Editor’s Note: SDA is proud to recognize the ongoing collaboration between Apex Park and Recreation District and the City of Arvada

By geographic definition, Apex Park and Recreation District and the City of Arvada have had some degree of partnership since the district’s founding in 1956. Most of the district falls within the City’s boundaries, so the entities have both had roles in delivering active and passive recreation opportunities to residents. In 1999, the district and the City of Arvada signed an Intergovernmental Agreement in order to further define these roles and share resources for the betterment of the community. In 2010 and 2011, collaborative efforts shifted into high gear. During that time, APRD and the City of Arvada jointly undertook six major projects, involving a total of more than $10 million, to effect a long-term investment in quality community recreation. Additionally, in 2011 the district agreed to support the development and construction of the Arvada K-8 Neighborhood Park.

History of how the partnership came to be
Nearly all the current partnerships grew out of the respective long-term community master plans of Apex Park and Recreation District and the City of Arvada. For example, plans for the Apex Simms Street Center and the Apex Field House came into being as a result of the master plan for Ralston-Central Park. All three of these recreation resources include multiple features to improve the community for the long term – and in order to make these improvements happen, collaborative effort and expense sharing were a necessity. The collaborative history of the K-8 Neighborhood Park evolved in a similar manner. Long Lake Ranch turf expansion and restrooms at the Stenger Soccer Complex both had histories of collaboration. Long Lake Ranch opened its first few fields in 2001, and the Stenger restroom project was completed in 2010 but collaborative efforts dated back a few years earlier. The water use agreement at Indian Tree Golf Club grew from the district and the City’s mutual, ongoing need to manage water resources.

How has this collaboration served the citizens of the district?
Each of the separate projects brings unique and significant improvements to the quality of community recreation in Apex Park and Recreation District and the City of Arvada. To that end, here are separate descriptions of each project, and its benefits:

Ralston-Central Park Master Plan
Collaborative efforts for this site began in early 2009 as the district, the City of Arvada and the Arvada Urban Renewal Authority began meeting for the purpose of developing a long-term master plan for this area, as U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood control work was completed at the site of the Garrison Street Sports Center and North Jeffco Park. The flood control project necessitated the relocation the Sports Center, as it now falls within the Ralston Creek floodplain. The entities reached the consensus to (1) deed the property to the City of Arvada, (2) demolish the existing building and relocate some of its programs and move others to a new field house at nearby Lutz Sports Complex, (3) work with the community to renovate and improve the existing park site and add new recreation features, including new landscaping, picnic and seating areas, playgrounds, and interactive water features, and (4) create a pedestrian-friendly link between the residential neighborhood to the east and shopping and entertainment venues to the west.

As a result of this collaboration and the change in property ownership at the Garrison Street site, the City of Arvada is supporting the district as it builds the new Apex Field House at Lutz Sports Complex and renovates the Apex Simms Street Center, the planned home of the district’s gymnastics, dance and cheerleading programs, plus other important youth recreation programs and services. In summary, many citizens in a number of areas of the city are benefiting from this collaboration to achieve the best solution for the Garrison Street Center site.

K-8 Neighborhood Park
Following the closure of Arvada Middle School, the City of Arvada and Jeffco Public School District began developing a plan for a neighborhood park at the site. Apex Park and Recreation District contributed $75,000 to this project. The community will benefit from a park including playgrounds, paths, pavilions, picnic tables, trees and landscaping, and lots more.
 
Apex Field House
This 57,000 square-foot facility houses two indoor turf arenas, offices for the APRD sports staff, and meeting rooms. Turf and other usable materials from the existing arena at the Garrison Street Sports Center was moved to the new building, which opened in December 2011. The district will lease the site (which is located at 5724 Oak Street at the Harold D. Lutz Sports Complex) from the City of Arvada. This project is a very positive result of the collaborative efforts between Apex PRD and the City of Arvada to find the best outcome for programs and facilities on the site of the flood control project at the Garrison Street Sports Center. The local and regional sports community will reap the benefits of a second turf arena. The existing arena has been popular and profitable since it opened, with a potential unmet need waiting for the opening of the second arena later this year. In addition, the Field House will allow the district to offer a more comprehensive sports program all in one convenient and accessible spot. This project will also benefit from cost and resource sharing between the two collaborating entities, Apex PRD and the City of Arvada.

