Here’s some need-to-know information for the week:

OSMP’s Fort Chambers/Poor Farm Planning Process – Community Engagement Update

Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) recently consulted with the community on a shared vision and corresponding draft concept plan for OSMP’s Fort Chambers/Poor Farm property. The shared vision for the property’s future – “Heal the Land; Heal the People” – and concept plan were developed collaboratively with Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribal Representatives over the past two years through a number of meetings and site visits.

OSMP staff closely collaborated with Representatives of Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribal Nations to understand their desired long-term vision and relationship with the site, which has a local connection to the 1864 Sand Creek Massacre. The shared vision is to create a healing place for all: community members, visitors, wildlife, and natural ecosystems.

To hear community feedback, an online questionnaire was open from March 25 to April 14. OSMP received 473 questionnaire responses many with corresponding written comments. In addition, OSMP staff heard directly from dozens of community members during several inperson listening sessions. Initial results indicate strong community support for the city’s collaborative efforts with Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribal Representatives (86% strongly support, 6% somewhat support) and the recommendations shown in the draft concept plan, specifically:

  • Ecological restoration to “heal the land” (84% strongly support, 9% somewhat support)
  • An interpretive, healing trail to “heal the people” (83% strongly support, 8% somewhat support)
  • Continued agricultural operations (54% strongly support, 23% somewhat support)

OSMP staff are currently analyzing the feedback to review with Tribal Representatives. A more detailed analysis of the community input will be presented to the Open Space Board of Trustees this summer as well as a final concept plan.

Our partnership with the Tribal Representatives will continue beyond this conceptual planning phase. Once the concept plan is finalized, we will turn our collective attention towards finer scale planning and design of the concept plan recommendations, including the interpretive materials/element along the healing trail.

For more information, please contact Katie Knapp, project manager, at knappk@bouldercolorado.gov or 303-441-4107.

Regards,

Nuria

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