Jeffco Open Space Volunteer Recruitment Fair

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From observing wildlife and assisting visitors to bringing history to life, volunteers find many ways to contribute to Jeffco Open Space. Learn about all the opportunities by dropping in at a Volunteer Recruitment Fair on Thursday, February 12 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Jeffco Open Space Administration Building, 700 Jefferson County Parkway, Suite 100, Golden, CO 80401. For more info, visit http://jeffco.us/open-space/volunteer/job-descriptions/.

Many Thanks,

Will Lebzelter
Communications Associate
Jeffco Open Space
303.271.5961

PJ Board Meeting, 1/22/2015

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Save the date: PLAN Jeffco Board Meeting, January 22nd, 2015, 7PM – 9PM at Saint Anthony’s Hospital Auditorium C. All PLAN Jeffco Board meetings are open to the public; please RSVP to contactus@planjeffco.org if you plan to attend, in case there is a last-minute change of venue.

Apex Park Closed Nov. 19-20 for Bridges Delivery; White Ranch Park Trail Closures Nov. 20 morning

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2014-Vicky-01_rider on Pick & SledgeApex Park is scheduled to be closed starting at 5 p.m. Wed., Nov. 19 and continuing all day on Thurs., Nov. 20. The closure will allow for safe and efficient staging and delivery of materials for new bridges along several sections of heavily damaged lower Apex Trail. Also on Nov. 20, from 7 a.m. to noon, portions of trails in the southwest section of White Ranch Park—Sawmill, Mustang and Upper Belcher Hill—will be closed for staging and delivery of materials to repair trail damage along Mustang and Wrangler’s Run. See map. The historic floods of September 2013 caused severe damage at both Jeffco Open Space Parks.

Jeffco Open Space plans to reopen all Apex Trail by November 26. Closed trail sections at White Ranch Park will be reopened in 2015. Since September 2013, there have been months of planning, labor by staff and volunteers, and a required review of major trail repair plans in order to receive Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood recovery funds. When Apex Trail reopens in its entirety, directional travel for mountain bikers—one-way travel on odd dates—will be reinstated.

Tim Sandsmark
Lookout Region Supervisor
Jeffco Open Space
720-497-7602 direct
303-916-6553 mobile

 

 

 

CCLC Calendar Photo Contest Reception, Thu 10/30

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CCLC Calendar 2015The Clear Creek Land Conservancy (CCLC) Calendar Photo Contest Reception is this Thursday, October 30th at 5:30pm at Mount Vernon Country Club.  David McKenna, the Art Director at 5280 Magazine and the final judge this year, will give a presentation on his work and a critique of this year winning photographs.  There will be appetizers and a cash bar, and this is the perfect time to pick up your CCLC calendars, as they will be unveiled at the reception.

Please feel free to invite friends and supporters.  A $15 donation is suggested, or purchase a calendar (which is $15).

RSVP by Monday, October 27th and please include the number and name of your guests. RSVP to:

Claire Riegelman

Executive Director

Clear Creek Land Conservancy

303.718.9546

claire@clearcreeklandconservancy.org

www.clearcreeklandconservancy.org

 

JCOS Hosts ‘Trails Talk’ Forum Wed 10/29

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Jeffco Open Space to Hold Follow-Up ‘Trails Talk’ Forum

Jeffco Open Space is hosting a second Trails Talk public forum this year to continue the dialog on experiences in the parks and on the trails. Come to listen, join the conversation, or sign up to put boots on the ground.

This event will be held on Wednesday, October 29, from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., at the American Mountaineering Center, 710 10th St, Golden, CO 80401 in the first floor conference rooms.

In addition to talk of flood recovery, Jeffco Open Space will provide an update on new trails, the status of working groups, and volunteer involvement opportunities. Following a presentation, staff experts will be available for one-on-one questions on a variety of topics.

Jeffco Open Space was founded as a land conservation organization in 1972 to preserve land, protect park and natural resources and provide healthy nature-based experiences. We are funded with a one-half of one percent sales tax that has preserved over 53,000 acres and created 28 regional parks and 230 miles of trails in Jefferson County.

