Posts tagged OSMP
Irish delegation studies Boulder’s Open Space access for people with disabilities
0April 15, 2013
The City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) department hosted
a delegation from Ireland on Thursday, April 11. The group came to Boulder and Denver to examine issues of access for people with disabilities in education, housing and the workplace.
Ten leaders in several fields including education, human services, policy and architecture, arranged the tour to learn more about what OSMP has done to provide accessible trails that enable people in wheelchairs and those with other disabilities to enjoy and experience nature. OSMP has developed several trails, facilities and fishing areas designed to be used for people with disabilities.
The delegation was sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and the Irish Institute at Boston College, whose mission is to support the peace and reconciliation process between Ireland and Northern Ireland.
For questions about trail access for people with disabilities on OSMP properties, please call 303-441-3440 or visit www.OSMP.org.
City of Boulder media affairs
–CITY–
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New dog regs in OSMP lands take effect April 15
0April 13, 2013
New dog management regulations along mountain backdrop
The first in a series of changes to dog management practices in the West Trail Study Area (West TSA) will take effect on Monday, April 15. The following areas will be posted with signage reflecting the following changes:
- Fern Canyon Trail (from where it leaves the Mesa Trail heading west to Bear Peak – Dogs on this trail will now be allowed to be off leash with the proper use of voice and sight control
- Lower McClintock Trail (from the wooden bridge just below the Chautauqua Auditorium along the short distance heading west until the Enchanted Mesa Trail) – Dogs will no longer be allowed on this portion of the trail
- Boy Scout Trail (located at the Flagstaff Summit) – Dogs will no longer be allowed in this area
These changes are the result of recommendations made and approved in 2011after a rigorous public process that brought constituencies together in the form of a Community Collaborative Group to develop a set of best visitor activity and environmental protection practices for the valuable ecosystem in the west TSA. Generally speaking, the West TSA covers from Eldorado Springs Drive (south) to Linden Avenue (north) and from Broadway (east) to the west side of the Flatirons.
The group made these recommendations related to dog management, as well as others that are likely to take effect around May 1. These will include the following changes:
- Towhee Trail – Dogs will no longer be allowed on this trail
- Old Mesa Trail (from Lower Shadow Canyon down to Eldorado Canyon) – Dogs must be leashed and on trail
- The Homestead Trail – Dogs will continue to be permitted off leash with the proper use of voice and sight control except for when crossing the riparian corridor, where dogs must be leashed
Be sure to check http://www.osmp.orgfor the exact dates when these future changes will go into effect and for general information about the provisions. If you have additional questions about these changes, please contact Dean Paschall at 720-564-2050.
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Songdogs a threat to pets on Sanitas
0April 12, 2013
OSMP:
temporary leash requirements at Sanitas due to recent coyote activity
The City of Boulder OSMP is temporarily requiring dogs to be leashed on the Mount Sanitas Valley trail, effective immediately, as a result of several encounters between dogs and coyotes. Although Voice and Sight control is normally allowed in this area, OSMP is enacting the temporary leash restrictions in order to provide the best possible protection for both dogs and coyotes. Advisory signs have been posted to educate users on the issues.
“In the last two weeks there have been several reports of dogs interacting with coyotes. In each of these cases the dog guardian had either lost sight of his or her dog or was unable to call the dog back and the dog charged a coyote that was seen near the trail. At least one of these encounters resulted in significant injuries to the dog,” Ranger Supervisor Joe Reale said.
The type of coyote behavior reported suggests there may be a den site in the area that the coyotes are defending. An off-leash dog may be viewed as a threat to a coyote that has young nearby.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife Officer Kristin Cannon said, “This time of year coyotes will be active providing food and protection to young pups. It is important that we keep unleashed dogs away from areas where coyotes are hunting and raising young. Eventually the coyotes will disperse from the area, and the risk to both dogs and coyotes will be reduced.”
OSMP will monitor the situation at Mount Sanitas and will inform the public when it is once again safe to walk dogs under voice and sight control.
