Recreation

Enhance recreational opportunities through development of sustainable funding utilizing a county-wide collaborative partnership.



Possible interest groups/stewards

Government; city, towns, county; public land agencies; non-profit recreation organizations; municipalities; community foundations

• Develop and implement a county-wide recreation organization or coalition that:
  
  
  • Develops and coordinates partnerships, both public and private;
  • Leverages larger funds;
  • Distributes funding through grants;
  • Develops and supports volunteer coalitions.

• Research the development and implementation of a county-wide recreation district, organization or coalition to ensure financial sustainability for recreation.
  
  
  • Combine municipal efforts;
  • Implement regional programming.

• Encourage county and municipal participation in open space, recreation and trails coordination for non-incorporated areas of the county that are adjacent to municipalities.

• Develop a cost analysis of operating programs and facilities.

• Develop mechanisms that identify those activities that should be self-supporting and those that need subsidization.

Ensure that a variety of quality recreational amenities is available, both outdoor and indoor, organized and unorganized, that support diverse recreational activities and meet the needs of a changing and growing population.



Possible interest groups/stewards

Government; elected officials; community foundations; non-profit recreation organizations; municipalities; schools, businesses; developers; private landowners and interest groups such as Friends of the Yampa

• Decision-makers adhere to parks and recreation plans.

• Develop a county-wide recreation organization or coalition that ensures the coordination and linkage of parks and recreation master plans and ensures these reflect the greatest public interest and are not led by special interest groups.

• Provide safe and affordable opportunities for youth including teen programs and afterschool programs.

• Research and develop a bike/pedestrian trail that connects all county municipalities.

• Access to recreational amenities should be encouraged in proximity to urban areas and neighborhoods in both city and county planning processes and in planning new developments.

• Coordinate and ensure a diversity of park options between natural open space and those with developed amenities. Amenities in parks have a variety of design applications that provides both natural environment and landscaped options.

• Foster collaborative efforts and written agreements among schools, government, businesses and non-profits (including arts and culture entities) to ensure access and opportunity for both organized (leagues, competitions, etc) and non-organized indoor and outdoor activities (e.g. pick-up games, dog parks, drop-in sports, etc.).

• Encourage the inclusion of multi-use, multipurpose recreational amenities in new public and private developments.

• Form a county-wide coalition and partnership for recreation on and access to the Yampa River to assist with coordination of activities and the health and sustainability of the river.