For more information contact Thea Rock, Jeffco Open Space
303-271-5902, trock@jeffco.us

 

JEFFCO OPEN SPACE ACQUIRING GOLDEN CLIFFS CLIMBING AREA

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Jeffco Open Space and The Access Fund will celebrate the ownership transfer of the Golden Cliffs rock-climbing area at North Table Mountain Park on Friday, Oct. 24, from 3-4 p.m., at the Peery Trailhead on the south portion of the mesa. Representatives from Jeffco Open Space, The Access Fund, and the climbing community will be present at the celebration; the general public is invited to participate. Light refreshments will be served.

Read the full story at http://jeffco.us/parks/news/2014/golden-cliffs-transferring-to-jeffco-open-space-oct–24/

Golden Cliffs has been a popular destination with many established sport- and traditional-climbing routes. Jeffco Open Space adds this location to its inventory of climbing venues — Cathedral Spires, Clear Creek Canyon and Mt. Lindo. For more information on climbing, please visit the climbing page on our website at http://jeffco.us/parks/recreation/climbing/.

 

Flooding at Crown Hill Open Space Park

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Greetings Crown Hill Friends,

Areas of the Park are flooded.  Please be aware that there is water 2-3” deep flowing across the trails between Crown Hill Lake and Kestrel Pond.  Rainy weather and  irrigation equipment problems for Crown Hill Cemetery has resulted in water being over delivered into Crown Hill Lake.   Jeffco Open Space is working with Crown Hill Cemetery to resolve this issue.  Please use caution and try to avoid these flooded areas.

http://planjeffco.org/open-space-park_crown-hill-park.html

Thank you for your patience while we work to resolve this issue.

Apex Park Flood Recovery Update

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A year has passed since the historic record-setting rains and flooding along the northern Front Range of Colorado damaged towns, homes, roads and parks.  Today, much of the damage has been remedied with areas of greatest impact still closed.   At Apex Park, 3.8 miles or 40% of the Park’s trails were severely damaged.  Community support and staff dedication has allowed the majority of the park to be reopened for public enjoyment. Portions of Apex Trail, which runs the length of the Park, have remained closed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=3ovhNwC41Ok

Earlier this year, Jeffco Open Space anticipated that the work on Apex Trail would be completed and the remaining closures lifted by September 30.  That target date will not be met as elements in the process for trails recovery have been out of the agency’s control.  By the end of 2013, the County committed to seeking Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding for recovery efforts.  Factors that influenced the process included federal and local delays.  One of the final steps in order to receive federal funding for trail restoration, an environmental assessment needed to be completed before any work could get underway.  The draft environmental assessment public comment period closed on August 29, 2014 and the FEMA approval and a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) could be issued as early as the end of September or as late as mid-October.  With the appropriate local and state permits obtained, and federal approvals, Jeffco Open Space can then begin Apex Trail restoration as well as remaining work at White Ranch Park and North Table Mountain Park.

Trails supervisor, Kim Frederick, anticipates Apex Trail restoration can be completed by November 26, 2014 and the remainder of the Park reopened, providing the weather cooperates.  The Apex Trail project will include building of abutments and placing bridges over severely washed-out treads and other restoration activity to provide a safe and enjoyable trail experience.  Upon completion of Apex Trail work, the odd-day directional travel by mountain bikers will be reinstated on Apex, Argos and Enchanted Forest Trails, as had been in effect prior to the flooding events.

The realignment of the damaged Pick N’ Sledge Trail will be completed by the spring of 2015 with limited trail closures for construction.  For additional information please see jeffco.us/parks/parks-and-trails or register for Apex Park emails by sending a message to apexpark@jeffco.us to join the list.

I would like to extend a HUGE thank you to all of you who have volunteered time over the past year towards our flood recovery efforts at Apex and elsewhere in the Open Space system.  We could not have done it without you!

Tim Sandsmark

Lookout Region Supervisor

Jeffco Open Space

720-497-7602 direct

303-916-6553 mobile

 

 

July 2014 Recap – In and Around Jeffco Open Space

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Well, since I don’t monitor the news feeds every day, there’s a lot that I’ve missed…but this is what I’ve been able to glean as I career through my work-week. Please feel free to participate by commenting on the events and adding things that I’ve just plain missed.

