Big Bluestem: Plant of the Future

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This fall I had an email from a botanist friend: “What’s going on with big bluestem?” After he pointed it out, I noticed that, sure enough, this species, one of the dominant grasses in the tallgrass prairie (as in the source of the original Kansas sods that once housed the homesteaders), is bustin’ out all over the foothills! Big bluestem typically occurs on the slopes of our mountain front, but has been expanding in recent years. In 2010, this warm-season grass had an extraordinary year. Its abundance first drew attention at Lookout Mountain, on the slopes of Windy Saddle Park and adjacent areas, where you can probably still spot patches of its russet fall color when the ground is free of snow, even if you’re driving by on 6th Avenue. If you’re on the Lariat Trail, big bluestem borders the south side of the road east of Windy Saddle. This time of year, when it might seem there’s little to interest plant lovers, big bluestem and its cousins in the grass family provide color in the landscape.

Tallgrass prairie, whether here or in the East, is a tattered remnant of what it was in its glory days. We’re lucky to have sizable patches in Jeffco; efforts to protect some have been underway for more than 20 years. It’s been years since we talked tallgrass prairie here in the PJ newsletter, but the Board has continued to monitor and comment on developments in the Rocky Flats area, where our best examples of this rare ecosystem survive, including the Ranson/Edwards and Jewell Mountain properties. Boulder conveniently protected several hundred acres of the latter. Patches of big bluestem on the foothills slopes are fine, but limited, reminders of the more extensive remnant prairie that once rolled out across the county but has retreated to a fringe along the mountain front. Most of what you see just northwest of Highways 93 and 72 is also tallgrass prairie.

Big Bluestem in Jeffco’s Landscape

Look for these foothills patches primarily on unforested south- and east-facing slopes: on most central slopes visible west of Highway 93, and on the north sides of our canyons, from Bear Creek to Golden Gate. In Mt. Galbraith Park, you can see the colorful auburn patches across the canyon as you make your way up the trail. Driving west on I-70, look for it to the north as you enter the foothills, on the slopes in Matthews-Winters Park. In the southwest part of Red Rocks Park, it occurs on level sites, more prairielike, because that area has been protected and contains isolated spots where the Rocky Flats alluvium has managed to persist on lands that would otherwise have been cultivated or developed. In fall, big bluestem blends perfectly with the outcrops of the Fountain Formation.

Lack of development and a somewhat inhospitable climate have also protected the Rocky Flats area. The extremely cobbly soils, beloved of gravel companies, hampered agricultural attempts on much of the area and enhanced the available moisture content for the growth of these taller species. Because the area is unplowed, in part, these soils are considered among the oldest in Colorado, with some estimates placing their age at 2 million years. But big bluestem’s expression/visibility in the landscape of any given year reflects how we’re doing on overall precipitation and temperature.

The Water Year and Other Influences

Based on the 30-yr average precipitation, our wettest month of the year should be May. When it is, that’s about perfect for big bluestem and other warm-season grasses (including blue grama, sideoats grama, little bluestem, and switchgrass), which are just getting started as the weather warms toward summer. By June, the cool-season grasses (such as the common lawn grasses, including Kentucky bluegrass, which take advantage of early season moisture to start growth) will be ready to flower and set seed, but you’ll still have to hunt around on the ground to find evidence that big bluestem is even alive. Large clumps of hairy, velvety blue-green leaves will be your hint.

In July, those spreading clumps send up tall flowering shoots, which produce the “turkey-foot” seed heads by August. When cool-season grasses are giving it up and their seed has scattered, big bluestem ripens into the terra cotta masses that reveal its presence even from a distance.

This seasonal habit represents an entirely different metabolism (called “C4”) in these plants, which use carbon along different pathways than many familiar plants. According to some researchers, this may give them an advantage under conditions of elevated carbon dioxide (think global climate change), especially during drought. Like many grasses, big bluestem is also adapted to grazing and fire, but not if they occur too frequently.

