Wrangler Park
2012
East Plum Creek Open Space
2009
Stewart Trail
2008
Bison Park Ridgeline Open Space
2013
Madge Trail Red Hawk Trail 2007
Matney Park
2012
Quarry Mesa Open Space Mitchell Creek Canyon Trail Gemstone Park
2006
Hidden Mesa Trail Chuck’s Loop Trail
2004
Castle Highlands Park
2003
Hidden Mesa Open Space Paintbrush Park
2002
Native Legend Trail
2001
Woodlands Trail
2000
Metzler Ranch Park Woodlands Bowl Open Space Gateway Mesa Open Space
1999
Mitchell Gulch Park
1997
East Plum Creek Trail
1995
Memmen Ridge Trail
1993
Miller & Gilbert Park
1992
Paul Hill Trail
1990
John Emerson Summit Trail Castle Rock Recreation Center
1988
Founders Park Rock Park Open Space Sellars Trail
1987
Baldwin Tot Lot Park Butterfield Crossing Park Plum Creek Park Memmen Ridge Open Space Castle North Park
Parks & Recreation
Annual Report
Rhyolite Regional Park
Festival Park
Castle Rock
1985
Mitchell Creek Trail Glovers Park
1983
Centennial Park
1976
Triangle Park
1965
Contents Philip S. Miller Park
4-5
trails 6 open space & natural resources
7
recreation 8---10 parks 11 post partners 12---13 golf 14----15 financial overview 16---17 looking ahead 18---19 Produced by Castle Rock Community Relations in cooperation with Castle Rock Parks and Recreation. Designed by: Karen McGrath and Caroline Kipp Edited by: Caroline Kipp, Karen McGrath, KerriAnne Mukhopadhyay, Kristen Trbovich and Kristin Zagurski Cover photos: Castle Rock Half Marathon (front and back cover) by Katie Russell Photography Photos by: Jeff Brauer, Annette Hayden, Linnea Magee, Karen McGrath, Mark Sims, Jeff Smullen, Lisa Sorbo, Barbara Spagnuolo, Versatile Marketing and Kristin Zagurski
2012
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Castle Rock Parks & Recreation Annual Report 2013
Welcome Hello and thank you for viewing the 2013 Castle Rock Parks and Recreation annual report, which highlights the department’s accomplishments and activities. This past year was exciting as we took many steps toward a major Parks and Recreation project that the community will be able to enjoy in 2014 Philip S. Miller Park. The ground breaking for Philip S. Miller Park took place in May 2013. We were fortunate to be joined by Town Council, who made this regional park one of the top five town priorities, and the newly formed Castle Rock Parks and Trails Foundation. After a year of planning and community feedback in 2012, we have moved forward with construction of phase one of the park. This will include many great amenities including a fieldhouse, outdoor playground, lighted outdoor synthetic field and the possibility of a partnership with private companies, who in the future plan to provide other outdoor adventure opportunities at the park. As this large-scale project gets underway, staff continues to provide excellent Parks and Recreation services to the community with new programs and updates to our facilities. From aesthetic and functional improvements to parks, to expanding our already impressive trail system, to meeting the needs of a growing youth and senior population with programming, the Parks and Recreation staff always strives to exceed the expectations of our citizens. I invite your feedback as we expand and plan for new facilities and amenities. There will be open house opportunities in 2014. You can always find us on Facebook and Twitter, along with our website, CRgov.com/parks and CRgov.com/recreation. In the meantime, please enjoy Castle Rock’s small-town charm and all of the recreational opportunities that are available.
Sincerely,
We are committed to service, innovation, community, teamwork and fun.
Mission statement To enhance the quality of life and well-being of the residents of Castle Rock by acquiring and developing parks and trails and preserving open space and offering quality programs and facilities designated to meet the needs of our community.
Vision statement Rob Hanna Parks and Recreation Director
As the Town of Castle Rock’s population continues to grow, so does the demand for more parks, recreation programs and facilities, golf opportunities, interconnected trails and a need to set aside greater amounts of open space. To address these challenges, the department will make the public a partner; streamline operations to make them more efficient and service-oriented; maximize the use of alternative funding sources; and place an increased emphasis on seeking opportunities for regional and local cooperation.
