Parking at the Larimer County Fair
Sharel Cameron
Hello,
As 4-H families, we have been told over and over that the 4-H program and its youth are a priority for the community, the fair, and The Ranch. But then we are neglected in the execution of the plans. Parking at the fair this year is an example.
The attached letter from The Ranch specifically states that 4-H families can park in the McKee Building parking lot, and it includes instructions about how to access the lot on the map. I've highlighted the text here:
A section of the service road will be available to users and exhibitors at the McKee Building. Visitors to the McKee Building will need to enter from Fairgrounds Avenue at the new Arena Circle entrance. From Arena Circle, turn right on Clydesdale Parkway between parking lots A and B and right onto the Service Road. Signage will guide you to the McKee parking lot and building.
When we arrived at The Ranch, there were orange cones blocking the way and parking staff said that parking was not allowed at the McKee Building. 4-H families were even told that the McKee Building "is not a part of the fair" and there was no reason for anyone to be going there.
The McKee Building parking lot was used for overflow once the main lots were full anyway, so why not give the 4-H kids priority and let them park there all day?
The incorrect communication about the McKee Building parking was frustrating, but had the parking situation been improved overall, it may not have been such an issue. There was ample talk about the "improved" parking and easy access with more shuttles. At the fair board meetings leading up to the fair, it was said that there would be "plenty" of golf carts available to shuttle fair-goers to and from their cars. My family members are able to walk the distance from the parking lots on the outskirts of the grounds, and we were often walking longer distances to get to the McKee Building, the livestock arena, and the rest of the fair. But we NEVER saw a golf cart in the parking lots, much less were we or any of the people around us ever offered a ride. We attended all five days, and I can count the total number of shuttles I saw in use on one hand.
In one case, we were walking toward the First National Bank Building near an elderly couple. That couple and my family had to quickly move off the sidewalk for a golf cart approaching us with 7 teenagers plus the driver onboard. The teenagers were hanging off the sides and swinging their arms, yelling for people to get out of their way. I recognized the driver as a fair board member. I'm sure they were having fun, but I can't believe that this met the golf cart safety training, or fulfills the reason for having golf carts at the fair.
The fair is over for this year, but I hope that parking and accessibility are seriously addressed in the upcoming months and can be much improved for both 4-H and the community in general at the 2024 Larimer County Fair.
Thank you for your time,
Sharel Cameron
Begin forwarded message:From: Diane Kern <ke...@co.larimer.co.us>Subject: 2023 Larimer County Fair and PRCA RodeoDate: July 18, 2023 at 5:11:34 PM MDTTo: Diane Kern <ke...@co.larimer.co.us>Sent on behalf of The RanchHello 4-H Families,The Ranch would like to welcome everyone to the 2023 Larimer County Fair and PRCA Rodeo. Please see the letter and map attached to this email to help you find your way to the barns and exhibit buildings through the construction areas.See you there,DianeDiane Kern
4-H Program CoordinatorCSU Extension, Larimer County1525 Blue Spruce DriveFort Collins, Colorado 80524Confidentiality Notice: This electronic transmission and any attached documents or other writings are intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential or otherwise protected from disclosure. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately notify sender by return e-mail and destroy the communication. Any disclosure, copying, distribution or the taking of any action concerning the contents of this communication or any attachments by anyone other than the named recipient is strictly prohibited.
Conor McGrath
Dear Ms. Cameron.
Thank you for contacting The Ranch on behalf of the Larimer County Fair.
You are correct. The Ranch unwaveringly supports Youth Development and 4-H Youth Development programming in our County.
As a former youth development leader, I attest that The Ranch’s commitment to Youth Development is only but growing evident in part by our recent investment of 11 million dollars to bring the new 4-H, Youth, and Community facility to the community, strengthening our partnership with CSU Extensions, and a multi-million multi-project investment in the existing Thomas McKee facility. Please get in touch with me if you ever feel we are wavering from our intentions.
Second, I apologize for the misleading verbiage in our letter. After reading the letter, we over-committed specific parking availability, which we strive not to do. Parking is an ever-changing entity at The Ranch and any facility subject to hard and soft surface parking due to weather and crowd volume. We have learned from this experience and will adjust our communication in the future.
Regarding the availability of shuttles - In 2023, we had more golf carts available for shuttles than in years prior. Our challenge lay in the availability of volunteer shuttle drivers. We are regrouping with the Fair Board to address volunteer recruitment for future years. If you have ideas on how we can obtain more community support to operate the shuttles in the coming years, we welcome your input.
Lastly, I see you included members of the Fair Board in your email, and I will work with them to address the golf cart behavior you experienced.
Despite the experiences you shared in your email, I hope you and your family had an enjoyable experience at the 2023 Fair overall.
Thank you, Ms. Cameron, for bringing your concerns to us.