Interestingly, although it seemed, until recent snows, that it’s been droughty for several months, 2010 was an above average moisture year during its first half, giving big bluestem the start it needed. In fact, rainfall in this part of the county has been at or above normal every month from April 2009 through last June. (Later records have not yet been posted online.) Average temperatures have also hovered a degree or two above normal for several years (except 2008); most of the past decade has been warm. Temperature and moisture conditions have apparently encouraged big bluestem, a species that prefers a little more moisture and warmth than is the rule in Colorado. If we get too dry and warm, we’re apt to see more of its cousin, little bluestem, but as long as it finds a moist spot, big bluestem will remain a part of the county’s natural prospect. If you haven’t seen it, this winter is a great time to go looking for it.

To see temp/precip data go to: http://ccc.atmos.colostate.edu/coloradowater.php

Big Bluestem (grass),
Andropogon gerardii

  • Warm-season sod-forming grass.
  • Height: 4-5 feet in Colorado, occasionally taller; to 8 ft in prairie states.
  • Occurs in all but the five westernmost of the lower 48 states, as well as the central provinces of Canada. Most abundant in eastern Great Plains.
  • Dominant and characteristic grass of the tallgrass prairie ecosystem.
  • Flowering heads are 4-5 inches long, with 3 (or more) spreading branches, suggesting its other common name: turkeyfoot

Copyright © 2011 Sally L. White

PLAN Jeffco Active on Several Open Space Subjects

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by Marilyn Mueller

PLAN Jeffco functions as more than just a watchdog group. It observes meetings of the Open Space Advisory Committee, participates in subcommittees and issues groups, proposes and works for important acquisitions, provides advice to the Open Space Program, helps solve problems and keeps citizens informed of what is going on in their Open Space Program.

PLAN Jeffco, (PJ), operates thru its Board of Directors, which meets monthly. PJ schedules at least two major gatherings each year for the membership and interested citizens. Coming up in September will be “The Dinner with the Commissioners.” Held at Mt. Vernon Country Club, its aim is to bring together the Commissioners, The Open Space Staff, members of the Open Space Advisory Committee, PLAN Jeffco members and other citizens. In early spring, each year, there is the Annual meeting featuring a speaker or a workshop on topics of current interest.

A Candidates Forum will be held this fall. This meeting will feature the two candidates for County Commissioner, speaking and answering questions from the audience. See notices regarding the Commissioners Dinner and Candidates Forum in this issue.

Chairperson Margot Zallen and the PJ board have been busy responding to matters and events needing attention this year. Of major interest:

Trails – Continued involvement in meetings of the Open Space Trails Committee, whose purpose is to review use and conflict issues on our trails. Peter Morales (PJ Board Member) played a significant role in meetings and negotiations and actual decisions regarding the restructuring and repurposing of trails at Apex Park. Changes include directional traffic for bicyclists on odd-numbered calendar days over three segments of trail, construction of two new segments of trail and installation of trail features to add interest and moderate speed. For more information on specific trail changes and a new map of the Apex trail system, go to http://co.jefferson.co.us/jeffco/openspace_uploads/trail_use_changes_at_apex_park.pdf

Jefferson Parkway – This is the proposed extension of W470 on the north end of the Metro area, now called the Northwest Quadrant Toll Road. PLAN Jeffco has opposed this plan from the standpoint of the increased environmental impact to adjoining open space lands, the ensuing commercial and residential development which would substantially increase that impact, the fact that it would not solve the present traffic problems and would likely result in an increased tax burden on the residents of Jefferson County, to compensate for revenue short-falls.

County Master Plan Reviews – The County is revising their Master Plan and the segmented studies of the Mountain Backdrop areas in the North, Central, and South Plains areas. PJ Board members John Litz, Don Moore and Michelle Poolet have been active on this and any other present and long range planning subjects.

Staunton Park – This is a newly opened State Park, located in Jefferson County. PJ Board Member Vera Smith brought this to the Board’s attention when it was in the early planning stages, and PJ has been following the planning whenever public input has been possible. For more information on Staunton Park (and some fabulous pictures of the area) go to http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/Staunton/Pages/Staunton.aspx

Alex and Evelyn Rooney’s House – The house is located on county open space land and is part of a “hot button” area which includes the mountain backdrop, the Rooney Ranch and pastures, an historic Ute Indian council tree and assembly area, the Dinosaur Ridge Visitor Center, and the adjoining road over and along the hogback. An additional heavy impact from the East is the Three Dinos proposed plan for a large commercial and residential development. PJ board members Sally White and Ken Foelske have worked on proposing sealing and moth-balling Alex and Evelyn Rooney’s house until a study can create a Master Plan for the many uses, inter-entity relationships, and stakeholder involvement in this special area. For more information on the Rooney Ranch, go to http://www.rooneyranch.com/index.html

Identification of Desirable Additional Open Space Lands – PJ Board Member Greg Penkowsky is always on the hunt to identify additional open space land purchases and applicable sources of funding.

