Posts tagged Open Space and Mountain Parks
City of Boulder begins seasonal grassland raptor closures
0March 12, 2013
The City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) is temporarily closing areas in order to protect nesting and roosting burrowing owls and osprey. Properties where burrowing owls nest will be closed from March 15 through Oct 31. Properties closed for the protection of nesting osprey will be closed from March 15 through Sept. 10. Closures may be lifted early if monitoring indicates it is appropriate.
The following property will be closed for the protection of osprey:
Axelson (northwest of Boulder Reservoir; portions closed).
The following properties will be closed for the protection of burrowing owls:
- Damyanovich/Yunker (north of Marshall Drive, between Cherryvale Road and US 36);
- Jafay/Lynch (north of Lookout Road and east of 75th Street);
- Cosslett/Knaus (South of Lookout Road and east of 75th Street);
- Kelsall (north of High-Plains Trail, trail remains open);
- Mesa Sand and Gravel (east of 66th Street, south of Marshall Drive); and
- Superior Associates (north of High-Plains Trail, trail remains open).
These closures were established to protect sensitive species. Burrowing owls nest in prairie dog burrows and their populations are declining in Colorado. This bird is listed as threatened by the Colorado Division of Wildlife has been listed as endangered or as a species of “special concern” in 12 US states and in Canada. Staff will be monitoring these sites and others during the spring and summer to understand more about the distribution and breeding biology of this owl on city property.
City of Boulder relies heavily on the public to respect the closures, and the cooperation of visitors to avoid these areas is greatly appreciated. Trespass violations can result in a summons with penalties up to 90 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.
More detailed information and maps can be found on the Open Space and Mountain Parks’ website: www.osmp.org. or call 303-441-3440.
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Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks begins seasonal bald eagle closures
0November 5, 2012
The City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) Department has begun the seasonal bald eagle closures at the Kolb and Weiser properties (near 75th and Valmont) and Coal Creek area (east of Highway 93 near Marshall Lake). The areas were closed Thursday, Nov. 1, and will remain that way until July 31, 2013, or until nest monitoring indicates that the areas are OK to open.
Bald eagles generally return to these nesting sites in November. At this early stage of the mating season, the birds are assessing areas as potential nest sites, and disturbances may deter the birds from continuing to nest in these areas. OSMP thanks the community for respecting these closures.
For more information, visit the OSMP website at www.osmp.org or call 303-441-3440.
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The eagles and falcons are coming to Boulder Flatirons, open space
0January 24, 2012
Open Space and Mountain Parks begins seasonal cliff-nesting raptor closures
The City of Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) Department is temporarily closing areas in order to protect nesting and roosting raptors. The following areas and formations will be closed from Feb. 1 through July 31:
Golden eagle feeding a chick
- Lefthand Canyon Palisades, at the intersection of Lefthand Canyon Drive and Olde Stage Road (Buckingham picnic area remains open);
- Mount Sanitas, First Buttress, accessible from the Mount Sanitas trailhead, .5 miles west of Fourth Street and Mapleton Avenue (no closures to the bouldering areas along the ridge; Mount Sanitas trail will remain open);
- Gregory Canyon Amphitheater, including the Amphitheater Express Trail and the 3rd Pinnacle (the Amphitheater Trail to Saddle Rock will remain open);
- Third Flatiron, including the East and West Ironing Boards, Queen Anne’s Head and Jaws, and WC Pinnacle, accessible from Chautauqua trailhead;
- Flagstaff Mountain: the north side of Flagstaff Mountain will be closed (the Boy Scout Trail will remain open);
- Skunk Canyon, including Ridge 2, 3 and 4, the Aechean Pronouncement, the Dreadnaught, the North Ridge and the entirety of Sacred Cliffs, accessible from NCAR trailhead at the west end of Table Mesa Road;
- The Back Porch and The Box, accessible from the NCAR trailhead at the west end of Table Mesa Road;
- Bear Creek Spire, accessible from the NCAR trailhead at the west end of Table Mesa Road;
- Fern Canyon, accessible from the NCAR trailhead at the west end of Table Mesa Road (the designated Fern Canyon hiking trail will remain open);
- Shadow Canyon and the Matron, accessible from the South Mesa Trailhead (the Maiden will remain open and accessible from the east and the designated Shadow Canyon hiking trail will remain open);
- The Sphinx, accessible from the NCAR trailhead at the west end of Table Mesa Road;
- Diamond Head and SoBo Buttress, west of Shadow Canyon, accessible from South Mesa Trailhead (South Boulder Peak Trail will remain open);
- The entire Mickey Mouse wall, accessible from the Goshawk Ridge Trail.
High-quality cliff habitat and rich food resources on OSMP lands, as well as community cooperation to protect nesting sites, sustains the mountain backdrop as a regionally important area for nesting falcons and golden eagles. OSMP volunteers and staff have been monitoring raptor nesting and roosting areas since 1984 and the program is an integral part in protecting the species and adaptively managing the closures.
Trespass violations can result in a summons with penalties up to 90 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. OSMP relies heavily on the public to respect the closures, and the cooperation of visitors to these areas is greatly appreciated. Closures may be lifted early if no raptor activity is observed at these sites.
Up-to-date information on raptor closures and closure maps can be found on the Open Space and Mountain Parks’ Web site: www.osmp.org. or call 303-441-3440.
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Open Space and Mountain Parks receives Excellence in Working with the Disabled Award
0July 29, 2011
by Ron Baird, news editor
in News
The City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) department has received the Excellence in Working with the Disabled Award as a “cultural venue” from the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition (CCDC). Topher Downham, education and outreach coordinator, accepted the award for OSMP at CCDC’s Annual Disability Awards ceremony on Tuesday July 26.
