CPRA Byline Summer 2026

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cpra-web.org | Summer 2026

DESIGN FOR PARKS, FACILITIES, AND PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO SERVE PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND ABILITIES INSIDE: South Suburban Brings Inclusive Play to Cornerstone Park Wheat Ridge Garden Club: Where Community Takes Root Active Adult Activities at Lakewood’s Clements Community Center How Apex Performance Lab is Repurposing Underused Space The Vacation We Never Took

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CONTENTS

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COLORADO PARKS & RECREATION ASSOCIATION PO BOX 1037 Wheat Ridge, CO 80034 [P] 303-231-0943 [F] 303-237-9750 cpra@cpra-web.org www.cpra-web.org Dede de Percin Interim Executive Director deded@cpra-web.org

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Member News

6

PHPR Summit

8-9

Rachel Hungerbuhler Professional Development Program Manager rachelh@cpra-web.org Jillian Galoci (Strogis) Membership & Communications Coordinator jilliang@cpra-web.org

2026 CPRA Conference

DESIGN FOR ALL 11-12 South Suburban Parks and Recreation

By Katie Ciaglo 14-16 City of Lakewood

By Chrysanthemum Greene

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Colorado Byline is the official member magazine of CPRA, Colorado Parks & Recreation Association. CPRA is a dynamic, proactive organization that creates healthy residents and livable communities by promoting excellence in parks and recreation.

and Jordan Collins

19-21 Wheat Ridge Parks & Recreation

By Logan DeCicco 22-24 Apex Park and Recreation District

By Hillary Roemersberger 25 Carbon Valley Parks and Recreation District

By Suzi Shankweller

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2025-26 CPRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

26

PRESIDENT Ali Rhodes City of Boulder rhodesa@bouldercolorado.gov

26-28 City of Lafayette

By Suzi Shankweller

PRESIDENT-ELECT Mark Snow City of Colorado Springs mark.snow@coloradosprings.gov

30 The Vacation We Never Took

By Jesse Mestrovic 31

Aleigh Scott Administrative Coordinator aleighs@cpra-web.org

CPRA Events / Marketplace

SECRETARY/TREASURER Nicole Reeves City of Grand Junction nicole.reeves@gjcity.org AT-LARGE Sara Heisdorffer City of Wheat Ridge sheisdorffer@ci.wheatridge.co.us Amy Hodge Town of Windsor ahodge@windsorgov.com

22 ON THE COVER: CITY OF LAKEWOOD

Kyle Parker Prospect Recreation & Park District kparker@prospectdistrict.org Mari Steinbach Montrose Recreation District mari@montroserec.com

Fall 2026 Issue Content/Ad Deadline: August 21, 2026 | Mails: Oct. 2026

Spring 2027 Issue Content/Ad Deadline: March 18, 2027 | Mails: May 2027 Summer 2027 Issue Content/Ad Deadline: June 16, 2027 | Mails: Aug. 2027

Learn more about advertising at www.bit.ly/CPRA2026.

AAPS Debbie Haynie Town of Castle Rock dhaynie@crgov.com AQUATICS Sara Schmalfeldt City and County of Broomfield sschmalfeldt@broomfield.org CARA Wes Dulin Foothills Park & Recreation District westond@fhprd.org Amanda Aburto City of Brighton alaburto@brightonco.gov DIRECTORS Amanda Hobson Pueblo County hobsona@pueblocounty.us EPIC Jules Sheldon Fraser Valley Metro Rec District jules@fraservalleyrec.org FACILITY MANAGEMENT Scott Hickman Carbon Valley Parks & Recreation District shickman@cvprd.com FITNESS Suzi Shankweiler Carbon Valley Parks & Recreation District sshankweiler@cvprd.com PARKS Jared Musil Town of Parker jmusil@parkeronline.org PLAaY - Chair & Board Rep Kelly Dubois City of Fort Collins kdubois@fcgov.com THERAPEUTIC RECREATION (TRSC) Emily Nelsen City of Boulder nelsene@bouldercolorado.gov

BYLINE , ONLINE & EMAIL ADVERTISING: Todd Pernsteiner Pernsteiner Creative Group 952-841-1111 todd@pernsteiner.com www.pernsteiner.com

GO DIGITAL View this issue online at cpra-web.org/page/byline.