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philip s. miller park
Progress Of all the Town’s park initiatives, Philip S. Miller Park is the highest priority. This project was one of the top five Townwide priorities considered when developing the 2013 Town budget.
• Town Council approved on May 7, 2013, the first contract to start construction. The groundbreaking for the project was held on May 15, 2013.
This year, staff completed a great deal of planning and preparation for phase one the park. The “behind the park” work completed this year included:
• Work Package/Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) No. 1 included construction survey, mass excavation, grading and stormwater improvements, water and sanitary sewer infrastructure, erosion control and materials testing and inspection.
• In January 2013, Parks staff reviewed Contract Management/General Contractor (CM/GC) proposals, interviewed firms and forwarded to Council a recommendation to enter into a preconstruction services agreement with Turner Construction for the Philip S. Miller Park and fieldhouse project. • In March, Parks staff submitted a $250,000 grant application to Great Outdoors Colorado. This effort was rewarded in June with approval of a grant that will be used to help fund the adventure playground and trail system at Miller Park. • Turner Construction worked with the Town and a design team, led by BHA Design Inc., through the winter to complete construction documents and provide constructability reviews and cost estimates for the project.
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Castle Rock Parks & Recreation Annual Report 2013
• Through the summer, Town Council approved two additional work packages with Turner Construction, which now includes all of phase one: • fieldhouse and aquatic center • lighted athletic field • all infrastructure required to build phase one and future phases of the project • landscaping and parking At the park site, many large machines were preparing the ground for vertical construction. In 2013, Turner Construction: • completed all over lot grading • installed storm sewer, sanitary sewer and water line utilities • started the installation of natural gas and electrical utilities • installed curb, gutter and asphalt • began the installation of the foundation system for the fieldhouse
Phase one Construction of Philip S. Miller Park began in May 2013. The Parks and Recreation Department is excited to present phase one to the community and is eagerly anticipating the grand opening in 2014. All of the elements in phase one came from community feedback and were chosen based on the most urgent parks and recreation facility needs in our Town.
*Fieldhouse More than just a fieldhouse, this new center is a two-story 64,500-square-foot building that will include: • aquatics center • four-lane lap pool • leisure pool with zero-depth entry and play features • vortex play area • water slide • two party rooms • locker rooms • indoor youth play area • 1,900-square-foot indoor play area geared toward toddlers and young children • synthetic turf field and warm-up area • 85-by-185-foot field for indoor sports and fitness classes • 75-by-105-foot warm-up and practice area with drop-down batting cages • trampoline play area • 85-by- 42-foot area designed with wall-to-wall trampolines
Lighted Outdoor Synthetic Turf Field • 240-by-360-foot field with lights for needed additional athletic programming space • Park pavilions: Three pavilions set alongside the athletic field. These spaces will make a great gathering place for those using the park.
Adventure Play Area A unique outdoor playground designed to fit within the natural terrain of the park.
Natural Surface Trails More than seven miles of trails moving through the beautiful landscape of the park.
Public/Private Partnerships Castle Rock is working with two separate private companies to enhance the park with some exciting amenities. The Weston Group is examining the viability of a year-round snow hill operation. This could include a terrain park, tubing and downhill slope, along with a restaurant and lodge. Royal Gorge Zip Line Tours is planning a zip-line course through the park. These ventures would be privately operated and managed but would work in partnership with the Town. *All measurements are estimated and are subject to change at build-out.
