Parker council approves easement agreement, backs sidewalk gap project with state and federal funds

Parker Town Council voted to approve a memorandum of agreement with Robinson Ranch Community Association on Monday to acquire permanent and temporary easements needed to close a gap in sidewalks along the east side of Parker Road.

Town staff told council the association’s appraisal set the easement value at $105,600, and that the funding for the acquisition has been appropriated in the 2025 Highway and Streets Capital Projects Fund. Patrick Burke said the project has about $3.5 million in state and federal funding with roughly a $1.5 million town match; he added that the town has an intergovernmental agreement with the state and is still in contact with CDOT about the schedule and award deadlines.

Burke described the planned alignment and said the work includes a pedestrian bridge crossing a drainage feature; the town will seek to cross drainage at near 90-degree angles to minimize impacts, he said. He explained the easements include 49,614 square feet of permanent easement for the trail alignment and 44,815 square feet of temporary construction easement that will be restored when construction is complete.

Councilmembers asked whether the project had additional funding from CDOT or Douglas County; Burke replied that while the funding was still expected, “there have been some emails from the state that there is a potential of some of the state funding being less than originally awarded,” and that the town would return to council if the award changed and reallocation or reprioritization were needed. He said the project has a deadline to be bid by September under the state/federal funding timeline.

Robinson Ranch initially considered donating easements in exchange for the town installing a sidewalk adjacent to the neighborhood, Burke said, but the association elected instead to accept payment. Burke recommended approval of Ordinance 1.647 on second reading; Councilmember Brandy Wilkes moved approval, Anne Barrington seconded, and the ordinance passed unanimously.

Councilmembers characterized the sidewalks as improving connectivity between existing trail segments and as a safety benefit for residents. Staff said construction would likely span the remainder of 2025 into the next construction season.