Future of Hughes Stadium Site

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Update: City Council Work Session Materials

City Council reviewed community feedback and discussed next steps on the project at a Work Session on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. Please find links to the Council Work Session materials below, including a video recording of the discussion (forthcoming):


Future of Hughes Project

Welcome to the City of Fort Collins' hub for online engagement around the former Hughes Stadium site. Thank you for your interest in providing input on the potential future uses on the site. We're here to provide an update on the process, hear your ideas, and share how your feedback to plan the site’s uses is incorporated.

A previous process contemplated development of the former Hughes site with other uses, before Fort Collins citizens voted to rezone the Hughes Stadium property in April 2021. As a result of the ballot initiative, the City rezoned the property as "Public Open Lands," which allows the site to be used for parks, recreation, open lands, natural areas, and wildlife rescue and restoration. Now that the property is rezoned, the City is in the process of acquiring the land from Colorado State University, which should be complete in early 2023.

Engagement Goals

With the property rezoned for open space and acquisition underway, the City is soliciting your input into future land use scenarios for Hughes. The City is holding focus groups and asking for continued input on this site to supplement the feedback received from the community to date. This input will be shared with City Council in the form of future land use scenarios that balance priorities and needs, in early 2023.

What the City Heard

Thank you to the community members who provided valuable input on the process so far. The City is incorporating the feedback received through past engagement and surveys (e.g., the City's recent community survey, the 2021 Parks & Recreation Master Plan, and outreach conducted during prior Hughes development efforts).

Here are the high level themes that the City heard during those engagement efforts, all of which will be considered as the City develops scenarios for potential use of the Hughes site:

  • Protect the views of the foothills for the site and surrounding neighborhood.
  • Create space that the community can use for recreation and enjoyment of natural space, with limited development.
  • Consider environmental protections and buffers for wildlife, water, and native plant species.
  • Maintain access to nearby natural areas, such as the Maxwell Natural Area.
  • Increase trails and bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.

Hughes Stadium Process

Milestones:

2016: Colorado State University (CSU) closes the 164-acres Hughes Stadium site

2019 – 2022: City considers options for the site

2021: Citizens vote to rezone the site for “parks, recreation, open lands, natural areas, wildlife rescue and restoration. City rezones Hughes Stadium as open space

2022: City is developing scenarios for use of the Hughes Stadium Site for City Council review in early 2023

2023: City anticipates acquiring the site from CSU

For background information on previous Hughes Stadium planning and development efforts, click here.



Update: City Council Work Session Materials

City Council reviewed community feedback and discussed next steps on the project at a Work Session on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. Please find links to the Council Work Session materials below, including a video recording of the discussion (forthcoming):


Future of Hughes Project

Welcome to the City of Fort Collins' hub for online engagement around the former Hughes Stadium site. Thank you for your interest in providing input on the potential future uses on the site. We're here to provide an update on the process, hear your ideas, and share how your feedback to plan the site’s uses is incorporated.

A previous process contemplated development of the former Hughes site with other uses, before Fort Collins citizens voted to rezone the Hughes Stadium property in April 2021. As a result of the ballot initiative, the City rezoned the property as "Public Open Lands," which allows the site to be used for parks, recreation, open lands, natural areas, and wildlife rescue and restoration. Now that the property is rezoned, the City is in the process of acquiring the land from Colorado State University, which should be complete in early 2023.

Engagement Goals

With the property rezoned for open space and acquisition underway, the City is soliciting your input into future land use scenarios for Hughes. The City is holding focus groups and asking for continued input on this site to supplement the feedback received from the community to date. This input will be shared with City Council in the form of future land use scenarios that balance priorities and needs, in early 2023.

What the City Heard

Thank you to the community members who provided valuable input on the process so far. The City is incorporating the feedback received through past engagement and surveys (e.g., the City's recent community survey, the 2021 Parks & Recreation Master Plan, and outreach conducted during prior Hughes development efforts).

Here are the high level themes that the City heard during those engagement efforts, all of which will be considered as the City develops scenarios for potential use of the Hughes site:

  • Protect the views of the foothills for the site and surrounding neighborhood.
  • Create space that the community can use for recreation and enjoyment of natural space, with limited development.
  • Consider environmental protections and buffers for wildlife, water, and native plant species.
  • Maintain access to nearby natural areas, such as the Maxwell Natural Area.
  • Increase trails and bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.

Hughes Stadium Process

Milestones:

2016: Colorado State University (CSU) closes the 164-acres Hughes Stadium site

2019 – 2022: City considers options for the site

2021: Citizens vote to rezone the site for “parks, recreation, open lands, natural areas, wildlife rescue and restoration. City rezones Hughes Stadium as open space

2022: City is developing scenarios for use of the Hughes Stadium Site for City Council review in early 2023

2023: City anticipates acquiring the site from CSU

For background information on previous Hughes Stadium planning and development efforts, click here.



  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    This survey will be open until Friday, Feb. 24. 

    As the City works to acquire the Hughes site your continued input into priorities for the site are critical. Through feedback to date, the City has heard interest in a range of activities from traditional Natural Areas activities, such as an area with native plant species, improved wildlife habitat and maintenance of “dark skies” to more traditional Parks & Recreation activities, such as a playground, bike park, and dog park. 

    Additional context to consider:

    • There is currently no funding designated for restoration or any other potential activities or uses on the site
    • Overall funding sources are expected to be a combination of Natural Areas funding and Parks & Recreation funding based on usage/activities
    • There is strong consensus to keep the disc golf course and the sledding hill.

    Uses and activities listed on this survey are not exhaustive or comprehensive and are instead a list of most common requests on various survey and outreach results to date, including the statistically valid Parks & Recreation survey (LINK), previous Hughes community feedback, beginning on page 378 of the Agenda packet (LINK), and most recent survey results (LINK).

    The ballot language required the City to purchase the property, zone it as “Public Open Lands District” and purchase the property to use for “parks, recreation, and open lands, natural areas, and wildlife rescue and restoration.” 

    As we move forward with planning for the property, we would like feedback on types of uses the community may want to see on the Hughes property. Below is a table with examples of low, medium, and high-activity uses. Keep this information in mind when answering the questions below. The activities listed below have been generally categorized by lower to higher activity/impact level.


    Lower Impact/Activity (1)

    Medium Impact/Activity (3)

    Higher Impact/Activity (5)

    Connection to Maxwell

    Trail connections- and trail improvements 

    Natural Areas

    Do nothing

    Parking lot improvements 

    Enhance disc golf course

    Build Pit toilet

    Enhance sledding hill

    Improve existing trails

    Improve wildlife habitat

    Maintain dark sky

    Plant more trees

    Protect view of Foothills 

    Land restoration


     

    Build playground

    Build a shade structure

    community gardens

    Soft-surface walking loop

    ADA Hard-surface trails 

    Walking loop

    Interpretive stations

    Seasonal Nordic skiing

     

    Dog Park 

    Bike park/infrastructure 

    Designed cross country course 

    Restroom facility 

    Wildlife/education center 

    Pickle ball courts


    Take Survey
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  • Thank you for your participation. This survey is now closed.

    Please let us know your continued thoughts on the Future of the Hughes Stadium Site by completing a short survey. 


    Take Survey
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Page last updated: 16 Mar 2023, 12:54 PM