening and shade improvements. Staff said they are coordinating with bike‑access ideas and are reviewing heat‑ and pedestrian‑safety issues; they also plan to salvage existing furnishings where possible.
- Board members asked about phasing to allow smaller, prioritized work packages (for example lighting and wayfinding first); staff said phased delivery is possible and likely given funding and permitting constraints.

Next steps
- Staff will continue to advance construction documents and coordinate permitting; a phased approach could allow the highest‑priority pieces to move forward within current funding and contractor availability.

Ending: staff stressed that phase 1 is actively advancing with construction procurement underway and that phase 2 will need additional funding or philanthropic support to complete.","Staff presented concept designs and a phased schedule for Tom Watson Park, proposing 12 dedicated pickleball courts in phase one and a second phase for restrooms, parking resurfacing and additional site work.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6176640,"Boulder parks staff weigh fee and membership changes, including reservoir access and third‑party subsidies",1823,3310000,5133000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5345562-1804d64b9fbace46521ff5e03637d2e3&start=3310&end=5133","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5345562-1804d64b9fbace46521ff5e03637d2e3/thumbnail_3310000.jpg","/articles/6176640/Boulder/Boulder-County/Colorado/Boulder-parks-staff-weigh-fee-and-membership-changes-including-reservoir-access-and-thirdparty-subsidies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6176640-a700fb20fbb4b9e7cb6c6228953b18de/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141941&Signature=gLednNVAGWGCpu6py-lxdhEGOYJCPm6~rBCyTKG-gP1c~itDjKLnGf85K3Qh--Tfwq3bxAYKWwpd2COIXaDjk6D4LMsr3eukuvMsuXdhc3rakfLyZUpIR612fwUWYhUbBfRIxfLmU2yWJ7obL5Hckcg9HEqIw45s0egA6JEAsODLCdRnReLTbmdBnCXBE9NGpPSX9z3FO44oxDjOKyJ8y3Rz41axDJJZMIQgjRajkhQDZ5pktySndI3lvFawY1890zCF~LCOIJyYjBK0eFvdC6wIp8kg9pYItMQDoUKnwiRemwzcDnIGrFNJ4p5OLd2O8Cooz68fhO22nytQqW1Iqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City of Boulder Parks & Recreation staff told the advisory board they are reviewing membership structure and fee policy to increase revenue and meet cost‑recovery goals while maintaining financial assistance for low‑income residents and partner programs.

Staff said the goal is to balance revenue generation with equitable access. “We are very committed to equitable access,” Stacy, a department staff member, said, noting the department’s financial aid program and age‑based discounts.

What staff presented
- The department is updating a fee policy adopted in 2023 and the 2024 fee schedule and said it will finalize membership structure work in the third quarter for possible implementation in early 2026.
- Megan, a recreation staff member, said the department’s average current recovery per facility entry is below target: staff estimated a roughly $2.67 gap between current average recovery and the $9.46 per‑visit level they estimate would meet a 67% cost‑recovery target for facilities.
- Staff flagged that third‑party entries (for example, entries tied to insurance programs such as SilverSneakers) are heavily subsidized under existing contracts and contribute to the skew in who is paying full price.

Reservoir and outdoor facilities
- Staff said the Boulder Reservoir’s business model is different from recreation centers and that fee levers — including separate access charges for the reservoir or a “premier” pass that bundles all facilities — will be explored. “We want to bring you some levers… for instance, should the Boulder Reservoir be able to be accessed without having access to everything?” Megan said.
- The board asked about using fees to discourage motorized recreation at the reservoir; staff said rate design could be a tool but that any change would follow broader community engagement and a future master plan.

Equity and program impacts
- Staff warned that low cost‑recovery programs are often mission‑aligned offerings that serve vulnerable populations; cutting those solely for revenue would conflict with parks and recreation goals.
- The department plans community outreach later in the year and said any fee changes will include communication and phased implementation to avoid abrupt service loss.

Process and timeline
- Staff said they will present membership‑structure options in Q3, refine proposals with community input and align fee changes with implementation of new recreation management software.
- Staff emphasized they will not present fee proposals that intentionally reduce current revenue targets.