“OSMP is very honored to receive this award,” said Downham. “Connection with nature and the outdoors is important for everyone, including the disabled.”
OSMP provides access to the outdoors for people with disabilities through numerous accessible trails and trailheads. An online wheelchair-accessible trail guide is available at www.osmp.org. Many free educational hikes are also available to people with disabilities, and most are led by a person with a disability.
CCDC is Colorado’s only statewide organization run by and for people with all types of disabilities. CCDC enforces and implements the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) statewide, provides quality advocacy assistance to thousands, works with allied disability organizations on important issues, and offers expertise on creating polices and legislation benefitting people with disabilities throughout Colorado. The CCDC’s Annual Disability Awards honors those whose work has enriched or benefitted the lives of people with disabilities statewide.
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City events celebrate National Kids to Parks Day Boulder
0May 20, 2011
by Boulder Channel 1
in News
The City of Boulder’s Parks and Recreation and Open Space and Mountain Parks departments will host four events over the weekend as part of National Kids to Parks Day on May 21. National Kids to Parks Day is run by the National Park Trust, and is designed to support First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move Outside! campaign and the Interior Department’s Youth in the Great Outdoors initiative.
City of Boulder events include:
● OSMP: Hiking as a Family: Saturday, May 21, 9 to 10:30 a.m. - Naturalists Jennelle Freeston and Debora Martin will share ideas on the importance of getting kids outdoors this summer and beyond. Meet at the Chautauqua Ranger Cottage and be prepared for an easy hike around the trails.
● Parks and Recreation: FREE Tennis Day: Saturday, May 21, 1 to 3 p.m. – Join Parks and Recreation for Let’s Move: Kids in the Park Tennis at the newly refurbished East Boulder Tennis Courts, 5660 Sioux Drive. Kids and adults are welcome to join us for FREE tennis games, prizes, demos and more!
● OSMP: Bird Watching for Kids (ages 6+): Saturday, May 21, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. - Naturalist Dave Sutherland leads this bird exploration on Enchanted Mesa to show kids the basics: how to “spot” birds by ear, how to use a bird’s color and behavior to identify it, and how to use a field guide. Meet at Chautauqua Ranger Cottage.
● OSMP: Nature for Kids & Parents (ages 6+): Sunday, May 22, 1 to 3 p.m. - Take a journey to May’s Point with Early Childhood Educator/Volunteer Naturalist, Debora Martin, to explore special places in nature, and use an Explorer’s Guide with fun activities to share. Meet at the Flagstaff Nature Center at the summit of Flagstaff Mountain.
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Open Space and Mountain Parks releases its West Trails Study Area Draft Plan
0February 2, 2011
The City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) has released its draft West Trails Study Area (West TSA) plan for public review. The West TSA includes OSMP lands north of Eldorado Springs Drive, south of Linden Avenue and west of Broadway.
The draft plan includes recommendations developed by staff and those contributed by the Community Collaborative Group (CCG). The recommendations contributed by the CCG were accepted by the Open Space Board of Trustees (OSBT) meeting held Jan. 19 for inclusion in the draft plan. The CCG’s recommendations are identified as such in the draft plan.
The staff recommendations contained in this draft plan include proposals about access for mountain biking and other recreational activities, trailhead improvements, trail re-routes, closures and designation of some undesignated trails. The department has used information contained in the comments received from individuals, and community groups throughout the 14-month CCG process.
“The community has given us valuable input at every step of the way,” said Steve Armstead, planner for OSMP. “The West TSA is important to many residents and visitors to Boulder, and they have shared their passionate concerns and suggestions with staff.”
The purpose of the plan is to provide management direction and describe the actions that will protect natural and cultural resources, improve the visitor experience, and provide a sustainable trail system.
The public is invited to provide feedback on the draft plan from Feb. 1 through Feb. 9. In particular, community members are invited to learn more about the staff recommendations for the plan at an open house scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 9, at 5 p.m. in the Municipal Building, 1777 Broadway, in Boulder.
Immediately after the open house, the Open Space Board of Trustees will convene a meeting to review and discuss the draft plan starting at 6 p.m. The public will be welcome to comment on staff’s recommendations at that time.
The draft plan will be revised and then considered by the OSBT later in February and City Council in mid-March. The public is invited to offer input at both of these hearings.
The Draft West TSA Plan, background documents and information about how to get involved are available at the West TSA website, www.westtsa.org . For other information, call 303-441-3440.
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Dome Fire evacuees: Now you can go home: #boulderfire
0October 30, 2010
City to lift evacuation order at 10 a.m. today
All mandatory evacuations of city neighborhoods in west Boulder will be lifted at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 30. All residents and business owners west of 7th Street from Canyon Boulevard on the south to North Street on the north are welcome to return to their properties starting at that time.
Fire crews are still battling active fire west of the city. City residents in west Boulder neighborhoods can anticipate fire equipment in the area throughout the day. Residents may notice firefighting teams from other jurisdictions assisting with this effort.
Open Space and Mountain Parks trails in the evacuation zone will remain closed, and firefighters are asking for the public’s cooperation in staying off the trails and out of the area for recreational purposes.
The Dome wildfire originated near Dome Rock on City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks property on Friday, Oct. 29.
“On behalf of the city and emergency responders, we would like to thank the community for its cooperation and continued versatility during this event,” said City Manager Jane S. Brautigam. “We appreciate the diligent and exhaustive efforts of all of the responding firefighters.”
The North Boulder Recreation Center, 3170 Broadway, has resumed normal operations and class schedule today. Adult classes were cancelled on Friday due to health concerns related to the smoke.
The city encourages residents to remain alert and monitor local news and Emergency Operations Center updates for any changing information. For the most up-to-date information from emergency officials, visit http://www.boulderoem.com/emergency-status.
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