Colorado Parks & Recreation Byline Magazine - Fall 2024
A NU Landmark for Play
NU-Edge® Trellix captures the eyes and hearts of all who see it! Standing at 23’, this towering structure combines natural and urban aesthetics to create a one-of-a-kind experience for communities. With activities ranging from a complex rope maze to an ADA-approved slide, all visitors can explore, grow, and have fun together through its comprehensive design.
To learn more about all of our product offerings, visit LittleTikesCommercial.com
CONTENTS
28-30
UPCOMING BYLINE DEADLINES
Winter 2025 Issue
Content/Ad Deadline: January 22, 2025 | Mails: March 2025
Spring 2025 Issue
Content/Ad Deadline: March 25, 2025 | Mails: May 2025
Summer 2025 Issue
Content/Ad Deadline: June 13, 2025 | Mails: Aug. 2025
Fall 2024 Issue
Content/Ad Deadline: September 28, 2025 | Mails: Nov. 2024
Learn more about advertising at www.bit.ly/CPRA2025.
COLORADO PARKS & RECREATION ASSOCIATION PO BOX 1037
Aleigh Scott Administrative Coordinator aleighs@cpra-web.org
Colorado Byline is the official member magazine of CPRA, Colorado Parks & Recreation Association. CPRA is a dynamic, proactive organization that creates healthy residents and livable communities by promoting excellence in parks and recreation.
2023-24 CPRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT Clay Shuck City and County of Broomfield cshuck@broomfield.org
PRESIDENT-ELECT
Ali Rhodes City of Boulder rhodesa@bouldercolorado.gov
SECRETARY/TREASURER
Adam Hamm South Suburban Parkas and Recreation District ahamm@ssprd.org
AT-LARGE
Gina Barton Jefferson County Parks and Conservation gbarton@jeffco.us
Megann Lohman City of Boulder Parks and Recreation Lohmanm@bouldercolorado.gov
Luke Bolinger Town of Erie lbolinger@erieco.gov
Jaclynn Alvarez Hyland Hills Park and Recreation District jalvarez@hylandhills.org
2023-24 CPRA ADVISORY COUNCIL
AAPS
Linda Kudrna City of Fort Lupton Parks & Recreation lkudrna@fortluptonco.gov
AQUATICS
Steve Hanson Town of Parker shanson@parkeronline.org
CARA
Nicole Reeves Widefield Parks and Recreation reevesn@wsd3.org
DIRECTORS
Mari Steinbach
Montrose Recreation District mari@montroserec.com
FACILITY MANAGEMENT
Marc Rademacher City of Fort Collins mrademacher@fcgov.com
FITNESS
Veronica Mueller City and County of Broomfield vmueller@broomfield.org
PARKS
Brent Delehoy City of Aurora Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces bdelehoy@auroragov.org
PLAaY
Becca Mack City of Lafayette becca.mack@lafayetteco.gov
THERAPEUTIC RECREATION (TR)
Ashley Bordenet
City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services ashley.bordenet@coloradosprings.gov
BYLINE, ONLINE & EMAIL
ADVERTISING: Todd Pernsteiner Pernsteiner Creative Group 952-841-1111 todd@pernsteiner.com www.pernsteiner.com
GO DIGITAL
View this issue online at cpra-web.org/page/byline. Keep up on all things CPRA via Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
the Cover: Erie Trailblazer Campers, photo courtesy Town of Erie
Kit Newland
Kit Newland has dedicated over 30 years to the parks and recreation profession, entering the field as a Program Administrator in 1991 for the City of Englewood and advancing to a Recreation Coordinator in the City of Wheat Ridge in 1996. She joined the Foothills Parks and Recreation District as a Wellness Specialist in 1998, quickly becoming a Program Supervisor. In 2002, she became the Recreation Division Manager for the City of Lakewood, later serving as the Director of the Community Resources Department until her retirement in 2024.
As Director, Kit was responsible for Lakewood’s 114 parks; 240 miles of trails; over 7,400 acres of open space; two awardwinning golf courses; five recreation facilities; arts and culture including a museum and performing arts center; facility maintenance and early childhood education. Kit defined what it means to be a transformational leader. During her tenure
INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT
at Lakewood, she was able to accomplish countless projects including the acquisition of 192 acres of park land, the recent opening of the beautiful 60-acre Peak View Park, along with cherished recreation amenities such as the popular Surfside Splash Park. She championed multiple arts and cultural initiatives including the adoption and funding of the city’s first Public Art Plan, interior rehabilitation of Washington Heights Arts Center, and restoration of several iconic historic structures at Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park.
