Jean Carpenter
Former biology teacher Jean Carpenter served six years on the Open Lands Advisory Board starting in 2000, helping rally community support for acquisitions like Hermit Park. She now serves as president of Friends of Larimer County Parks and Open Lands.
Written by Jean Carpenter
A recruiting article in early 2000 in the Fort Collins Coloradoan caught my eye requesting applicants for various county volunteer boards. A vacancy on the Larimer County Open Lands Board looked like a good fit for a long time resident and biology teacher who loved sharing the outdoors with her students.
I sent the application and was interviewed by all three county commissioners! What an opportunity it was to be selected and really get to know the county and meet other people who care passionately about this incredible place we call home.
And more importantly, I had a voice in the process of visiting places being considered for preservation for our generation and the generations that follow, and then helping to make the final decision about inclusion for preservation.
For six years, I served on what was then the Open Lands Advisory Board. Since that time, I have continued my commitment to open spaces as an active member of the Friends of Larimer County Parks and Open Lands, a 501 C-3 non-profit organization, currently serve as president.
Fort Collins Coloradoan, June 2006
The Help Preserve Open Spaces (HPOS) sales tax is really a gift to our children and grandchildren’s grandchildren. By working together giving that quarter-cent tax, we now have access to Horsetooth Mountain, can hike to enjoy incredible views from Kruger Rock of the Estes Park valley, and ride horses to the Wyoming border.
Natural Resource Department staff and volunteers are passionate and can inspire others to do amazing things. The acquisition of what is now Hermit Park Open Space looked impossible. After a field trip to the property, I understood why it was crucial not to fail. The staff helped us gather information to use. Volunteers from throughout the county worked with current and former HP employees and the Friends of Larimer County Parks and Open Lands to make this treasured property a preserved Open Space. I listened to HP employees at lunch tell me how much this property meant to them—site of picnics, weddings, and camping trips. Nearly $130,000 was raised in 6 weeks to help match the $6.5M price tag, and the property is now yours and mine to enjoy!
Jean Carpenter and K-Lynn Cameron, 2005
Surveys are important ways to get information about what open space means to those who are using them. I have spent hours talking and listening to visitors at Horsetooth Mountain Open Space, collecting data to help make management decisions and plans.
Every visitor was excited about their experience, and most were planning return trips. Many of the visitors I met were from Weld County and the Denver area. Our preserved open spaces provide peace, wildlife viewing, and recreational opportunities. Having a picnic is something anyone can enjoy, and I love watching all ages gathered around picnic tables or comfy rocks or logs.
The job isn’t done with what we have been able to do so far with HPOS funds. We have much left to do. We need to care for what we have been able to preserve. Open land is disappearing, and many more people will want to join us here. It is imperative that each of us get involved.
My advice: Get on the mailing list for Larimer County Natural Resources Volunteers and get to work. Friends of LCPOL is also part of Colorado Gives and will make sure our dollars are pooled together for use by Larimer County Natural Resources.
Fort Collins Coloradoan, March 2008