Westminster presents draft parks, recreation and libraries vision after broad public outreach

Westminster city staff and consultants on Monday presented a draft Parks, Recreation and Libraries vision plan that summarizes community engagement, current conditions and 125 proposed actions intended to guide PRL policy and investments over the next decade.

The plan, presented by Eric Otzelberger, Acting Director of Parks, Recreation and Libraries, draws on input from ‘‘more than 3,500 community members and stakeholders,’’ benchmarking and market analysis. Otzelberger said the plan is intended as an operational tool to help prioritize capital spending, update the capital improvement program and align departmental goals with the 2023 city strategic plan.

City parks and open space account for a substantial share of Westminster’s land and use: staff reported about 63 parks, seven recreation centers, 126 miles of off‑road trails, roughly 3,817 acres of open space and a system that generates about $12.5 million in annual revenue. The presentation noted that the department’s five‑year average revenue recovery is roughly 35 percent — above national averages cited by consultants — and that staff identified 125 specific actions in Appendix J of the draft.

Councilors focused questions on three themes: equity and distribution of amenities, measurable performance metrics, and partnerships to expand access without building large new facilities. Mayor Pro Tem and several councilors asked whether the draft’s proposed four maintenance districts could improve operational efficiency and reduce ‘‘deadheading’’ time for crews; Otzelberger said districting is an operational change staff is pursuing to reduce travel time and better station maintenance resources. "We have an interplay between FTE, temporary staff and seasonal work," Otzelberger said, and districts would help match staffing to local needs.

Councilors asked whether program pricing and scholarships were producing equitable access. Otzelberger noted the department has a scholarship program and said no one is turned away from programs for inability to pay; he also said staff will follow up with more detailed demographic and program‑use analysis for council. "We can put our heads together and share that and also share our scholarship program," he said.

The draft lists estimated order‑of‑magnitude capital costs for new facilities (staff cited a neighborhood park at roughly $8 million–$10 million, an outdoor aquatic center at $30 million–$37 million and a rec center at $75 million–$85 million) and observed that the city’s current capital budget averages about $6 million–$8 million per year. Otzelberger repeatedly framed the plan as prioritizing ‘‘take care of what we have’’ while identifying expansion opportunities where funding and partnerships permit.

Consultants and staff described implementation tools including improved asset management, irrigation and water‑use upgrades, and targeted partnerships with entities such as Highland Hills, the Westminster Historical Society and Jefferson County Library. Staff also said they are exploring short‑term, lower‑cost measures for the north area of the city, including a potential rebate program to allow Westminster residents access at nearby Broomfield facilities while longer‑term solutions are evaluated.

Next steps: the project team opened a final month of public engagement, including advisory board briefings and an online review period; staff scheduled a physical open house on Jan. 29 at City Park Rec Center from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. and requested written comments by the end of January. Otzelberger told council he plans to bring a finalized PRL vision plan and the companion library master plan to council for consideration in March.