She feels strongly that all residents should have access to the city of Lakewood’s programs and facilities, regardless of income, and started the Lakewood Possibilities Fund. The fund awards scholarships based on household income to remove barriers to participation. She also worked diligently to acquire and develop new parks in areas identified as underserved for park land.
Kit is known for her infectious laugh, her open and engaging leadership style, and her dedication to mentoring her team and creating a culture of trust and collaboration. Her legacy in Lakewood and across the metro area will be recognizable for decades to come.
Kaizen - The Future of Parks & Recreation Management Software
Stunning, tailored, one-stop software that grows with your team.
Great public institutions and resident experiences are the cornerstone of our communities, but they are often hindered by outdated, expensive, and unreliable digital solutions. Kaizen Labs is revolutionizing this space by providing secure, modern interfaces that enhance institutional health and rebuild trust. The current municipal technology providers overcharge for stagnant products, draining local budgets and frustrating citizens. At Kaizen Labs, we work hard to deliver unifying digital experiences that materially improve the lives of ordinary people, while cutting costs and driving more revenue for our municipal partners.
We create more than just websites.
Quality digital experiences matter now more than ever. By anchoring our product around a dynamic set of core modules, we shift our focus entirely to the end user, learning first about specific department needs and citizen requirements before tailoring our modules to natively help cities with their most ambitious digital projects. Our award-winning team is building a truly 10x better user experience that residents, staff and departments fall in love with. We strive to create a user experience that is straightforward and easy to understand, while also being aesthetically pleasing and enjoyable to use.
We support the diverse needs of a changing community.
Our recreation management software provides a platform for residents to discover and engage with the diverse public offerings and facilities. We believe every recreation department requires an effective platform, capable of serving the county’s goals by promoting the most effective use of the county’s resources.
Battle for the Buoy 2
39TH ANNUAL LIFEGUARD GAMES A REMARKABLE SUCCESS
By Steve Hanson, Town of Parker
We are thrilled to share the highlights from the 39 th Annual Lifeguard Games, which proved to be another incredible event! This year, we had an impressive turnout, with over 400 participants forming 37 teams, making it one of our most exciting competitions to date.
For the first time in the history of the Lifeguard Games, we awarded placements for 1st through 5th place, adding a new level of competition and recognition for our talented teams. Additionally, we introduced a new Scanning event this year, which was highly successful and well-received by participants and spectators alike.
This event would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of our entire team. A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone involved in organizing and executing this year’s event.
We would also like to extend our sincere gratitude to our generous sponsors for their support: CPRA, Digiquatics, Safety Solved, Starguard, YellowDog, MI Sports, The Lifeguard Store, Coral Isles, and Landmark Aquatics. A special thank you to our hosting sponsor, Water World, for providing a fantastic venue.
We look forward to seeing everyone again next year for another exciting competition!
400+
PARTICIPANTS
New & Improved Swim & Fitness Center Opens in Westminster
Westminster’s Swim & Fitness Center, nestled at 3290 West 76th Avenue, is the city’s longest-standing recreation center. For nearly 50 years, the facility has been a second home for residents in Historic
Westminster interested in swimming activities, offering eight swimming lanes, a diving board, and a deep diving well. As the needs of residents have changed over the facility’s near fivedecade lifespan, Westminster Parks, Recreation & Libraries (PRL) staff were eager to refresh a community favorite while adapting the aging building to modern times.
In August 2024, Westminster welcomed guests back to a new and improved Swim & Fitness Center, updated to accommodate the needs of changing city demographics and desires. Excited residents entered through a new entrance on the west end of the building, now equally accessible from both parking lots. Just inside the door, sunlight now paints the entire lobby decorated with modern furniture, creating an open and welcoming space. Guests immediately noticed the improvements.
“I come here about three days a week,” said Young Chun, a Swim & Fitness Center regular. “Westminster has the best facilities as far as I have seen.”
In addition to the relocated lobby, Swim & Fitness Center now sports a cardio deck and weight room with fitness equipment. The pool area was painted and received some mechanical upgrades to enhance water quality and minimize operational costs. Guests can also enjoy new tile and wood in the renovated steam and sauna rooms.