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trails
Trail projects Hangman’s Gulch Trail and channel improvements The completion of this project means Castle Rock residents and visitors now have a direct path from the Castle Rock Recreation Center to the East Plum Creek Trail and beyond. In addition to being a key link for Castle Rock, the completion of Hangman’s Gulch Trail is also significant for the Front Range, because it forms the “crossroads” of the Colorado Front Range Trail, which will eventually take users to both Chatfield State Park (via the East Plum Creek Trail) and Cherry Creek State Park (via the Cherry Creek Trail). Phase one, a 1-mile segment of 10-foot-wide concrete trail from Front Street to Woodlands Boulevard was completed in 2012. The Town then acquired the right of way for phase two from the Union Pacific Railroad, Scott Family and Colorado Department of Transportation. The second phase added 0.7 miles along the Hangman’s Gulch drainage/open space from Front Street, under Interstate 25, to East Plum Creek Trail. Phase two included two drop structures, seven check structures, improvements to the I-25 and Liggett Road box culverts, debris and storm flow structure beneath the Union Pacific Railroad line, and
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Castle Rock Parks & Recreation Castle Rock Parks & Recreation Annual Report 2013 Annual Report 2013
a spur connection to Liggett Road. Castle Rock Parks and Recreation received a State Trails Grant for $193,166 to assist with construction and shared costs with the Utilities Stormwater Division. Project costs: Phase one: $832,505, 0.8 miles (Budget $843,000) Phase two: $663,198, 0.7 miles (Budget $670,000) Total project: $1,495,703, 1.5 miles (Budget $1,513,000)
Rhyolite Bike Park Project In 2013, the Town added a session zone to the Rhyolite Bike Park. The session zone includes: beginner, intermediate, advanced and return lines totaling nearly a half mile in length; 16 rollers; 10 jumps, 10 berms; and a steel wood decked curved wall ride. The new session zone allows users to develop riding skills at all levels. With help from staff, volunteers and contractor Progressive Trail Design, the sessions zone was completed in May 2013. Project costs: Contract amount: $24,900 In-house labor and materials: $5,000 Total project cost: $29,900
Red Hawk Trail Project Started in 2012, this project aimed to curb erosion issues from the trail that impacted local residents. The trail upgrades were completed in April 2013.
open space and natural resources Colorado Bluebird Project This highly successful program added three more sites (Flagstone Elementary, Woodlands Bowl Open Space and Red Hawk Ridge Golf Course) to the 20 sites previously managed by volunteers. Volunteers checked 130 nest boxes at the 23 sites. There were 540 total fledged birds for 2013, which was a total increase of 21 percent over 2012. Interestingly, the program documented a rare occurrence of pink bluebird eggs in two successive clutches by the same female Mountain Bluebird, in the same nest box. This female laid pink eggs in the same nest box last year.
Trail Protection To protect the East Plum Creek Trail from flooding, parks staff installed pond leveling devices along the creek. These innovative devices are inexpensive, easy to install and allow staff to keep beaver dams intact while controlling water levels.
Trail Directional Signs New trail directional signs were installed at the intersections of East Plum Creek Trail and Sellars Gulch Trail and at East Plum Creek Trail and Hangman’s Gulch Trail. The signs identify the trail as a Front Range Regional Trail and provide direction and distances to important landmarks and destinations.
New Program - Basics of Bird Watching Sixty residents attended the Basics of Bird Watching class held in April at Philip S. Miller Library. The group met a second time in May for a guided birding program along East Plum Creek.
Wild in our Town Town staff, in partnership with Douglas County, hosted the fourth-annual Wild in Our Town program in May. More than 80 people attended the program to learn about local wildlife from Town staff, Douglas County Open Space staff, Animal Control and district wildlife managers.
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Recreation
Admission Daily visits to the Recreation Center • Total daily visits – 9 percent increase over 2012 (316,921 visits) • Senior visits – 11 percent increase (63,500 visits) • Adult visits – 9 percent increase (205,252 visits) • Youth visits – 7 percent increase (48,169 visits) • Family passes –7 percent decrease over 2012 (1,128 passes) Revenues stayed similar to 2012, bringing in an estimated $1.1 million.
Athletics
Special events
Youth program highlights: A partnership with the Town of Parker allowed the youth softball program to expand and provide a much better experience than in prior years. Little Tykes Soccer increased 23 percent with participation reaching nearly 1,000 kids. Cougar Track, which began in 2007 with 35 kids, is now up to 333 kids, nearly doubling 2012’s participation rates. Youth flag football participation increased by 42 players, bringing the total participation up to 413 kids.
Daddy-Daughter Ball: The Beautiful Blue dance brought in just under 1,150 daddies and daughters to the annual event in February.
Adult program highlights: New in 2013, the Athletics Division added spring flag football to the adult sport lineup. This effort came after a successful inaugural fall league in 2012. There were eight teams in the spring, and the fall league doubled in size, growing to 10 teams. Sponsorships: In 2013, the Athletics Division received more than $20,000 in donations/sponsorships from local businesses. Major contributors included Castle Rock Adventist Hospital, Patriot Plumbing, Play it Again Sports, Sports Authority and Image Tek Photography.
