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03.09.16 OSBT PacketOPEN SPACE BOARD OF TRUSTEES Wednesday, March 9 (and 10 if needed), 2016 Council Chambers, 1777 Broadway MEETING AGENDA (Please note that times are approximate.) 6:00 I. Proclamation 6:15 II. Approval of Minutes 6:20 III. *Public Participation for Items Not Identified for Public Hearing 6:30 IV. Matters from Staff 6:50 V. Matters from the Board 7:00 VI. *Consideration of a motion to approve and recommend that City Council approves the conveyance of an easement to Public Service Company of Colorado for ingress/egress along a portion of the Mesa Trail to provide access to the company’s 9205 Eldorado-NCAR electric transmission line. This is a disposal of Open Space land under City Charter Section 177. 7:15 VII. *Consideration of a motion to approve and recommend that City Council approves the conveyance of a 10-foot wide nonexclusive easement to Public Service Company of Colorado for an underground electrical line across approximately 1,000 linear feet of the Dover-Blacker Open Space property for the purpose of providing electricity to the Shanahan Ridge neighborhood. This is a disposal of Open Space land under City Charter Section 177. 7:30 VIII. *Consideration of a motion recommending approval of the North Trail Study Area Plan and recommending the North Trail Study Area Plan to City Council for its acceptance. 10:30 IX. Adjournment * Public hearing (March 9 only). If continued to March 10, the meeting will be held at the same time and location. AGENDA ITEM 2 PAGE 1 OPEN SPACE BOARD OF TRUSTEES Minutes Meeting Date February 11, 2016 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT Shelley Dunbar Frances Hartogh Molly Davis Kevin Bracy Knight Tom Isaacson STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT Tracy Winfree Jim Reeder John Potter Chad Brotherton Annie McFarland Gabe Wilson Don D’Amico Mark Gershman Marianne Giolitto Bethany Collins Deryn Wagner Phil Yates Kelly Wasserbach Cecil Fenio Greg Seabloom Brian Anacker Alycia Alexander Juliet Bonnell Steve Armstead Joe Reale Lynn Riedel Heather Swanson Leah Case GUESTS Jeff Moline, Boulder County Parks and Open Space CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:02 p.m. AGENDA ITEM 1 – Approval of the Minutes Molly Davis said on page 3, after Return to the Board, it should read, “Molly asked why there was a delay in this ordinance to clarify Transfer vs. Disposal. Tom Carr said the delay was press of work and intentional as he was waiting for there not to be a current issue.” Tom Isaacson moved the Open Space Board of Trustees to approve the minutes from Jan. 13, 2016 as amended. Frances Hartogh seconded. This motion passed unanimously. AGENDA ITEM 2 – Public Participation for Items not on the Agenda None. AGENDA ITEM 3 – Matters from Staff Chad Brotherton, Maintenance Person III, Trails, gave an update on the Towhee Trail. Deryn Wagner, Environmental Planner, gave an update on the New Acquisition Management Integration. Marianne Giolitto, Wetland and Riparian Ecologist, gave an update on the Boulder Creek Restoration Master Plan. Mark Gershman, Environmental Planning Supervisor, gave an update on the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan. AGENDA ITEM 4 – Matters from the Board Tom Isaacson asked about the timeline for updating the Visitor Master Plan (VMP). Tracy Winfree said at the City Council retreat they expressed concern about the process and suggested a breather for the community. It was discussed that at the end of North Trail Study Area (TSA) process, staff will not immediately jump into the VMP. Staff will bring this topic back to the Board to talk about timeline options. AGENDA ITEM 2 PAGE 2 AGENDA ITEM 5 – *Consideration of a motion recommending that City Council approves a resolution to support a grant application by Jefferson County to the Federal Lands Access Program for a section of the Rocky Mountain Greenway, including a financial commitment to provide a portion of local match requirements. Deryn Wagner, Environmental Planner, presented this item. Tom suggested having a maximum/not-to-exceed amount included in the grant language. Molly Davis asked if the proposed trail alignment and/or crossing could be adjusted later on. Deryn said yes. Frances Hartogh asked if this would be 10-foot-wide trail and underpass. Deryn said this has not yet been finalized. Public Comment Werner Neupert, Boulder, said this is the beginning of a much larger project. There will be quite a bit of traffic in the future and he hopes that Board will think about this potential impact and how the trail will be carried through the rest of Open Space and the City of Boulder. Return to the Board Kevin Bracy Knight said he agreed with having an up-to amount. Frances said she is unsure how this fits into the bigger picture. Deryn said staff