EPRD… A Success Story

You don’t have to be a swimmer, skater, gym rat or pickleball player to appreciate the impact of the Evergreen Park and Recreation District.

EPRD is a success story with a unique history of vision mixed with resolve, community “buy-in” and a “get-‘er done” work ethic. From its inception in 1969 and soon a er, under the direction of legendary Executive Director Dick Wulf 1972-2007, as well a number of dedicated iconic Board members such as A.J. Johnston, Hank Alderfer, Peter Eggers, Dan Lincoln, Rash Hendryx and Deb Browne, the District wisely and strategically made decisions for the good of us all.

Its mission was and is “to improve the quality of life of the Evergreen community by providing a wide range of excellent, nancially responsible park and recreation amenities and programs while maintaining and enhancing the area's mountain character.” e ‘powers that have been’ have been good stewards over the years making virtually everything better they have touched and leaving a rich legacy.

Early on, it was about swimming for the kids, and in 1972, a deal was cut for a 99year lease with the school district on land just south of the high school. A building was constructed which housed a swimming pool, two locker rooms, a multi-purpose room, and administrative space for the district. It was known as the Evergreen Recreation Center until 2008, when the property was named in honor of Dick Wulf and became the Wulf Recreation Center.

More deals were made with the school district to use athletic elds and playgrounds, and over time, new land was purchased adding more ball elds, tennis courts, parks and trails. e Center would expand to include a gymnastics gym and much more. EPRD would also collaborate with the Evergreen Metropolitan District and Je co Open Space to develop the trail around the lake which included steps on either side of the dam and three bridges east of the dam. e Lake House, Evergreen’s pride and joy, was constructed and opened in March of 1993 under their direction and determination.

roughout the ensuing years, EPRD purchased land in north and south Evergreen. Most notable was the ’94 purchase of the initial 4 acres that make up Buchanan Park, along with negotiating to buy adjacent properties and assisting alongside MALT in saving Noble Meadow / Elk Meadow from developer overreach. ey oversaw construction of the Buchanan Park Recreation Center and it opened in 2003. A year later they secured 14.1 acres at Marshdale Park, which today sports athletic elds, tennis/ pickleball courts, a playground, a picnic pavilion and trails. e list is nearly endless as to what the over-achievers accomplished. Under Dick Wulf and the many board iterations, the trajectory was onward and upward. We owe them a great deal for their vision, courage and tenacity which resulted in the essence of what is Evergreen today.

Peter Eggers rightly states how things happen up here,

“ e spirit of volunteerism is in the soul of Evergreen. A er all, it has always been up to us, and only us, as groups of individuals, to dream together and envision new possibilities that ful ll common needs. Whether it is re ghting or coaching or performing or raising money for a good cause, as citizen leaders, we are much the same. We are led and inspired by our neighbors and friends who sit on boards and form organizations to make Evergreen a better place.” e big idea was to work with Denver Mountain Parks and utilize a combined larger 4-acre area, take Buchanan into Phase II and realize the potential of the property by expanding the Buchanan Rec Center footprint, increasing recreational services, providing a place for the arts, and in general take it all to the next level. e times were a’changing, funds were more di cult to come by and the Bergen community, as well as Evergreen at large did not buy in. e Master Plan was shelved, albeit several smaller projects from within the plan were realized over time.

So what has gone on since the glory days? Truth be told, we have seen some ebb and ow. Good things have continued for sure, but the recession of 2008 thwarted EPRD Master Plan e orts to grow and expand.

Executive Directors weren’t serving long, the makeup of the Board of Directors changed and there was a cautiousness, and in some cases an un-doing of what had been established. Another bond & mill levy increase was on the ballot in 2018 and was narrowly defeated. Certainly during the slow-down years there have been bright spots (Heart Cameron) and those who gave it their all to make things better. ank you, John Ellis & friends.

Happily, we are feeling renewed hope and a sense of well-being has emerged with the hiring of our new Executive Director, Cory Vander Veen, along with newly-elected

Board members Peter Eggers, Betsy Hayes and Mary McGhee. e Evergreen Lake North Trail will come to fruition this year through their leadership.

Know also that right now they and we are in the midst of ‘Strategic Plan ’2022-23’ and are in the Discovery Phase, which is a time for Community Engagement, EPRD Board & Sta Engagement, Communitywide Survey Participation, Facility and Park Assessments, as well as Financial and Market Analyses. Additionally, Board Elections are scheduled for May 2nd, and two (2) directors will be elected to serve four-year terms. ere’s an opportunity for you.

To all who have served… ED’s, Board Members, Sta , Volunteers, thank you for your sacri ce and leadership in giving us the best of Evergreen. -John Erlandson