George Miller, a Westminster resident who lives a stone’s throw away, comes by every day to use the hot tub, steam room, and to cool off in the pool.
“I’m really looking forward to the weight room. I don’t want to get big, I just want to stay healthy and tone up,” said Miller. “The other thing that draws me is the free breakfast for kids, with the [summer] lunch program, because where I live there are four kids, and I bring them over here to swim and have breakfast. This helps out the community all the way around.”
The project is a “comprehensive overhaul,” assured Kira Kloser, PRL’s recreation facilities superintendent.
Article by Patrick Behan, Communication Coordinator and photos by Christopher Edmunds, Communication Coordinator, City of Westminster
Excited about the new opportunities, she continued: “Our new and upgraded community room has a capacity of about 80 and allows us to host fitness classes. We expect to have about 17 classes a week in total.”
Broadening the uses and offerings of Swim & Fitness Center was the City’s goal, but that couldn’t be addressed before an important overarching consideration.
“Accessibility was really the emphasis of this project,” Kloser said. Before all the cosmetic improvements came the more crucial technical ones. ADA designated parking spaces and sidewalk ramps were improved and careful care was taken to accommodate short travel distances from the parking lot to the lobby, and from the lobby to facility amenities.
“When buildings, just like houses, were built in the 1970s, accessibility wasn’t exactly top of mind,” reflected Tim Lachermeirer, PRL’s recreation services manager. “When you came into the main level of the facility, there were no activities or programming on the [main] level and so you had to take stairs.”
To alleviate the need for stairs, staff engaged the public with a
plan to reorient the main lobby of the building. This shift in floor plan allowed the city to replace the existing single-person wheelchair lift with an elevator that services every floor of the facility.
The improvements are a point of pride for Deb Larsen, PRL’s recreation supervisor. “We are the heart of Historic Westminster,” she said. Larsen made special note that adding amenities to an already beloved pool facility transformed Swim & Fitness Center into a “onestop-shop.”
Construction on the six-million dollar modernization, partially funded by a million- dollar Adams County Open Space grant, began in 2023. Combined with Capital Improvement Project funds, the Swim & Fitness Center marks a significant investment to revitalize one of the city’s oldest facilities.
“We continue to invest in the facilities and programs in Historic Westminster,” said Lachermeier. “We felt an importance to meet the changing demographics of the city, and really believe we can continue doing that into the future with all of the ADA accessibility improvements.”
“When buildings, just like houses, were built in the 1970s, accessibility wasn’t exactly top of mind,” reflected Tim Lachermeirer.
ARCHITECTURAL DOG PARK PRODUCTS
Get Your Agency Noticed in Your Magazine!
SHARE YOUR NEWS, PROJECTS, EVENTS & UPDATES IN CPRA’S COLORADO BYLINE
Winter 2025 Issue
Attention CPRA Agency Members!
Your agency can be featured in the next issue of Byline. Why not add being published in your state professional magazine to your resume?!
Have something to share?
1. Get Included in the NEW Keeping Up Section
Submit your brief updates (up to 300 words) about your events, projects, staff news, or retirements. Photos welcome.
2. Submit a Feature Article
CPRA agencies are invited to submit articles (350-700 words) aligned with our mission, along with 3-4 high-resolution photos. Suggested themes are available, or you may propose a topic that would benefit our members.
3. Send Article Leads/Ideas
Deadline: January 20, 2025
CPRA Industry Partner Members
How to submit:
If you’re short on time, send us your article ideas and contact details. We’ll handle the research and writing whenever possible.
Send your article or suggested topic and photos to Jillian Galoci at jilliang@cpra-web.org. If you have questions, please call (720) 588-0943.
For reference, CPRA members can view past issues of Byline at www.cpra-web.org/publications.
Looking for amazing exposure to your target audience? Get in front of CPRA members with a customized advertising or sponsorship package that could include Byline magazine, sponsored editorial, online, email and event sponsorships. Onetime magazine, email and website advertising opportunities are also available. Unsure of what you’d like to do, contact us to discuss options!
Contact Todd Pernsteiner at todd@pernsteiner.com or (952) 841-1111 or download the 2025 media kit at www.bit.ly/ CPRAADS2025
Erie Trailblazer Campers
Join
Older Adults in Having FUN!
