Laserfiche WebLink
1112 Cityor <br />Louisville <br />PARKS & RECREATION <br />Memorandum <br />To: Open Space Advisory Board <br />From: Ember Brignull, Open Space Manager <br />Date: August 9th 2017 <br />Re: Open Space Service Level Comparison <br />SUMMARY: <br />Staff has been collaborating with Lafayette Open Space, Boulder County Parks & Open <br />Space, City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks, and Jefferson County Open Space to <br />compile 2017 Open Space Operational and Capital Budgets for the purpose of service level <br />comparisons as requested by City Council. <br />Bottom line cost per acre calculations are not easily benchmarked due to significant variation <br />between programs. For example, some open space programs support fairgrounds, extension <br />learning services, and underpasses/ infrastructure while others do not. Similarly, acreage <br />breakdowns vary significantly with some organizations including conservation easements on <br />private land, properties closed to the public and currently unmanaged, and properties open to <br />the public and heavily managed. While total acreage is included in the attached spreadsheet <br />cost per acre data was compiled by using only acreages interpreted to be open to the public <br />and actively managed. <br />The data compiled has been collected from public records and communication with Open <br />Space Program personnel. However, due to time constraints, this information has not been <br />validated by Finance Directors from each program. <br />CONCLUSION: <br />Staffing for the County Open Space Programs listed above average 127 full time employees, <br />110 seasonal employees (or 55 FTE equivalents), and 143 Youth Corps/Conservation <br />Corps/Jr. Ranger members. Generally, staff specializes in the following sub program areas: <br />GIS, Planning, Ranger/Enforcement, Natural Resource Management (broken down by <br />specialty), Public Education, Volunteer Outreach, Agricultural Management, Trails <br />Maintenance, Facilities Maintenance, Grant Writing, Finance Management, and Acquisition <br />and Conservation Easement Management. <br />As the Louisville Open Space Program shifts from an acquisition phase into a management <br />and program development phase consideration will need to be given to program focus areas <br />and staffing levels. <br />32 <br />