Big turn-out at the Parks & Rec Advisory Board meeting on 2/11/2016. Thanks to everyone for speaking out against the land swap. Your voices do matter. Here are a couple of highlights: Broadmoor said the City approached them to buy Strawberry Fields and cited one reason was they heard a mountain biking group was trying to build bike trails in the area. So, they asked the Broadmoor to buy it and preserve it. Doesn't that have to go through a public approval process the Park Board oversees as it is parkland? So, though it was a little odd, we think the inference was this is gesture of goodwill -- protecting the land from bikers and building trails using existing resources (presumably the City and the Friends of Cheyenne Canon) to build trails that we could build anyway and preserving the land which is currently being done via public ownership? Also, though we think the Incline is fantastic and support those trail improvements completely, it is a little confusing why the City is capable of maintaining that trail which has much more challenging issues and, yet, the Broadmoor is needed to build or maintain trails in Strawberry Fields? Doesn't really make sense. It was shared that a horse stable and entertainment area for weddings and outdoor gatherings is being considered. So, presumably, at least two structures will be built -- horse stables plus the outdoor entertainment area with, one would presume, restrooms as well as a place for the bride to hide before she walks out. So, maybe 3 structures? The Park Board asked for architectural concepts. An estimated 60 outdoor entertainment area events a year with music? Without? (unclear but one person heard up to 60 people per event) perhaps plus weddings though that wasn't clear either if it was included in the estimate. And, the City gets to use the entertainment areas twice a year. Deed restrictions were also put on the table regarding no fencing the land as well as public access to existing and any new trails that are built. It was unclear, but it did not sound like the public will have access to any areas beyond the trails and will have to, of course and rightly so, pay fees to use the stables. It's worth your time to educate yourself on the limitations of deed restrictions already shared but worth sharing again: http://www.landchoices.org/deedrestrictions.htm Put 2/24/2016 on your calendar for a traditional public meeting at Gold Camp elementary - another important meeting. Continue to share your thoughts and concerns. Be heard. AllCouncil@springsgov.com Attached is both a great deal (normally $135) and a great example of private versus public ownership. Looks fun!