Boulder Parks advisory board begins 2026 budget review, hears update on South Boulder rec center funding; elects Jenny Robbins chair and Andrew Bernstein vice‑​

The Parks & Recreation Advisory Board on Monday received a detailed briefing on the department's 2026 budget development and six‑year capital investment program and heard that the proposed new South Boulder recreation center does not yet have funding for design or construction.

Director of Parks and Recreation Ali Rose told the board the council and finance teams are focused on aligning scarce dollars with the city's highest priorities. "The key messaging that we continue to hear from the city is that we need to put our dollars towards the highest and best use," Rose said.

The board also completed routine business: it inducted new members, then elected Jenny Robbins as chair and Andrew Vernon Bernstein as vice chair by roll call.

Why it matters: The Parks department faces constrained revenue forecasts for 2026 and beyond, officials said, driven by slowing sales and property tax growth and cost escalation on capital projects. Several large projects and potential ballot measures — including work that could fund major building replacements such as a new South Boulder recreation center — are being shaped now for possible 2025–26 ballot consideration.

Budget and capital highlights

City staff said the department's operating and capital budgets will be shaped by a constrained financial…