PLAN Jeffco is fortunate that our secretary, Betty Seeland, is also active in the League of Women Voters; this connection opens avenues of interaction between the two groups. John Litz, former PJ Chair, has been a member of the Open Space Advisory Committee for seventeen years and his presence gives PLAN Jeffco an important link to the Open Space staff and to the Commissioners.

This year’s Annual Meeting, held last March, featured two speakers who provided us with a full morning of entertaining yet relevant information. The meeting was co-sponsored with the League of Women Voters, the Audubon Society of Greater Denver, the Clear Creek Land Conservancy, the Rocky Mtn. Bird Observatory and the Colorado Mountain Club in Golden. The Mountain Club provided the use of their excellent auditorium.

The first speaker, Dyana Furmansky, introduced and reviewed her newly published book, “Rosalie Edge, Hawk of Mercy.” Dyana is a dynamic speaker; she writes about the truly important and pivotal contributions that Ms. Edge made. Starting in the early 1900’s, Rosalie Edge alerted the public to the need for conservation programs protecting wild life. At that time, eagles and hawks were considered desirable hunting game. Quoting from the book jacket: “In 1930, Edge formed the militant Emergency Conservation Committee, which not only railed against the complacency of the Bureau of Biological Survey, Audubon Society, U.S. Forest Service, and other stewardship organizations but also exposed the complicity of some in the squandering of our national heritage. Edge played key roles in the establishment of Olympic and Kings Canyon National Parks and the expansion of Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks.” Reading this book will definitely strengthen and motivate efforts for the protection and stewardship of our own natural environment. For additional information on Dyana and her book “Rosalie Edge, Hawk of Mercy”, go to http://www.dyanazfurmansky.com/Default.htm

Note: Dyana Furmansky was active in the 1972 election campaign that authorized the Jefferson County Open Space program.

The second speaker, Jason Beson, Special Monitoring Projects Coordinator for the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory, brought with him some “Up Close and Personal” slides of raptors found in Colorado. Not only did these slides show how handsome and elegant these hawks and eagles are, but he pointed out identifying markings to look for when you are viewing them in the field. He also spoke about the raptor migration surveys and pointed out that one of the early spring observation periods takes place on Dinosaur Ridge, which is part of our own Dakota Hogback, west of Denver. During migration from wintering places in the South to breeding sites in the North and back again, these raptors are aided by gliding and flying with the thermal currents created from the temperature differences between the high Rockies and the adjoining lower plains. The RMBO is headquartered at Barr Lake. Excited by Jason’s pictures, we recommend finding some binoculars and going out to Barr Lake to look for hawks and eagles, and in addition, check out the many other birds in that location. For more information on the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory, go to http://www.rmbo.org/

Some of the guiding principles which guide PLAN Jeffco interests and subsequent recommendations:

1. Protection of viewshed areas

2. Protection of watersheds

3. Protection of areas important for solitude

4. Protection of dark skies (for star gazing)

5. Protection of wildlife, wildlife migration corridors, riparian areas and other critical wildlife habitats and buffer zones

6. Protection of the mountain backdrop

7. Protection of bio-diversity and endangered vegetation habitat

8. Encourage the consolidation and additions to larger rather than fragmented parcels of open space

9. Encourage the “buying and holding” of open space for long term preservation rather than the need to develop each parcel of open space acquired by the County

10. Review and consider needed amendments to the County Master Plan to support the appropriate preservation of open space 

County Commissioner Candidate Forum

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When: 7pm, Tuesday evening, September 21st, 2010

Who: Don Rosier, Republican Candidate and Kathy Hartman, Democratic Candidate

What: Your opportunity to ask questions and hear the candidates’ points of view

Where: Main Hearing Room, Open Space Building, 700 Jefferson County Parkway, Golden CO 80401.

Why: Because we need to know about the candidates for our Board of County Commissioners before we vote!

How much: free to the public.