Keep up on all things CPRA via Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

UPCOMING BYLINE DEADLINES Winter 2027 Issue Content/Ad Deadline: February 5, 2027 | Mails: March 2027

2026 CPRA ADVISORY COUNCIL

Colorado Byline is the quarterly publication of Colorado Parks & Recreation Association (CPRA) and is provided as a benefit to members. Submit your article to www. cpra-web.org/page/bylinearticlesub under publication resources. Submissions are edited and published as space allows. Letters to the editor, suggestions, comments and encouragement are welcome. Expressed opinions and statements in this publication do not necessarily represent the opinions of the CPRA board of directors or its membership.

Mission: Promote the parks and recreation profession and its growth throughout the State of Colorado.

Vision: A dynamic, proactive organization that creates healthy residents and livable communities by promoting excellence in parks and recreation.

Colorado Byline | Summer 2026 • 3

MEMBER NEWS

Lakewood City Manager Kathy Hodgson Retires “Kathy was instrumental to our profession,” said former Director of Community Resources Kit Newland. “She is a trailblazer in everything she does, her commitment to the community and leadership brought forth memorable change in Colorado.”

One of the longest tenured City Managers in Colorado, Lakewood City Manager Kathy Hodgson began her career in public service as a lifeguard 46 years ago.

Little did she know, keeping swimmers safe in 1980 was just the beginning. During her career at the City of Lakewood, Kathy held the positions of Lifeguard, Special Events Coordinator, Recreation Supervisor, and Recreation Manager. For nine years she served as Director of the Community Resources Department, providing memorable arts, recreation, and golf experiences and taking care of over 100 parks.

Kathy was influential in developing and implementing the CPRA mentorship program and cocreated the CPRA “Women in Leadership” program. She also served as the association’s treasurer, vice president and chairperson of the Director’s Section. Kathy received the Distinguished Fellow Award from CPRA in 2007.

In September of 2015, Kathy was named City Manager, leading an organization of over 750 employees supporting city services for over 150,000 residents.

At that time, Kathy was the first female city manager in Colorado and one of only four women in Colorado leading cities with more than 100,000 residents.

Nearly 18 years later, Kathy is Colorado’s longestserving city manager and has been recently named one of the nation’s 250 Champions of Public Service as part of the upcoming America 250 celebration.

She was also named City Manager of the Year in 2025 by the Colorado City and County Management Association. Kathy will retire from her impactful career this summer.

In her words, “It’s hard to believe that my journey with Lakewood began standing watch as a Morse Park lifeguard all those years ago. Back then, my focus was keeping an eye on the deep end, making sure everyone stayed safe and confident in the water. Over the decades, not much has changed, I’ve just moved from the pool to city hall, but the heart of the job has remained the same: protecting this community, supporting our team, and helping Lakewood stay afloat and move forward.”

With gratitude, we thank Kathy for her contributions to the profession and inspirational leadership.

“Kathy was instrumental to our profession,” said former Director of Community Resources Kit Newland. “She is a trailblazer in everything she does, her commitment to the community and leadership brought forth memorable change in Colorado.”

4 • Colorado Byline | Summer 2026

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Colorado Byline | Summer 2026 • 5

CPRA ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2026 Surviving, Thriving, and Passing the Torch for 75 years!

October 21-23, 2026

Beaver Run Resort | Breckenridge, Colorado WE CAN’T WAIT TO CELEBRATE CPRA’S 75TH ANNIVERSARY WITH YOU THIS YEAR AT OUR 2026 ANNUAL CONFERENCE! We can’t wait to celebrate CPRA’s 75th anniversary with you this year at our 2026 Annual Conference! The grit, tenacity, and dedication of our members, volunteers, and staff over the past 75 years have created a tradition of outstanding commitment that has carried us far and laid the foundation for continued growth and thriving for years to come.

We are survivors, but more than that, we persist in our pursuit of growth and excellence as individuals and a CPRA tribe. There is so much to celebrate this year! We are so proud looking back at our CPRA memories and rich history, 6 • Colorado Byline | Summer 2026

and looking forward to the challenges and victories of the next 75 years and beyond!

Join us to hear from over 40 exceptional speakers, including our extraordinary Keynotes! Kristine Stratton, President & CEO of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), kicks us off with a presentation and panel discussion for a unique and engaging Parks & Recreation-specific start to our Conference. Then stick around for an especially inspiring Closing on Friday with Erika Casupanan, winner of Season 41 of Survivor!

Outplaying – Outlasting – Outstanding

MEET THE KEYNOTE SPEAKERS OPENING KEYNOTE: KRISTINE STRATTON

CLOSING KEYNOTE: ERIKA CASUPANAN

Kristine Stratton is the president & CEO of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), the leading national non-profit dedicated to building strong, healthy, and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation.