By Cindy Hickman, Active Adults Coordinator, Erie Parks & Recreation Department
In the summer of 2023, Erie Parks & Recreation Department Adult program staff teamed up with the Youth & Families Coordinator and created opportunities
for older adults and teen campers, ages 13 & 14, to connect. Throughout the summer there were five different activities. An intergenerational lunch,
playing hand and foot canasta, Bingo, pickleball, and participating in a Zumba Gold fitness class. This summer we offered this connection opportunity again. The activities included playing Euchre, embroidering, pickleball, and another Zumba Gold fitness class. Next year we will make sure to have the kids teach the older adults something they would like to share.
At the beginning of the program, in 2023, we polled the camp kids and asked them to picture an old person and write down the first five words or phrases that come to mind. At the end of the summer, we asked the kids the same question. The post survey showed a significate increase in positive words or phrases. Here is an example of one of the surveys.
Before After
wrinkle sweet white-haired kind short helpful
nervous wrinkle rich willing
The World Health Organization (WHO) specified that intergenerational activities are one of the best ways to fight ageism.
This experience has been positive for both age groups. Each group walked away enjoying the experience, learning something new about the different generation and breaking down stereotypes. As a matter of fact, one of the campers told his parent that connecting with the older adults was his favorite part of summer camp!
The World Health Organization (WHO) specified that intergenerational activities are one of the best ways to fight ageism. As stated in their Global Campaign to Combat Ageism, “intergenerational interventions can contribute to the mutual understanding and cooperation of different generations.” I believe intergenerational activities are the key to breaking down stereotypes and
changing age perceptions. They can also make a difference in loneliness and social isolation for both generations. Parks and Recreation professionals have the perfect platform to offer this extremely beneficial type of programming. This type of programming is natural for us, and we have the perfect environment and platform to offer intergenerational programs. It should be one of our purposes. We can make a difference in all ages when it comes to changing age perceptions. Just imagine, through intergenerational programs, we can make a difference in the younger person’s age perception, which can then change their outlook on aging and how they treat older people, which can change their aging forecast for the rest of their lives.
If you are considering intergenerational programs, make sure the active is intentional when bringing together the different generations. Your first activity should include the right people, at the right place doing the right activity. The goal should be to build connections and breakdown stereotypes.
South Suburban StEM Fi E ld tripS: lEarn Wh E r E You plaY
By Becky Grubb, Communications Manager & Bill Dobbs, GM Ice and Sports Operations, South Suburban Parks and Recreation
How do ice rinks stay frozen?
Why can figure skaters jump? How does a hockey player stop so fast?
Children can learn the answers to these questions and more at South Suburban Parks and Recreation’s STEM field trips, which serve hundreds of students in the south Denver metro area each year.
South Suburban started a STEM field trip program at its Sports Complex to encourage educators to take learning outside the classroom and into the ice rinks. Students engage with topics including ice sports physics, states of matter, the basics of molecules, and Newton’s Laws of Motion. And, of course, ice skating!
In recent years, the worlds of physical education and STEM have teamed up to provide students with learning experiences
that engage both their minds and bodies. Incorporating ice sports into curriculums is becoming more common, and educators are finding this innovative approach offers a variety of benefits that contribute to students’ overall growth and success.
South Suburban’s unique field trip program offers exciting opportunities to explore STEM concepts in action.
One of the most appealing aspects of South Suburban’s field trips is that they are fully customizable to fit any school’s needs. Programs can last anywhere from 4-5 hours, and any section of the field trip can be lengthened or shortened depending on the primary learning objectives.
The STEM fieldtrips have also been an amazing avenue to bring
revenue to the facility and foster interest in the facility and ice sports. The program includes an educational presentation, a tour of the facility, an up-close look at the Zamboni and chiller room, admission to public skate, and rental skates if necessary.
South Suburban does not charge teachers/chaperones for skating as they play a critical role in ensuring students stay safe on the ice. By combining the joys of physical activity with the excitement of STEM exploration, South Suburban is helping educators tap into benefits that extend beyond the classroom. Whether these students aspire to be future athletes, scientists, engineers, or leaders, this innovative approach clears the way to develop a wellrounded skill set that will serve them well in every aspect of life.