Apex Simms Street Center
The district’s gymnastics, dance, cheerleading and pottery programs recently moved from the Garrison Street Sports Complex to the Apex Simms Street Center in November 2011. This facility will be annexed by the City of Arvada, which will enable Apex PRD to get city water and sewer services at the site.

The district leases the eastern half of the building to its current occupant, Christ Community Covenant Church, and remodeled the west side to accommodate the pottery, gymnastics, dance and cheerleading programs.

The Apex Simms Street Center collaborative efforts have focused on making the facility a viable and attractive recreation center for these high quality and popular APRD programs to continue seamlessly, following the closing of the Garrison Street facility. Apex PRD is completing about 40% of the renovation work with its in-house staff, saving taxpayer dollars and thus offering long-term community benefits.

Permanent Restrooms at Stenger Soccer Complex
This sports venue attracts more than one million visitors per year for games, tournaments and events, yet before 2010, there were no permanent restrooms at the site. The City of Arvada owns the property, and it is managed by Apex Park and Recreation District. The district had previously sought voter approval for funding to build these restrooms, but the measure was turned down twice. In 2009, the City of Arvada committed a majority of the funding for the restrooms, and the Apex Park and Recreation District board of directors approved contributing a portion of the funds needed to complete the project. The restrooms opened in 2010.

Long Lake Ranch Regional Park
This 460-acre park had its beginnings in 1998, when voters approved funding for the Apex Center and the first phase of Long Lake Ranch development. The first phase consisted primarily of the infrastructure needed to support the next phases of the site development. As the infrastructure was completed by the City of Arvada and a regional sports stadium was completed by Jeffco Public Schools, Apex Park and Recreation District built a series of turf fields, now consisting of six soccer fields and three baseball/softball fields. Additionally, the park has two artificial turf soccer fields, which opened in 2009. Continued Long Lake Ranch build out is a component of the district’s 2009-2023 master plan. The park is also an important link in the City of Arvada’s renowned trail system, connecting the city trails with regional trails in the foothills.

Indian Tree Golf Course Irrigation Water Project
The Arvada Water Department is interested in transitioning Indian Tree Golf Course away from water provided by the Farmers’ High Line Canal and Reservoir Company. In 2010, the City proposed to replace all 30 Farmers’ High Line Canal shares, worth several million dollars, with a potable water tap from the City’s municipal water system. This change benefits the district by making more water available in the early spring and late fall when water flow in the FHL canal is low. The City will benefit by diverting these FHL shares to the Arvada/Blunn reservoir for more efficient use. This collaborative effort is expected to save taxpayer dollars, improve the quality of the golf course, and help both entities use water more efficiently.

Arvada Report
In 2010, the district began publishing an eight-page section three times per year in The Arvada Report, a 32-page publication that is distributed six times per year to all Arvada residents. This strategy allowed the district to expand its reach and highlight programs even more, while reducing the overall marketing budget by shifting from three activity guides per year down to two. The district also strengthened its communication ties with City of Arvada in order to cross-promote each other’s programs to residents.

Leadership Arvada
In 2010, the Apex PRD Marketing/Outreach Coordinator joined Leadership Arvada, a program for community leaders to enhance their skills and knowledge about the fabric of the Arvada community, participate in activities to benefit the entire community, and complete a community service project. Leadership Arvada chose the Apex PRD Community Recreation Center as the beneficiary of its 2011 community service project. Involvement in community-wide activities helps the district solidify its relationship with the City of Arvada and fosters future collaborative efforts.

What are the long-term plans of this partnership?
There is potential for a number of specific collaborative efforts in the near and distant future. The following is a summary of the district’s long-range master plan; a majority of the projects will involve collaboration with the City of Arvada to some degree, as the projects unfold. In more general terms, the successful outcomes from the current collaborative efforts can’t help but lead to more of these efforts in the future. Improved communications, entrepreneurial attitudes and the ongoing need for creative budget solutions are the key ingredients for that to happen.

2009-2012
• Arvada Tennis Center courts project
• Lutz Complex 2nd field pod, concessions, restrooms, playground

2013-2017
• Secrets site/East Side recreation center
• Long Lake Ranch master plan implementation
• Apex Center upgrades
• North Table Mountain Park/Apple Meadows Park rehabilitation

2018-2023
• Meyers Pool replacement
• O’Kane site projects