Please visit www.osmp.org for detailed maps and up-to-date information on regulations, closures, temporary or otherwise; or call 303-441-3440.
–CITY of Boulder press release–
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Boulder’s newest trail gets suggested guidelines
0April 12, 2013
Access expected to go into effect April 24
The newly purchased portion of the Chapman Drive Trail starts at Boulder Canyon roughly at the location of the Red Lion Restaurant and proceeds south, uphill for approximately 1.4 miles.
OSBT recommended that council designate this portion of property as a Habitat Conservation Area (HCA). The guidance from OSBT included the following uses by visitors:
- Mountain bike travel up and down, on trail, from Boulder Canyon to Flagstaff Road;
- Dogs allowed, on leash and on trail, from Boulder Canyon to the junction with the Tenderfoot Trail; and
- Voice and sight control for dogs permitted from the Tenderfoot junction to Flagstaff Road.
Staff is currently in the process of working with the City Attorney’s Office to finalize these proposed uses. Once finalized, there will be a 15-day comment period for public feedback. Unless significant changes are necessary after the input process, access is expected to begin, pursuant to these guidelines, around April 24.
Please check the OSMP.org web site for updates about this process and watch for signage at the trailhead soon. For more information about these changes, contact Jean Koszalka at 303-413-7622.
City of Boulder Press Release
–CITY–
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Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks begins seasonal cliff-nesting raptor closures
0January 30, 2013
Each year, the City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) Department temporarily closes areas to the public in order to protect nesting and roosting raptors. The following areas and formations will be closed from Feb. 1 through July 31:
- 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, a half mile 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);
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- 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 Ridges 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; the designated Shadow Canyon hiking trail will re-open in 2013 following post-fire maintenance);
- 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 in protecting 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 of efforts to protect the species and adaptively manage the closures.
Trespassing 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.
Some modifications have occurred to the Flagstaff and The Sphinx raptor closures. Please visit Open Space and Mountain Parks’ website at www.osmp.org for detailed maps and up-to-date information on raptor closures or call 303-441-3440.
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Boulder OSMP to Open Lower Chapman Drive Trail
0January 5, 2013
The City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) will open the new Chapman Drive Trail and Trailhead to the public on Jan. 7, 2013. This trail is an extension of the current Chapman Drive Trail that begins at Realization Point on Flagstaff Drive. Visitors will be able to travel from Boulder Canyon Drive (SH 119) at the Red Lion Inn all the way to Flagstaff Drive.
The new trail was made possible by the recent purchase of the Schnell property. The 2005 Visitor Master Plan proposed the use of Chapman Drive as a multi-use trail and the new section was included in the recent West Trail Study Area Plan. There is a small trailhead with parking at the northern end of the trail along SH 119.
The new segment of Chapman RD. trail is behind the Red Lion Inn
“At this time, we are opening the trail to pedestrians, equestrians, telemark skiers and snow shoers,” said Annie McFarland, OSMP Visitor Access Coordinator. “Bikes will also be allowed, going uphill only. Cyclists not able to complete the 2.5 mile ride uphill, must dismount and walk bicycles downhill if they wish to return to the trailhead at SH 119. Cyclists completing the trail have the option of riding down Flagstaff Drive to Canyon back to the trailhead.”
All users must remain on the trail and no dogs are permitted north of the Tenderfoot Trail intersection.
Throughout January OSMP will meet with key stakeholder groups and interested parties to seek feedback on how best to manage visitor use – in particular bike and dog access on the lower part of Chapman Drive. OSMP will conduct an analysis of each alternative and then develop a matrix of possible management options. The department will host a mid-February open house for public feedback. Individuals may also submit comments regarding visitor use by email. Go to www.osmp.org and click on ‘Contact us’ on the bottom right of the home page. In your email, specify ‘Chapman Drive Trail’.
More information including a map of the area can be found at: http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2996&Itemid=1035
For additional trail updates on OSMP properties, please call 303-441-3440 or visit www.osmp.org.
