OSAC Meeting Notes – April 2013

Study Session: Mike Morin, Outdoor Recreation Coordinator, moderated a presentation on Connecting Youth and Families to Nature. Six organizations made presentations on their programs for connecting youth and families to nature.

Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education works to bring environmental awareness into the classroom.

Colorado Parks & Wildlife has many events including campfire programs in state parks, fishing clinics, outdoor skills events, etc.

The CSU Extension at the Fairgrounds conducts the ENOR (Eagle Nest Owl Roost) program of the week-long, nature oriented day camps for 4th, 5th, and 6th graders in Open Space Parks.

Lookout Mountain Nature Center sponsors a Junior Ranger program with structured play and training, sponsors festivals at the parks, and campfire programs at Lair O’ the Bear park.

The Colorado Mountain Club has after-school and summer programs to teach kids how to safely cope with the Colorado mountains, while integrating principles of physics, biology, geology, etc. into the lessons/play.

Wildland Awareness and Educational Institute presently is focusing on a college student program in outdoor education, but does have some family programs, and is creating an outdoor lab in Conifer. See article in this newsletter.

Regular Session: There was no regular meeting, but Tom Hoby did make a Director’s Report. The significant item was that Open Space will not proceed with the nature play area in Crown Hill Park. The survey and other inputs were inconclusive on the other items and a decision will wait until after the April 30th Community Meeting.

Elk Meadow Dog Park received a national award from the Society of Outdoor Recreational Professionals.

The Open Space Advisory committee has two new members. Michael Dungan is a Lakewood resident and was appointed as a City representative. Michael is a Civil Engineer and was Vice President and CFO of Muller Engineering until his recent retirement. Janet Shangraw is a South Jeffco resident and was appointed as an alternate. Janet is a Surface Water Hydrologist and previously served on the Board of Foothills Park and Recreation District.