Carbondale commission readies June parks tour and prepares master-plan input; new youth commissioners sworn

Chair and staff outlined an active summer calendar linking parks-tour site visits with the 2027 master-plan process. Commissioners were asked to submit their top parks from a staff list (Eric Brenlinger proposed 10 priority parks) so staff can create an efficient June tour route; suggested parks included Hendricks Ranch Park, Miners Memorial Park, North Face Park, Riverfront Park, Stairway Park and Marketplace Park.

The commission discussed master-plan timing and consultant hiring: staff and commissioners said the town will prepare an RFP and hire an outside consultant to lead the 2027 master-plan process and associated public engagement, and that the June 16 trustees work session is an opportunity to preview commission priorities before the consultant process begins. Commissioners emphasized including maintenance schedules, staffing needs and budget implications in planning and flagged existing covenants on some parcels (notably Nature Park) that may limit certain uses.

The meeting ended with introductions of two newly appointed youth commissioners: Quentin Galbraith, a junior at Roaring Fork High School, and Freya, a freshman at CRMS. Both said they planned to participate in the parks tour and help shape youth-focused priorities in the master-plan process. Staff said they will circulate park lists and a Doodle/Google form to finalize the route and participant logistics.