Recreation Centers Could Be Closed and Consolidated Your neighborhood recreation center could be closed and consolidated to be replaced by a “destination”, “regional”, or “multi-use” center. Closures have already been identified. Combine this knowledge with proposed zoning changes that would allow warehouse-sized distribution centers in any area, or high-density housing anywhere, and it is hard not to speculate what will happen to current rec center properties. For example, why is Lakewood buying Emory on behalf of the Action Center when beloved, large lot, city property may be destined to face the same fate as closed schools? No definitive plans have been made public. The details below come from several sources, much like the initial details that emerged about Lakewood purchasing Emory Elementary. When asked about Emory, for months, Lakewood officials would answer that there were “no current plans” or that Lakewood “had no direct control” over school buildings. All the while, backroom discussions were taking place. Only time will tell when and what will happen to Lakewood recreation centers. Lakewood says a centralized center is years away. Historical Planning Timeline: In 2022, Lakewood began asking residents whether they were interested in a new recreation facility. Residents said yes, not knowing that meant giving up their current facilities. More people were interested in improving existing facilities than starting new ones. In May 2023, City Council approved the Imagine Tomorrow! Parks and Recreation Plan as presented by staff. The recommendation to close and consolidate was not presented or discussed. So, unless you read the entire document, a person would not know from public discussion that this was underway. THE PLAN DOCUMENTS INCLUDED THE RECOMMENDATION TO ELIMINATE AND CONSOLIDATE FACILITIES: Page 12 of Imagine Tomorrow! Parks plan Votes FOR Imagine Tomorrow Plan: Adam Paul, Sophia Mayott-Guerrero, Barb Franks, Wendi Strom, Mary Jannsen, Jeslin Shahrezaei, Sharon Vincent, Charlie Able. Votes AGAINST were Rich Olver and Anita Springsteen. As previously reported, the Parks department continued with this plan through the 2024 budget planning session: “IMPORTANT NOTICE: Without details, the Director gave notice that Parks will also start looking at condensing or efficiency operations that may include closing open space/parks/pools, public safety and recreation centers. (see September 18, 2023 meeting, 1hr 19 min). “ – From Lakewood Informer news on budget recap Shortly after that budget meeting, amidst a rising problem with the Belmar Park development, Parks Director Kit Newland resigned. The rec center consolidation has not been discussed during the staff turnover. Plans are still Active However, plans are still active. More recently, Lakewood snuck in a provision about recreation center centralization into the comprehensive plan. That plan was passed unanimously on July 28, 2025. From Lakewood’s comprehensive plan “Envision Lakewood 2040“ Using the strategies above, as approved twice by City Council, neighborhood recreation centers can be closed and consolidated. Facility Impact LAKEWOOD LINK RECREATION CENTER, GREEN MOUNTAIN RECREATION CENTER, AND CARMODY RECREATION CENTER were identified as needing costly improvements and, therefore, most likely to close. Carmody is currently undergoing extensive renovation so may no longer be a target for closure. The consolidation strategy remains active as of July 2025. The suggested place for a new “destination”, “multiuse,” “regional” recreation center is unoccupied parkland at Addenbrooke Park. “Addenbrooke Park, located at 600 S. Kipling Parkway, should be reviewed as a location for a new, regional recreation center.The Addenbrooke Park Master Plan from 1984 identified the northwest corner of the park as an ideallocation for a recreation center” — Page 12 of Imagine Tomorrow! Public Trust The potential consolidation of recreation centers that was not publicly discussed is an area that City Council and staff will say they HAVE TO continue work on because it got in the comprehensive plan. For other issues, like maintaining neighborhood character, Council and staff can, and already have, disregarded the comp plan and, in fact, made the plan non-binding. In other words, the comp plan will be binding ONLY when Lakewood chooses, even though the plan itself is required by the state to be a vetted and researched document. City of Lakewood responded to an inquiry to say that the new destination rec center may be a few years out. While technically true, that does not mean plans are not in place, as suggested by both the recently passed Parks and Comprehensive plans. Residents can look at the timeline for Emory Elementary for proof of how Lakewood operates. Plans were made behind closed doors months before the public was aware and the final plans took years to enact. “While the topic of a new destination recreation center has been discussed, there are not any current plans to pursue one in the next several years. We are currently focused on maintaining our existing recreation centers and making repairs and improvements where needed. If we do focus on building a new recreation center, there will be an extensive public engagement period to ensure the community has the chance to provide input throughout the process. Please feel free to reach out if you have additional questions.” – “Brent Berninger, Recreation and Golf Manager, City of Lakewood