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Castle Rock Parks & Recreation Annual Report 2013
Tri the Rock: The eighth annual youth triathlon saw a 12 percent increase in participation over 2012, with 560 racers registered. The event raised $5,600 for local area schools, bringing the race total to over $35,000 donated to physical education programs since 2006. NEW! Castle Rock Half Marathon: 2013 marked the inaugural race series in downtown including a 5-mile run, the Rock Challenge which includes an ascent up the Town’s namesake, and the half marathon, which is run along the beautiful East Plum Creek Trail. The race reached maximum capacity of 400 runners in its first year. Pooch Plunge: The doggie friendly swim at Butterfield Crossing Pool raised $775 for the Dumb Friends League while 280 dogs got a break from the heat in the pool. Pedal the Moon: Under the light of a full moon, more than 100 bikers made their way down East Plum Creek Trail 6-miles to Festival Park where riders enjoyed prizes, snacks and wildly decorated bikes.
Youth programs Adventure Club Preschool: The preschool is licensed by the State of Colorado. The program meets Colorado’s Early Childhood requirements and recommendations and conducts assessments on all enrolled children twice a year. In addition, Adventure Club partners with the Children’s Hospital for RN delegation and trainings. Adventure Club had 81 Pre-K students and 48 Preschool students in 2013. All morning sessions were serving at full capacity. Youth classes: Currently, the youth division offers 25 classes for ages ranging from 12 months to 12 years of age. These programs serve around 550 children per year. Tykes Toyland: Drop in childcare continues to run at full capacity daily. Birthday Parties: With birthday party rooms at Burgess Pool and at the Recreation Center Leisure Pool, the Recreation Division was able to host 413 birthday parties this year. In addition to the leisure pool parties, staff incorporated jumping castle, dodge ball/basketball parties in the Recreation Center Gymnasium.
Fitness Classes: Fitness class attendance has been steady over 2012, with the average attendance holding at 13 per class. SilverSneakers classes are always full with an average class attendance of 21 participants, and the average visits per participant are right around 6 visits per month. The Fitness Division held a survey of class participants and the results were very positive. Overall, customers are extremely satisfied with the classes and instructors. New in 2013: In the fall of 2013, the Fitness Division started using a software program called GroupExPro which helps organize classes, instructors and tracks class attendance. For recreation users there is a live version of the fitness schedule online that includes any changes in instructor, time or location. In the fall of 2013, the fitness division added Barre Fitness. These classes topped the American College of Sports Medicine Fitness Trends for 2013 and 2014, and our attendance numbers have been phenomenal since day one.
R.E.A.L. (Recreation Empowerment and Active Living) The R.E.A.L. program planned 20 fun and exciting events for participants in 2013. Included were paintings on canvas, a Rockies baseball game, karaoke singing, bowling, nature hikes, a camping trip, movie nights, swimming pizza party, and the fifth annual ski trip to Winter Park. R.E.A.L hosted about 180 visits.
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Aquatics Programming: • Adult swim lessons increased 23 percent • SCUBA Open Water Dive increased 20 percent • Stroke/conditioning clinics increased 25 percent • Hosted the second annual Castle Rock Masters swim meet with 93 participants (more than double last year’s attendance) New programs gaining traction: • Home school swim lesson program: provided 203 lessons to kids who are available during the slowest times mid-day on weekdays. • The Castle Rock Dive Team: grew from just in-house diving to a competitive team traveling for meets. The Castle Rock Cruisers swim team increased 16 percent, from 259 participants in 2012 to 308 in 2013. The program is at maximum capacity. New water treatment: Aquatics staff installed Sphagnum Moss in the circulation systems of the lap pool and the hot tub resulting in significant improvement of the water quality and clarity. This cutting edge product naturally breaks down the bio-organics introduced to swimming pools by swimmers. In addition to cleaner and clearer water, the moss helps save on chemical costs by breaking down some of the organic material that would otherwise require oxidation via chlorine. Outdoor pools: Burgess Memorial Pool operated well in its second year after the remodel. Butterfield Crossing Pool saw a slight increase in revenue over 2012, and continues to run at capacity during the summer with the Cruisers Swim Team. Burgess Memorial Pool cost recovery 2011
2012
2013
Revenue
$26,504
$75,467
$70,177
Admission
$7,045
$18,061
$14,911
Cost Recovery
56%
149%
148%
Rink at the Rock
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Castle Rock Parks & Recreation Annual Report 2013
In 2013-2014, the Recreation Division partnered with the Downtown Merchants Association (DMA) to operate Rink at the Rock. The Recreation Division entered into a management agreement with the DMA to provide programming, labor, financial reporting and operations for the rink from Nov. 23 through Feb. 16. Overall, the rink had a successful second season in downtown Castle Rock.
