Posts tagged Open Space
80% of OSMP trails to be open by Jan.1
Oct 17th
The department anticipates having more than 50 percent of its trail system open on Saturday when dozens of volunteers will help the department complete rebuilding projects on the Doudy Draw trail complex south of Boulder. The volunteer assistance – which will build on the work of OSMP trail crews – will enable the department to open more miles of trails.
“We’ve made significant strides in reopening Boulder’s prized trails, but we know we have much more work ahead of us,” said Mike Patton, director of the city’s Open Space and Mountain Parks Department. “Our approach has been to reopen trails that serve the broadest segment of the community and to leverage the immense generosity of volunteers to help us rebuild our community’s trail system.”
When the recent flooding subsided, OSMP conducted a preliminary assessment that found it caused significant or severe damage to 77 miles of trails. Floodwater also caused some damage to dozens of miles of other trails. The department then diverted its staff – including trail crews, seasonal employees and full-time employees – to provide immediate trail access to neighborhoods and areas across Boulder.
Since the September flood, OSMP has opened 70 miles of trails, along with 20 trailheads. It has also opened climbing areas on the First and Third Flatirons, and it is working with volunteers from the Flatirons Climbing Council and Rocky Mountain Rescue Group to assess local climbing access areas and explore additional openings.
As first responders and local climbers help OSMP survey climbing areas, hundreds of other volunteers continue to help the department rebuild and restore important drainages and ecosystems. In recent weeks, OSMP has held 15 volunteer projects, which have helped the department make progress in opening more trails. Volunteers have also assisted OSMP by providing guided hikes, which give area residents insights about how the flood has impacted the city’s open space system. More than 600 people have participated in the guided hikes.
“We’re fortunate to have so many volunteers helping us to rebuild,” Patton said. “We’ve been inspired by their hard work and willingness to help the community.”
In the coming weeks, OSMP anticipates opening the following trails and areas:
- Spring Brook-Doudy Draw trail complex; Foothills Trail; Hogback Loop; Old Kiln Trail; Wonderland paragliding/hang gliding access area; Greenbriar/Thomas Lane with the South Boulder Creek West Trailhead; Flagstaff Trail and nearby climbing areas, including Flagstaff Summit, Crown Rock and Contact Corner.
By the end of 2013, OSMP expects to open:
- Sanitas Valley Trail; Amphitheatre/Gregory Loop and its nearby climbing opportunities; Skunk Canyon Trail; and the Upper and Lower Big Bluestem trails.
While OSMP is making progress opening many trails and trailheads, some trails will remain closed to the public after Jan. 1. These trails have become eroded and buried in debris, and will require significant repairs. In addition, their closure will help reduce the creation of new social trails, which causes adverse environmental impacts. Areas that will likely remain closed past the beginning of the year include:
- Four Mile Creek Trailhead: Flood water expanded the creek from 3 feet to 30 more than feet, necessitating a new bridge. Flooding also spread extensive debris in the area.
- Chapman Drive/Tenderfoot: Flooding severely damaged the road and OSMP needs to provide a walkable trail in the area.
- Access road to Green Mountain Lodge: The recent flood created a flowing creek in the roadway, which prevents access to Ranger Trail and Gregory Canyon. Re-opening this trail now would damage environmental resources.
- Multiple Mesa Trail junctions: The Bear, Skunk and Bluebell drainage crossings of the Mesa Trail have been damaged.
- East Boulder Trail at Boulder Creek (White Rocks): Large gullies and extensive debris have severely damaged the trail.
“We understand the desire to get back on the trails,” Patton said. “We’re doing everything we can to provide our community with exceptional recreational opportunities as we continue our commitment to ensure long-term resource protection.”
County opens more trails
Oct 9th
Boulder County, Colo. – Boulder County Parks and Open Space staff has determined that the following properties are safe and accessible and can open to the public at noon, Oct. 9:
· Mud Lake
· Reynolds Ranch
· Carolyn Holmberg Preserve – Mary Miller Trail to back of Stearns Lake only
· Castle Rock
Opening Thursday, Oct. 10 at sunrise:
· Betasso Preserve– All open except Fourmile entrance and Fourmile Link Trail
Additional parks will be opened as staff can assess conditions and do the work necessary to make them safe and/or accessible. Go to www.BoulderCountyOpenSpace.org/trails for a full list.
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Seven more OSMP trails opened Friday
Sep 27th
The City of Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) Department opened more trails near Chautauqua, along with several other area trailheads today. On Friday, OSMP opened:
- Enchanted Mesa trail
- Four Pines trail
- McClintock trail
- Kohler Mesa Trail to the Four Pines junction
- Woods Quarry trail
- Bobolink trailhead and the South Boulder Creek bike path to the East Boulder Recreation Center
- Flatirons Vista trailhead. A portion of the Flatirons Vista South trail remains closed.
- Foothills trailhead. Visitors can park there to access Boulder Valley Ranch and Mesa Reservoir trails. However, the Hogback Ridge remains closed.
All open OSMP trails are listed at http://bit.ly/15msF85 and at BoulderFloodInfo.net. Newly opened trails are currently accessible from dawn to dusk, and visitors must remain on-trail because of potential hazards and safety risks. OSMP stresses that the re-opened trails are substantially different from pre-flood conditions.
–CITY–
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