Parks, Recreation & Open Space Newsletter: March 2023

The longer days and the arrival of the Summer Rec Guide (look for it in your mailbox soon) have us excited for the warmer months ahead! 

Check out the exciting events and programs coming your way, plans for our parks and outdoor spaces, and a new civic space coming to Downtown Superior. There's a lot to look forward to, so stay tuned!

- The Superior Parks, Recreation & Open Space Team

The 2023 Summer Recreation Guide will be mailed to all Superior resident households the week of April 3! The guide features upcoming events, enrichment programs, fitness & outdoor programs, school break camps, and so much more. Registration for summer programs begins on April 10 at 9:00 a.m. Visit superiorrec.com to register and start making the most of your summer!

Have questions or need assistance? Contact the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space team via email at tospros@superiorcolorado.gov, in person at the Superior Community Center (1500 Coalton Rd.), or give us a call at 303-554-9005.

Together with Mountain View Fire & Rescue and Boulder County Open Space, the Town is working on Community Wildfire Protection Plans. These plans identify our community's protection capabilities, describe our community's potential exposure to wildfire, identify populations and property at risk, and propose mitigation actions.

As part of the Superior Open Space Master Plan, the Town is also soliciting bids for the first phase, focusing on Coyote Ridge Open Space and wildfire resilience.

Looking ahead, the Town plans to implement fuel reduction measures in Town-owned open space areas, including tree and shrub pruning, goat grazing, herbicide application, removal of invasive weeds, and targeted mowing. Volunteers, Boulder County Youth Corps, contractors, and in-house staff will assist in these efforts. Further funding for these efforts is also being sought through grants.

Superior's beautiful parks are a fantastic place to hold family gatherings, parties, and more, and you can reserve the space in advance. Park and pavilion reservations open online on April 1 and are available from May 1 through October 31, 2023. Visit superiorrec.com to make your reservation and start planning your next outdoor event.

The Town is selecting a firm to design and re-build parks, playgrounds, walkways, irrigation, lighting, and plant material for Big and Little Sagamore Parks and Children’s Park.

Have an idea? Public engagement is tentatively scheduled during the April 19 Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (PARC) meeting held at Town Hall from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. PARC meetings are currently held in person with a concurrent virtual option. This project aims to replace pre-existing playgrounds, parks, and right-of-ways.

The framework for four new 12’ x 12’ shade canopies surrounding the Founders Park playground were installed over the winter. The shade fabric will be installed next month just in time for the summer sun! Additional shade over one of the playground structures  is scheduled for this summer and will require closure of some portions of the playground during installation.

The new U.S. 36 Bikeway extension is complete and ready for cyclists, runners, and walkers to enjoy. The new 1.25 mile 10-foot-wide multi-use concrete trail runs from Autrey Park to Rock Creek Parkway, where it turns and parallels 88th Street. The trail then travels under 88th Street, where it parallels U.S. 36, connecting to the existing trail system and U.S. 36 pedestrian bridge crossing.

A new 8,000 square foot civic space is under construction in Downtown Superior with completion expected in late 2023 or early 2024. The 2-story public space includes an entry lobby, restrooms on both levels, an elevator, interior stairway, and large glass overhead doors on both levels. There is also identified space for a small warming or catering kitchen and office space for staff to operate the building. Ideas for use include a library area, meeting space, studio/classroom space for classes and activities, and event and/or performance space.

The Town is soliciting a design firm to conduct public engagement this spring and bring forth the first renderings of the interior spaces based on resident input. Stay tuned for more details.

The Superior Community Center is a place for fun, laughter, and learning! In addition to weekly enrichment programs for all ages and interests, the SCC has special programming for school breaks. Check out our half-day morning and afternoon camps to keep kids busy during Spring Break, March 27 - 31. Whether your child is a STEM and robotics enthusiast or an imaginative artist, kids ages 5-12 are sure to find something they love! 

Want to stay informed of what's happening every week at the Community Center? Visit the Town's email subscription page and sign up for the Superior Community Center weekly email.  

