The Parks and Recreation Department Master Plan was adopted in 2008 by Golden City Council and identified three under-served park areas in Golden.

The 17-acre Bachman Property (18300 W 4th Ave) was purchased in 2009 by the City of Golden in partnership with Jefferson County Open Space to meet an under-served park need in southwest Golden. We are looking for input from area residents on access and future use of this space.

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and City staff met with the public at Shelton Elementary School on Tuesday, March 3 at 7 p.m. to discuss options for the property. Funding is not currently available to master plan a park space; however, there was discussion on interim uses and access until funding is available. You can download the notes from that meeting, as well notes gathered from online feedback, by visiting the Bachman Property web page below. City staff is also still accepting feedback via the web form on the Bachman Property page.

Construction on the Golden Library remodel will begin March 20, and the library will be closed through June 11 to accommodate the construction. However, library staff members are working to schedule alternative service arrangements for Golden residents. 

"We're excited to see this project underway," said Golden Mayor Marjorie Sloan. "In just a few months, we can lay claim to the first 21st century Library in Jefferson County!"

"We can't wait to see this vision become a reality," said Pam Nissler, executive director, JCPL. "We're grateful to the City of Golden for helping us to make this possible, and we've worked hard to create a library that supports modern library services while reflecting the special character of the Golden community."

Beginning March 1, the new floorplan and photos of new furniture and fixtures will be on display at the Golden Library. According to Carroll Mannino, Golden Library Manager, the new design reflects much of the input received from Golden residents at community meetings held last summer. Here are some things residents can expect to see:

• A larger, more open children's area, with a "literacy playscape" to encourage informal learning during play;
• A larger teen area, equipped with enhanced technology;
• Updated technology in the public access area;
• Enhanced technology in the meeting room, to support public presentations;
• More informal spaces for community interaction and exchange, including a community living room (with a fireplace!);
• A large quiet area;
• A study room; and
• An opening day collection, with more of the materials residents are requesting.

"We hate to close the library," Mannino added. "We're doing our best to maintain our most popular services during the construction period, and we hope Golden residents will be patient with us as we complete the remodel."

Learn more about the remodel and alternative services that will be available during the closure

Jefferson County Library Foundation (JCLF) and Jefferson County Public Library (JCPL) are offering naming opportunities in conjunction with the upcoming remodel of the Golden Library. Residents can help to provide 21st-century library services in the Golden community, while ensuring that their generosity will be recognized for years to come.

A range of naming oppor�tu�ni�ties are avail�able for indi�vid�u�als, families, orga�ni�za�tions, and cor�po�ra�tions, enabling donors to pay trib�ute to their rela�tion�ship with the Golden Library or to honor and rec�og�nize some�one spe�cial in their lives.

• Naming opportunities range in value from $5,000 to $30,000 and give donors the opportunity to name major library areas and amenities.

• Name recognition opportunities range from $1,000 to $10,000 and give donors the opportunity to be recognized for providing access to updated technology in the library.

• Individual donations are welcome as well and will be recognized on a special donor wall inside the library.

There are currently 4 different bids and proposals being sought by the City for different goods and services.

• 2015 Meter Replacement Project
• Ulysses Park Art
• 2015 Utility Replacement Program
• Government Access Television Equipment Upgrade

We need your participation!

Jefferson County residents are invited to take part in a first-of-its-kind exploratory assessment. The children's museum needs assessment is sponsored by four founders who are everyday moms with young children who believe all Jefferson County kids should have access to a community children's museum. Before moving forward, the founders want a clear understanding from the community regarding the need for a children's museum in Jefferson County. 

Your immediate input will ensure that this project is viable and sustainable in our community! It will take about 10 minutes of your time to complete the assessment. The deadline for the survey is Friday, March 20, 2015. 

This assessment is completely voluntary. Your answers will be completely anonymous. No one, including the researchers, will know who you are or know which answers are yours. When all assessments are complete, the researchers will write a summary of the information collected. Click on the green box above to go to the survey.

Primetime Research & Evaluation, an independent research firm, is conducting the assessment and is not associated with any of the museum founders. If you have questions about the assessment or your assessment privacy or rights, contact Dr. Margret Dugan at 303-506-3249.  