2024 CPRA Conference!
October 29-31
Keystone Conference Center
Keystone, Colorado
2024 CPRA Conference A HUGE SUCCESS!
That’s a wrap on another record-setting year for the CPRA Annual Conference! With over 700 attendees, over 50 speakers, and 74 exhibitors, the Keystone Conference Center was bursting at the seams!
We geared up to Ghost the Grind with a journey in discovering our authentic selves lead by our extraordinary opening keynote speaker, Dale Wilsher.
The inspiration continued with 46 regular sessions presented by CPRA professional members, industry partners, friends of the association, and speakers from Colorado and beyond.
We had a scary good time at the CPRA Social with karaoke and costumes that could have easily sparked enough imagination for the year without the need for any educational content at all. And if that wasn’t enough excitement, there was a drone show,
a 5K, a polar plunge fundraiser, a morning workout, Section meetups, and a star-studded awards banquet!
Finally, our fearless closing keynote, Tony Drees, sent us on our way with a few simple rules to live by to keep the ghosts of burnout at bay and fully embrace our potential.
Thank you for all of you who were able to join us for a spooky inspiring week. We hope you left feeling refreshed and energized for your day-to-day and the year ahead.
A special, huge thank you to our Sponsors, Exhibitors, Speakers, Conference Committee, and volunteers — we couldn’t have done it without you!
Save the date for Conference 2025!
October 14-17, 2025
Grand Hyatt, Vail
700 attendees 50+ SPEAKERS 74 exhibitors
Thank You Sponsors!
TITLE SPONSORS
INNOVATION SPONSOR
INNOVATION SPONSOR
PRESENTING SPONSORS
ASSOCIATE SPONSORS
SUPPORT SPONSORS
• Colorado Pool Designs
• Daxko
• Essenza Architecture
• Ground Solutions
• OLC Architecture, Interiors and Aquatics
• Recreation Plus, Ltd.
• RVi Planning + Landscape Architecture
• Star Playgrounds
CONTRIBUTING SPONSORS
• Advanced Exercise
• American Ramp Company
• CivicPlus
• Counsilman-Hunsaker
• Design Concepts
• Les Mills
• Rain Bird
COMMUNICATIONS SPONSORS
Pidj • Pernsteiner Creative Group, Inc.
CHARGING STATION SPONSOR
A TO Z Recreation
TUESDAY LUNCH SPONSOR
Lose Design
Opening Keynote, Dale Wilsher
Closing Keynote, Tony Drees and Diva the dog
COSTUME CONTEST WINNERS
First place, agency team, Australian Olympic Breakdance Team, City of Lafayette
First place, exhibitor, Ryan Thompson, Mid-America Pool Renovation
First place, individual costume, porch pirate, Josh Gainey, Colorado Springs
First place, couples contest, Napoleon Dynamite and Pedro (Kyle Sylvester and Amanda Aburto), Brighton
Reed Davis, Alan from “The Hangover”
Nucleus Aspire
™ What do you Aspire to? Nucleus Aspire was born of the desire to create awe, discovery and adventure in our every day. To bring kids back to the outdoors where they can explore the world through their eyes. This is Play That Moves You. This is Nucleus Aspire. Join Our Movement at atozrecreation.com
City of Lakewood Base Ball Bout
VINTAGE COSTUMES AND SNACKS TOO!
By Jacqueline Maness, Communications Intern, City of Lakewood
CVBA player, Sean Rice was delighted to spend his Saturday out on the pitch with his friends. He has been playing baseball for over 50 years and has been playing with the CVBA for the past three years.
Stepping up to the plate at Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park evokes waves of nostalgia, complete with vintage rules, classic uniforms and snacks.
The City of Lakewood recently partnered with the Colorado Vintage Baseball Association (CVBA) to host a Base Ball Bout for the third consecutive year. Attendees witnessed a recreation of 19th-century baseball on August 3 with players dressed in collared shirts and overalls, catchers without gloves, shoeless pitchers and players swinging with wooden bats.
The CVBA, established in 1993, is dedicated to preserving the tradition of 19th-century and Victorian baseball. Their commitment to historical preservation is reflected not only in their vintage uniforms, and historical gameplay but also their annual schedule. The team maintains a schedule of 20 to 30 games each season across neighboring states and their game at HLBP was the 25th match of the season.
CVBA player, Sean Rice was delighted to spend his Saturday out on the pitch with his friends. He has been playing baseball for over 50 years and has been playing with the CVBA for the past three years.