In addition to planning for the next big park in Town, Parks staff spends a great deal of time and effort maintaining and improving our expansive park system. Parks staff completes a wide variety of projects every year that address safety issues and keep our parks and trails functional for our growing community. Below are just a few of the projects Parks staff tackled in 2013.
parks
Butterfield ball field improvements: Parks staff added chain link fence to the existing backstop down the first and third base line. This new fence enhances player safety and increases field use by allowing more teams to safely use the fields. Centennial ball field improvements: Staff expanded the infield to a full-size field so it could be more utilized and programmed for baseball and softball leagues. Mitchell Gulch Park: Staff members constructed a new ball field at the park. Staff brought in 1,100 yards of dirt from Philip S. Miller Park and completed the grading process in early 2013. The ball field was open for use all summer. Rock Park: Staff added 120 feet of smooth strand wire fencing at Rock Park to keep hikers on the designated path to prevent social trails. Staff also added 100 feet of fencing on the west-facing portion of the Rock to prevent wash-outs that were creating an issue for the church located at the base. Metzler Ranch Park: In an effort to maintain the Metzler Ranch Park landscape and for the safety of park users, the Parks team engaged in a project to control landscape erosion due to drainage challenges. Parks staff focused their efforts on landscape aesthetics, durability and safety. The Parks team installed 30 feet of designer cinder block to create a 5-foot retaining wall in a mortar-less system that accommodated the grade change. The new retaining wall adds character and safety to the Metzler Ranch Park Pavilion. Safety: In an effort to protect Town property and reduce vandalism at Butterfield Crossing and Founders Parks, and to assist law enforcement, the Parks Division installed six heavy surveillance and high resolution infrared vision cameras. The Swan Pro Service Ultimate Optical Zoom Security cameras will enable officials to view unlawful activity that may occur in or around the parks. Additionally, this security will enable law enforcement to apprehend, identify and prosecute suspects. Also in November, a 25-foot light pole was installed at Mitchell Gulch Park in order to equip a solar powered camera in efforts to reduce vandalism.
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VOLUNTEER post partners
2013 Program Highlights Approximately 1,100 volunteers contributed more than 3,900 hours to help the department in 2013. For details about specific projects and a list of volunteers and volunteer groups, visit CRgov.com/POSTPartners. Keepers of the Rock: Celebrating their 10-year anniversary of adopting Rock Park, the “Keepers,” in cooperation with Castle Rock’s Teen Court Program, contributed 736 hours to trail maintenance at the park this year. Over the decade, Keepers have contributed 9,881 hours of service, which equates to a $218,765 value in contributed labor. Hangman’s Gulch Trail opening and POST Partner adoption: The Douglas County High School Cheerleaders cleaned up trash along Hangman’s Gulch Trail in preparation for the trail’s grand opening as part of Castle Rock’s National Trail Day celebration. Ray Waterman memorial and Cornerstone tribute: In an effort to leave a living legacy to Ray Waterman, past Castle Rock Mayor and DCHS teacher, Waterman’s family created a Memorial Fund with the POST Partners Program. Efforts resulted in the planting of more than a dozen new trees along Sellars Gulch Trail, where Ray and his wife, Linda, often walked. Key Bank employees volunteered to plant the trees as part of their “Neighbors Make a Difference Day.” With remaining funds, a memorial bench was installed at the end of Cantril Street. Additionally, Town Council unanimously approved a Cornerstone Tribute plaque for Ray Waterman, which was installed near the grove of trees and memorial bench. Tree painting project makes local and national news: Almost 20 scouts, parents and other volunteers from local Boy Scout Troop 765 painted more than 60 select native trees at Hier & Gannon Open Space along East Plum Creek with a sand-paint mix as protection from girdling and felling by beavers. Media coverage of the work included an article in Your Hub, Denver Post and a television interview on KDVR-Denver Fox 31 News. As a result of the news coverage, Parks staff fielded questions from a park manager in Washington County, Utah, looking for assistance with similar tree girdling and felling issues.
