Goal #4. Create an inspiring, safe and pleasant experience in our parks and facilities
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The Imagine Lakewood! statistically valid survey revealed that Lakewood residents love their parks, trails and open spaces and feel safe using them. However, some challenges exist that hinder enjoyment of these facilities for many residents. According to the survey:
89% of residents think dog waste is a problem in Lakewood parks.
75% of residents feel that conflicts between pedestrians and bicyclists is a problem on Lakewood trails.
71% of residents think dogs off-leash is a problem in Lakewood's parks, trails and open spaces.
66% of residents said that there are too few dog parks in Lakewood.
About 40% of residents think that there is not enough awareness and/or enforcement of park and open space rules.
As dogs off leash, dog waste and dog parks featured prominently in the survey responses, please make sure you check out the Dogs in Lakewood Fact Sheet.
To achieve this goal we will:
a. Improve on-leash compliance across the park system.
b. Decrease the amount of dog waste left in park spaces.
c. Continue to advance the City of Lakewood Zero Waste goals in community parks, facilities and at events.
d. Refine the department's role in addressing safety and emergency preparedness situations.
e. Address overcrowding issues at Bear Creek Lake Park.
f. Enliven and enhance parks and facilities with public artwork and interpretive information.
g. Evaluate use of the City's trails and park path system including, connectivity, user conflicts, design, safety and activity levels.
The Imagine Lakewood! statistically valid survey revealed that Lakewood residents love their parks, trails and open spaces and feel safe using them. However, some challenges exist that hinder enjoyment of these facilities for many residents. According to the survey:
89% of residents think dog waste is a problem in Lakewood parks.
75% of residents feel that conflicts between pedestrians and bicyclists is a problem on Lakewood trails.
71% of residents think dogs off-leash is a problem in Lakewood's parks, trails and open spaces.
66% of residents said that there are too few dog parks in Lakewood.
About 40% of residents think that there is not enough awareness and/or enforcement of park and open space rules.
As dogs off leash, dog waste and dog parks featured prominently in the survey responses, please make sure you check out the Dogs in Lakewood Fact Sheet.
To achieve this goal we will:
a. Improve on-leash compliance across the park system.
b. Decrease the amount of dog waste left in park spaces.
c. Continue to advance the City of Lakewood Zero Waste goals in community parks, facilities and at events.
d. Refine the department's role in addressing safety and emergency preparedness situations.
e. Address overcrowding issues at Bear Creek Lake Park.
f. Enliven and enhance parks and facilities with public artwork and interpretive information.
g. Evaluate use of the City's trails and park path system including, connectivity, user conflicts, design, safety and activity levels.
What thoughts do you have about this goal and these actions? What excites you and/or concerns you? What's missing? Leave your thoughts here!
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Please don't pave over the established soft-surface trails in Belmar park and around the reservoirs. Good to have some paved trails for (wheelchair/elderly) accessibility. But, also need sufficient soft surface for reasons of health--good for people to be out and about, but paved actually less amenable to impact exercise, and more likely to be icy.
pbransberger
about 6 years ago
The parks are packed with people. The land development in Lakewood needs to chill! Vanguard Green Gables, Alta Pinehurst, and Village at Belmar have eaten up a great deal of space; and every square inch of Belmar is developed with two new apartment complexes, a hotel, and condos. It really feels like the walls are closing in around us. Can we please stop selling off this land to developers and leaving it as-is or funding programs that encourage parks and areas for Lakewood residents to enjoy? There is so much opportunity for these areas to create something SO COOL and unique for residents to enjoy. A water garden with streams, waterfalls, fountains, etc., a skate park, outdoor fitness trails, community gardens, playgrounds, outdoor movie theatres... the list is endless. As someone in multi family real estate, I can certainly appreciate the revenue growth these builds create, but what about preserving what makes Lakewood so great and keeping our open space open?
rmccoy1982
almost 7 years ago
There are too many people using Lakewood's parks. To remedy this, we need more parks and open space and slow down development. No more ultra high density apartments in Lakewood.
dcocmsc
almost 7 years ago
I agree with the survey results indicating problems with off leash, dog waste, pedestrians / bicyclists conflict and insufficient enforcement of park rules. Part of the problem is people do not know the rules and the how to effectively report problems. Perhaps this can be addressed in your findings.
Also, I think enforcement would be better served by having foot or bicycle patrols in parks and on trails. Cameras are inexpensive. Why not use them more for monitoring and enforcement. Encourage people to send police or animal control photos of people with off-lease pets or violating other rules. As I believe that most offenders repeat their behavior enforcement officers can be looking out for those people.
Please don't pave over the established soft-surface trails in Belmar park and around the reservoirs. Good to have some paved trails for (wheelchair/elderly) accessibility. But, also need sufficient soft surface for reasons of health--good for people to be out and about, but paved actually less amenable to impact exercise, and more likely to be icy.
The parks are packed with people. The land development in Lakewood needs to chill! Vanguard Green Gables, Alta Pinehurst, and Village at Belmar have eaten up a great deal of space; and every square inch of Belmar is developed with two new apartment complexes, a hotel, and condos. It really feels like the walls are closing in around us. Can we please stop selling off this land to developers and leaving it as-is or funding programs that encourage parks and areas for Lakewood residents to enjoy? There is so much opportunity for these areas to create something SO COOL and unique for residents to enjoy. A water garden with streams, waterfalls, fountains, etc., a skate park, outdoor fitness trails, community gardens, playgrounds, outdoor movie theatres... the list is endless. As someone in multi family real estate, I can certainly appreciate the revenue growth these builds create, but what about preserving what makes Lakewood so great and keeping our open space open?
There are too many people using Lakewood's parks. To remedy this, we need more parks and open space and slow down development. No more ultra high density apartments in Lakewood.
I agree with the survey results indicating problems with off leash, dog waste, pedestrians / bicyclists conflict and insufficient enforcement of park rules. Part of the problem is people do not know the rules and the how to effectively report problems. Perhaps this can be addressed in your findings.
Also, I think enforcement would be better served by having foot or bicycle patrols in parks and on trails. Cameras are inexpensive. Why not use them more for monitoring and enforcement. Encourage people to send police or animal control photos of people with off-lease pets or violating other rules. As I believe that most offenders repeat their behavior enforcement officers can be looking out for those people.