Take the survey!

There are a lot of job opportunities currently available with the City of Golden, from seasonal to part-time to full-time. If you're looking for work, don't forget to check out the opportunities available with us. 

And students, that includes you! There are always a lot of seasonal positions for summer work, so keep your eyes peeled.

 Employment opportunities currently available with Golden

Every year the Golden Parks and Recreation Department offers for sale, at a steep discount to Golden residents, a diverse mix of deciduous tree species through the annual spring tree sale.

This year, trees available for purchase include Peking tree lilac, Big Tooth maple, 'Hot Wings' Tatarian maple, Washington hawthorn, Chanticleer pear, Goldenraintree, Turkish filbert, Shumard oak and Bur oak.

Trees must be paid for at the time of ordering and can be purchased through April 15, while supplies last. Proof of residency is required. The trees will be distributed after that time.
 

Visit the  Golden Forestry page for more information on the trees available for sale, a price list, and to download an order form.  

The Parks & Recreation Board will meet at 7 p.m. tonight, March 17, in the Golden Community Center.

The Parks and Recreation Board was created in 1982 in order to increase community involvement, and to advise Golden City Council and staff on how to best provide safe and comprehensive parks and recreation facilities, programs, and services on behalf of all current and future residents of the City of Golden.

The board consists of seven members and one alternate who serve four-year terms, making suggestions about policies and procedures, fees and charges, acceptance of park land, design of parks, and other projects relating to the Parks and Recreation Department.

CBAC will meet at 7:30 a.m. on March 18 in Council Chambers.

The Citizens Budget Advisory Committee (CBAC) was created by the City Manager to advise City staff on the development, implementation, and evaluation of the annual City budget. Participation in CBAC is an opportunity not only to advise on the prioritization of how City tax dollars are spent, but also to advise our policymakers in their decision-making process.

CBAC meets the third Wednesday of each month, March through November, at 7:30 a.m. in the Golden City Hall Council Chambers.

The Golden City Council will meeting at 6:30 p.m. on March 19 in Council Chamgers. 

The Golden City Council usually meets every second and fourth Thursday at 6:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted, as this meeting is. Some meetings are rescheduled due to holidays or other events happening in the city. Changes in the regular schedule will be noted online.

Visit the Council Members & Commentaries pages to read about and find contact information for Mayor Marjorie Sloan and all six council members - Joe Behm, Saoirse Charis-Graves, Marcie Miller, Marcia Claxton, Pamela Gould, and Laura Weinberg.

Each of the top three finalists at the Jefferson Symphony International Young Artists Competition (JSIYAC) Winners' Recital won by performing a different Rachmaninoff concerto this year. Golden audiences will have an opportunity to hear first place winner, Sherry Kim, perform her winning piece, Rachmaninoff's Concerto No. 1. at the Young Artists Competition Winner Concert at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 22 at the Green Center, 924 16th St.

Sherry Kim is a 22-year-old graduate student at Manhattan School of Music, but has been playing piano since the age of five. As the winner of the JSIYAC, Sherry Kim will receive the grand prize of $5,000 and the opportunity to perform her winning concerto with the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra.

In its 56th year, the JSIYAC has evolved from a local competition to an international gathering of outstanding young musicians competing for top prize money and scholarships. There is no minimum age requirement to enter the competition, but there is an age limit of 23 years of age. The competition alternates every other year between pianists and all other instrumentalists.

The Jefferson Symphony International Young Artists Competition is co-sponsored by the Jefferson Symphony Association and Colorado Christian University. Its underwriters include Frani and Ted Bickart, Colorado Creative Industries, Golden Civic Foundation, Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD), and the Wilmot Charitable Trust.

Young Artists Competition Winner Concert - March 22, 3 p.m.

• M�quez                             D�nzon No. 2
• Bernstein                          On The Waterfront
• Rachmaninoff                   Concerto No. 1 in F Minor

Guest Artist: Sherry Kim, Piano

Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.jeffsymphony.org or by calling the JSO office at (303) 278-4237.