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Castle Rock Parks & Recreation Annual Report 2013
Thank you to our sponsors Dog waste stations: Got2Go Petsitting, Plum Creek Veterinary Services, Rest Assured Pet Care, Sparkle Bark, Suzy’s Doggie Delights, Tails Up, and The Pooch Mobile Community garden: Dutch Heritage Gardens donated 50 tomato plants, peppers and miscellaneous herbs Eagle Scout projects and Colorado Bluebird Project: The Home Depot Festival of Trees: Blue Spruce Animal Clinic, Castle Rock Historical Society, Castle Rock Services, Chick-fil-A, Guaranty Bank, Kids Nite Out, Rest Assured Pet Care, Teen Advisory Group (TAG), Treasures on Park St. and the Douglas/Elbert County Task Force, Tropical Paradise, and Wedding Treasures Memorial Bench Program: In memory of Jeff Whitacre at Bison Park, Jeff Maxey along Hangman’s Gulch Trail, and Ray Waterman along Sellars Gulch Trail Memorial Tree Program: Donation from the Daughters of the American Revolution-Parker Chapter and a Flowering Crabapple tree planted in memory of Annabelle Matney at Matney Park Operation Castle Bloom: Dutch Heritage Gardens donated flowers for the Town’s 25 large planter boxes, the bridge column vessels, and many of the Town’s planting beds. Volunteer Connect: Through the Partnership of Douglas County Governments, the Town of Castle Rock collaborated with staff members from Lone Tree, Highlands Ranch, Castle Pines, Parker, Larkspur, Douglas County Libraries, Douglas County School District and Douglas County to develop a new county-wide volunteer portal website,at VolunteerConnectDC.org. Parks and Recreation will be using this newly developed website as a resource to recruiting volunteers for our events and POST Partner activities. Eagle Scout projects: • Construction of 10 bluebird nest-boxes, which were used for site expansion and nest-box replacement – Michael Osborne, Troop 62 in Colorado Springs (38.5 hours). • Construction and installation of six bluebird nest-boxes for site expansion at Red Hawk Ridge Golf Course. These nest-boxes also included snake guards over the t-poles used to hold the boxes – Alex Cromwell, Troop 261 (78 hours). • Four split-log benches installed at Ridgeline Open Space – Ryan Remer, Troop 465 (135 hours).
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golf
Golf operations • Total revenue grew almost 1 percent despite poor weather in the spring and coming off a great revenue year in 2012. • Revenue per round grew by 7 percent, which indicates the course is providing value and that golfers are spending more during each visit. This growth happened without an increase in fees. • Tournament revenue grew by 12 percent, demonstrating that Red Hawk Ridge provides excellent service and a high-quality product. • Men’s Club rounds grew by 6 percent despite the fact that the membership count stayed the same. • An already active and large Ladies’ Club grew by 6 percent compared to 2012. • Co-Ed League membership grew by 19 percent over 2012. This type of golf league is gaining in popularity because it is all about fun and spending time with significant others. • Competitive League membership grew by 24 percent over 2012. This is a positive sign that this type of offering is important to our golf community.
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Castle Rock Parks & Recreation Annual Report 2013
“Congratulations on being designated as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary! You have shown a clear commitment to enhancing wildlife habitat, protecting water quality, conserving resources, and education. Through preserving and managing water, wildlife, and other natural resources, you are significantly contributing to the conservation of biological diversity at a time when the rates of species extinction and habitat loss are at an unprecedented high. Your efforts are contributing to a nation-wide system of lands that are being managed for wildlife habitat and natural resource conservation. Perhaps more importantly, you are helping to serve as a model for making decisions in the future that benefit both business and our environment. As you continue to pursue a higher environmental standard through re-certification, the lasting impacts of your efforts will continue to grow. Keep up the good work!” - Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses
Clubhouse Grill • Food and beverage revenue grew by 10 percent with per-round revenue increasing 17 percent, demonstrating that the Clubhouse Grill is offering quality items and getting them out in a timely manner.