Owl Prowl: Friday, March 31, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Have you ever seen an owl in the wild? Come learn about what owls we have in Colorado, what tools you need to find them, and how to responsibly view these majestic raptors in the wild. This free program is appropriate for all ages and will consist of a half mile hike. Please dress warmly for this after sunset program, and register for this event.

Community Walk: Friday, April 14, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Join the Open Space Ranger and your neighbors for a walk around the town! This free, unstructured walk will give you the chance to ask your nature questions and interact with your neighbors in a fun way. Each walk will leave the community center at 8:00 a.m., be less than two miles, and will return to the community center by 9:00 a.m. Please dress comfortably and bring water, snacks, sturdy shoes, and sun protection to the event.

The North and South pools will open for the 2023 summer season on Friday, May 26. No matter which one you choose, be sure to take full advantage of our pools by signing up for a free SplashPass.

The SplashPass provides Town of Superior residents with admission during Open Swim hours and notifications of pool events and closures (opt-out available). If you have a SplashPass from last year, there is nothing more that you need to do; it will automatically renew for the 2023 season.

New to Superior? The 2023 SplashPass will be available to new residents on April 10 at 9:00 a.m. First, register for your SplashPass at superiorrec.com. Then, come by the Superior Community Center (1500 Coalton Road) to pick up your SplashPass key card. Residents can also pick up key cards at either pool beginning May 26. Signing up for your Splash Pass signifies acknowledgment and acceptance of important pool rules that are in place for your safety.

Looking for a fun and rewarding summer job with competitive pay and flexible hours? Then look no further than the Town of Superior outdoor pools! We're looking for enthusiastic and upbeat staff members to fill the following positions: Assistant Pool Manager, Lifeguard, and Front Desk Attendant.

Visit the Town of Superior Employment page to view job postings and apply.

The Town has engaged the firm Architectural Workshop to work with the Historical Commission for the design and programming of the Superior Historical Museum. The project aims to build a replica of the pre-existing museum, which was lost in the Marshall Fire,  with a focus on matching the look and feel of the typical early 1900’s mine camp houses that were located in Superior.

If you haven’t seen it yet, the next time you’re at the Superior Community Center, say hello to the 11-foot-tall orchid near the front door entrance! In February, the Cultural Arts and Public Spaces Advisory Committee (CAPS) welcomed Regenerato by artist Roger Reutimann to the Town’s public art collection. The enormous wooden sculpture was Reutimann’s artistic response to the Marshall Fire; he then generously gifted it to the residents of Superior. 

For Reutimann, the charred vase with the giant yellow-stained wooden orchid signifies re-growth and beauty from the ashes. Further, yellow orchids are traditionally symbolic of new beginnings and friendship. Stop by the Community Center (1500 Coalton Rd.) and see it for yourself!

Attention photographers - Announcing the upcoming Superior Snaps photo competition! We're looking for photographs that personify the beauty of the Town of Superior community, whether of person(s), place, pet(s), nature, or event. All ages and photography skill levels are encouraged to apply. Winning photos will go on display at the Superior Community Center starting in May. Stay tuned for entry details, but until then, get out and snap some photos!

Superior's 2023 Arbor Day Celebration is scheduled for April 29, 2023. The event will take place at the Superior Commons athletic field (2250 Creek View Way) in Downtown Superior near Coal Creek from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Interested in participating in the event? The Town is taking applications for local vendors, programs, and businesses interested in supporting our tree-hugging event! 

Are you enjoying the Parks & Rec newsletter? Did you know that the Town sends a Sustainability, Historical Commission, and Superior Sentinel newsletter? You can also subscribe to receive the Community Center's updates, Town Board information, Marshall Fire news, and more. For more information and to view your preferences, visit the Town's email subscription page.

Website: SuperiorRec.com, Superior Community Center
Social Media:  Superior Community Center Facebook, Town of Superior Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
Phone: (303) 554-9005
Email: tospros@superiorcolorado.gov