Parks, Recreation & Open Space Newsletter: October 2023

Fall has arrived, and we have an exciting lineup of events and activities planned for this month. Join us for the Trees & Foliage hike to witness the beautiful fall colors firsthand. And remember to mark your calendars for the spooktacular Monster Mash at the end of the month! The community center is also hosting a variety of live music and game nights, perfect for those chilly autumn evenings. Keep reading for more details on these events and more, and happy fall!

-The Superior Parks, Recreation & Open Space Team

The Historical Commission is hosting a free program, "The History of the Arapaho People in the Superior Area," on Wednesday, Oct. 18, at 7 p.m. at Superior Town Hall (124 E. Coal Creek Drive).

The Front Range was home to many Native American peoples for millennia. Among them were the Arapaho people, whom U.S. settlers met in what is now Boulder County following the 1859 Colorado gold rush. These Colorado lands remain important to the Arapaho Tribes, through their history, ancestors, culture, and traditions. Hear about the history and connections of the Arapaho people to the area from Ben Ridgley,  a Northern Arapaho Tribal Historic Preservation Officer.

Calling all ghosts, vampires, and witches too, we've got a spooky party planned just for you! The Superior Youth Leadership Council is once again hosting the Monster Mash Party on Oct. 28 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Superior Community Center (1500 Coalton Road). This is a fun, family-friendly evening that is free and open to everyone. No registration needed (but parent supervision is required). 

Have questions about wildfire mitigation in Superior's Open Spaces? Join Town staff, the Boulder Watershed Collective, Goat Bros, the Butterfly Pavilion, Boulder County Youth Corps, and the Mountain View Fire Protection District, along with other local partners for a short walk in our local grasslands and a discussion on open space management in wildfire-prone areas. 

Topics will include: 

• Superior Open Space management strategies, and how fire interacts with grassland ecosystems
• Goat grazing: the objectives, methods, and outcomes of goat grazing on local grasslands, with a focus on the 30-acre grazing project completed in Superior this summer
• Monitoring of current plant surveys being conducted by the Butterfly Pavilion to measure the effects of grazing
• Boulder County Youth Corps efforts to support Superior’s fuel reduction goals through native plant restoration, noxious weed removal, and vegetative thinning
• Grassland fire behavior and ecology, individual preparedness, and agency planning/response

Coalton Trailhead and the Coalton and Meadowlark trails are closed until early 2024 for trail improvements and cattle grazing. The Oerman-Roche Trailhead will remain open for access to the Mayhoffer-Singletree trail.

Coalton trail improvements will provide better water drainage, minimize erosion and recycled asphalt will be used for the surface. Recycled asphalt is a durable material that is less susceptible to erosion in steep areas as well as during heavy rain events.

The property's agricultural tenant will be grazing a cattle herd through December. Grazing is an important element supporting grassland ecosystem health and can decrease fire danger. Please see the Coalton Trailhead webpage for updates.

Would you like to help scientists learn more about bee pollination and species relationships in urban environments? If so, Native Bee Watch is the perfect volunteer opportunity for you!

This Colorado State University Extension initiative requires volunteers to attend a live training session where they will learn to accurately identify eight categories of bees. Participants must also pass an exam and submit observations at least twice a month from June to August. Please contact Open Space Ranger Tom Keras at tomk@superiorcolorado.gov to sign up.

Join Friends of Coal Creek for trash clean up in Downtown Superior on Oct. 28 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. The group will start at the Superior Commons Amphitheater (2130 Creek View Way) and work east to the US-36 bridge. Please wear long pants, long sleeves, waterproof boots, dress appropriately for the weather, and bring water. Gloves and trash bags will be provided.

The Cultural Arts and Public Spaces Advisory Committee (CAPS) has exciting news - five of the Town's beloved prairie dog sculptures are again out and around Town!

A new touring program will rotate the statues around various local businesses and schools every six months. Stop by Pat's Tap, Fearless Motion Dance Center, Bambei Brewing, Superior Elementary School, and Eldorado K-8 School to see the much-loved sculptures. 

(Photo: Principal Stein with the prairie dog sculpture on display at Superior Elementary School)

Come see Superior artist Nikita Kataria's art exhibit "Aura"  at the Superior Community Center (1500 Coalton Road). Nikita enjoys painting with oil on canvas to create abstract and modern illustrations of her impressions and thoughts from growing up in India.

