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Parks and recreation leaders outline GO bond projects, facilities needs and revenue highlights
Summary
Parks and recreation staff presented a department overview, said the $41.5 million general-obligation parks bond is being readied for issuance, described planned park and facility renovations and reported record revenue at Broken Tee and Farm and Train.
Christine Underhill, director of Parks, Recreation, Library and Golf, and Brad Anderson, deputy director of Parks and Recreation, briefed the Budget Advisory Committee on last year’s accomplishments, capital needs and the implementation timeline for the November 2024 $41.5 million general obligation parks and recreation bond that voters approved.
Underhill summarized department scope and metrics and said staff will deploy community outreach for bond projects. "Our mission is bringing people together to play, learn, and live well," she said, and added the department will perform at least two community outreach meetings and a survey for each park project and post materials on Englewood Engage.
Anderson reported financial and operational highlights for enterprise and special funds. He said Broken Tee golf course had a record year, bringing in "$3,700,000 in revenue, which was their top to date." He said the golf course fund covers its own capital and that staff are reviewing whether the course will seek a city loan to address urgent roof and attic work discovered in recent inspections. Anderson also reported the golf course bond outstanding balance of about $1,400,000, with scheduled payoff in 2033.
The department credited a strong season for Pirates Cove and the Farm and Train. Staff said the Farm and Train had about 93,000 visitors on opening-day surge and generated nearly $300,000 in revenue; they said total 2024 Farm and Train revenue was "just under $200,000" in another remark. (The transcript includes both figures.)
Underhill and Anderson described capital priorities coming from the GO bond: Cushing Park is expected to begin construction in spring, smaller park renovations to finish in 2025–26 and major projects (Millard Fields and Bellevue Park) and facility projects (Pirates Cove and the Recreation Center) targeted for completion by 2028. Anderson said the city expects to issue bond proceeds in March and to invest them while construction planning and contracting proceed.
Staff discussed deferred maintenance and equipment lifecycles: pool filters and pumps typically have 12–15 year lifespans and some equipment at Powerscope and other facilities is older than that. The Conservation Trust Fund and Arapahoe County Open Space funds were described as recurring local funding sources for parks work and staffing costs in some cases.
Committee members asked about neighborhood engagement, timing, procurement and whether Miller Field would receive a splash pad (not a full swimming pool). Underhill said splash pads were within the bond scope and that any design changes must stay within the council-approved bond project list.
No committee vote was taken on bond spending or contracts at the meeting; the presentation was informational and staff said they are preparing RFPs and design procurement as part of the bond rollout.
