Frank Lancaster
Frank Lancaster, 2023
Photo: Estes Park News
From County Forester managing a handful of properties to County Manager when HPOS launched, Frank Lancaster played a pivotal role in building Larimer County's open space program which now protects thousands of acres.
Q&A with Frank Lancaster, interviewed by Meegan Flenniken
When and how did you first become involved with the Larimer County Department of Natural Resources, and what role did you play in advancing our open space efforts?
Many people don’t know the County had a few “open space” areas prior to the initiative 30 years ago. My first job at the county was as the County Forester. One of the forester’s responsibilities was management of the county’s open space properties. These included Lions Park in LaPorte, Shipley Open Space in Loveland, and my favorite, the historic Strauss Cabin in Fort Collins.
Strauss Cabin, 1980s. Located in what is now Arapaho Bend Natural Area, Fort Collins, Colorado. Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, Historic Photographs Collection (Image ID H28060).
One of my favorite memories was when we needed to rechink the Strauss Cabin. At the time, there was next to no funding for maintaining the few open spaces properties, so, working with K-Lynn Cameron, we had a community “Chinking Party” on a Saturday and we invited the community to come out and volunteer to chink the cabin. At the time, I was playing in a bluegrass band that included Jim Dooney, the County Mental Health Center Director. We had a great turnout, the bluegrass band played, and the community showed up to learn about this historic site and to repair the cabin. One of my saddest days at Larimer County was when this wonderful piece of history was burned to the ground by an arsonist.
I was the County Manager at the time of the first open space initiative. The success of the initiative gave the Larimer County community the resources to build a true open space program and protect thousands of acres of open space that would have otherwise probably been developed.
From your perspective, what is one of the most meaningful outcomes or accomplishments that the Help Preserve Open Spaces (HPOS) sales tax has made possible?
I have a special place in my heart for Hermit Park Open Space. I had camped there with my son and his Boy Scout troop several times, and we loved the area. It was owned by Hewlett-Packard at the time, as a recreational resource for their employees. Changes at HP brought on a management team that decided to close and sell the park. There was a development plan that would have turned the area into 35-acre private home parcels.
The acquisition of this parcel was not without controversy. This would be the first open lands acquisition that was already developed as an active recreation area. There were those on the Open Lands Board who vehemently opposed the acquisition because it was a developed area and they believed it was not congruent with the mission of the Open Lands Program; however, public support for preserving this area was strong.
Some of the strongest support came from current and former HP employees who had had so many wonderful memories of time at Hermit Park with friends and families. Some of these folks no longer lived in Larimer County but had moved up in the organization to some powerful management positions. Many of these folks worked quietly behind the scenes to make this deal happen. It took a lot of creativity, partnerships with other organizations, such as the Estes Valley Land Trust, and other governmental entities to put together a package that HP accepted, and the rest is history.
Since that acquisition, we moved to Estes Park and use Hermit Park Open Space frequently for camping and day use. The campgrounds are some of the best in the area. If it weren’t for the community members of Larimer County approving the Open Lands Tax, this area would have been chopped up into 35-acre parcels with McMansions, probably most as second homes for out-of-staters. Every time I visit the site, I am thankful for saving this wonderful outdoor treasure.
Is there a memory or moment from your time with LCDNR that stands out as especially powerful, either personally or for the community?
The protection of Red Mountain Ranch is another highlight of the system. Also, the preservation of Long View Farm Open Space, guaranteeing some open space separation between Loveland and Fort Collins, was another key important acquisition.
I also greatly appreciate the dedication to not just acquisition, but to wise stewardship of these lands as well. I remember several discussions when I was County Manager about the mix of spending on acquiring new properties vs. maintaining the properties we have. Acquiring and protecting property is important, but with acquisition comes the moral responsibility to protect and manage those properties as well. I believe the County Open Lands Program has done a great job with that balance.
How have you seen Larimer County residents, families, or visitors benefit from the protection, restoration, and enjoyment of open spaces?
I see this all the time. Certainly, in the Estes Valley, Hermit Park Open Space comes to mind. Its campgrounds and trails are used all the time by locals. Although we have the National Park in our backyard, Hermit Park Open Space is heavily used by the locals and is usually less crowded. It is unique in the Estes Valley in that its trails are dog friendly and mountain bike friendly, both activities that are prohibited in the National Park.
What message would you want to share with future generations about why conserving and stewarding lands in Larimer County is important?
Preserving key open lands for the enjoyment of the residents, ecological protection, and the overall quality of our natural environment is fundamental to why most of us live in this area. In 50 years, no one will look at our county and say “I’m so glad we developed that empty open space land for houses and industry,” but they will look back and thank the previous generations and say “I’m so grateful they had the foresight to protect these unique and special places.”
“We’ve come a long way from the days where we had to beg for a few hundred dollars to buy materials and count on volunteer labor to just chink a cabin to the wonderful Open Lands Program we now can be so proud of. As the baton is passed to future generations of citizens and leaders, let’s make sure the progress continues for generations to come.”
Photo courtesy Frank Lancaster