Thank you to our co-sponsor:

League of Women Voters

Citizens Involved in the Northwest Quadrant (CINQ)

Friends of the Foothills

Canyon Area Residents for the Environment (C.A.R.E.)

Citizens for Lakewood’s Future

COHOPE

Canyon Courier

2010 PLAN Jeffco Annual Dinner with the County Commissioners

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When: Thursday evening, September 30th, 2010. Social Hour: 5:30pm. Dinner Hour: 6:30pm.

Where: Mount Vernon County Club, 24933 Clubhouse Circle, Golden CO 80401, Canyon Trail Room.

Who: Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners, Open Space Advisory Committee, OS staff

What: Opportunity to talk to Commissioners, OSAC members and staff

Why: Because the Open Space Program is important to all of us

How much: $27 per person

Our new Open Space Director, Tom Hoby, will be our keynote speaker. We have invited him to speak about his long-range perspectives and strategies for Jeffco open space, to share his 5-year and 10-year goals, and to highlight what he sees as his priorities, and problems. We also want to know. how he sees the role of community organizations, and what can we do to help.

Reservations are required; please contact Michelle Poolet, 303.526.1348, mapoolet@ix.netcom.com, or Don Moore, 303.816.0907, dmconifer@gmail.com. If leaving a phone message, speak slowly and clearly, spell your name, indicate how many in your party, and if anyone has special dietary needs (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, low-sodium, etc. – we give you more options than the airlines!), and don’t forget to leave a call-back number so we can confirm your request. Please reserve no later than 9/22/2010. 

2010 PLAN Jeffco Annual Dinner with the County Commissioners

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When: Thursday evening, September 30th, 2010. Social Hour: 5:30pm. Dinner Hour: 6:30pm.

Where: Mount Vernon County Club, 24933 Clubhouse Circle, Golden CO 80401, Canyon Trail Room.

Who: Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners, Open Space Advisory Committee, OS staff

What: Opportunity to talk to Commissioners, OSAC members and staff

Why: Because the Open Space Program is important to all of us

How much: $27 per person

Our new Open Space Director, Tom Hoby, will be our keynote speaker. We have invited him to speak about his long-range perspectives and strategies for Jeffco open space, to share his 5-year and 10-year goals, and to highlight what he sees as his priorities, and problems. We also want to know. how he sees the role of community organizations, and what can we do to help.

Reservations are required; please contact Michelle Poolet, 303.526.1348, mapoolet@ix.netcom.com, or Don Moore, 303.816.0907, dmconifer@gmail.com. If leaving a phone message, speak slowly and clearly, spell your name, indicate how many in your party, and if anyone has special dietary needs (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, low-sodium, etc. – we give you more options than the airlines!), and don’t forget to leave a call-back number so we can confirm your request. Please reserve no later than 9/22/2010. 

County Selects Tom Hoby as New Director of Open Space and Community Resources

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Tom Hoby is not only our Open Space Director, he’s also the Director of the Community Resources Department. As such, he has executive oversight of the Boettcher Mansion, the CSU Extension, and the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. He brings to these jobs a very wide range of experience gained in his 29 years in the industry. He is a graduate of Colorado State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Outdoor Recreation Administration. He also has completed a number of educational programs to enhance his skills, earning him the title of Certified Park and Recreation Professional.

His start in open space administration was as an Outdoor Recreation Planner for the BLM with responsibility for 30 recreation sites and two wilderness areas. Tom then moved on to Lafayette, Colorado, where he served as Recreation Director for the city. There he managed nine parks, an outdoor pool, and 300 acres of open space. During his tenure he built community support and secured funding to create Waneka Lake Park.

Following his stint in Lafayette, Tom worked for a sports field lighting company designing, installing, and servicing lighting systems. He then spent five years as the Associate Executive Director of Special Olympics in Colorado. During this time, Tom created numerous strategic plans for regional program sustainability, coordinated statewide event locations, and managed funding and the structure of an organization that serves more than 150 communities and 5,000 people with developmental disabilities who participate in 18 sports throughout the year. He did this with a team of 22 staff and more than 9,700 volunteers.

Tom then returned to his Outdoor Recreation background, becoming the Director of Parks and Recreation for the Town of Essex, Vermont. He managed a 2200-acre park system including 18 parks, an innumerable number of trails, an outdoor swimming pool, public buildings and recreation programs.

