As the May 5, 2020, election approaches, South Metro Land Conservancy asked the three candidates for the two seats on the Board of Directors of the South Suburban Parks and Recreation District to answer some questions about open space, access to natural areas, water management, and other issues. Here's the response from candidate Jim Taylor.

1.One of SSPRD’s four guiding Principles is, “Connect with Nature.”  The 2017 Master Plan highlights a number “Potential Steps” to achieve this principle. Please tell us your thoughts about all or some of the “Potential Steps” highlighted in the document.

The District has over 60 sites that are classified as open space areas. Some are less than an acre and some more than 100 acres.  Any opportunity to acquire more land of significant size is very limited, especially in the western side of the district.  And it most likely will require a partner.
The Gold Medal Committee had a study group whose focus was on parks, trails and open space.  They identified the need for additional funding to maintain, upgrade, and renovate what is existing.  Every year the Board adopts a Work Plan that contains what is expected to get accomplished with the resources available.  The upgrades and renovations are identified.  Almost  all of the items in the work plan get accomplished, or at least started.
Residents of the district believe that South Suburban should provide connections to nature (identified through surveys) as an effort to get people to spend time outdoors.  The District is expected to provide both parks and open space areas, and to protect the natural environment.  As more green space is urbanized, there is less opportunity to provide outdoor activities.
We could look at physical changes to help people connect to nature.  The survey said there is support for a nature center, more focused playgrounds, and better educational and interpretive signage.

2. What specific ways can SSPRD inspire community members, especially youth, to get outdoors and enjoy nature?

Just how DO you get people to spend more time outdoors?  Perhaps building awareness of outdoor offerings which promote healthy living would appeal to our residents of all ages.  Providing new nature programs and offerings or additional amenities might entice them.
We would look to improving paths and trails to the parks and open spaces.  The district has over 100 miles of trails that are close enough that most people can walk or ride a bike to a park or open space.  Though the District is not responsible for sidewalks, they provide a connection to get to a trail or natural area as well. 
Because we serve a multi-generational citizenry with active seniors who want to age in place, having comfortable walking distances to outdoor spaces  is important.  The district’s youth commission could be requested to provide ideas that would appeal to others their age. 

South Metro Land Conservancy is pleased to announce the election of Scott Melin to the organization's Board of Directors.
Scott is an attorney with the Bagley Law Firm and a 2018 graduate of the Littleton Leadership Academy. He was born and raised in Littleton. In fact, five generations of his family have lived in Littleton from his great-grandmother to his young daughter and son. Scott’s wife, Marcy, is a school counselor in early education in Littleton Public Schools. Her great-grandfather was Samuel Culp, who built the historic “Culp Block” of buildings in downtown Littleton. 
Scott grew up fly fishing in the streams and playing in the mountains around his parents’ cabin near Deckers, and he has backpacked the 500-mile Colorado Trail from Denver to Durango. Scott is a former CSU Cooperative Extension Master Gardener and enjoys his plot in Littleton’s Pea Patch garden. He’s an avid birder and spends as much of his spare time as possible in South Platte Park.
​SMLC welcomes Scott to the Board!

     Founder and long-time Board member Bobbie Sheffield retired from the South Metro Land Conservancy (SMLC) Board of Directors in December 2018.
    Bobbie, along with a group of other like-minded citizens, formed SMLC in 1993 because of their concern with the rapid loss of open space in the south metro area. The first project the new organization tackled was partnering with the City of Littleton to secure 18.75 acres of the Newton Trust property next to South Platte Park. SMLC went on to be involved with all subsequent purchases that added important park land and buffer.
     Under Bobbie’s leadership, the organization did not just contribute financially and facilitate land acquisition for South Platte Park. SMLC served all of Arapahoe County and parts of Douglas and Jefferson Counties. SMLC notably was involved with the purchase of the Chambers Farm (now Wynetka Ponds Park), Lee Gulch Open Space, and the Stockwell property adjoining Chatfield State Park. (Please see complete list below.)
     One recent SMLC project was the 1000 acre Marrs property, of which Bobbie is particularly proud. Not only did SMLC provide seed money to facilitate the purchase with Colorado Open Lands and Trust for Public Lands, SMLC was the catalyst for adding 9000 acres to the Plains Conservation Center and ensuring the placement of a conservation easement on the Center. “The easement was almost as important as the purchase of the Marrs property,” Bobbie remarked.
     Bobbie served for 10 years on the Arapahoe County Open Space and Trails Advisory Board and was SMLC’s representative on the Platte River Working Group. In addition, Bobbie continues as an avid and long-time volunteer at Roxborough State Park and South Platte Park.
     Bobbie says, “Working with SMLC has been one of the great joys of my life. Now is the right time to retire from the SMLC Board as the organization is strong and financially stable. I’m stepping aside to let others take the lead and I look forward to devoting more time to my family.”
     Bobbie further notes that during the 25 years of SMLC’s existence, the organization has raised approximately $300,000. “Most of that consists of donations of $15 to $1,000 from citizens committed to preserving open space,” Bobbie adds.
     It is no wonder that Bobbie’s favorite quote is from Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
     Littleton and the south metro area owe a debt of gratitude to Bobbie Sheffield. Bobbie has worked tirelessly through the years to make the community a better place – a community that ranks very high with citizens because of its excellent system of open space, trails and parks. On behalf of SMLC's board and all of its supporters, we wish Bobbie, along with her husband Tex and their children and grandchildren, much good health and happiness.

