Wheat Ridge updates Parks and Recreation Master Plan with community input

The Wheat Ridge City Council held a study session on July 7, 2025, to discuss updates to the Parks and Recreation Pathway, a component of the city’s 10-year master plan. The session aimed to provide council members with a preliminary overview of the draft plan, which is still in its early stages and open for feedback before final adoption.

Karen, a city representative, introduced the session by emphasizing the draft nature of the document and the importance of community input. She noted that the presentation would be a summarized version of a more detailed report, which would be shared later. Karen also reminded attendees of the recently adopted Open Space Management Plan, indicating that some questions might relate to that document.

JR Clanton, the project manager from Barry Dunn, the consulting firm tasked with the update, followed Karen’s introduction. He outlined the firm’s expertise in parks and recreation planning and introduced the collaborative partners involved in the project, including Populous for facility assessments and ETC Institute for community surveys.

Clanton explained that the presentation would focus on high-level findings from extensive community engagement efforts. He highlighted the importance of public input in shaping the recommendations for the future of Wheat Ridge’s parks and recreation services. The engagement strategy included outreach at community events, resulting in over a thousand comment cards filled out by residents, showcasing their passion for the community.

The session revealed that residents expressed strong support for the existing parks and trails, as well as a desire for expanded facilities and programs. Key priorities identified included safety improvements, enhanced aquatics facilities, and better communication channels to reach diverse community members.

Clanton also discussed the analytical assessments conducted, which included an organizational review, recreation assessment, and demographic analysis. The findings indicated that Wheat Ridge has a well-structured parks and recreation department, with above-average staffing levels compared to similar communities. However, there is a noted underinvestment in administrative staff, which could hinder future planning and grant opportunities.

The demographic analysis showed a stable population with an increasing youth demographic and growing racial and ethnic diversity. Clanton emphasized the need for the city to adapt its services to meet the evolving needs of its residents.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue refining the Parks and Recreation Pathway based on community feedback and further analysis. The council looks forward to presenting a finalized plan for adoption in the near future, ensuring that Wheat Ridge’s parks and recreation services align with the community’s needs and aspirations.