Open Call: Application for Nature Exploration Park Facilitators - Pilot Program

The City of Boulder invites educators, play advocates and community organizations to propose programs, workshops, or small pop-up events in local neighborhood and community parks that encourage nature discovery and play.

This open call seeks programs that foster community connection, exploration and joy in nature, while encouraging community members, especially youth and families, to engage with parks in hands-on activities.

2026 will serve as a pilot year for the Nature Exploration Park Facilitator Program. Continuation of the program will be determined after the pilot is reviewed.

Example Program Types Include (but not limited to):

• Monitored free play in nature for children of all ages
• Outdoor learning workshops or nature exploration activities for children and families.
• Small pop-up events - catered to less than 50 people - encouraging imaginative play or creative engagement with natural elements.
• Youth programs focused on nature discovery, ecology, conservation or environmental stewardship.
• Intergenerational activities connecting community members to nature and one another.

Program Agreements:

Applicants (whether individuals, collectives or organizations) are required to read and sign a copy of the Nature Exploration Park Facilitators Agreement before conducting programs. The program is not confirmed until the signed agreement is returned.

Applicants will be required to share feedback on program outcomes, including participant engagement, nature discovery experiences and community involvement, to help the city evaluate the success of park activations and inform future initiatives.

Application Process:

A selection committee will review proposals based on the following criteria:

• Mission Alignment: How well the proposal supports the Boulder Parks and Recreation Department Plan’s key themes: Community Health & Wellness, Building Community & Relationships and Youth Engagement & Activity and aligns with the city’s Sustainability, Equity and Resilience (SER) framework.
• Park Activation: The potential of the program to engage and activate the park space, encouraging participation from the community and creating opportunities for free play, discovery and meaningful connections to nature.
• Family-friendly Gathering Opportunities: Providing space for families to gather together and learn about the importance of play and time interacting with nature.
• Community Engagement: How the program actively involves the local community and provides accessible opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds, income levels, abilities, and ages.
• Program Design & Feasibility: The originality and quality of the proposed programming, including how well it engages participants, encourages nature play, and the applicant’s ability to safely and effectively implement the program.
• Group Size & Scale: Proposed activations should be designated for small groups of fewer than 50 participants at a time. Submissions focused on large-scale programming will not move forward in the evaluation process.

Program Delivery & Safety:

• Selected programs will be approved for operation for agreed-upon dates, times, and locations anytime from the date of approval through December 2026.
• Programs may occur as single-day events or multi-day series, depending on the proposal.
• All programs must respect park ecology, wildlife, assets and other visitors, while following all General Park Rules and Regulations.
• Applicants are responsible for all aspects of program delivery, including setup, materials, staffing and cleanup.
• Programming should encourage public participant, engagement with nature, and playful learning
• Safety of participants, especially children, is the responsibility of the applicant.
• Parks and Recreation staff reserve the right to modify or cancel programs that are deemed unsafe, non-compliant or significantly different from the approved proposal.

Program Location

• Programs will take place within the City of Boulder Parks and Recreation managed parks. Applicants are encouraged to focus on neighborhood and community parks, which provide accessible, local outdoor spaces for families and community members to engage in nature discovery and playful learning.
• Proposals are not currently being accepted for Central Park & Civic Area, Pearl Street Mall, Valmont City Park, Boulder Reservoir, or Flatirons Golf Course.

Photography and Use of Images

• The City of Boulder may take photographs or request photographs from applicants of programs and activities for use in promoting nature exploration in the City of Boulder. The city cannot prevent, nor is it responsible for preventing, members of the public or media from photographing programs or activities that take place in public parks.

Program Fees, Sales, & Donations

• Fees associated with commercial use of the parks may be waived for all selected applicants.
• The City of Boulder is not a selling agent and does not take commission from any sales associated with a program. If an applicant wishes to sell materials, goods, or services as part of their program, prior approval is required, and compliance with City policies and permitting processes is mandatory. Donations to support community programs are permitted only with prior City approval.
• If a separate formal partnership agreement is established with the City during the selection process, terms related to fees, sales, revenue sharing, or donations may be addressed separately and may differ from the provisions outlined above.

Storage

• The City may support the storage before, during, or after activations for any program materials or equipment. Successful applicants will work with the city to understand storage needs and what types of storage needs can be met by the city. For example, arrangements may be made to allow natural loose parts (logs, branches, stumps, etc.) to be left onsite in designated areas. For items that can’t be stored by the City, applicants are responsible for transporting and removing all materials at the agreed dates and times.

Commercial Use & Insurance Requirements

Commercial Use Application

Fees associated with commercial use of the parks may be waived for all selected applicants. However, following selection applicants will be required to follow the City of Boulder’s Commercial Activities at Parks & Recreation Properties policies to ensure equitable access, safety, and consistency across the park system, including completion of an Annual Customer Application (ACApp).

Insurance

Depending on scope of program updated liability insurance proof may be required. The certificate must name the "City of Boulder and its officials and employees" as additional insured in a general liability insurance policy: a combined single limit of $1 million per occurrence and a $2 million aggregate.

All rentals and permitted uses require a signed waiver and agreement, completed by the individual or organization through SmartRec, committing them to follow rules and regulations and cover any damages incurred through their use.

Through the Annual Customer Application, all organization customers and commercial users will maintain and provide a certificate showing sufficient insurance coverage, including:

• Commercial General Liability limits of at least $1M per accident, $2M in aggregate
  • “Add’l Insd” is checked, and the City of Boulder is listed as Additional Insured for commercial liability on the certificate
• For entities with employees (not just owners), Workers Compensation must also be provided
• The City of Boulder is listed as the Certificate Holder

While many reservations do not require insurance since the customer has committed to terms and conditions that formalize their responsibility, the insurance described above is required if one or more of the following conditions apply:

• The planned activity is not suited to the facility’s design or intended purpose or is considered a higher-risk activity (for example: equipment not typically used in the space). City staff reserve the right to determine if an activity falls outside the intended use of the facility and requires insurance coverage.
• The activity includes amplified sound, vendors or is open to the public. In this case, a Special Event Permit with insurance is required.
• The renter is an organization or business and participants are charged a fee or the activity is for commercial or promotional purposes. In this case, an ACApp with insurance is required (see Commercial Users)

You will need to provide proof of your City of Boulder Business License, even if you do not collect sales tax this license will support the data for types of business in the city.

Applications for 2026 must be submitted by Sunday, February 1, 2026.

Notifications regarding selection will be sent to applicants no later than Friday, Feb. 13, 2026