Key SMLC accomplishments:
Buffering South Platte Park
Preservation of Wynetka Ponds Park
Addition of South Downs to Roxborough State Park
Preservation of the 160 acre Stockwell Property adjoining Chatfield Arboretun
Arapahoe County Comprehensive Plan update/ Open Space Master Plan
Railroad Spur Trail north of Mineral Avenue
Arapahoe County Open Space Tax (2003 and 2011)
Waterton Canyon Partnership
Audobon Nature Center
Oxbow Purchase
Lee Gulch Open Space Purchase and Master Plan
9000- acre Plains Conservation Center
Marrs Property Purchase/Conservation Easement of Plains Conservation Center

The South Suburban Parks and Recreation District will hold an election for its board of directors on Tuesday, May 8, 2018. South Metro Land Conservancy asked the candidates to share their thoughts on open space in our community. To read their responses, click here. Please vote!

South Metro Land Conservancy has partnered with Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) on the Generation Wild initiative to encourage young people to reconnect with nature and have fun outside. For more information, including the List of 100 Things to Do Before You're 12 (which are also fun to do if you're older than that!), check out the Generation Wild website.

Longtime SMLC supporter Grayce Kramlich passed away on August 15, 2017. Her family has generously suggested that contributions in her memory be made to South Metro Land Conservancy. SMLC will use the donations to her memorial fund to further efforts to protect open space in Littleton and Arapahoe County. If you would like to contribute to the Grayce Kramlich Memorial Fund, please send a check to South Metro Land Conservancy, P. O. Box 456, Littleton CO 80120. To donate online, click here.

South Metro Land Conservancy has made a contribution to the Environmental Pool, a joint effort by Denver Water and the Greenway Foundation to add 500 acre feet of water to the environmental storage at Chatfield Reservoir. This pool of water rights will allow water to be released from the reservoir into the South Platte River during low-flow periods in order to support the environmental health, fish and wildlife habitat, and recreational use of the river through our community.

SMLC's contribution will add an acre-foot of storage to the environmental pool.

More information:

http://www.denverwater.org/AboutUs/PressRoom/9E602F48-155D-01CB-0CD599C355BF5322/

http://www.thegreenwayfoundation.org/environmental-pool-pledge-drive.html

​South Metro Land Conservancy is excited to announce that Patricia Cronenberger has been elected to our board of directors.

Pat is a long-time resident of Littleton and a prominent and dedicated public servant and activist. She worked for the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) for 7 years until retiring in 2014. She was involved in a wide range of policy and legislative matters relating to Metro Vision, the region’s long range plan addressing transportation, growth and development, and environmental issues.

Before joining DRCOG, Pat served as a Littleton city council member, mayor and mayor pro tem for 15 years. She was a founding board member and chair of Transit Alliance, a non-profit educational organization promoting transit as part of a balanced, multi-modal network.

Previously, Pat worked on the staff of a U.S. Congressman, as a historian with the U.S. Department of the Interior, and in marketing and business development for Denver architectural firms. She has her M.A. from George Washington University and her B.A. from Dickinson College.

“The South Metro Land Conservancy has been doing excellent work to enhance our quality of life for over 20 years,” Pat said. “And I am looking forward to being part of the team.”