NORTH FORK TRAIL OPEN

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From: Thea Rock, JCOS Communications Manager, trock@jeffco.us:

Friday, October 03, 2014

Trail Completed from Reynolds Park to South Platte

North Fork Trail Ready for Hiking, Mountain Biking and Horseback Riding

Beginning Saturday, October 11, 2014 outdoor enthusiasts will be able to challenge themselves and enjoy a new 9.3-mile trail from Reynolds Park to the South Platte in Jefferson County.

The North Fork Trail provides a regional connection from Jeffco Open Space to the abundant recreation opportunities of the Pike National Forest. …

In 2004, Reynolds Park was designated for equestrian and hiking opportunities to maintain the Park’s relative serenity, current visitation and intact natural values.  With the designation, a commitment to construct a multiuse trail to the south was leveraged….

Learn more about Reynolds Park and the North Fork Trail by visiting the website jeffco.us/parks/open-space or view the updated Park map here.

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.

Group Earns Oil Income Despite Pledge on Drilling

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This is a link to a disturbing article in the New York Times about the Nature Conservancy. I’m not sure what to make of it; I’d appreciate your feedback. Read the article and comment on our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/pages/PLAN-Jeffco/129286367169585

PJ Gets Busy With Facebook Fotos

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Be one of the first to check out the new photo albums and pix that I’ve just finished posting on our PLAN Jeffco Facebook page…https://www.facebook.com/pages/PLAN-Jeffco/129286367169585

As you can see, these are not professional photos. They’re simply snapshots taken by ordinary folks who like to visit these Open Space parks. And that’s what we’re looking for…photos of your favorite OS park that you’d like added to the albums.

If you have photos that you’d like us to post, please attach them to an email message and send to me at mapoolet@ix.netcom.com. Write a brief description of each photo, including at which OS park it was taken at, and a rough timeframe when the photo was taken – for example, circa 2010.

By doing this, you’re giving us permission to post your photos on our Facebook and web pages, which is why we want to credit you with the work. You may think it’s just a snapshot, but to us, it’s a way to show how beautiful and accessible our Jeffco Open Space Parks truly are.

See you in the park,

Michelle Poolet, PLAN Jeffco Board Member

There’s a New Version of the 2014 Master Plan…

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…for you to read at http://jeffco.us/parks/about/open-space-master-plan/.  Following the February 11th Board of County Commissioners public hearing, the BCC considered approval of the Master Plan.

At that time, members of the development community requested more time to review maps and make comments before approval. They were granted a 30-day extension.

The Open Space Advisory Committee will again review and consider the staff-recommended Master Plan at their regular meeting (open to the public) on Thursday, March 6, 2014 at 7:00 p.m, at the Open Space building, Ponderosa meeting room. Following this meeting, the BCC will consider the Master Plan at their regular hearing on Tuesday, March 18, 2014, 8AM. This meeting is open to the public; it will be in Hearing Room 1, Administration and Courts Facility (the Taj), 100 Jefferson County Parkway, Golden.

MALT Announces the Conservation of 80 Acres in Woodland Park

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MALT — the Mountain Area Land Trust — does great things, and in this case it’s an 80-acre parcel which abuts U.S. Forest Service land. While the Conservation Easement contains an option for an environmental education center and potential eventual acquisition by the city of Woodland Park, it’s wonderful to have this area protected. MALT Announces the Conservation of 80 Acres in Woodland Park

For more information, go to the MALT website at http://www.savetheland.org/latest-news

The Nature Conservancy protects 1M acres in Montana

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Sometimes land preservation is done on a big scale. Last week, The Nature Conservancy closed on a 515-acre conservation easement, to bring the total of Montana land which is now preserved and protected from development to just over 1 million acres. One million acres of Montana protected in the 35 years that TNC has been working in the state; that’s about one acre per person. I am impressed; thanks to the efforts of the TNC and others, Montana will stay a “big sky country”. http://helenair.com/news/local/state-and-regional/the-nature-conservancy-protects-m-acres-in-montana/article_0f821f60-7698-11e3-a4ef-0019bb2963f4.html

PLANjeffco headline

Friends of Dinosaur Ridge Announce New Visitor Center Golden, Colorado

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Great news from Joe Tempel (joe_tempel@dinoridge.org) of Dinosaur Ridge (www.dinoridge.org):

The Friends of Dinosaur Ridge has purchased a building that will be renovated to become a visitor center at the north entrance of Red Rocks Park. The 4,000 sf building, dubbed the Discovery Center, will complement the existing Visitor Center on the east side of Dinosaur Ridge.

Aerial View of Dino RidgeThe Discovery Center will feature indoor and outdoor educational exhibits on dinosaurs, scientific displays, a gift shop and picnic areas for families and school groups. This new location will allow visitors at Red Rocks Park to have better access to Dinosaur Ridge. Guided bus tours of Dinosaur Ridge will be provided from both locations.

Dinosaur Ridge was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1974 by the National Park Service because of the historical importance of the dinosaur discoveries (tracks and bones) that were made beginning in 1877 and the need to preserve the remaining fossils as a unique outdoor museum for educating school children and the public. Currently, Dinosaur Ridge hosts over 100,000 visitors annually with over 65,000 of those receiving a guided outdoor educational experience provided by trained volunteers and staff.

New Discovery Center Dino RidgeThe Friends of Dinosaur Ridge is a nonprofit organization that has been preserving the fossils on Dinosaur Ridge and educating the public about them since 1989. Renovation has begun and the building will be open to the public in January 2014. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $520,000, funded entirely by donations. Almost 90% of the funds have been raised, with major funding ($410,000) from the following foundations:

Harvey Family Foundation

Adolph Coors Foundation

Gates Family Foundation

Exxon Mobile Foundation

Denver Foundation Scientific and Cultural Facilities District

Greater Denver Area Gem and Mineral Council

Chevron Foundation

Xcel Energy Foundation

Bandimere Family Foundation

Additional funding ($50,000) was provided by 85 individuals including board members, members of the Friends of Dinosaur Ridge and other scientists and dinosaur enthusiasts. “We have been incredibly grateful for the support we have received for this project,” said Joe Tempel, Executive Director of The Friends of Dinosaur Ridge. “People in Colorado know what a unique and interesting scientific artifact we have right in our own backyard, and they have been excited to help us share it with school children and visitors alike.”

The Friends of Dinosaur Ridge purchased the building and property in February and are in the process of raising additional funds to renovate the building to bring it up to code, add handicapped bathrooms, install indoor and outdoor educational exhibits, and set up displays for merchandise. The Friends plan on raising another $60,000 from interested individuals, corporations and other organizations to complete the final phase of the project. This final phase will consist of installing the outdoor educational exhibits, a front porch to provide a covered area for people waiting for a tour bus, and repaving the existing 40-car parking lot.

If you are interested in contributing to the project or have questions with regard to the project, please contact Joe Tempel, Executive Director of The Friends of Dinosaur Ridge at Joe_Tempel@Dinoridge.org or call him at 720-971-9649.