Cheers,

Michelle

 Golden Gets Grant For West 44th Avenue Trail (Golden Transcript, July 1st, 2014):

“The City of Golden received a $210,386 grant from Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) in order to build the West 44th Avenue Trail. Partnering with Jefferson County Parks and Open Space, the City of Golden applied for the grant through GOCO’s Path to Parks Program in March…”

Read the whole story at http://goldentranscript.net/stories/Golden-Awarded-grant-to-build-West-44th-Avenue-Trail,160956?

 

Team Evergreen Proposes Bike Series in Jeffco Open Space (Canyon Courier, July 23rd, 2014):

“Members of Team Evergreen Cycling are exploring the possibility of holding biking events at Jefferson County open space parks. The Mountain Bike Series of the organization would raise funds for trail construction and renovation, said Tom Hoby, director of Jeffco Parks and Open Space.’’

Read the whole story at http://www.canyoncourier.com/content/team-evergreen-proposes-mountain-bike-series-jeffco-open-space (subscription may be required)

 

Working Group Recommends Arvada Site for Outdoor Shooting Range in Jeffco (Canyon Courier, July 23rd, 2014):

“A working group charged with finding an acceptable location for an outdoor public shooting range in Jefferson County has narrowed the choices to a former quarry in Arvada or another site within that city.

Tom Hoby, Jefferson County Parks and Open Space director, said issues regarding proximity to residents and impacts on natural resources have made the selection process difficult, during a presentation about the shooting-range study to the Jeffco Open Space Advisory Committee on July 10…”

Read the whole story at http://www.canyoncourier.com/content/working-group-recommends-arvada-site-outdoor-shooting-range-jeffco (subscription may be required)

[This section of the article has me a little concerned…] Hoby said that a funding source for the shooting range has not been determined, but it would possibly be a public-private enterprise. If the county commissioners decide to move forward with the project, grants would be pursued along with proceeds from the state lottery, he said.

Development cost for the facility is estimated at $200,000 to $1 million, plus operational, insurance and staff costs, Hoby said.

If the county commissioners decide to hire a consultant to work on the shooting-range project, Hoby said he would recommend that the cost be shared between the county and open space.

Hoby is planning to present the working group’s finding and recommendations to Jeffco commissioners on July 22.  [Note that BCC meetings most often take place at 8AM…but check the website http://jeffco.us/bcc/meetings/ for a full schedule]

Most members of the Open Space Advisory Committee listened quietly to Hoby’s presentation on the shooting range.

However, committee member Tookie Nemchak expressed concern about a perception that the shooting range may be an open-space project.

“The public is going to think this is an initiative we have undertaken. That’s a shame,” Nemchak said.

 

Neglected Trails in No-Man’s Land (YourHub, July 24th, 2014):

“JEFFERSON COUNTY —At the Morrison exit of Interstate 70, signs direct travelers to a point of geological interest. But anyone who follows the signs finds destruction and neglect, and local agencies do not seem to know who is responsible for addressing the situation…”

Read the whole story at http://www.denverpost.com/News/ci_26194768/Dinosaur-Ridge-trails-near-Morrison-showing-signs-of-vandals-neglect

[Is this an example of left-hand, right-hand, and no one really knows what’s going on?]

Representatives of CDOT initially said the path was likely part of Jefferson County Open Space, but that agency’s communication manager said the trail is not within its park system and, if it were, it would be better maintained.

The property likely does fall within CDOT right-of-way, public information officer Bob Wilson said after looking into the situation further.

Wilson said that if CDOT does conclude that the trails are its responsibility, it will look into the next steps toward maintaining the property.

Rocky Flats Update, the 25th Anniversary of the FBI raid on Rocky Flats

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What’s Happening at Rocky Flats Today?

For nearly 40 years the Rocky Flats nuclear weapons plant near Denver produced plutonium pits for nuclear weapons, with extensive toxic and radioactive contamination on- and off-site.

Colorado continues to struggle with the long-term environmental and historical legacy of Rocky Flats. Upcoming events include an unprecedented symposium at the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities June 6-8, community organization meetings, meetings for citizens concerned about a new dog park on contaminated land, and more. Find out what you need to know at http://us5.campaign-archive2.com/?u=b091790d7900d4ee97eaee42b&id=8deb35ca37&e=7a743fe88a