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Friends of Roxborough Park preserve its nature
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| The historical Persse stone house sits at Roxborough State Park. The building was built in 1903 and restored in 1997 through state Historical Society and Colorado State Parks funding. According to Angel Tobin, interpretive services manager for the park, the original owner, Henry Persse, was a businessman who wanted to create a lavish resort on the property, and used it as his office. Courtesy photo |
By Michele Sample
Del Kelley has been a friend to Roxborough State Park since the late 1980s.
As president of The Friends Group, Kelley and other volunteers — The Colorado Lottery, Open Space Douglas County and many others — have raised more than $400,000 over the years for the park.
“To make a long story short, we were able to save the park with a lot of others’ help,” Kelley said.
The Friends of Roxborough State Park is a 501(3)c nonprofit educational group. Kelley said their purpose is to “enhance the education in the park.”
When the park opened to the public in 1985, there were about 500 acres.
“If my numbers are right,” Kelley said, “today it is around 3,320.”
Responsibilities of The Friends Group range from raising money to buying property to conserve the park’s land. The group also creates publications, trail guides, teaching materials and organizes concerts.
Historically, the group began in 1993, because property in front of the park was undergoing plans to be developed.
“They were going to build about 600 homes there,” Kelley said.
So volunteers with the park got together and raised money.
“We simply announced to the world that we were trying to save this park,” Kelley said. The Friends Group raised $100,000 during a span of a few years, selling “thousands of See’s candy bars, walking sticks and through book signing sales,” he said. The money, along with Douglas County’s help and others, was put into the purchase of the land when the development deal came down.
“Our prime purpose is preservation of the boundaries of the park,” Kelley said.
Throughout the years, people have called the group “tree huggers or earth muffins” but Kelley said they “don’t act like that.” Another misconception of the group, Kelley said, is that a lot of people think they are rich folks who live on the edge of the park.
“They couldn’t be farther from the truth,” Kelley said.
What is their secret of success?
“We try to look at the constituencies we are in and like to state issues for their satisfaction,” he said.
Kelley said Roxborough Park is unique from other parks in a number of ways.
One example is that all full-time employees, from the park ranger to the park’s manager, are women.
Another interesting tidbit is the quantity of their volunteers.
“We have the largest volunteer group in Colorado — about 125 folks.”
Upcoming events at Roxborough State Park include a Holiday Open House, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 13, which will include refreshments, shopping for nature-based books, posters, cards, clothing and other gifts at a 10 percent discount.
Also, five local authors will make appearances and sign selected books, such as James Dziezynski and Pamela Irwin.
Don’t miss out on local history and holiday cheer from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 20. A historical Persse House celebration for the entire family. The stone house was built in 1903 and restored in 1997 through funds from the Historical Society and Colorado State Parks.
Visitors can take part in a 2-mile easy to moderate hike around the Fountain Valley Trail and onto the house for baked goods, hot cocoa and cider. Christmas carols and holiday song also will ring throughout the park.
As president of The Friends Group, Kelley and other volunteers — The Colorado Lottery, Open Space Douglas County and many others — have raised more than $400,000 over the years for the park.
“To make a long story short, we were able to save the park with a lot of others’ help,” Kelley said.
The Friends of Roxborough State Park is a 501(3)c nonprofit educational group. Kelley said their purpose is to “enhance the education in the park.”
When the park opened to the public in 1985, there were about 500 acres.
“If my numbers are right,” Kelley said, “today it is around 3,320.”
Responsibilities of The Friends Group range from raising money to buying property to conserve the park’s land. The group also creates publications, trail guides, teaching materials and organizes concerts.
Historically, the group began in 1993, because property in front of the park was undergoing plans to be developed.
“They were going to build about 600 homes there,” Kelley said.
So volunteers with the park got together and raised money.
“We simply announced to the world that we were trying to save this park,” Kelley said. The Friends Group raised $100,000 during a span of a few years, selling “thousands of See’s candy bars, walking sticks and through book signing sales,” he said. The money, along with Douglas County’s help and others, was put into the purchase of the land when the development deal came down.
“Our prime purpose is preservation of the boundaries of the park,” Kelley said.
Throughout the years, people have called the group “tree huggers or earth muffins” but Kelley said they “don’t act like that.” Another misconception of the group, Kelley said, is that a lot of people think they are rich folks who live on the edge of the park.
“They couldn’t be farther from the truth,” Kelley said.
What is their secret of success?
“We try to look at the constituencies we are in and like to state issues for their satisfaction,” he said.
Kelley said Roxborough Park is unique from other parks in a number of ways.
One example is that all full-time employees, from the park ranger to the park’s manager, are women.
Another interesting tidbit is the quantity of their volunteers.
“We have the largest volunteer group in Colorado — about 125 folks.”
Upcoming events at Roxborough State Park include a Holiday Open House, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 13, which will include refreshments, shopping for nature-based books, posters, cards, clothing and other gifts at a 10 percent discount.
Also, five local authors will make appearances and sign selected books, such as James Dziezynski and Pamela Irwin.
Don’t miss out on local history and holiday cheer from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 20. A historical Persse House celebration for the entire family. The stone house was built in 1903 and restored in 1997 through funds from the Historical Society and Colorado State Parks.
Visitors can take part in a 2-mile easy to moderate hike around the Fountain Valley Trail and onto the house for baked goods, hot cocoa and cider. Christmas carols and holiday song also will ring throughout the park.
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