will make sure the feasibility study aligns with alternatives; alignments in the North TSA area have not been determined. Frances said she is concerned about the location of the underpass. Jeff Moline said the county’s preference is for the crossing to be at the intersection of Coalton and Highway (Hwy) 128. He said if the trail alignment is chosen to be close to the sensitive habitat, the trail would hug the perimeter of the Lindsay property. Motion Frances Hartogh moved the Open Space Board of Trustees (OSBT) recommend that, pending support from other local partners, City Council resolve or affirm the city’s intention to approve financial support, and that City Council approve financial support for an application by Jefferson County for grant funding through the Federal Lands Access Program, which, if awarded, would fund planning, design and construction of a grade-separated trail crossing of State Highway 128 and trail segments to connect the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge and City of Boulder and Boulder County trails to the north. OSBT cautions that this should not be considered a commitment to the current proposed crossing location or trail alignment. Kevin Bracy Knight seconded. This motion passed unanimously. AGENDA ITEM 6 – *Request that the Open Space Board of Trustees (OSBT): Approve the newly refined Scenarios A and B for the North Trail Study Area (TSA) Plan Identify which of the newly refined scenarios should be used as the basis for the North TSA Plan. Steve Armstead, Environmental Planner, presented this item. Public Comment Tim Hogan, Boulder, read a statement from Ruth Wright and Oakley Thorne (full statement attached). Dale Ball, Boulder, said she believes that species and ecosystems have intrinsic value. She said she is concerned about plant and animal extinctions due to habitat loss caused by human presence, invasive species and climate change. She asked the Board to adopt Scenario A. Scenario B cuts through sensitive habitat. Trails are gateways for invasive species and erosion. She said we are fortunate to already have trails for recreation; save some of the last fragments of native habitat for species who cannot survive without it. AGENDA ITEM 2 PAGE 3 Kirk Cunningham, Boulder, said he is in favor of Scenario A. It is assumed with a Habitat Conservation Area (HCA) that there is some biological integrity. Building a trail on the west side of Hwy 36 would lead to a situation where nothing will be seen but weeds. He said bikers are interested in a single track trail; others may have a hard time with that style. Cindy Carlisle, Boulder, said she is against a trail on the west side of Hwy 36. Council appointed Trustees to be stewards of this land. She said the Charter emphasizes preservation and the community trusts that the Board will follow Charter purposes. Building a trail across this habitat when another option is available on the other side goes against the Charter. Sue Cass, Boulder County Nature Association (BCNA), said the Board should respect the analysis and uphold the city Charter. The community wants to maintain trust in the Board and in the Charter. She asked if off trail permits will be granted in unlimited numbers and if they will they be monitored. Adam Sher, Boulder, said he loves nature and understands it is tough to strike a balance. He said mountain bikers are stewards of nature and they too want to experience the natural habitat. He said he supports Scenario B for both a trail connection and a way to experience nature. He noted his surprise to the proposed changes to scenarios. It was unclear that the Board had requested changes including temporal use and the rerouting of the Interim Joder Trail. Ann Tagawa, Boulder, said preserving Open Space means keeping the natural habitat as intact as possible; Scenario B would damage the habitat. Scenario A would be a win-win as trail construction can still happen on the east side and would not disrupt habitat. Nancy Neupert, Boulder, said she is concerned about Scenario B and would prefer the connection be kept to the east side of Hwy 36. She said if Scenario B does get chosen, please make every attempt to limit impacts to the habitat. In an HCA there should be no dogs at all, or, only allowed on trail and on leash during the nonbreeding season. Staff should implement a monitoring plan before either of these areas are opened. Mark McIntyre, Boulder, said this whole debate has focused on either an east or west alignment; access does not always equal destruction. He said he supports Scenario B because of the ecological values and diversity of habitat. The current and existing trail is already in place and he disagrees that the western alignment would harm conservation values. Scenario B would strengthen the connection citizens of Boulder have to the land. Karen Hollweg, Boulder, said