In this role, she leads the organization’s strategic mission of ensuring quality of life for all by supporting, strengthening, and celebrating the field of parks and recreation. NRPA is the backbone organization for close-to-home park and recreation systems and serves as the national voice for park and recreation professionals, harnessing the passion and power of NRPA’s more than 60,000 members and the millions of individuals they serve.

As a park and rec kid who has spent a lifetime learning, growing and thriving in public parks and the great outdoors, Kristine has worked at the intersection of people and the environment for over 20 years. Before joining NRPA, she served in executive leadership roles at Earthjustice, Waterkeeper Alliance, and the Conservation Law Foundation and has volunteered on the boards of Outdoor Afro, 1% for the Planet, Defend Our Health, Protect Our Winters, and RESPOND, Inc. Kristine has an MA in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning from Tufts University and a BSBA from Boston University.

Kristine returned to her home state of Maine during the pandemic and enjoys exploring its coastal and inland waters, parks and trails. Her greatest honor is visiting national, state and local park and recreation systems across the country, connecting with park and rec professionals, and championing their incredible work for all of us.

Don’t let her purple hair and petite frame fool you. Erika proves that personality, perseverance and charm come in all sorts of packages.

As the first Canadian winner of SURVIVOR, Erika has been vulnerable and victorious in front of millions on TV. Now, she’s on a mission to inspire anyone who’s been underestimated to be resilient and embrace their full potential.

Previously, Erika had a decade-long career in public relations, marketing and tech. After years of ghostwriting speeches and standing backstage holding a clipboard, she is honored and thrilled to take center stage as a keynote speaker. With years of comedy training under her belt through Second City and Sweet Action Theatre, she loves to throw in some laughs too.

The lessons she learned as a Filipino immigrant navigating the corporate world have fuelled her passion for empowering underrepresented groups and overlooked experiences. After coming out at the age of 34, she encourages self-compassion and empathy for other queer late bloomers and allies.

Erika elevates the stories of people who have been underestimated as a media personality and host of the Happy to See Me podcast. The Canadian reality TV darling has appeared on the Traitors Canada and as a correspondent on Entertainment Tonight Canada. Her writing has been featured in the Globe and Mail.

Register online at REGISTER ONLINE

www.cpra-web.org/annual-conference www.cpra-web.org/annual-conference Colorado Byline | Summer 2026 • 7

Braided Futures:

Crafting Community Amid Chaos

By Jo Burns, Director, Colorado Public Health|Parks & Recreation Collaborative;

The 12th Annual PHPR Summit brought Colorado’s public health, parks and recreation community together for a day of connection, learning, and a meaningful transition ahead Opening with Pippi and Brené

On April 17, 2026, more than 90 professionals from across public health, parks and recreation, education, libraries, the built environment, and health-focused nonprofits gathered at the City of Westminster’s City Park Recreation Center for the 12th Annual PHPR Collaborative Summit. This year’s theme, Braided Futures: Crafting Community Amid Chaos, asked a timely question: in a season of uncertainty, how do individual strands of work weave into something stronger than any one of us could build alone?

has blossomed into a genuine movement built on a simple belief: connection isn’t a nice-to-have across our work. It is the work.

Elle Marzec led attendees through Network Mapping 101, examining who’s in our professional webs, who might be missing, and where connection bottlenecks live. Kyle Gamba and the middle school students from La Luz Education

Photo by Ryan Landell

It’s a question the Colorado PHPR Collaborative has been asking for over twelve years — and this year it carried extra weight. With 24 speakers, 12 sponsors and partners, and a 15-person crosssector planning team, the Summit

Jo Burns opened the day with an honest question: do we still need to do this? Drawing on Pippi Longstocking’s fearless improvisation and Brené Brown’s research on courage and belonging, Jo invited the room to sit with the overwhelm and fatigue many are feeling — and to choose collaboration and hope anyway.

It set the tone for a day built less around polished answers and more around honest conversation and learning together.

8 • Colorado Byline | Summer 2026

followed, showing how one lab school’s partnerships with Denver Parks & Rec, History Colorado, and the Denver Zoo are turning “it takes a village” from a cliché into a working model.

Sector by sector, story by story Sessions throughout the day painted a vivid picture of braided work on the ground. Sophie Brennan, Sophie Semenjuk, and Annie Goyanes shared how a Jefferson County Open Space and CU Public Health School partnership supports the volunteers who keep our parks running.

