History of Open Space in Lafayette

This subcollection is about the history of those who passionately fought for our Open Space, resulting in the enhanced beauty of our city, including Lafayette’s designation as a Tree City in 1995 and a Bird City in 2019. Included in our collection are interviews with Grant Swift, Martin Ogle, and Karen Norback. Their stories demonstrate Lafayette’s physical transformation during a period of widespread population growth, urban development, and environmental protection efforts. Additionally, they illustrate how the city prioritized environmental education for youth and adults. Open space advocacy was one that was largely driven by the voices and preservation efforts from citizens, and stories from these oral histories include testimony of moments of Lafayette’s political history that resulted in today’s expansive trail and wildlife open space system.

Oral History with Grant Swift
In this oral history interview conducted on August 16, 2024, Grant Swift discusses his passion for open space, preservation, and education, specifically outdoor education. He also walks through how the city of Lafayette has changed over the last several decades and what he cherishes most. At the time of this interview, Grant is a retired Boulder Valley School District teacher and is currently the Chairman of the Lafayette Open Space Advisory Committee and Vice Chair of the Lafayette Historic Preservation Board.
Oral History with Karen Norback Part I
In her oral history interview conducted on July 23, 2024, Karen Norback described her work as a “political hobbyist" and spoke about her involvement in the creation of a city-owned farm on the Thomas Open Space. This oral history sheds light on residents' impact on a variety of aspects of Lafayette's growth and development over the years. This included the Managed Growth Charter Amendment and support to preserve wildlife habitat, agricultural lands, community buffers, and natural areas for residents’ enjoyment. Also mentioned were other instances when community members came together to preserve Lafayette’s small-town charm. This is part one of a two-part video. The second part can be found under "Oral History with Karen Norback Part II."
Oral History with Karen Norback Part II
In her oral history interview conducted on July 23, 2024, Karen Norback described her work as a “political hobbyist" and spoke about her involvement in the creation of a city-owned farm on the Thomas Open Space. This oral history sheds light on residents' impact on a variety of aspects of Lafayette's growth and development over the years. This included the Managed Growth Charter Amendment and support to preserve wildlife habitat, agricultural lands, community buffers, and natural areas for residents’ enjoyment. Also mentioned were other instances when community members came together to preserve Lafayette’s small-town charm. This is the second part of a two-part video. Part one can be found titled "Oral History with Karen Norback Part I."
Oral History with Martin Ogle
Martin Ogle’s oral history interview, conducted on July 24, 2024, shares the history of Lafayette’s expansive open space and trail system within Lafayette. This interview discusses the citizen and government initiatives to preserve the natural environment of the city. Martin eloquently describes Lafayette's most noteworthy outdoor spaces, along with commenting on his own personal favorites.