the number one criteria for defining a successful scenario is consistency with the North TSA sideboards. Until this evening the sideboards have not been used. These are the grounding for the TSA plan, and these are documents that have been used for decades to guide the use and management decisions on our land. It would be a disservice for the Board to recommend a plan that does not align with these. She additionally asked the Board to reconsider dog regulations on Left Hand Trail; it would be inappropriate to have dogs off leash. Sandra Larson, Boulder, said she agreed with the statement about the Charter and its emphasis on preservation. Cutting a trail on the west side of 36 would go against the concept of preservation; once you have fragmentation you cannot go back. It can always be decided later to build this trail, but once built it cannot be undone. She said she is in favor of Scenario A. Susan Douglass, Boulder, said the Board promised the people of Boulder that the sideboards would be used as solid ground for this process. Any changes recommended to these sideboards would require a AGENDA ITEM 2 PAGE 4 separate public meeting. These plans require that you give priority to preservation; a regional connector trail on the west side of Hwy 36 would be a major bike trail with considerable user traffic. Raymond Bridge, Boulder County Audubon Society, said they are in favor of Scenario A. The principle criterion needs to be the sideboards. He asked the Board to step back and look at their responsibility as a Trustee. It would be better to take longer with this process and do it correctly, rather than rushing a plan through. Jackie Ramaley, Boulder, said she came to a Board meeting in 1968 when the discussion was on the greenbelt height limitation. These laws preserve public lands and limit access. She has since trusted that the Board will consider best interests all of citizens as well as public lands. The Board is above politics and special interest group pressure to make right decisions. There is a viable alternative with Scenario A. Placement of a bike trail on the east side of Hwy 36 would fragment the riparian area as well as add significant impact. Andy Schultheiss, Open Boulder, said he hopes that Board members will not change their mind since their decision in January, and continue to support Scenario B. He said he is pleased with this process overall, but would ask the Board to continue from where they left off in January as there was no public process to discuss the newly proposed changes. Suzanne Webel, Boulder County Horse Association (BCHA), said she protests the surprising changes with both scenarios between the last Board meeting and now. These are fundamental changes and there was no explanation. She said staff should have provided a single refined scenario after the meeting in January. She said BCHA has a stake in this process and was displeased at the lack of communication. She asked the Board to go back to Scenario B as it was agreed upon during the January Study Session. Steven Watts, Boulder Mountainbike Alliance (BMA), said mountain biking was his reason he began studying the environment. He has learned that process is important and compromise is essential. Without a great trail experience, you fail to get people out of their cars and into nature. Without scientific analysis, you fail to create a process devoid of politics. Without access to open space, you fail to connect humans to nature. All of these are necessary to ensure future commitment to stewardship of the environment. Nickie Kelly, Boulder, said the Trustees favoring Scenario B feels like a betrayal of the Charter. She asked the Board to support Scenario A. Decisions on visitor use should be based on science; Colorado State University (CSU) research shows that fragmenting property is detrimental to wildlife. She asked the Board to continue to listen to those who came before us and to respect the values that built Boulder today. Joanne Karpinski, Boulder, said the trail should be located on the east side of Hwy 36. Impacts are significantly more harmful on the west side. She added that putting the trailhead on the most sensitive land is not a good idea as it may lead to unintended consequences. She said she agrees with all comments regarding the Charter as well as minimizing off-trail use. She asked the Board to choose the scenario that is less likely to be disruptive to the land. Terry Stuart, Boulder, said he supports Scenario A. A trail on the west side is not worth ruining the environment to do it. Pat Billig, Boulder, said the Board’s role is to look at the entire system. The mission of OSMP precedes the Charter; the adherence to this mission through the whole system is about leadership from the Board and from staff. OSMP is well known for adhering to this mission with both use and resource. If