Connecting Nature and Community

The City of Golden is pleased to announce the adoption of Phase 2 of the Open Space Master Plan (OSMP), a significant milestone in advancing Golden’s commitment to conservation and responsible land management.

Building on Phase 1
Phase 1 of the OSMP, launched in 2021, established a conservation-focused definition of open space for Golden. Phase 2, initiated in July 2024, builds on that foundation by identifying properties that meet this definition and outlining strategies for their long-term protection and stewardship.

What’s Included in Phase 2
The adopted plan focuses on:

• Refining the mission and open space definition to align with conservation priorities
• Introducing a classification model for Natural Areas and Resource Protection Areas
• Developing a six-attribute framework to guide land acquisition and management decisions
• Standardizing management goals for vegetation, wildlife, trails, and cultural resources
• Establishing policies to manage social trails, guide future improvements, and protect sensitive areas

Community-Driven Process
A community working group, appointed by the Parks, Recreation, and Advisory Board (PRAB) through an open application process, met six times to help shape the plan. PRAB received monthly updates, provided ongoing feedback, and formally recommended the plan for City Council adoption on June 26, 2025.

Adopted Plan

Thank you to the community members, partners, and stakeholders who contributed their ideas and passion for open space. Together, we’re ensuring Golden’s natural areas remain protected and accessible for generations to come.

If you weren’t able to attend the June 3 event, you can still view the presentation materials. The slideshow shared during the open house outlines key findings, draft recommendations, and the overall direction of Phase Two.

👉 View the Presentation Here

We welcome your continued feedback as the plan moves toward adoption.

The Draft Open Space Master Plan – Phase 2 is now available for review. This plan is a major step forward in protecting and preserving Golden’s natural landscapes, cultural resources, and wildlife habitats.

This phase of the plan lays the groundwork for long-term conservation and responsible stewardship by:

• Refining the mission, vision, and definition of open space to emphasize native plants, wildlife habitat, and meaningful connection to nature
• Introducing a preliminary classification model that distinguishes between Natural Areas and Resource Protection Areas to guide access and care
• Creating a six-attribute framework to evaluate open space and guide future acquisition and management
• Establishing a standardized management plan for vegetation, wildlife, trails, and cultural resources
• Developing policies to manage social trails, plan future improvements, and protect sensitive areas from overuse

View the draft plan: OSMP Phase 2 Draft

Public comment is open through June 6

This is your opportunity to help shape the future of Golden’s open spaces. Let us know what you think and be part of preserving the places that make Golden special.

Submit comments through our Draft Open Space Master Plan – Phase 2: Public Feedback Survey

Tuesday, June 3 | 5:30–6:30 PM | Golden Community Center

Join us for a public presentation and open house to learn about the Phase 2 Open Space Plan. This event is a great opportunity to explore the draft recommendations, ask questions, and share your input.

Event Schedule:
5:30–5:50 PM – Brief presentation highlighting key elements of the plan
5:50–6:30 PM – Open house format with topic-based stations and staff Q&A

The draft plan will be available online starting May 28 for public comment.

Help shape the future of Golden’s open space system, we look forward to your participation!

On April 17, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board received an update on the Open Space Master Plan Phase Two planning effort. The update focused on the properties that meet the City’s adopted definition of open space, as well as the classification and key attributes that have been assigned to each property.

Download the April 17 PRAB presentation

On Thursday, April 10, the working group met to discuss the first draft of the Open Space Master Plan Phase Two. Members had two weeks prior to the meeting to review the draft and provide feedback.

The following materials from the meeting are available to download:

• Download the meeting agenda

• Download the draft document with working group comments

• Download the response matrix used during the discussion

• Download the Video recording of the April 10 meeting

On March 20, BerryDunn will present key discussion items from the Open Space Master Plan to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB).

The presentation will focus on:

• Refining the Open Space Mission, Vision, and Definition
• Introducing the Spectrum-Based Model of Classification for Golden’s Open Spaces
• Reviewing the recommended Maintenance, Preservation, and Restoration Framework for Golden’s Open Space

Ahead of the meeting, PRAB received a memo with a general update on the planning effort.

Download the PRAB update memo.

Download the March 20th OSMP PRAB Update

On February 20, we shared key findings from the Parks and Recreation Master Plan with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

The presentation focused on:

• Engagement: Insights on community involvement and feedback
• Recreation Programs: Analysis of current offerings and opportunities for growth
• Park Inventory & Assessments: A closer look at park conditions and potential improvements

Thank you to our advisory board for their thoughtful feedback—these findings are shaping the future of Golden's parks and recreation offerings! Stay tuned for more updates as we continue moving forward!

Download Key Findings Presentation

We are pleased to share the Draft Open Space System Map for the City of Golden’s Open Space Plan, Phase Two. This map provides a clear overview of the open space properties within Golden, highlighting both City of Golden Open Space and key surrounding areas.

The map distinguishes the following:

• City of Golden Open Space
• Colorado School of Mines Property
• City of Lakewood
• Jefferson County Open Space
• State of Colorado Lands
• City Park

We invite the public to explore the map, review the open spaces, and share any feedback or comments you may have as we move forward with this planning phase.

View Golden Draft Open Space System Map

We are excited to share the findings from our recent statistical survey. These results will guide the development of both the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and the Open Space Master Plan, Phase Two.

A presentation of the report was shared with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on January 16.

• PRAB Jan. 16 Presentation

The survey is one of several important elements shaping the direction of these plans. The direction will also incorporate feedback from engagement efforts, analysis, and institutional knowledge.

• Download 2024 Golden Survey Findings Report
• Download the Open Link and Statistical Survey Comparison on Open Space Specific Questions