Niwot Children’s Park named award winner

Last week the Colorado Lottery announced winners of the 2018 Starburst Awards, which recognize public projects that use lottery funds, and the Niwot Children’s Park was one of 11 winners chosen statewide.

The lottery funds — in the amount of $140,000 — came out to be about 70 percent of the purchase price of the property the park sits on at 101 First Avenue in Niwot, with Jeff and Cynthia Lambert and funds from the Niwot community providing the balance. Another $20,700 of services were donated toward surveys, site testing and closing costs.

Funding for park development came from the Jeff and Cynthia Lambert family’s Reiman Foundation, which donated $250,000, while Niwot community donors more than matched that sum with over $283,000. The Niwot Cultural Arts Association contributed over $31,700 from funds raised at the Rock & Rails Summer Concert Series as well as other events.

Donations and discounts of services and materials from contractors building the park were valued at $249,999. The Niwot Local Improvement District contributed over $22,000, and Boulder County Parks & Open Space added another $10,000 to the development cost, putting the total investment at over $1,068,000.

The park opened on Oct. 2, 2016 and has been a popular spot for the youth in town ever since.

Boulder County currently owns the park, with maintenance provided by the Niwot Cultural Arts Association, which will acquire the park in 2038 for $1. According to Biff Warren, president of the NCAA, the maintenance costs for 2017 were $10,640.50, which was covered by donations and proceeds from the summer concert series.

Landscape architect Jim Fletemeyer, one of the many involved in seeing this project become a reality, said that it’s an honor to recognized for the effort.

“The Commissioners asked that the Niwot Children's Park project be submitted in last year's Starburst Lottery Awards program,” Fletemeyer said. “It has now received the highest distinction within a select group of statewide entries. With or without an award, the Children's Park will always stand as a testament to what a noble vision and determined community can achieve.

“To that end, since its opening on October 2, 2016, it continues to celebrate its intended guests - the children and friends of this outstanding community. This selfless effort truly falls under the category of, ‘…ask what you can do for your country!’”