Tom then returned to Colorado as Director of Parks, Recreation and Open Space for the Highlands Ranch Metro District. He led the efforts that created a model “green infrastructure community“ with a 3,000 acre parks and open space system comprised of 24 parks, over 70 miles of trails, 2500 acres of open space, four dog parks, two skate parks, 33 buildings and shelters, and a USTA national award winning tennis center. Tom created partnerships with local, county and state parks, open space and trails agencies, non-profit organizations, utility companies, the Douglas County School District, Littleton Fire Rescue, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Douglas County Libraries, the Highlands Ranch Chamber of Commerce, the Colorado Division of Wildlife, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, businesses, homeowner associations and service groups.

Tom is a forward-thinking, collaborative, consensus-building leader with a 30-year record of developing innovative and outstanding parks, recreation, open space and trails programs and services. A PLAN Jeffco Board member participated in the interview process, and we are certain that Tom can effectively direct the Jefferson County Open Space program.

As noted elsewhere in this newsletter, Tom will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Commissioners Dinner. At that time he will have the opportunity to inform the audience of his philosophies and goals as they relate to managing Jefferson County Open Space. 

Open Space Proposed 2011 Budget

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Open Space creates its budget on a 5-year basis. This allows for planning of trail and park capital improvements. Revenues for the program are approximately $33,000,000 per year (2010) with a projected 2% annual growth. In addition Open Space may realize a $1,700,000 savings in 2010-2011 by refinancing the 2001 series of bonds this fall.

The five-year budget is summarized in the table below. Significant items include an annual 3% increase in Operations and Management. Note that the County is proposing freezing salaries for 2011. Internal costs, for those services provided by other County agencies, are anticipated to be at or slightly below 2010 levels. Addition of two staff members are included – a Park Services Specialist (service to restrooms, shelters, and parking lots) and a Trail Specialist (trail maintenance and construction.) There has been only one staff person added to the Park and Trail Maintenance Staff since 2002.

No significant capital expenditures are anticipated. The acquisitions budget primarily covers land lease payments and water assessments. Note that property acquisitions are paid from the Bond Fund account which is not included in the budget. The Bond Fund balance presently is about $8,000,000.

Park and trail development plans are budgeted at an average of $2,000,000 per year and for 2011 include:

Hildebrand Ranch Park: Trailhead facilities – restroom and picnic shelter (The Jeffco Open Space Foundation will be contributing $20,000 toward these facilities.)

Reynolds Park: Design of trailhead facilities for the connection to the Colorado Trail.

White Ranch Park: paving of the West entrance road.

Pine Valley Lodge: continue exterior restoration of the Baer Lodge.

South Table Mountain: Entry road, trail head, restroom, and parking lot from Quaker Street.

Crown Hill Park: Continue to phase in surfacing more trails with crusher fines.

Apex Park: Improving the East trailhead parking lot plus a restroom.

Van Bibber Trail: planning for the regional trail from Van Bibber Park to the Fairmont Trail. Construction is scheduled for 2010.

Auxiliary Shop: $200,000 is included in 2011 to finish funding the shop. A design/build contract will be approved in 2010. The shop will be adjacent to the Fossil Trace maintenance facility on County-owned land.

Future Developments: $400,000-$500,000 in 2012 to 2015 for not yet determined development.

Joint Venture Grants will be maintained at $2,000,000 annually and $300,000 is being reserved to assist R-1 in installing synthetic turf at Alameda High School.

Note that the Designated Reserve is Statemandated and becomes available in the next budget year.

Five-Year Budgeting Strategy – values are in Millions $

Description   2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Sales Tax, County Share   22.7 23.1 23.6 24.1 24.5 25.0 25.5
Other Income   1.1 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9
Operation/Maintenance   9.53 10.13 10.10 10.40 10.71 11.03 11.36
Capital Equipment   0 0.22 0 0 0 0 0
Acquisitions   0.01 0.06 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15
Bond Service   9.37 10.88 13.14 13.15 13.16 13.17 13.18
Park/Trail Development   3.81 2.25 2.97 4.12 0.98 0.89 1.04
JV Grants   2.50 4.82 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00
Designated Reserve   0 0 1.55 1.59 1.63 1.67 1.70
Total Budget Obligation   -1.42 -4.36 -5.41 -6.41 -3.23 -4.81 -3.03
Carry forward Fund Balance   32.73 31.28 26.92 23.06 18.24 16.64 13.50
Available Fund Balance   31.28 26.92 21.51 16.65 15.01 11.83 10.47

County Commissioner Candidate Forum

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When: 7pm, Tuesday evening, September 21st, 2010

Who: Don Rosier, Republican Candidate and Kathy Hartman, Democratic Candidate

What: Your opportunity to ask questions and hear the candidates’ points of view

Where: Main Hearing Room, Open Space Building, 700 Jefferson County Parkway, Golden CO 80401.