you do not use something you will not want to protect it. She said a trail should not be built on the west side, and use that as an opportunity to educate people about HCAs. AGENDA ITEM 2 PAGE 5 BethAnne Bane, Longmont, said she chose to live in Boulder because of the respect citizens have for nature. She said she supports Scenario A. This is an amazing opportunity to protect nature. Putting a trail on the west side will cause lots of harm. Use an area that is already inhabited. Cathy Comstock, Boulder, said it is likely that a trail on the west side would be wet so often during the year it would be closed frequently. It would be a shame to do that kind of harm and then not be able to use that trail. In the North TSA there has already been lots of wildlife loss. Do not love an area to death; be as protective as possible. She said even with scenario A staff should take extreme care. Mike Barrow, BMA, thanked the Board for amount of time put into this process. He said BMA agrees with Scenario B as this trail is already in existence. He said that the proposed Interim Trail is not sustainable and has potential to create user conflict as it is currently suggested in the plan. Mary Eberle, Boulder, said she is grateful that Joder was added to the Open Space inventory. She asked the Board to review all information received and reconsider the initial recommendation. She said she loves the idea about educating people about HCAs by not putting a trail on the west. She would prefer Scenario A; the cost of underpass is a small price to pay for protection. Tony Gannaway, Friends Interested in Dogs on Open Space (FIDOS), said the HCA label is seemingly being used as way to keep dogs out of an area, or on leash. The Joder property was previously a horse ranch with many trails, so if the trail can be considered an HCA now, then a trail on the west side with the HCA label will have no impact. He noted that the proposed Voice and Sight opportunity does not really provide for an off-leash experience when it is such a small section of a trail. He suggested making the first part leashed and then make the loop Voice and Sight. He added that these plans are missing an opportunity for people who want shorter trails to destinations; if children cannot get to nature to appreciate then they will not be invested. Dan Brillon, Boulder Trail Runners, said there is an inherent conflict between recreation and preservation. He said he supports Scenario B. The recreational experience on west side if far superior and there is already a trail in existence. He suggested adding the proposed Interim Trail from Scenario A into Scenario B. He added that there should be more designated trail access near where people live, specifically at Wonderland Lake. Edie Stevens, Boulder, said the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan identified North TSA as an area that has critical wildlife habitat. At the last meeting the Board said they will support Scenario B, a trail that cuts through critical wildlife habitat. If Scenario B is chosen, the Board is weighing recreational gains as greater than ecological loss. Humans would not be negatively affected if this trail was not built, compared to the negative effects on wildlife if it was. She asked the Board to preserve the land and weigh that over “fun.” Eileen Monyok, FIDOS, said studies show that various user groups all have equal impacts on wildlife. She noted her surprise that the Board is having this meeting despite already having made a decision in January. She said she would agree that having just a small section of a trail Voice and Sight does not allow for an off-leash experience. She suggested having Voice and Sight on-corridor on both Joder Interim Trail Loop and the Wonderland Lake Loop. Amy Strombotne, Longmont, in 25 years never walked on the northern properties. These are special lands that should not be encroached on. She said she is concerned that increased use will take away ownership from animals by human impact. These trails also lead to sensitive areas that should remain closed. AGENDA ITEM 2 PAGE 6 Return to the Board The Board created the following list of amendments to Scenario A and B: *Items with an asterisk were a part of the Board conversation, but were not projected up on the screen at the time of the meeting. Joder Trail Connection/North Foothills HCA Scenario A Improve family resources by increasing amenities at Beech Pavilion (increase amount of seating, increase ability to have a picnic, tables, grills). Explore possibility of adding an ADA parking space in. Pursue external funds for the underpass. Scenario B No off-trail permits east or west of connector trail Do not allow dogs on Joder connector during seasonal nesting from May 1 – July 31. Use best efforts to locate connector trail through the Conservation Easement (CE) Do not include