“My passion for the sport is driven by the players and the historic manner in which we play,” Rice said.
Brooke “Pockets” Lagendorfer, has been playing with CVBA since she was six years old. Her father, CVBA’s commissioner, has been with the CVBA for the past 35 years and has instilled in her a love for the sport and its traditions.
“We’re like a family. I’ve grown up around these players and they’re like my big brothers and uncles,” she said.
Brooke “Pockets” Lagendorfer, has been playing with CVBA since she was six years old. Her father, CVBA’s commissioner, has been with the CVBA for the past 35 years and has instilled in her a love for the sport and its traditions.
The crowd shared a similar love for baseball with over 70 spectators present. The affordable admission, priced at $5 for adults and $3 for children, welcomed all ages.
“This event ensures affordable and accessible family fun which not only brings the community together but also activates the outdoor space at HLBP,”
said Lakewood’s museum educator and event coordinator, Steve Luebke. Luebke said he was extremely happy with the turnout and to see the community support such a special event. To find out more about Lakewood’s Base Ball Bout, visit Lakewood.org/Bout or discover more Lakewood events at Lakewood.org/Events.
By Diana Wilson, Director of Communications, City of Northglenn
The Northglenn Recreation Center, Senior Center & Theatre is set to reinvigorate its indoor lap pool with the addition of NinjaCross™, a state-of-the-art retractable obstacle course. This exciting new feature will complement the center’s diverse array of offerings, which includes family recreation, sports, wellness and athletic programming, as well as theatrical and live performances.
The NinjaCross™ course will be suspended above the lap pool in the indoor aquatics facility and will be available to both members and drop-in guests during designated times. In the future, formal programming and rental packages may also be offered. Open year-round, NinjaCross™ provides a unique workout opportunity and a fun, challenging experience for all participants.
The City’s team is thrilled to introduce this multigenerational feature to members and guests.
“NinjaCross™ is a fantastic addition,” said Recreation Manager Justin Perdue.
“This facility opened in October 2021 and is an exceptional asset to Northglenn. Adding NinjaCross™ further enhances our community’s recreational options and provides a fresh, engaging way to stay active.”
A NinjaCross™ Grand Opening Celebration was held Sept. 7. and featured a social gathering and community activities. Guests were among the first to experience this exciting new addition!
The Northglenn Recreation Center, Senior Center and Parsons Theatre is located near I-25 and 120th Ave., 1 E. Memorial Dr., Northglenn. More information visit www.northglenn.org/aquatics.
The City’s team is thrilled to introduce this multi-generational feature to members and guests.
“NinjaCross™ is a fantastic addition,” said Recreation Manager Justin Perdue.
PROJECT PROFILE: WESTMINSTER SWIM & FITNESS CENTER
After 50 Years of Service, Westminster’s First Community Center – The Swim and Fitness Center –Receives An Invigorating Renovation
By Christa Plazal, Essenza Architecture
For nearly 50 years, the Westminster Swim & Fitness Center has provided residents with a dedicated place for swimming, recreation, and communitybuilding. After almost five decades of service, the City undertook a $6 million renovation to improve accessibility, guest and staff safety, programming opportunities, and overall efficiency. A grand re-opening celebration in midSeptember welcomed guests to the City of Westminster’s refreshed community center.
The City of Westminster, Construction Projects Specialist Dana Kester; Kira Kloser, Recreation Facilities Superintendent; and Deb Larson, Recreation Supervisor, worked with the Essenza Architecture team to vet the best plan to meet their budget, schedule, and goals. “Throughout the project, the team demonstrated an unwavering dedication to working within our budget and offering creative and practical designs.” Dana Kester, Facilities & Projects Coordinator, City of Westminster Teamwork was the key to the success of this project. The City of Westminster, Essenza Architecture, and Mark Young Construction worked closely to develop solutions during design and construction that were the most cost effective and produced the best results for the project.
The fully redesigned facility offers many new features: weight rooms and cardio areas, a community room, athletic flooring, improved lighting and daylighting as well as new finishes with a modern design. All new cardio, free weights, functional training, and selectorized equipment with new rubber athletic flooring provide excellent training spaces.
