May 5, 2022 – El Paso County Parks and BerryDunn (formerly GreenPlay) invites citizens to attend the El Paso County Parks Master Plan Update open house, which will be held on Thursday, May 19, 2022, at the Bear Creek Nature Center, 245 Bear Creek Road, 80906. The open house is scheduled from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm. The public is invited to learn more about the County Parks Master Plan Update and voice opinions about the master plan.
Project team members will be available at the open house to answer any questions and discuss the update. The project team will review the additional public and stakeholder input for the final Master Plan. Review and adoption by the Park Advisory Board and Board of County Commissioners is anticipated summer 2022.
The draft County Parks Master Plan Update will be posted online for public review, Wednesday, May 11, 2022 to provide the public an opportunity to review prior to the open house. For more information and a draft copy, visit the El Paso County Master Plan Update webpage at: https://epcountyparkplan.com/
Public comments can be submitted in writing to Theresa Jackson at teresaj@greenplayllc.com until Wednesday June 1, 2022.
El Paso County Parks Master Plan Update Background:
The Parks Master Plan is a guiding document that works with other county plans to maximize recreation opportunities such as nature centers, parks, trails, and the long-term protection of open space. This process will reaffirm essential goals and objectives of the existing Master Plan, while incorporating needed changes and new ideas based on input by stakeholders, analysis of data and will continue to guide the County’s efforts to provide high quality services that are valued by citizens.
This Plan Will:
- Assess the condition of the parks and open space general infrastructure and provide prioritized recommendations to address needs and gaps in condition and service.
- Update GIS data and mapping
- Conduct a regional comparison of Open Space Programs
- Conduct public engagement to seek opinions regarding satisfaction levels with maintenance of park properties, trails and open spaces. A public survey was completed in September 2021.
- Recognize and acknowledge the value and health benefits of Parks and Recreation.