Many community members, myself included, are deeply disappointed by the decision to postpone the Arboretum portion of the Waggener Farm park project until 2030. This delay is likely to result in increased construction costs and does not reflect true fiscal responsibility. The value of Berthoud’s urban forest extends beyond monetary considerations, encompassing significant environmental, recreational and educational benefits for everyone. Trustee Brett Wing obviously appears to lack awareness of these important aspects.
The decision to act on this postponement via the consent agenda was troubling. It is unclear why some outgoing trustees, who were previous supporters of this project, voted to remove the Arboretum, as they offered no explanation of their vote. The newly seated town board should address this matter again, enabling more members of the public to express their views.
Funds have already been allocated for the project, and dedicated irrigation water is available. Therefore, the rationale for delaying the project is questionable. I believe in a first-come, first-served approach. The Waggener Farm Park project should be prioritized over Richardson Park, also known as Mountain Vista Park (MVP). The design for Waggener Farm Park has been approved, while MVP is still exploring sizing, features and most importantly funding. Let’s finish one project before attempting to jump-start another…