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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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Trail to Bear Peak opens
0August 14, 2012
OSMP opens Fern Canyon Trail to Bear Peak
The City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) department announces that Fern Canyon Trail to the summit of Bear Peak is now open to hiking. Users are reminded that they must remain on trail at all times. South Boulder Peak, Bear Peak West Ridge and the upper portion of Shadow Canyon remain closed due to hazards and trail damage related to the Flagstaff Fire.
Bear Peak is a popular hiking destination, according to Eric Stone, Division Manager for OSMP. “We wanted to get that opened as soon as possible. Fern Canyon was the least affected trail,” said Stone. “There is still a lot of work to do on the other trails, but our crews are engaged in projects they can’t just walk away from. As soon as those projects are completed, we will start working on the trails in the burn area. It is common practice among land management agencies to allow burned areas to recover naturally. It may be several months before we can have all of the trails opened.”
The Trail & Area Closures Web page has detailed info and a link to a photo gallery from the fire and inside the burn area as it looks today:http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1158&Itemid=2552#trail
Direct link to the gallery page: http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=16949&Itemid=4235
For trail updates and questions about closures on OSMP properties, please call 303-441-3440 or visit www.osmp.org.
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City opens some trail segments and climbing access previously closed due to fire
0July 24, 2012
The City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) department has re-opened the lower portions of Fern and Shadow Canyon trails to hiking and access to several popular climbing areas on the west side of Mesa Trail. The area had been closed as a result of the June 26 Flagstaff Fire.
“With the lifting of closures in this particular area, the public can hike the loop near Fern Canyon and have access to climbing routes in the area such as The Slab, Fern Canyon Boulders, and The Maiden,” said Eric Stone, division manager for OSMP.
Top of the Maiden rock formation is accessible nor
Some closures remain in effect. The boundary on the west is now points on both Fern and Shadow Canyon trails that are still marked with closure signs. On Fern Canyon, a new closure boundary will be placed at a point approximately 0.25 mile west of the junction with The Mesa Trail where an access to Fern Canyon Boulders exists. The closure boundary on Shadow Canyon Trail is now approximately 0.4 mile west of the junction with Shadow Canyon North to provide access to a climbing area known as The Maiden. The summits of both Bear and South Boulder Peaks will remain closed as will the upper portions of Shadow and Fern Canyons and Bear Peak West Ridge Trail until staff has the opportunity to conduct a complete assessment of this area in regard to visitor safety and resource protection. This area will reopen to on-trail travel only once it is determined to be safe for visitor access.
For questions about closures on OSMP properties, please call 303-441-3440 or visit www.OSMP.org
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City to lift some seasonal raptor closures early
0July 20, 2012
The City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) department will lift the following raptor closures effective Monday, July 23: Third Flatiron, The Matron, Skunk Canyon, Bear Creek Spire, Flagstaff Mountain, Fern Canyon, and The Sphinx.
The following closures will remain in effect through Tuesday, July 31, to continue to protect nesting raptors: Back Porch and The Box, Mickey Mouse Wall, Kolb, and Coal Creek. OSMP will also be lifting seasonal closures established to protect ground-nesting birds on the originally scheduled date of Tuesday, July 31. However, the property known as Superior Associates—north of the Coalton Trail—will remain closed through Oct. 31 because of the presence of nesting burrowing owls.
This year marked another successful season for raptors nesting on OSMP. Below is a table detailing what OSMP staff and volunteers recorded this season:
| Species | Number of Nesting Attempts | Number of Successful Nesting Attempts | Number of Fledglings |
| Peregrine Falcon | 4 | 4 | 12 |
| Prairie Falcon | 4 | 4 | 17 |
| Golden Eagle | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| Bald Eagle | 2 | 2 | 3 |
This year was the most productive year for Peregrine Falcons since OSMP monitoring began in 1984. Volunteer raptor monitors are an integral part of the success of the monitoring program. Thank you to all the volunteer raptor monitors!
