Project Outdoors Loveland

Print Feedback

Font Size: + -

Project Outdoors Loveland

Thank you to everyone who participated in the planning process!

The Project Outdoors Loveland planning process has been completed, and an implementation grant application has been submitted to Great Outdoors Colorado, with a goal of connecting Loveland youth and families to the outdoors.

Read the planning report here.

The vision includes:

Places such as multi-use trails and neighborhood connections, bike skills features, fishing access, outdoor classrooms, and community gardens

Programs such as environmental and outdoor education, skills clinics for fishing, biking, and outdoor skills, and citizen science opportunities.

Pathways such as natural resource career fairs, hands-on internships, and job corps.

Identified projects and programs may be eligible for up to $3M in Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) implementation funding.

MAPS AND INFORMATION from the January 24, 2017 Initial Community Open House

Project Background

Did you know that young people spend an average of four to seven minutes a day outside in unstructured play? That is half the time their parents spent outside. Research shows outdoor time is good for kids physically, socially, emotionally, and cognitively. Plus, if kids don't experience nature, it won't be valued. Issues like time, transportation, money, access, and lack of interest and understanding keep kids from getting outside and developing a lifelong passion for the great outdoors. Inspiring a deep connection to nature is the goal of this project because it is vital for the wellbeing of our community, our wildlife, and the Colorado way of life. Check out this short GOCO Inspire Initiative video for an overview.

Project Outdoors is funded by a Great Outdoors Colorado Inspire Initiative grant. The goal is to identify ways to engage youth and families in the outdoors and improve opportunities and access to nature-related activities, places, and programs. The planning process (now through July 2017) is followed by the opportunity to apply for up to $1 million in implementation funds.

Project Outdoors is led by a Youth Advisory Council and a coalition of agency partners including Loveland Open Lands, Larimer County Department of Natural Resources, Larimer County Boys & Girls Club, High Plains Environmental Center, and Colorado State University.

Project Outdoors builds off the 2012 Plug in to Nature project that identified County-wide outdoor needs and opportunities.

Youth Advisory Council

Hearing the voice of youth is critical to the success of Project Outdoors. A Youth Advisory Council of twelve outstanding middle- and high-school students from Loveland were selected to search out innovative ways to connect their peers to nature. Members of the Council meet monthly and participate in field trips to learn about outdoor opportunities. The Council will play a key role in community engagement and project development.

Process

Contacts & Resources

City of Loveland Project Outdoors coalition liaison Debbie Eley, Open Lands Specialist,970-962-2725,Debbie.eley@cityofloveland.org
Project Outdoors Project Manager, Heather Young, Larimer County Natural Resources Department Education Program Coordinator,970-619-4489,hyoung@larimer.org
City of Loveland Open Lands Division