Haley Stephenson and Lauren O’Neill explored how enforcement, compliance, and genuine care can coexist in Continuum of Compassion.

Julia Senecal, Sarah Bexell, and Anna Allegretti reminded the room that hope equals willpower plus waypower — and young people need both. A multi-sector panel moderated by Jo Burns wrestled openly with funding cuts and the “stuck” feeling many organizations carry, while landing on a hopeful vision for community health. Sarah Konradi closed with a practical framework for moving from stuck to scrappy when resources are scarce. Grounding breaks — neurosomatic breathing with Lionel Mims and Qi Gong with Apprentices of Peace Youth Organization — kept everyone centered throughout.

CREATING HEALTHY PLACES

Since 1961

A braid, and a beginning The Summit’s visual documentation partner, Arlosoul, spent the day translating every session into live, hand-drawn graphic recordings, now gathered into a beautiful e-booklet capturing the full arc of the day in a way words alone can’t.

As the day closed, Jo Burns shared news that landed with both gratitude and a quiet ache: this was her last PHPR Summit. After more than a decade of building and growing this collaborative, Jo announced that the PHPR Collaborative will spend early fall 2026 exploring succession planning and what comes next.

It’s a fitting close to a day spent talking about resilience and the strength that comes from many hands carrying the same work — and an open invitation to the Colorado parks, recreation, public health, built environment, and library community to help shape what’s ahead.

For resources and info from the Summit, visit www.co-phprcollab.org/2026-summit.

Interested in learning more about the Colorado PHPR Collaborative, visit /www.co-phprcollab.org/ or contact jo@joburnsconnects.com

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DESIGN FOR PARKS, FACILITIES, AND PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO SERVE PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND ABILITIES 10 • Colorado Byline | Summer 2026

SOUTH SUBURBAN BRINGS INCLUSIVE PLAY TO CORNERSTONE PARK

By Katie Ciaglo, Communications Supervisor, South Suburban Parks and Recreation

Play for all is coming to Cornerstone Park in Littleton, Colorado! South Suburban Park and Recreation District is expanding access to outdoor play for families throughout the south metro Denver area by building the District’s first fully inclusive playground. The new 15,000-square-foot amenity will transform the already beloved Cornerstone Park into a regional destination for inclusive play and connection.

The location and features of the new playground were shaped

through extensive engagement with residents, park users, and families of children with diverse sensory and physical needs. Early community outreach about improvements to Cornerstone Park revealed a strong need for an inclusive playground, prompting the project team to refine its focus and engage partners such as LuBird’s Light Foundation, a local leader in universally designed play spaces. The team conducted site tours, hosted focus groups, and gathered feedback through public meetings and surveys to inform

accessible and engaging design options. South Suburban staff also conducted precedent studies and attended CPRA-offered training sessions on inclusive play and universal design to help ensure the playground reflects best practices.

The resulting nature-themed playground will support children of all ages and abilities in a shared environment for outdoor recreation.

By integrating sensory, socialemotional, and cognitive elements alongside physical accessibility features, the playground creates a

Concept plan for the new playground at Cornerstone Park.

Colorado Byline | Summer 2026 • 11

richer and more meaningful play experience. Some of these features include: • Built-in quiet spaces such as a “serenity spot” • Musical instruments like drums and chimes • A sensory path and concrete embankment slide • Inclusive freestanding equipment like a multi-user swing and adaptive merry-go-round • Accessible play structures for children ages 2-5 and 5-12 The universal design elements also extend well beyond the playground to incorporate accessible parking and pathways that make all areas of the park available to users with mobility devices.

“Improving accessibility throughout our parks and facilities is a

priority for the South Suburban community, and we’re proud to bring that vision to life with the new inclusive playground at Cornerstone Park,” said South Suburban Board Chair Pam Eller.

The project was made possible thanks to the biggest grant South Suburban has ever secured from Great Outdoors Colorado – $900,000, as well as funding from Arapahoe County Open Spaces and a private donor. “These investments from our partners ensure that the playground can be built to its full potential and will create meaningful

park experiences for families across the District,” shared Eller.

Construction of the playground is expected to begin in October 2026.

Learn more about the project and subscribe to updates at gameplan. ssprd.org.

As early steps to create an inclusive playground, South Suburban staff met with families and the LuBird Light Foundation to tour Cornerstone Park on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.

