An almost-finished Concept Plan for Newell Farm “Music & Arts” Park is going before the Berthoud Board of Trustees this Tuesday, April 28th. Wenk and Semple Brown – the consultants chosen by the Town to create the Plan – will present the proposal below. This is where you come in. If you want to give feedback or get more involved, see the “Plan for the Plan”.
Plan for the Plan
- On April 28th, Wenk and Semple Brown will present the draft Concept Plan (below) to the Berthoud Board of Trustees. You are welcome to attend (and give public comment at) this meeting at the Berthoud Town Hall (6:30pm meeting start).
- On June 3rd, Wenk and Semple Brown will propose a Final Concept Plan to the PORT (Parks, Open Space, Recreation, and Trails) committee. You are welcome to attend (and give public comment at) this meeting at the Berthoud Town Hall (6pm meeting start).
- On June 9th or 23rd, Wenk and Semple Brown will present the Final Concept Plan to the Trustees. You are welcome to attend (and give public comment at) this meeting at the Berthoud Town Hall (6:30pm meeting start).
- On August 30th, we will hold the 24th annual Farm Concert. Our website newellfarm.org is up-to-date with the latest skinny, so please keep checking back.
- In the Fall of 2026, Construction Drawings for Newell Farm Park will begin. They are expected to take at least a year to complete.
Concept Plan
To orient yourself, the Historic Homestead in the upper-left corner of this drawing is our farmhouse, and the Stage and Lawn just southeast of the homestead is the existing 500-seat amphitheater that we use for the Farm Concert. The larger Stage which lies farther south and east will serve the new 1500-seat amphitheater. Why does Berthoud need a 1500-seat amphitheater? Because 500 Farm Concert tickets sell out in less than 15 minutes and more of you want to be able to enjoy shows. Why does Newell Farm need two amphitheaters? Because you might want to attend festivals with acts on more than one stage. Wouldn’t a summer concert series be fun too?
Overall, Newell Farm Park is envisioned as a “passive park,” meaning that the Farm is to be kept serene, where you may enjoy nature, views the mountains, bike rides, and walks year-round. For events, all of the fields will be mown to serve as parking lots. The tree-lined path that “hugs” the amphitheater will contain picnic tables. And a quiet playground is planned on the north, so that families may watch the show and their children at the same time. The amphitheater itself will be a slightly-sloped lush lawn, and shade structures will be installed to provide protection from the summer sun. East of the amphitheater is space for an eventual community arts center.
If you’re interested in more detail, you will find the full slide packet here. On that webpage, look for Agenda Item #8 on the left called “Newell Farm Park Project Concept Plan.” All of the materials are downloadable from there. Enjoy!
Love to Hear From You
If you feel compelled to contact us, we would love to hear from you. You may do so by sending a message using the Contact Form on our website, and we’ll be all ears. While you’re at it, feel free to tell us which bands you’d like to see on the new amphitheater stage. We’ll keep a list. And, of course, we’ll give your feedback to the consultants and the Town.