Why: Because we need to know about the candidates for our Board of County Commissioners before we vote!

How much: free to the public.

Thank you to our co-sponsor:

League of Women Voters

Citizens Involved in the Northwest Quadrant (CINQ)

Friends of the Foothills

Canyon Area Residents for the Environment (C.A.R.E.)

Citizens for Lakewood’s Future

COHOPE

Canyon Courier

Tookie Scherder, 2010’s Newest OSAC Member

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Tookie Scherder 2010 Newest OSAC MemberEvery morning, as she drives down from Pine to her job with an engineering firm in Morrison, Tookie Scherder is reminded anew of why she moved to Colorado, and ultimately into the Foothills. “When I first moved to Colorado,” says Scherder, “I lived near the Tech Center. I would drive across town to the open spaces of Jefferson County, just because they’re so beautiful, and for a runner, the trails are just wonderful.” Scherder stayed on the southeast side of town until she became an empty-nester, at which point she re-located to Jefferson County. She laughingly tells of the frustrations experienced by her real estate agent during the search for her new home: “My agent would call me with a great deal ona property, but I would turn it down simply because it wasn’t in Jefferson County.”

Scherder’s passion for open space led her to join TUTF, the Trail Users Task Force, and various hiking groups, but even these activities weren’t enough to satisfy her need to connect with open space. So when a slot on the Jefferson County Open Space Advisory Committee opened up last winter, she quickly filled out the appropriate forms, started networking, and ultimately got the appointment. She’s an alternate, but even alternates get to attend every meeting – which she’s been doing faithfully.

As a newcomer, she says that one of the biggest challenges she faces are the terms used in committee meetings. She claims that she told some of the other OSAC members “I reserve the right to ask lots of questions, and maybe even some stupid questions, for the entire first year.” According to Scherder, every OSAC member has greeted and treated her with respect and patience – and that makes for a tremendously good working relationship.

Born into a military family, Tookie moved around a lot as a child, and she’s seen a lot of the U.S. Visits to the family “back home” involve travel to the state of Georgia. While on this interview, she relayed the following story (and here I paraphrase):

Before heading back to Georgia, I got online and contacted some of the runners’ groups to get information on where the good running is and to find out where it’s safe to run. When I got there, I connected with some of the Georgia runners, and we went out for a run. We were running on pavement – roads, sidewalks, and the like. Then it struck me – the idea that JeffCo has had the foresight to set aside open space lands for hikers and runners and bikers and equestrians and just for breathing makes me proud to be a resident of Colorado and Jefferson County.

When asked about her perception of the future of open space, Scherder cited the challenges to the concept of open space. In her purview, she recognizes the need for open space advocates, of which she is one. “I hope to bring the user perspective to the Board, while respecting and protecting our preserved areas. I hope to be around for a long time”, says Scherder. “I hope to stay the course, and to be able to advocate for open space, despite the upcoming challenges” – referring to various issues which will be on this November’s election ballot. “Unlike Plan Jeffco, which I think of as a crusader organization, OSAC members are advocates. Together, we can save and enhance the Open Space program.”

So, if you see Scherder, running the trails of Pine Valley, Flying J, Lair O’ the Bear, or any other Open Space park, wave “hi” to our newest OSAC member, one whose passion for open space shines as brightly as her smile. 

Bond Funds: Where have they gone?

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In 1998 the Jefferson County voters approved the issuance of $160 million in bonds to accelerate the acquisition of open space lands. In total the lands acquired by purchase total 16,236 acres and the lands acquired by easement total 3,448 acres. The total amount spent through the end of 2008 is $148,029,304. Following is a review of what has been accomplished with the bond funds during the past ten years.