Old railings were replaced with all new cable railings that provide open views to
the pool and other levels, which patrons can enjoy from the cardio fitness floor. Previously, underutilized spaces were redesigned to maximize programming areas and improve circulation. The previous racquetball courts were replaced with weight areas and include all new finishes, acoustic panels, artificial LEDs, and natural light, creating open and energizing spaces for increased fitness offerings. A second-floor infill provides dedicated meeting space with a kitchenette for onsite meetings, team events, and public rentals. A
new training/meeting room with color changing and white lights provides a flexible space for many different event types and offers a unique view that overlooks the pool.
The new design improves access by relocating the lobby to the main level and adding automatic sliding doors to the north and south parking lots. The expanded lobby includes a new front desk and control space adjacent to an open area with seating for gatherings, card playing, and other activities. A new
Throughout the project, the team demonstrated an unwavering dedication to working within our budget and offering creative and practical designs.”
- Dana Kester, Facilities & Projects Coordinator, City of Westminster
elevator provides access to all floors, increasing service delivery equity.
“Bringing this facility back to its full potential and creating more program spaces was such a rewarding experience. Working with the Parks and Recreation and facilities staff early on in a master plan exercise allowed us to maximize
opportunities, like moving the entry to the main floor, creating open fitness spaces, and adding the second-floor community room. Our teamwork with the City of Westminster and the CMGC team at Mark Young Construction allowed us to tackle problem-solving in a positive way.” Christa Plaza, President, Essenza Architecture.
Improving
EF FICIENCY
The Broyhill Automated Trash Truck
By Michael Sabin, Parks Manager, City and County of Denver Parks and Recreation.
It all started with the idea of improving efficiency in trash collection. From there it was adapted into a full-fledged, automated trash collection service. The place is Denver Parks and Recreation.
In 2018, Denver Parks and Recreation commenced a pilot program with an objective to reduce the amount of time employees spend picking up and disposing of trash in parks. Denver Parks purchased three Broyhill Load and Pack machines. With that addition, Denver Parks needed to change our existing trash cans, which were 55-gallon drums with a plastic trash bag liner, to a Toter unit. Toter units are made from an “advanced rotational molding”, and Denver Parks purchased them in the 60-gallon size. Toters do not need a plastic trash bag liner.
It was decided that the program would be piloted in the Southwest District of Denver. In 2019, Denver Parks started utilizing the Broyhill machines in 14% of our parks. Roughly 50 parks. Since then, Denver Parks have been able to successfully expand to cover the entire Southwest District. Currently that includes 23% or about 325 parks and open spaces. Denver Parks and Recreation has a lot of potential for expanding the Broyhill program throughout the parks system.
Being in Colorado, we knew the ability to drive the trucks year-round would be tested. Denver Parks started formulating routes, exchanging trash receptacles, and training our employees on the operation of the Broyhill machines in the
spring of 2019. The training included having Broyhill mechanics teach our employees about the maintenance and operation of the machines. Denver Parks knew the maintenance of these units would be critical to our success. At first, the Broyhill machines ran smoothly. Then, as with anything, we started to have some issues, but thankfully, everything was addressed with the help of Broyhill.
One of our biggest growing pains was the new placement of the Toters throughout our parks. Historically, we would drive up to or near the barrel and remove the bag in a pickup truck, load it in the truck, and go to the next barrel. With the Broyhill machines, the Toters needed to be strategically placed so the Broyhill machines could access them and service the Toter. A pivotal aspect of this transition involved the strategic placement of Toters to ensure a seamless collection for the Broyhill trucks. This required extensive community engagement to garner support for the new trash collection method. Over time, community acceptance grew, resulting in a noticeable reduction in litter accumulation in the parks.
Trash collection routes were developed that would operate seven days a week from late March through October. During this time, the Broyhill trucks collected on average nine tons of trash per week. From November through March, we reduced our trash collection days to three days a week. In the
Since 2019, we have noticed numerous benefits from our automated trash truck collection program. The most important is the reallocation of labor.
off season, we collected an average of 3.5 tons per week. On days when it snowed, or the roads were too icy, we would not run the Broyhill. Since the program’s inception, we have been able to continue our seven-day-a-week collection during the season. We have also increased our shoulder season collection rate to five days a week collecting an average of six tons of trash per week. With any good machine, there is going to be downtime. Even if you purchase three. When we came across this issue where we couldn’t use a Broyhill, we developed what we called a “Priority Route.” This included servicing the Toters at the busiest parks and athletic fields. This helped monumentally as these areas were where we historically spent the most time hand-collecting trash. Denver Parks and Recreation started to see the benefits of the Broyhill machines, as employees were not spending all day Monday picking up trash around athletic fields and permitted spaces.
efforts will continue to improve our maintenance practices.
