JEFFERSON COUNTY — Clement Park is one step closer to some updates and upgrades after the Foothills Park and Recreation District Board of Directors approved a for the popular park.
The board approved the plan at its Dec. 10 meeting after more than eight months of work by local officials and the group contracted to complete the plan.
“In recognition that it’s a tired park and that we need to invest some dollars, we thought we would do a master plan,” said Ron Hopp, Foothills executive director.
The plan estimates a cost of a little more than $24 million to complete improvements. Hopp said there is no funding in place yet for implementation at the 27-year-old park.
During public meetings, Hopp said people said that the current layout of the park is good, but that it needs some updating. He said close to 600 people filled out their survey online.
Some general improvements include expanding parking and replacing damaged trails, repairing and updating ballfields and tennis courts and overhauling the fountain-splash pad.
Proposed added amenities depict a boardwalk and an upgrade of the amphitheater to accommodate bigger shows.
Mark Kopatz, a landscape architect at Stanley Consultants who served as principal in charge of the project, said that while the roadway and parking improvements might not be the most exciting aspect of the plan, it’s important for safety at the 200-acre park.
Hopp said the board will seek to fund the project and they are also considering proposing a mill levy increase for the 2014 election in November, which, if approved, would leverage more dollars from outside sources.
“It would require a pretty significant investment just to bring things up to grade,” Hopp said.
Joe Vaccarelli: 303-954-2396, jvaccarelli@denverpost.com or