12 • Colorado Byline | Summer 2026

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CREATIVE PLAY FOR ALL - ACTIVE ADULT ACTIVITIES AT LAKEWOOD’S CLEMENTS COMMUNITY CENTER

By Chrysanthemum Greene and Jordan Collins, City of Lakewood

Creative play is a focus for active adult programs in Lakewood. This May, the city hosted a resource fair, an art exhibition and a wide variety of art classes at its Clements Community Center.

14 • Colorado Byline | Summer 2026

EMPOWERING RESOURCES Held annually, the Active Adult Resource Fair is a free, comprehensive event where active adults can connect with services related to recreation, financial well-being and physical health.

More than 80 local organizations supported the event by providing information for adults, caregivers and family members. Distance and resources being spread out in various locations can be an

issue for active older adults, and this event removes those barriers by bringing a wide variety of services to one location. The fair offered demonstrations in age-friendly fitness, blood pressure screenings and health assessments. Professionals were on hand to assess the results and give personalized feedback.

Park rangers, firefighters and other public servants were also in attendance to take questions and inform the public.

CELEBRATING ARTISTIC TALENT The Active Adult Art Show featured 28 artists presenting 48 pieces, ranging from vibrant paintings to intricate stained glass and woodcarvings. This diverse mix showcased the unique personalities and skill sets within the community. Walking through the gallery, visitors were surrounded by an array of colors, shapes and textures. Guests admired the skillful compositions, leaving the exhibition filled with wonder and curiosity.

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NURTURING CURIOSITY AND EXPRESSION While art is subjective, it is surely a labor of love. Many can struggle to find their artistic outlet, not knowing where to start.

Programs like the Crafting Social provide an opportunity to unlock those ideas in a relaxed social environment. Learning a new craft can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Friendly faces are right around the corner. The Clements Community Center continues to expand its programming, introducing fall classes like wire wrapping and welcoming new instructors like ceramics and metalsmithing expert Abby Olderog.

Creativity and the act of “making” are ageless, just like our patrons.

MANY CAN STRUGGLE TO FIND THEIR ARTISTIC OUTLET, NOT KNOWING WHERE TO START. PROGRAMS LIKE THE CRAFTING SOCIAL PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY TO UNLOCK THOSE IDEAS IN A RELAXED SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT.

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Colorado ParkS & Recreation Association is celebrating 75 years in 2026!

Get Your Agency Noticed in Your Magazine This Year!

SHARE YOUR NEWS, PROJECTS, EVENTS & UPDATES IN CPRA’S COLORADO BYLINE

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Attention CPRA Agency Members!

Materials Deadlines Fall 2026 Byline Ad deadline......................................August 21, 2026 Distributed at CPRA Conference....... October 2026 Mails to members.............................November 2026

Your agency can be featured in the next issue of Byline. Why not add being published in your state professional magazine to your resume?!

Editorial topics:

Have something to share?

CPRA 75th Anniversary Commemorative Issue

1. Get Included in the NEW Keeping Up Section Submit your brief updates (up to 300 words) about your events, projects, staff news, or retirements. Photos welcome.

2. Submit a Feature Article CPRA agencies are invited to submit articles (350-700 words) aligned with our mission, along with 3-4 high-resolution photos. Suggested themes are available, or you may propose a topic that would benefit our members.

3. Send Article Leads/Ideas If you’re short on time, send us your article ideas and contact details.

We’ll handle the research and writing whenever possible.

Plus Annual Buyer’s Guide

CPRA AGENCY MEMBERS!

You are invited to submit historical articles and photos for consideration in the 75th Anniversary issue by August 10th.

Submit your article ideas and photos at www.surveymonkey.com/r/CPRA75th.

How to submit: Send your article or suggested topic and photos to Jillian Galoci at jilliang@cpra-web.org. If you have questions, please call (720) 588-0943.

For reference, CPRA members can view past issues of Byline at www.cpra-web.org/publications.

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Looking for amazing exposure to your target audience? Get in front of CPRA members with a customized advertising or sponsorship package that could include Byline magazine, sponsored editorial, online, email and event sponsorships. One-time magazine, email and website advertising opportunities are also available. Unsure of what you’d like to do, contact us to discuss options!

Questions? Contact Todd at todd@pernsteiner.com or (952) 841-1111 or download the 2026 media kit at bit.ly/CPRAByline2026.