As mentioned earlier, since our initial routes were developed, we have been able to expand throughout all Southwest parks. Denver Parks and Recreation needed more operators to run the Broyhill machines. The program now operates two routes, five days a week, running the priority route on the weekends. We currently have around 400 Toters throughout Southwest parks. The Toters have allowed us to hold more waste in each receptacle, decrease the overall amount of trash receptacles in parks, eliminate the need for plastic liners, and minimize labor collection of “loose litter”.
With the introduction of the Broyhill in Denver’s parks, we have had the opportunity to reallocate funds and labor to better serve our park users. Since we no longer use plastic trash bag liners, we have saved over $45,000 since 2018. We have been able to reduce the amount of time our employees spend hand-collecting trash. Since 2019, we have saved roughly $120,000 on time spent collecting trash. One of the primary goals in using the Broyhill was determining what else we could accomplish if we are not spending so much time driving around from park to park collecting trash. Denver Parks and Recreation decided that with employees not having to pick up trash daily they have been able to attribute more than 3,000 hours to turf work and detailing in our parks. Denver Parks and Recreation has been able to add more time spent in the maintenance of our flowers and shrub beds exceeding 900 hours of additional work in these areas. We also noticed we had more time to address general maintenance needs such as graffiti removal and trail maintenance. With the eventual expansion of this program across the city, the opportunities to continue saving and redirecting staff’s time and
Since 2019, we have noticed numerous benefits from our automated trash truck collection program. The most important is the reallocation of labor. As aforementioned our ability to redirect staff onto other tasks besides trash collection has been able to keep Denver Parks and Recreation on the forefront of park maintenance. Yes, there is an initial investment in the Broyhill trucks and the Toters, but the benefits over time make this a worthwhile investment.
We have also been able to reduce the number of trash-related injuries on the job. This correlates to fewer workers’ compensation claims and less time employees can’t perform their jobs because they were injured. With the use of the Broyhill machines and the decisive placement of the Toters, we were able to remove dumpsters out of our park system. We feel this has a direct association with the reduction in illegal dumps throughout our parks. This was done over time, but the phased removal of dumpsters from parks not only mitigated illegal dumping but also aligned with Denver Parks and Recreation’s overarching objective of promoting responsible waste management practices. Lastly, it met one of Denver Parks and Recreation’s top priorities: “addressing waste more efficiently, increasing user responsibilities, and expanding recycling in parks and recreation facilities.” With properly trained team members, functioning machines, and a positive outlook for expected outcomes, this goal is well on its way to being achieved.
If your small team is stretched thin, you need a reliable partner who can jump in and lighten the load. Pernsteiner Creative Group specializes in park and recreation marketing, delivering the results you need with minimal ramp-up time. Our affordable, effective design and marketing solutions are tailored to help you maximize every dollar and minute. Let us be the creative extension of your team—ready to tackle projects and keep things moving smoothly. When you’re ready to get things done, we’re here for you!
Solutions for All Your Marketing Needs
• Graphic design • Brochures & catalogs
• Flyers & posters • Social media
• Direct mail • Marketing management
• Presentations
• Signage & displays •
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CPRA is pleased to be able to offer to you another service through this buyers guide. The companies that are listed in the following pages are ones who have chosen to support CPRA as an Association-wide sponsor, Industry Partner, Annual Conference sponsor, or advertiser.
We certainly hope that when you have the ability to utilize one of their services that you would give them the opportunity to bid on your project or program. Keep this resource on-hand to utilize throughout the year.
If you’re interested in becoming a CPRA Industry Partner, contact Jillian Strogis at jillians@cpra-web.org or call (720) 588-0943.
Industry Partners* (Alphabetical by Company)
A
to Z Recreation
Brandon Smith info@atozrecreation.com (844) 286-9123 atozrecreation.com
2025 CPRA Aquatics Symposium Wheat Ridge Recreation Center October 15-17, 2025
2025 CPRA Annual Conference Vail, CO
Park & Recreation Marketplace
For Byline, CPRA website or email advertising information, contact Todd Pernsteiner at (952) 841-1111 or todd@pernsteiner.com.
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