Working together to leverage limited Funds ARAPAHOE COUNTY OPEN SPACES 10 County Budget Conference September 20, 2013 The Power of Partnerships 2013 SORP Conference 5/23/2014
Why Talk About Open Space? Communities around the country are learning that open space conservation is not an expense but an investment that produces important economic benefits Trust for Public Land 10 County Budget Conference 9/18/13
Why Talk About Open Space? Economic Benefits of Recreation, Tourism and Open Space State of Virginia Outdoors Plan 2007 Economic Benefits of Open Space Preservation Office of the State Comptroller State of New York 2010 The Economic Benefits of Open Space, Recreation Facilities and Walkable Community Design Active Living Research Robert Wood Johnson Foundation 2010 10 County Budget Conference 9/18/13
Why Talk About Open Space? While those working in the natural resource and parks and recreation fields have known the importance of natural resources for years, it is becoming better known by other professions and politicians that these resources contribute both directly and indirectly to quality of life and to economic viability of all communities across the Commonwealth. State of Virginia Outdoors Plan 2007 10 County Budget Conference 9/18/13
Why Talk About Open Space? While the environmental and recreational benefits of open space preservation are readily apparent, the many economic benefits are often less evident When these benefits, also known as ecosystem services, are overlooked, open space protection may be considered an expense rather than an investment that can mitigate property tax increases, leading to land use decisions that do not accurately weigh cost and benefits. Economic Benefits of Open Space Preservation Office of the State Comptroller State of New York 2010 10 County Budget Conference 9/18/13
Why Talk About Open Space? Parks tend to increase the value and sale price of homes and property located nearby. In addition, the amount of local tax dollars required to operate and service recreation areas may be less than for other types of land use, such as residential developments, further increasing the fiscal impacts they have on municipal governments. Active Living Research Robert Wood Johnson Foundation 2010 10 County Budget Conference 9/18/13
Disclaimer Informational YMMV Unique Program Not Unique Ideas CASI Method of Program Development
Arapahoe County Open Space Introducing The Open Spaces Department The South Platte Rise of the working group model Replicating the Model Elsewhere High Line Canal and Cherry Creek Basin Challenges and Opportunities Wrap-up 10 County Budget Conference 9/18/13
Getting to Know Arapahoe County
Getting to Know Arapahoe County Over eight hundred square miles Relatively rural except for western third Third most populous county
Ninety-eight % of population lives here Thirteen cities and towns Nearly 350 special districts The Urban Epicenter The Power of Partnerships 2013 SORP Conference 5/23/2014
Getting to Know The Open Spaces Program Formed in 2004 Youngest program in the state Dedicated sales and use tax Annual budget: ~$18 million
Getting to Know Open Spaces- How Funding is Allocated
Getting to Know The Open Spaces Program Recreation District 4 parks Historic Property House, Barn & Trailhead Fairgrounds Acquired additional properties Working Ranch Open Space Park Conservation Easements Cheyenne/Arapaho Park Program Challenges Arapahoe County Fairgrounds and Regional Park The Power of Partnerships 2013 SORP Conference 5/23/2014
Development was slowing Limited atrisk properties Areas within Urban 1/3 of County in need of attention Unspent shareback dollars within municipalities South Platte River How do we put that money back into the very urbanized areas where the need and opportunity is? The Power of Partnerships 2013 SORP Conference 5/23/2014
The South Platte The Rise of the Working Group Model Meet the South Platte River: It is the common thread between 4 communities Long history of settlement and development Photo courtesy of: Denver Public Library, circa 1910 Major recreational resource Several issues and concerns along the river Photo Courtesy of: Denver Public Library, Englewood, CO, 1972
The South Platte The Rise of the Working Group Model County pledged $3 million of it s Open Space monies: Fostering collaboration Leveraging dollars Fixed time frame
Members Guiding Principles and Ground Rules Project List Creating Public Support Pooling Resources Funding Components of the Model The Power of Partnerships 2013 SORP Conference 5/23/2014
Components of the Model Members Members Arapahoe County Arapahoe County Open Space & Trails Advisory Board City of Cherry Hills Village Town of Columbine Valley City of Englewood City of Greenwood Village City of Littleton City of Sheridan South Metro Land Conservancy South Suburban Park and Recreation District South Suburban Park Foundation Trust for Public Land Partners and Stakeholders Colorado Water Conservation Board Great Outdoors Colorado Trout Unlimited Urban Drainage & Flood Control District US Army Corps of Engineers The South Platte Working Group The Power of Partnerships 2013 SORP Conference 5/23/2014
Components of the Model Guiding Principles & Ground Rules Guiding Principles Statement of Purpose (SOP) Mission Vision Strategic objectives Ground Rules Land-use decisions left to individual jurisdictions Decisions made by consensus Hired facilitator