OSMP relies heavily on the public to respect the closures and the cooperation of visitors to these areas is greatly appreciated. OSMP would specifically like to highlight the cooperation among the Boulder climbing community with respect to these closures.
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More fire restrictions in Boulder open space &mt. parks
0June 12, 2012
City implements additional fire restrictions for Open Space & Mountain Parks
The City of Boulder has implemented a City Manager’s Rule banning fire and smoking on all Open Space & Mountain Parks properties. OSMP imposes these bans during extreme fire hazard conditions for public safety and resource protection. Fire danger is currently at a very high level.
“As we can tell from the tragic fire in Larimer County, and as we know all too well here in Boulder, dry conditions can be very dangerous,” said Eric Stone, division manager for OSMP. “We are asking the public to take all precautions possible to prevent a fire on open space and in our community.”
The ban includes smoking and the use of any cook stoves on OSMP lands. The sheriff’s office has already put a ban in place that makes it illegal to use charcoal grills or campfires anywhere in Boulder County. The new OSMP ban could be lifted if and when fire conditions change. Violators are subject to criminal prosecution with penalties up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
OSMP and firefighters would appreciate the cooperation from the public in this important matter.
For more information on OSMP, please call 303-441-3440 or visit www.osmp.org
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Boulder will burn its open space
0March 13, 2012
City to conduct prescribed grassland burns this month
The City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) department and the Boulder Fire Department will be conducting prescribed grassland burns this month. The burns will be conducted only if environmental and weather conditions fall within city burn plan guidelines. Ignitions will not begin before 10 a.m. and will end no later than 2 p.m.
Prescribed burns will be conducted at the following sites:
- OSMP Fell property, a 15-acre site located north of Valmont Road and east of 75th Street,
- OSMP Van Vleet property, a 25-acre site located west of South Boulder Creek and south of South Boulder Road.
- OSMP Gephard property, a 20-acre site located east of South Boulder Creek, north of South Boulder Road, and west of Cherryvale Rd.
Boulder’s ecosystems have evolved with fire over thousands of years. The prescribed burning of these areas will improve habitat for native plants and wildlife.
Additionally, OSMP, in conjunction with the Boulder Fire Department, will be conducting ditch burns throughout the spring on the city’s agricultural properties. OSMP has significant shares of water rights used primarily to support agricultural activity in the Boulder Valley. Ditch burning is important to the productivity of agricultural cropland and the efficiency of water delivery. Periodic burning removes the build up of plant debris in irrigation ditches and also keeps weeds at bay, reducing herbicide use. Burning is a cost effective way to clear irrigation ditches before the spring water run off.
No burning will occur on Red Air Quality days. Trained fire personnel and natural resource advisors will be on site during this activity.
For questions about prescribed burning on OSMP properties, please call 303-441-3440 or visit www.OSMP.org.
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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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OSMP to begin habitat improvement work on South Boulder Creek
0July 29, 2011
by Ron Baird, news editor
in News
The City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks Department (OSMP) will begin construction on the South Boulder Creek Aquatic Habitat Improvement project during the week of Aug. 1.
The project is a cooperative effort involving Colorado Division of Wildlife, Denver Water and OSMP. Funding is provided by a Division of Wildlife ‘Fishing is Fun’ grant, Denver Water’s Gross Reservoir mitigation fund and OSMP restoration funds
The project will improve in-stream habitat for fish and other aquatic species and restore riparian habitat from South Boulder Road south for 1.9 miles upstream. Work will include placing rock and log structures in the channel, removing spoil piles from past gravel mining, creating wetlands and planting riparian vegetation. Construction work is to be completed by Oct. 1 after which Wildland Restoration Volunteers will assist with planting and seeding of the project area.
The South Boulder Creek Trail will remain open while work is being done on this project. Occasional construction traffic may be encountered on the trail. Trail users are asked to use caution around construction equipment.