Ending: staff will return with concrete membership options, benchmarking and a community engagement plan before moving to formal adoption of fee changes.","Parks & Recreation staff presented market analysis and membership scenarios intended to increase cost recovery while preserving equity programs; staff said changes could include separating reservoir access and reassessing third‑party entry subsidies.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6176645,"Boulder parks officials outline $10 million city shortfall, propose targeted 5% department cuts and hiring freeze",1067,55000,1122000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5345562-1804d64b9fbace46521ff5e03637d2e3&start=55&end=1122","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5345562-1804d64b9fbace46521ff5e03637d2e3/thumbnail_55000.jpg","/articles/6176645/Boulder/Boulder-County/Colorado/Boulder-parks-officials-outline-10-million-city-shortfall-propose-targeted-5-department-cuts-and-hiring-freeze","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6176645-891bcbfdfb05c549a1f01f11653b3983/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141941&Signature=TAOyQ67pi3HS7HOXp-8GUmhA7zQ2DYANYcHtKNXlnRDwFpOcTvsjkAGcTUfcQ~9e5mP8G1LoXkXElwgaDmSNaiF4e~vkCA92rIoMYg~VO5fQWhKF5DymMxoObOKIwDrO9N70Prm8uXYMSaDftup3iootnaxYtZeo~kPIweoRzRA6lwrc~2VqJlc6ZKZR3wsPg~npmPxQ9PFq9tZQWmYf3MTwNmpoOgSOmYl14uHbPW-EPkPkho~TjRoI3NvHXdk9MLQZwMlqlBnhB~UClekaYFPXCevyeWtC7FMix3Aar1Yk~1x1udhUNVDKSk7bV1CeqzsmpNVwwKRoK-KOxDF4bg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City of Boulder Parks & Recreation officials told the advisory board that a roughly $10,000,000 shortfall in city general fund operating revenue will require department-level reductions and that the city has announced an immediate hiring freeze.

The department presented a staff-driven plan that begins with identifying an approximate 5% reduction target in the 2025 approved budgets and favors targeted cuts over across‑the‑board reductions. “They would rather see a targeted approach where it's 10 in 1 area and 0% in another,” Jackson, the department’s business services manager, said during the meeting.

Why it matters: the department funds operations, seasonal programming and capital projects that directly affect recreation services, park maintenance and public events across Boulder. Officials said avoiding layoffs is a priority but acknowledged service-level impacts and cancellations are possible if vacancies remain unfilled.

What staff said and proposed
- Jackson said the city asked departments to identify reductions after the city issued a press release about the shortfall; staff are preparing lists of potential reductions to present to City Council.
- Scott, filling in for department leadership, told the board the city manager’s office will make final decisions about which reductions are implemented. “We are not the sole decision makers in this,” Scott said.
- Department targets and clarifications shared in the meeting included: a 5% planning target across funds as a moving target; flexibility to shift CIP across funds; and that sales tax and recent property tax forecasting account for the largest parts of the projected decline.

Staffing and near‑term operational impacts
- As of the meeting, staff reported 148 currently filled positions and roughly 20 vacancies across the department. Seasonal/temporary staff (nonstandard employees) number about 540, with a typical cap near 550.
- The department said leaving vacancies unfilled for the remainder of the year could save an estimated $600,000–$800,000, representing a portion of the department’s $2,200,000 reduction goal.
- The citywide hiring freeze affects nonstandard and seasonal hires immediately; exemptions for critical positions will be reviewed case‑by‑case by the City Manager’s Office, staff said.

Budget drivers and constraints
- Staff described a projected sales‑tax decline that could reduce the dedicated 0.25¢ sales tax fund by about $1,200,000 and a property‑tax forecast change projecting an almost $2,500,000 cumulative loss over multiple years compared with prior expectations.
- Cost allocation charges (internal service charges for IT, legal, finance and HR) increased substantially; staff said methodology limits their ability to contest the increases.

Capital projects and schedule risks
- The department said it will review capital improvement program (CIP) projects for phasing, delays or reallocation of funds rather than uniform cuts; officials advised against a “peanut butter” approach of reducing all projects evenly.
- Staff noted limited planning and contractor capacity and rising construction escalation as additional constraints on delivering projects on previously anticipated schedules.

What the board asked and next steps
- Board members pressed for historical comparisons to the COVID‑era reductions and for more detailed numbers before the July meeting; staff agreed to return with more documentation and benchmarking in July.
- Department staff will submit a list of potential reductions to the city manager’s office for review and return to the board in July for recommendations on the operating budget and any appropriations the charter requires the board to approve.

Meeting context and limits
- No final policy decisions or layoffs were approved during the meeting. Staff repeatedly emphasized that final decisions rest with the City Manager’s Office and City Council and that proposals presented were part of an ongoing internal process.

Ending note: the department emphasized protecting staff and avoiding layoffs where possible while preparing targeted reduction options to balance ongoing services, capital obligations and fiscal constraints.","Parks & Recreation staff detailed a citywide roughly $10 million operating shortfall and presented options including a targeted 5% reduction across their department, hiring freeze impacts, vacancy savings and possible project deferrals.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public commenter urges changes to signup policy and raises concerns about homelessness impacts on Boulder parks

Tom Watson park plan advances: 12 pickleball courts and phased improvements proposed

Boulder parks staff weigh fee and membership changes, including reservoir access and third‑party subsidies

Boulder parks officials outline $10 million city shortfall, propose targeted 5% department cuts and hiring freeze