SUBJECT:
Title
Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Trails (PROST) Strategic Plan Update & Performing Arts Center Feasibility Study Introduction
Body
DEPARTMENT: Parks & Recreation
Department
PRESENTER(S): Luke Bolinger, Director of Parks & Recreation
First Name Last Name, Title
TIME ESTIMATE: 60 minutes
only required for non-consent items
FISCAL SUMMARY:
N/A
POLICY ISSUES: The results of the PROST Strategic Plan will guide the Parks & Recreation Department’s operations and maintenance, capital improvements, and financial strategies over the next five to seven years to maintain service levels and keep up with growth. The key policy issue for the Council to decide in the Performing Arts Feasibility Study is whether to pursue constructing such a facility in future years.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
While no action is required on this item, staff recommends Council discuss any questions or concerns about these two projects in preparation for adoption later this summer.
End
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
We are excited to present our 2025 PROST Strategic Plan: Connecting YOU to Fun Playbook (the “Playbook”). This name not only aligns with our current branding but also offers a fun, engaging title that we can proudly share with staff, leadership, and the community. It captures the spirit of our department and reflects a collective commitment, as each of us plays a role in connecting our community to the services and opportunities we provide.
The Parks & Recreation Department last updated the Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Trails (PROST) Plan in 2016. Since then, the Town and Department have experienced significant growth. To continue providing quality services to our expanding community, staff selected DTJ Design to update the PROST Strategic Plan, and Council approved their professional services agreement in October 2024. This update will guide the balanced and equitable distribution of programs, facilities, and amenities across the Town, while also planning for operations, maintenance, staffing, and funding. The plan will include measurable strategies to support recommendations, goals, and policies, ensuring compliance with Best Management Practices and the standards established by the National Recreation and Park Association’s (NRPA) Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). This approach will allow the Town of Erie Parks & Recreation Department to align future services with our accreditation, a distinction held by only 213 agencies in the United States and 11 in Colorado.
As part of the project, the Town will also conduct a feasibility study for a Performing Arts Center. This study will evaluate the center’s viability, community impact, financial implications, construction costs, and operational considerations. The Performing Arts Center study will align with the broader Playbook and respond to the community’s growing interest in arts and cultural programming.
The scope of services spans four phases over an anticipated 8.5-month period, which began in November of 2024. In phase one, DTJ Design has established a Project Work Plan (PWP), conducted a kick-off meeting, toured the study area, and developed a Community Engagement Plan (CEP). In phase two, DTJ Design will collect data, perform a needs assessment, and engage the community through stakeholder interviews, focus groups, and open house events. They will assess current parks, facilities, and programs, identify gaps, and prioritize needs. In phase three, DTJ Design will draft plan recommendations, develop an implementation strategy, and concurrently conduct the feasibility study for the Performing Arts Center, including site review, cost estimates, and community impact projections. The final phase includes presentations to various Town Boards and Commissions, concluding with the presentation of the plan for adoption by Town Council and submission of final reports and deliverables. Each phase includes regular project management, reporting, and meetings to ensure steady progress and stakeholder involvement.
This evening, DTJ Design will present an overview of these two projects and the work completed to date. Staff, along with our partners at DTJ Design, will be available for questions. We will bring the final plan for adoption this summer once work has been completed.
TOWN COUNCIL PRIORITY(S) ADDRESSED:
ü Attractive Community Amenities
ü Engaged and Diverse Community
ü Prosperous Economy
ü Small Town Feel
ü Safe and Healthy Community
ü Effective Governance
ü Environmentally Sustainable
ü Fiscally Responsible
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Community Engagement Plan
2. April PROST Update Presentation