A draft master plan for Denver’s mountain parks recommends increasing funding for them and at least $30 million in improvements for their 14,000 acres in the next 10 years.
The plan was developed by the Denver Parks and Recreation Department working with the Parks Foundation, a 50-person advisory group.
Surveys conducted showed that more than 300,000 Denver residents per year visit one of Denver’s mountain parks, which are located outside the city limits, as do millions of non-Denverites.
The study found that Denver currently spends about $70 an acre on the mountain parks, roughly 25 percent to 35 percent of what other open-space systems in the area spend.
The master plan recommends a dedicated funding stream similar to the mill levy that existed from 1912 to 1956 to finance the city’s mountain parks.
In addition, the master plan recommends a greater percentage of the revenue generated by the mountain parks be devoted to their care. Currently, the parks and recreation system receives $2.2 million of the annual proceeds generated at Winter Park.
Of that amount, the mountain parks receive $200,000 each year. The planning document recommends the city up that amount to $1 million annually.
Improved signage, new trails and upgraded amenities also are necessary, the draft report states.
“The minimal cost to protect, restore and respond to recreational needs are $30 million,” the executive summary of the draft report states.
The public can still weigh in and give opinions on the master plan, which is in a draft format and not finalized.
Christopher N. Osher: 303-954-1747 or cosher@denverpost.com