Course maintenance • The maintenance crew added 150 tons of recycled asphalt to the cart paths on the seventh and 13th holes. • Staff finished growing in 8,000 square feet of bent grass on the nursery renovation so that there will be sod for tee box leveling in 2014. • Rhyolite rock edges were put in on the first, second, 11th and 18th holes to buffer cart traffic wear areas. • Drainage lines were installed on the third and 12 holes to firm up wet areas. • Earth work was completed on the 15th tee to improve water run-off.
Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary In 2013, Red Hawk Ridge achieved all six categories of certification for the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses. The six categories include: • environmental Planning • water conservation • outreach and education • water quality management • chemical use reduction and safety • wildlife and habitat management
Other highlights • Red Hawk Ridge was featured on Altitude Sports on the Golf @ Altitude program throughout the summer months. • Staff at the course was able to extend the life of the golf carts beyond the normal lease and save the course more than $70,000 in lease payments. • The course issues email surveys to all players every year. The course continued to receive positive reviews for conditions and overall enjoyment.
auduboninternational.org Castle Rock Parks & Recreation Annual Report 2013
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financial overview The Parks and Recreation Department operates on three funds: the Community Center Fund, the Parks Fund and the Golf Course Fund. The Community Center Fund is used to operate the Recreation Center, aquatics facilities and recreational programs. It receives revenue through sales tax, building-use tax, motor vehicle tax and user fees. The Parks Fund is used for park, open space and trail maintenance and administration. It receives revenues from the Town’s General Fund. The Golf Fund operates on user fees. Parks, open space and trails Parks revenue
$196,725
Expenditures
$3,105,821
Parks administration
$383,219
Developed parks
$1,969,582
Tax used per resident for services
2013
2012
Recreation programs
$4.82
$6.95
Recreation Center (including all pools)
$25.21 $21.59
Developed parks
$39.75 $42.95
Open space
$5.18
$5.51
Open space
$281,060
Streetscape/trails
$8.70
$8.67
Streetscape/trail maintenance
$471,960
Golf (funded by user fees)
$0.00
$0.00
1+1+25103546 13+5+7174153 24+ 32 14 8 + 22 1+2+35511168
Total expenditures
Recreation** Revenues
$3,105,821
Fitness $53,685
Special interest $42,959
Special events $96,317 Youth, teen & toddler $268,707
Based on a population of
Golf
Food and beverage $462,097
Other income $124,582
Revenues
Athletics $492,689
Fees and other revenue $1,753,018
Debt service $601,594
Maintenance $818,369
Expenditures
Special interest $42,585
Special events $81,691
Food and beverage $364,570
Youth, teen & toddler $350,690
Golf operations $553,759
Cost per round
Recreation Center $2,398,768
Debt service
Castle Rock Parks & Recreation Annual Report 2013
$17.79
Administration
$5.83
Golf operations
$16.38
Maintenance
$24.20
Total cost per round
$64.20
Unaudited financial information *Parks, open space and trails expenses are budgeted in the General Fund. A portion of the sales tax in the General Fund is marked for these expenses. **A Rink at the Rock cost center was added to the Recreation budget for reporting purposes. The revenues and expenses in this cost center did not affect the overall budget.
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Driving range $124,643
Administration $197,033
Fitness $256,959
Athletics $501,897
Youth programs/lessons $19,387
Expenditures
Capital improvements $146,160
Management fees $495,504
Transfer to golf $80,000
Pro Shop sales $186,758
Greens fees $1,475,022
Golf carts $366,821
Taxes $2,274,603
Debt and financing $40,761
54,238 51,573
Capital funds Capital funds are used for specified projects. All the funds may not be entirely used every year, so the balances in the accounts are rolled over from year-to-year to ensure the dedicated money will be available only for the particular projects related to that fund.