18 • Colorado Byline | Summer 2026

WHEAT RIDGE GARDEN CLUB: WHERE COMMUNITY TAKES ROOT By: Logan DeCicco, Marketing Specialist, Wheat Ridge Parks & Recreation Photos by: Karen O’Donnell, Parks & Recreation Director, Wheat Ridge Parks and Recreation and Logan DeCicco, Marketing Specialist, Wheat Ridge Parks & Recreation

Over the course of April and May, a small group of neighbors, friends, elders, and young people gathered every Tuesday for just one hour in Wheat Ridge. What began as a simple Garden Club soon grew into something far greater than tending plants. Week by week, participants

came together with shared hands and a shared purpose, nurturing more than 1,500 food and companion plants, such as herbs and flowers, that were ultimately returned to the community for everyone to enjoy.

Yet the true growth extended far beyond the seedlings. As trays of young plants filled with new life, so did the conversations that unfolded around them. Stories were exchanged across generations.

Seasoned gardeners shared wisdom gathered over decades,

Colorado Byline | Summer 2026 • 19

while first-time growers discovered the joy and confidence that come from helping something flourish.

Laughter often accompanied the work, whether over spilled soil, gardening mishaps, or the excitement of spotting the first signs of growth.

In those seemingly small moments, something meaningful began to take shape. Garden Club became a space where relationships deepened, neighbors became friends, and community strengthened one conversation

20 • Colorado Byline | Summer 2026

at a time. Together, participants cultivated not only food and flowers but also connection, belonging, and a shared sense of care for one another. The impact of this collective effort was seen at the Plant Giveaway Event, where the plants were shared with the community at no cost.

But perhaps the most lasting harvest is less visible: the relationships formed, the knowledge shared, and the reminder that positive change often begins with people simply showing

up for one another. According to Garden Coordinator, Krystyn “Yy” Dennis, “Garden Club has become very active at Wheat Ridge’s community garden. The group comes to potlucks and volunteer days and are still caring for the plants they started from seeds that will eventually make their way to the food bank and people’s plates.” The power of community is remarkable. When people of all ages come together for a common purpose, for even just one hour each week, they can grow something extraordinary.

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HOW THE APEX PERFORMANCE LAB IS REPURPOSING UNDERUSED SPACE TO MEET COMMUNITY NEEDS

By Hillary Roemersberger, CPRP, AFO, Director of Recreation Services. Apex Park and Recreation District

The Apex Performance Lab has quickly become one of the most dynamic additions to the Apex Field House, transforming a onceunderutilized conference room into a dedicated training environment for youth, teens, and adults. What began as a response to growing demand for athletic development has evolved into a model of innovation, collaboration, and community service.

As youth fitness programs and speed and agility camps expanded, Apex staff faced a familiar challenge: too many athletes and

22 • Colorado Byline | Summer 2026

not enough space. Partners such as the Arvada Hockey Association and the North Jeffco Swim Team needed reliable dry land training, yet existing facilities could not safely or consistently support them.

Older youth and teens—often the hardest age group to engage—also needed a structured environment where they could build strength, skills, and confidence.

A district-wide assessment in 2025 identified a solution hiding in plain sight. An underused conference room at the Apex Field House, already adjacent to two turf fields,

offered the perfect foundation for a performance-focused training space. Repurposing the room allowed Apex to meet community needs without major construction, while also breathing new life into an overlooked area of the building.

Once the location was selected, Apex began engaging key partners and internal teams to ensure the project was both functional and financially responsible. Rep Fitness played a key role in the design process, providing layout concepts, equipment recommendations, and free demo units that allowed staff

to test functionality before making purchases. The Apex Foundation, a 501(c)(3), helped extend the project budget by supporting equipment and enhancements not covered by traditional funding.

Internally, the District Services team completed demolition and painting in house, reducing expenses and accelerating the renovation timeline. The Marketing team developed a comprehensive rollout campaign, while fitness staff conducted direct outreach to local athletic organizations, offering tours and customized training packages. This outreach built on existing relationships, including the 2024 dry land partnership with the Arvada Hockey Association and ongoing demand from Colorado Edge Soccer and the North Jeffco Swim Team.

Since opening in June 2025, the Performance Lab has delivered significant results. It now supports

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Colorado Byline | Summer 2026 • 23

a wide range of programs, from youth and teen strength training to introductory powerlifting for adults and confidence-building classes for older adults. It has become a reliable training home for the Arvada Hockey Association, North Jeffco Swim Team, and Colorado Edge soccer, strengthening long-standing partnerships and improving access to safe, structured athletic development.