Westminster:

Addition of 23.4 acres to City park, addition of 58 acres to the lands surrounding Standley lake, acquisition of 1491 acres of recreation rights on Standley Lake, addition of 16.5 acres to the Westminster Hills Open Space, and acquisition of 20 acres along 92nd East of Wadsworth.

Arvada and Apex (North Jeffco):

Acquisition of 482 acres along Leyden Creek, acquisition of 8 acres adjacent to Tucker Lake, addition of 114 acres to Long Lake Ranch, acquisition of 15 acres in the Hills at Standley Lake, 11 acres adjacent to Pioneer Park, 26 acres between the Farmers and Croke Canals West of Kipling, addition of 6 acres to Majestic View Park, and the acquisition of 40 acres of the Moore Farm at 72nd and Ward Road.

Wheat Ridge:

Acquisition of 212 acres in the Clear Creek Greenbelt, 3 acres near 44th and Lamar, 5 acres at 37th and Jay, and 8 acres at 35th and Kipling.

Edgewater:

Acquisition of 4 acres of the King Soopers property at 22nd and Chase and the church at 25th and Chase.

Golden:

Grampas Park at 44th and Salvia, 49 acres on the Southwest slope of North Table Mountain, 15 Acres on the West slope of South Table Mountain, and 0.2 acres for the Clear Creek Trail corridor.

Pleasant View:

41 acres for the park at Camp George West.

Lakewood:

3.6 acres along Colfax at Dover adjacent to the Whitlock Rec Center, 1.3 acres at addition to Mountair Park, 3.2 acres for Two Creeks Park east of Wadsworth at 10th Ave, 7 acres addition to Sunset Park 10th and Kipling, 5.2 acres addition to Belmar Park, 12-acre addition to O’Kane Park, 3 R-1 cottage schools, 14 acres adjacent to the White Fence Farm on Jewell, 3 acre addition to the Bear Creek Greenbelt, a 0.5 acres park at the City Commons, 49 acres (part of the Homestead Golf Course), and 17 acres at Ohio and Chase.

Morrison:

Right of way easements for the Bear Creek Trail.

Foothills Rec District:

135 acres of the Fehringer Ranch, 11 acre acquisition at Temple and Marlowe, 9 acres adjacent to Weaver Creek Park, 9 acres along Elmhurst between Wadsworth and Pierce, 12 acres adjacent to the Lilley Gulch Trail at Wadsworth, 40 “sledding hill” at Kipling and Ken Caryl, 8 acres at Garrison and Ute, and shares in the Harriman Ditch Company.

North Backdrop and Mountains:

83 acres along Hwy 72 west of Plainview Road, 1516 acres along south side of Hwy 72 west of Hwy 93, 378 acres along Hwy 72 west of the railroad overpass, 60 acre conservation easement at the entrance to Coal Creek Canyon, and a 70-acre easement about 3 miles up the canyon.

North Central Backdrop and Mountains:

266-acre acquisition and 619-acre easement on the north side of Ralston Creek, 443 acres straddling or on south side of Ralston Creek, and 71 acres of backdrop across Hwy 93 from North Table Mountain.

North Table Mountain:

Acquisition of 1,252 acres of North Table Mountain plus 440 acres in a land exchange.

South Table Mountain:

Acquisition of 762 acres plus easements of 659 acres of easements.

Central Backdrop and Mountains:

571 acres on slopes of Mt Tom, 417 acres of conservation easements along Crawford Gulch, 4,406 acres along Clear Creek including Centennial Cone Park, 487-acre in additions to Centennial Cone Park, and 76-acre backdrop below Mt Galbraith.

South Central Backdrop and Mountains:

4 acres of Mt Glennon, 1955 acres backdrop at South Valley and Hildebrand Ranch, 1-acre addition to Deer Creek park, 117-acre addition to Mt Falcon Park, and additions of 787 to Alderfer-Three Sisters Park.

South and West Mountains:

Additions of 188 acres to Meyer ranch Park plus a 10-acre easement, 301 acres of Flying J Ranch Park, 445 acre acquisition of Beaver Ranch Park, 410-acre addition to Reynolds Ranch Park, and 120 acres adjacent to the Cathedral Spires Natural Area plus a 120-acre conservation easement.

About $12 million was left at the end of 2008.