City of Golden Open Space Master Plan
Phase 2 Will Kick Off This Fall
You can find more details of Phase 2 on the Path to Play page.
Open Space Master Plan -- Phase 1
The Open Space Master Plan -- Phase 1 document was finalized and is now available for review.
Survey Results
The survey, open from July 11 to August 15, 2023, was designed to gain a better understanding of the uses and values of open space by residents and visitors of Golden. Your feedback will help us develop an Open Space Master Plan that reflects that reflects the needs and values of our community.
We received 279 unique responses, only four of whom indicated they do not live in Golden. Approximately 85% of respondents indicated that they interact with Golden’s open spaces one or more times per week, and most respondents (88%) said they visit Golden’s open spaces year-round.
Please view the Survey Results Report to see all responses received.
Community Meeting
Thank you to community members who joined City of Golden staff and project consultants at a meeting on July 11, 2023 to hear about project updates as Golden works towards building an Open Space Master Plan.
The City of Golden and its consultants discussed draft Open Space Mission, Vision, and Definition statements in the presentation, which can be found in the slideshow presented at the community meeting.
Background
The City of Golden has a strong commitment to provide the highest quality parks and recreation facilities and recreation programs possible for its citizens. A few years ago, in 2016, the City of Golden Parks and Recreation Master Plan identified open space and natural areas, plus trails and pathways, as the most important of current city facilities; the top priorities to add, expand, or improve; and top priorities to benefit health and well-being of Golden residents.
Why create an Open Space Master Plan for the City of Golden?
Many other communities along the Front Range in Colorado have Open Space Master Plans. The City of Golden is home to one-of-a-kind, world class resources and natural areas and open spaces, but lacks a comprehensive definition and plan for open space. The City of Golden is aiming to build out an Open Space Master Plan, with the engagement of the community, to support the City’s needs.
What will the Open Space Master Plan include?
The primary purpose of the Parks and Recreation Open Space Master Plan is to create a clear and concise policy for open spaces within the City of Golden. At the onset of this process, developing a clear definition for open space will be the City’s top priority, which will serve as a starting point and framework for making policy, administration, and management decisions about open space. The final plan document will provide considerations for open space preservation and protection, development, re-development, maintenance, enhancement, and future acquisitions.
Who does this impact?
Since access to the outdoors is part of daily life in the City of Golden, the City is seeking diverse feedback from people who live near natural areas or open spaces, people who enjoy and seek more access to the outdoors, conservationists, and more.
How is the City of Golden developing the Open Space Master Plan?
After a bidding process, the City of Golden selected Great Ecology to serve as consultants in the development of the Open Space Master Plan. Great Ecology has worked with communities across the nation on the design, restoration, enhancement, and study of ecosystems, open spaces, and parks. As part of the planning process, a working group made up of community leaders will help to guide the City and consultant team on the development of the plan framework. At key stages, the City will look to community input and feedback on the technical development of the plan components.