The transformation has also had a measurable financial impact.

In 2024, the conference room

generated roughly $6,000 in revenue. In its first nine months as the Performance Lab, the space generated $50,000 and is on pace to bring in an additional $48,000 in 2026. Startup costs were recovered in just six months—half the time originally projected.

Beyond numbers, the Performance Lab has become a symbol of what creative problem-solving can achieve. It has strengthened internal collaboration, expanded staff expertise, and sparked new conversations about how other

underutilized spaces across the District might be reimagined. Most importantly, it has provided athletes of all ages with a safe, motivating, professionally supported environment to grow.

The Apex Performance Lab shows how thoughtful reinvention can elevate both community service and organizational capacity, proving that sometimes the most impactful solutions are already within our walls.

THE APEX PERFORMANCE LAB SHOWS HOW THOUGHTFUL REINVENTION CAN ELEVATE BOTH COMMUNITY SERVICE AND ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY, PROVING THAT SOMETIMES THE MOST IMPACTFUL SOLUTIONS ARE ALREADY WITHIN OUR WALLS. 24 • Colorado Byline | Summer 2026

THE IMPORTANCE OF KIDS’ FITNESS AT CARBON VALLEY RECREATION CENTER

By Suzi Shankweiler, Fitness and Wellness Supervisor, Carbon Valley Parks and Recreation District

In addition to our regular youth fitness programming, the Carbon Valley Recreation Center in Frederick, CO is proud to bring even more movement and excitement to Kids Summer Camp. Each year, our fitness team partners with the Youth Program to deliver high-energy activities that help kids stay active, healthy, and engaged.

Through favorites like Superhero Boot Camp, Crazy Circuits, Zooming Zumba, and Yo-Yo-Yo-

Yoga, campers get the chance to burn off energy, try new forms of exercise, and discover that fitness can be fun. These sessions support healthy habits, build confidence, and give kids a positive outlet for all their summertime enthusiasm.

Our mission is simple: keep kids moving, keep them smiling, and send them home happily tired. At CVPRD, we’re proud to make fitness a memorable and meaningful part of their summer.

OUR MISSION IS SIMPLE: KEEP KIDS MOVING, KEEP THEM SMILING, AND SEND THEM HOME HAPPILY TIRED. Colorado Byline | Summer 2026 • 25

SUNSET, COMMUNITY, MOVEMENT: OUTDOOR YOGA IN LAFAYETTE

By Lexi Bulich, Fitness Supervisor, City of Lafayette

Every summer, many recreation departments brace for a dip in attendance. Vacations, heat, and shifting schedules can make it tough to keep people engaged. In Lafayette, we’ve had a very different experience. When we moved more of our programming outside, participation didn’t drop. It grew.

Colorado gives us an incredible advantage: the outdoors itself. Our parks have big skies, mountain views, and that unmistakable summer energy that draws people out of their houses. Instead of asking residents to step away from all of that, we decided to lean into it. Outdoor yoga quickly became one of our most successful examples.

THE SETTING DOES HALF THE WORK. WHEN THE SUN STARTS TO SET OVER THE FOOTHILLS OR THE STRING LIGHTS KICK ON AROUND THE LAWN, THE WHOLE CLASS SHIFTS FROM A “CLASS” TO AN “EXPERIENCE.”

26 • Colorado Byline | Summer 2026

What surprised us isn’t just how many people signed up, it’s how they showed up.

Participants arrive early, settle into the space, and take their time connecting with one another. The setting does half the work. When the sun starts to set over the foothills or the string lights kick on around the lawn, the whole class shifts from a “class” to an “experience.”

One of the biggest hurdles with outdoor fitness is sound. Anyone who has tried teaching on a large lawn knows how quickly your voice gets swallowed by wind or background noise.

That’s why we started using SoundOff wireless headphones for all of our outdoor sessions.

They allow everyone to hear the instructor clearly without needing a big speaker setup or competing with whatever else is happening in the park.

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The technology itself is simple: participants wear a headset, and the instructor’s music and voice come through at a comfortable, adjustable volume. Even when people are practicing close together, everyone can hear clearly without the instructor needing to project across the lawn. And because the sound is contained to the headphones, the class doesn’t interfere with nearby park users or businesses.

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THE TECHNOLOGY ITSELF IS SIMPLE: PARTICIPANTS WEAR A HEADSET, AND THE INSTRUCTOR’S MUSIC AND VOICE COME THROUGH AT A COMFORTABLE, ADJUSTABLE VOLUME.