Parks and Recreation Capital Fund In 2013, the Recreation Capital Fund and the Parks Capital Fund were combined to create one capital fund for the department. This fund accounts for the construction, expansion and improvement of Town parks and recreation facilities. The primary source of revenue for this fund is from development impact fees collected when a building permit is issued. In 2013, the fund received the bond proceeds for the fieldhouse at Miller Park ($9.2 million) as well as a transfer from the Conservation Trust Fund to prepare for the continued construction of Miller Park in 2014. 2013 actual expenses: $6,124,403 2013 revenue: $20,207,913 2013 projects • Philip S. Miller Park
• Other park improvements
Conservation Trust Fund The Conservation Trust Fund has been used for open space purchases and the development and renovation of qualifying parks, recreation facilities and parks infrastructure. This fund receives revenues from the Colorado Lottery, based on a per capita distribution; the Douglas County Open Space Tax Shareback, based on motor vehicle registration in municipalities; and recreational license fees from pavilion and field rentals. Funds from Conservation Trust were transferred to Parks Capital in order to fund Miller Park construction. 2013 actual expenses: $2,248,843 2013 revenue: $2,523,693 2013 projects • Rhyolite Bike Park improvements • POST Partner Volunteer Program
• Park and trail signs
• Miller Park transfer
General Fund (trail improvements) The Town’s General Fund is used for a variety of government services, including some Parks and Recreation projects. Projects from the fund this year include annual trail improvements and construction, and various park improvements. This fund receives $500,000 annually from the Town’s Transportation Fund, in addition to outside contributions for trail construction and improvements. 2013 actual expenses: $640,683 2013 revenue: $693,166 (trail grant earned: $193,166) 2013 projects • Hangman’s Gulch Trail • Annual trail improvements
• Gilbert Street landscaping
Unaudited financial information
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looking ahead
Fieldhouse and aquatic center at Philip S. Miller Park New indoor recreation space
New and expanded programming
2014 is going to bring some exciting new recreational spaces to Castle Rock. This new fieldhouse at Miller Park includes carefully selected amenities that will allow the recreation staff to provide new and expanded programming opportunities.
The fieldhouse and aquatic center is going to allow for some new programming options in addition to expanding upon some of the Recreation Division’s current near or at capacity programs.
Aquatics center: The new indoor leisure pool offers additional play space to the Castle Rock Recreation Center’s very popular leisure pool. Four lap lanes will give the many swim teams and lap-swimmers additional space and will give more teaching areas for our swim lesson programs. Youth recreation: The fieldhouse at Philip S. Miller Park will improve the recreational options for youth in the community with the trampoline area and indoor playground. Synthetic turf field and warm-up area: This functional area will allow for many programming options for all ages including indoor athletics, new fitness classes, an indoor batting cage, sport training classes and more.
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Castle Rock Parks & Recreation Annual Report 2013
Just some of the new and expanded program ideas include: • swim lessons • indoor athletic leagues for youth, adults and seniors • boot-camp style fitness classes • sport training classes • birthday parties • TRX classes • youth and toddler play groups
Other Parks and Recreation projects Castle Rock Recreation Center remodel With the Parks and Recreation administrative offices moving to Philip S. Miller Park, the Castle Rock Recreation Center will undergo a remodel in 2014. This work will include conversion of the garage and administrative areas into functional fitness space along with new circuit weight equipment in the current lifting area.
East Plum Creek Trail (South) As part of the Town’s effort to complete its main north-south spine trail – the East Plum Creek Trail – staff will finalize conceptual plans to continue the trail south from its current location at South Perry Street to Crystal Valley Parkway, connecting the southern portion of Town to downtown Castle Rock and beyond. Once the concept is complete, staff will advertise for design and engineering consultants to complete construction documents in preparation for trail construction.
Shade structure and concrete repairs at Metzler Ranch Park There are plans for a new shade structure near the playground at Metzler Ranch Park. This project would provide greatly needed relief from the sun at that playground. In addition, there are repairs to concrete sidewalk in the same area.
Philip S. Miller Park In order to meet our phase one goals for Miller Park, $1 million is included in the 2014 budget to complete the park pavilions, adventure playground and trail system. These improvements will be added to the Turner Construction contract in order to meet the fall 2014 project completion date. Parks and Recreation staff, along with leaders from the Weston Group and Royal Gorge Zip Line Tours, will work together to develop recommendations for the public/private partnerships. These opportunities will be further evaluated during 2014 and presented to Town Council for consideration.
Castle Rock Parks & Recreation Annual Report 2013
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Castle Rock Parks and Recreation 2301 Woodlands Blvd. Castle Rock, CO 80104 303-814-7444 CRgov.com/parks
castle rock half marathon inagural run through downtown and East Plum Creek Trail