Components of the Model Project List Projects identified independently Rating criteria developed Projects must meet purposes of the group
Components of the Model Creating Public Support
Components of the Model Pooling Resources Leveraged organizational capacity Saved time and $$$ Expertise Workload
Components of the Model Funding County pledged seed money $3 million Matching funds secured In-kind donations These factors increased competitiveness of grant applications
The Results Twenty projects completed in five years Leveraged $25 million Projects included: Fifty acres of additional open space and parks Several new bike/pedestrian bridges Six new trailheads Numerous trail connections
Highlighted Projects New Trail Connections Before After The Power of Partnerships 2013 SORP Conference 5/23/2014
Highlighted Projects New Trailheads Before After The Power of Partnerships 2013 SORP Conference 5/23/2014
Highlighted Projects New Parks and Open Space Before Before After The Power of Partnerships 2013 SORP Conference 5/23/2014
Accolades 2011 Stewardship Award Cherry Creek Stewardship Partners 2010 Blue Grama Award for Outstanding Achievement Colorado Open Space Alliance 2008 Metro Vision Gold Award for Collaboration Denver Regional Council of Governments 2008 Progress Takes Flight Stewardship Award Arapahoe County Board of County Commissioners
Moving Forward Working group completed all projects in 2011 Still plenty of work to be done In April 2012, a new working group reconvened New focus of group: Greater emphasis on: Economic development River restoration Recreational enhancements
Replicating the Working Group The Cherry Creek Basin The Cherry Creek River
Replicating the Working Group The Cherry Creek Basin Historic Cherokee Trail Headwaters located southeast of Denver Meets with the South Platte Photo courtesy of: Denver Public Library, 1906. Cherry Creek Regional Trail major recreational amenity Confluence Park, Denver
Arapahoe County Arapahoe County Open Space and Trail Advisory Board City of Aurora City of Centennial Cherry Creek State Park Cherry Creek Stewardship Partners Cherry Hills Village City & County of Denver Colorado Parks and Wildlife Douglas County Douglas County Open Space Advisory Committee City of Glendale City of Greenwood Village Parker Jordan Metropolitan District The Cherry Creek Basin Working Group Membership South Metro Land Conservancy Town of Parker The Power of Partnerships 2013 SORP Conference 5/23/2014
The Results Nearly thirty initial projects identified To date, almost half have been completed Approximately $30 million dollars leveraged
Highlighted Projects Open space acquisition and trail development 107 acres Closed one of last gaps in trail system
Highlighted Projects Awarded State Trails Grant $70,000 Implementing Phase I Signage Program
Replicating the Working Group The High Line Canal
Replicating the Working Group The High Line Canal In 1873, President recommends the canal be built Completed in 1883 Irrigation potential expected: 80,000 acres Actual irrigation: 20,000 acres Photos courtesy of: Denver Public Library, circa 1910 Photos courtesy of: Denver Public Library, circa 1890
Replicating the Working Group The High Line Canal Sixty-six miles of linear open space Designated a National Landmark Trail Over 300k residents live within a mile of the trail
Challenges Safety concerns Tree canopy issues Need for: -Buffers -Trailheads -Increased access
Membership Members Arapahoe County City of Aurora City of Centennial City of Cherry Hills Village Douglas County City of Greenwood Village Highlands Ranch Metropolitan District City of Littleton South Suburban Park and Recreation District Partners and Stakeholders Adams County Arapahoe County Open Space & Trails Advisory Board Cherry Hills Land Preserve Colorado Division of Wildlife Colorado State Parks Denver Parks and Recreation Denver Water High Line Canal Preservation Association Sand Creek Regional Greenway South Metro Land Conservancy South Suburban Park Foundation The Trust for Public Land The Power of Partnerships 2013 SORP Conference 5/23/2014
Highlighted Projects Two planning studies Identification of several potential projects Underpass feasibility study Great Outdoors Colorado grant cycle
Highlighted Projects Before After The Power of Partnerships 2013 SORP Conference 5/23/2014
Challenges and Opportunities Challenges Initial resistance Differing viewpoints Unsuccessful grant application Evolution of the working groups Geographic scope Opportunities Greater regional collaboration Creative solutions to address current situations Continued leveraging of funds Keeping members on track and informed The Power of Partnerships 2013 SORP Conference 5/23/2014
In Summary Passage of OS resolution Cities situated for success Need for leadership and coordination Arapahoe County Rise of the working group model South Platte experiment huge success Model replicated Reconvened first working group More work to be done Continue with three working groups To Be Continued
Questions? Contact Information: The Power of Partnerships 2013 SORP Conference Shannon Carter Email: scarter@arapahoegov.com Work Phone: (720) 874-6725 5/23/2013 The Power of Partnerships 2013 SORP Conference 5/23/2014