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Colorado Byline | Summer 2026 • 27

What we’ve learned is that creativity matters more than square footage or equipment budgets. By reimagining traditional programs and letting the parks become part of the experience, summer didn’t become a slow season, it became one of our strongest. The photos we’ve taken over the past couple years tell the story better than anything else: mats scattered across green grass, headphones glowing at dusk, participants relaxing under dramatic Colorado skies.

Every community has parks. Every community has people who want to be outside in the summer. Sometimes the best way to boost engagement is simply to meet residents where they already want to be.

BY REIMAGINING TRADITIONAL PROGRAMS AND LETTING THE PARKS BECOME PART OF THE EXPERIENCE, SUMMER DIDN’T BECOME A SLOW SEASON, IT BECAME ONE OF OUR STRONGEST.

28 • Colorado Byline | Summer 2026

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Our low-maintenance, high-performance courts provide exceptional shock absorption, traction, and durability, ensuring athletes stay safe, comfortable, and at the top of their game—every time they step onto the court.

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Colorado Byline Byline || Summer Summer 2026 2026 •• 29 29 Colorado

Colorado Byline | Summer 2026 • 29

CLOSING THOUGHTS

The Vacation We Never Took…

By Jesse Mestrovic, Parks & Recreation Project Manager, City of Northglenn

I’ve been thinking a lot about youth sports lately.

Not because I dislike them. Quite the opposite. Sports taught me lessons about teamwork, hard work, grit, resilience, and friendship that I still carry today. But somewhere along the way, youth sports seem to have become something entirely different than what many of us experienced growing up.

Travel sports have become the family vacation.

Think about it. A generation ago, many families spent their weekends and summers camping, visiting relatives, taking road trips, fishing, hiking, or exploring new places together. Today, countless families spend those same weekends driving to tournaments, checking into hotels, eating meals on the run, and racing from one field to another.

A tournament weekend can easily cost hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars once you add up registration fees, gas, hotels, meals,

equipment, and everything else that comes with it. Multiply that across an entire season, multiple sports with multiple kids, and it’s not hard to see why some families spend as much on youth sports as others spend on a major vacation.

The question isn’t whether it’s worth it. For many families, it absolutely is. The question is what we’re giving up in exchange.

When I think back on my childhood, I don’t remember every game I played. I don’t remember every score or every win. What I remember are the experiences.

Camping trips. Family vacations.

Exploring somewhere new. Time spent with people I cared about.

I wonder what today’s kids will remember. Will they remember the championship game when they were 11? Maybe. But they might be more likely to remember hanging out with teammates at the hotel pool, eating pizza after the game, or laughing with their family during the drive home.

That’s what makes me think this conversation isn’t really about sports. It’s about balance.

Youth sports can be an incredible part of childhood. They build confidence, friendships, discipline, and character. But they shouldn’t become their entire childhood. And they shouldn’t become the entire identity of a family either.

At some point, every family has to decide what memories they want to create. There isn’t a right answer.

But it’s worth asking whether we’re intentionally choosing those memories, or simply following the momentum of a culture that keeps asking for more tournaments, more travel, more money, and more time.

Childhood only happens once. So does parenthood.

That’s why I think the goal isn’t to raise the next professional athlete.

The goal is to raise healthy, happy, well-rounded kids who will look back one day and smile at the life they lived, both on and off the field.

That’s what makes me think this conversation isn’t really about sports.

It’s about balance.

30 • Colorado Byline | Summer 2026

Upcoming CPRA Events July 28-July 30, 2026

October 20-23, 2026

Financial Sustainability Certificate Program Boulder, CO

75th Anniversary CPRA Annual Conference Breckenridge

August 26-28, 2026

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ALSO INSIDE: Creative Programming for Active Adults The Highly Qualified Entry Level Candidate You Might Be Missing Funding Colorado’s Water Future

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2025 CPRA CONFERE OCTOBER 15-17 NCE | VAIL

View the 2026 media kit at bit.ly/CPRAByline2026.

Fall 2026 Byline with Buyer’s Guide

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Ad deadline....................................August 21, 2026 Distributed at CPRA Conference......October 2026 Mails to members...........................November 2026

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To advertise in CPRA Byline, the 2026 Buyer’s Guide, CPRA’s website, or in CPRA email marketing, contact Todd Pernsteiner at (952) 841-1111 or todd@pernsteiner.com.

Colorado Byline | Summer 2026 • 31

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