The exhibit "Aura" is a series of oil paintings focusing on spiritual devotion and impressions of growing up in a colorful country of rich diversity and emotionality and will be on display through Jan. 2, 2024.

Join us at the opening reception and artist talk on Saturday, Nov. 4, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Hors d’oeuvre’s will be served.

The Town of Superior's Fall & Winter Recreation Guide is packed with events and programs taking place now through December. Check out the featured programs starting soon:

• Intermediate Pickleball Mixers: Sundays in Oct.
• Advanced Beginner Pickleball Skills & Drills: Tuesdays in Oct.
• Sustainably Living Through the 3R's: Oct. 18
• Superior Improv Co.- Sketch-Comedy Writing Workshop: starts Oct. 19
• SensAble Learning Programs - Fabulous Fibonacci: starts Oct. 23
• SensAble Learning Programs - Creative Journaling: starts Oct. 25
• An Evening With Local Author Natalie Hodges: on Oct. 27
• Tree Climbing - Recreational Technical Climb Session 2: on Oct. 28
• Yoga Therapy: starts Oct. 30
• Adult Spanish Session 2: starts Nov. 2
• CBArt Toddler Art Blast: two sessions starting Nov. 2 and Nov. 4
• CBArt Kids & Juniors ARTventure: starts Nov. 4 
• Beginner and Beyond Beginner Ukulele: starts Nov. 6
• Sustainably Living Through the 3R's: on Nov. 6 
• Pre-K, Beginner & Intermediate Acrobatics and Tumbling: starts Nov.7
• TGA Junior Golf: starts Nov. 7
• CBArt Toast 'n Tinker "Full Winter Moon in Blue": on Nov. 10

Euchre
Most Thursdays through December
2 - 4 p.m.
Players of all levels are welcome to join in on this trick-taking game!

Think First to Prevent Falls
Friday, Nov. 17
10 a.m. - noon
A free 2-hour presentation that will review hazards that contribute to falls, home safety, medications, talking to your doctor and more.

Tai Chi Forms 2
New session starts Thursday, Oct. 26
1:15 - 2:15 p.m.
This class focuses on relieving the symptoms of arthritis, pain, and enhancing overall healthy movement.

Walk with a Doc
Saturday, October 28
9 - 10 a.m.
Free, doctor-led walking groups. Learn about current health topics and meet new people.

Brown Bag Lunch & Speaker Series
Tuesday, Nov. 21
noon - 1 p.m.
Bring your own lunch or purchase a salad or sandwich from Serendipity Tap & Café.

Facility Reservations
Did you know that residents receive two free room reservations each month at the Community Center? Visit superiorrec.com to see the full reservation policy and reserve a room.

Have questions about reserving a room?
See the Frequently Asked Questions page that answers questions like, "Can I rent the entire facility?" and "What types of reservations are not permitted?"

Upcoming Facility Closure
The facility will close on Friday, Nov. 3 at 5 p.m. for a private event. Regular business hours will resume on Saturday, Nov. 4

Mark your calendars for the Winter Festival on December 9 - 10, 2023 at the Superior Community Center. Hosted by the Town of Superior and Superior Chamber of Commerce, this two-day extravaganza is a celebration of winter's enchantment, community unity, and the spirit of the season. 

• Live music
• Santa and his reindeer
• Shop for gifts from artists, crafters and vendors
• Make your own crafts and decorate cookies. 
• Dance performances
• Hot cocoa, too!

Join us in creating a new Superior tradition! Visit the Town Events page to see schedule and details.

The Town is encouraging residents to share their time, energy and know-how by volunteering for a Town of Superior Advisory Group. These committees, commissions and councils spend their time finding ways to solve problems, research possibilities and recommend enhancements to our beautiful Town.

Current openings:

• Advisory Committee for Environmental Sustainability - One Opening
• Cultural Arts and Public Spaces Advisory Committee - One Opening
• Historical Commission - Two Openings
• Open Space Advisory Committee - One Opening
• Planning Commission - One Opening

Learn more and apply today by visiting the Town of Superior Advisory Groups website or reach out to the Events & Volunteer Supervisor Mikaela Gregg at mikaelag@superiorcolorado.gov, or by phone at 303-499-3675, ext.128.

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