Former parks chair urges signage, safety fixes as Loveland board elects officers

The Loveland Parks and Recreation Board elected Doug Hearn as chair, Chris Redmond as vice chair and Grant Galloway as secretary during an organizational meeting, and heard a public comment calling for safety and signage improvements at two neighborhood parks.

Former chair and secretary Sheri Hamlin, who identified herself as living at 118 Canonade Drive, told the board the body’s work "matters" and asked members to sustain momentum on parks projects. Hamlin urged renewed attention to signage at Tomahawk Trail so the park "deserves to stand proudly among other parks in our system," and pressed the board to make meaningful repairs to the steps at West Level Nature Preserve, which she said have been discussed for about six years.

"These steps are steep. The asphalt is broken and jagged. Moss accumulates. There are no handrails," Hamlin said, describing the section where she could not safely traverse the trail after a leg injury: "I couldn't maneuver them safely." She characterized the request as one of safety and accessibility rather than aesthetics.

Board members and staff agreed to inspect the West Level steps and look for short-term interim fixes, such as a temporary rope railing, while working toward a longer-term CIP solution. Staff said they would take photographs of Tomahawk Trail to scope appropriate signage and return to the board with options.

In procedural business, the board approved minutes from the Nov. 17 meeting after a motion and second; Nolan Snider announced an abstention because he said he was not present at that meeting. The board also completed roll call and the officer votes by roll call with members present recorded as voting in favor.

The meeting concluded after brief committee comments and an adjournment vote.