temporal restriction on connector trail (*or on the Interim Trail, to provide for this connection). Include this trail in the muddy closure program. Explore putting environmental monitoring program in place. Joder Loop Trail Scenario A Add public before planning processes in the proviso clarifying that the North TSA Plan does not preclude future public planning processes to assess and recommend a regional connector trail connection to Heil Ranch on the Buckingham property. Scenario B Add public before planning processes in the proviso clarifying that the North TSA Plan does not preclude future public planning processes to assess and recommend a regional connector trail connection to Heil Ranch on the Buckingham property. Alternate directional regulations every two weeks. Explore feasibility of turning road portion of Interim Trail into a single track. Joder Interim Trail Scenario A Reduce trailhead leash extent area proposed out of the Schooley trailhead and the Interim Joder trailhead. Scenario B Reduce trailhead leash extent area proposed out of the Dagle trailhead and the Interim Joder trailhead. BVR Trail Redevelopment Scenario A Condition closure of the BVR arena/ring to finding a suitable alternative with horse trailer parking. Make Voice and Sight (V&S) on-corridor on entire Papini Trail. AGENDA ITEM 2 PAGE 7 Provide horse trailer parking at Eagle and Degge trailheads. Scenario B  * Condition closure of the BVR arena/ring to finding a suitable alternative with horse trailer parking. Make V&S on-corridor on entire Papini Trail.  * Provide horse trailer parking at Eagle and Degge Trailheads (TH). Wonderland Hill Loops and Old Kiln Trail Scenario A No changes Scenario B  * V&S on-corridor on Wonderland Lake loops. Northern Properties Scenario A  * Open both Johnson and Schooley properties. Staff will request public input on Northern Property access and provide additional information to the Board in March. Scenario B  * Open both Johnson and Schooley properties. Staff will request public input on Northern Property access and provide additional information to the Board in March. Frances Hartogh said she is voting for Scenario A and against Scenario B because of the importance of not carving a trail through the West Beech HCA. It is vital that we leave this delicate grasslands area intact because: A West Beech trail will introduce invasive species, many of which staff says they have no viable methods of combatting; Invasive species would severely compromise the habitat now provided for numerous imperiled and threatened species; A West Beech trail would cross 11 riparian drainages, requiring bridge construction and resulting in destruction of habitat and disturbance of wildlife, including shrub-nesting birds and ungulates; An alternate trail—with better mountain views and far less damage to the environment—is available on the east side of the highway; While Scenario A would require crossing the highway, staff has provided little if any information about this crossing, other than a price tag that assumes OSMP would bear 100% of the costs. We have built crossings before, with significant cost sharing; Staff has stated on the record that the West Beech trail required by Scenario B is “ecologically unsustainable.” Given the emphasis of the Charter on preservation, and multiple statements in the other sideboards about the need to protect grasslands, the West Beech trail would violate the Charter and numerous other plans that the Board agreed would govern and provide critical guidance for the NTSA planning process. Molly said she cannot support a connector trail through West Beech to Joder Ranch as proposed in Scenario B. She asked the supporters of this to reconsider their thinking. This trail bisects rare and sensitive natural resources. It is a permanent scar to the landscape. To build a trail in 11 drainages that is unsustainable and in the heart of an HCA is not prudent after the massive flooding we saw in this exact type of landscape in 2013. Perhaps the most important fact is that it sets aside our own OSMP mission statement of “fostering appreciation and use that sustains the natural values of the land for current and future generations.” AGENDA ITEM 2 PAGE 8 Motion Kevin Bracy Knight moved the Open Space Board of Trustees are approving Scenarios A and B as amended. Tom Isaacson seconded. This motion passed three to two; Frances Hartogh and Molly Davis dissented. Kevin Bracy Knight moved the Open Space Board of Trustees identify Scenario B should be used for drafting the North Trail Study Area Plan. Tom Isaacson seconded. This motion passed three to two; Frances Hartogh and Molly Davis dissented. ADJOURNMENT – The meeting adjourned at 12:45 a.m. These draft minutes were prepared by Leah Case. Attachment to Feb. 11, 2016 Minutes (Statement by Ruth Wright and Oakley Thorne – Read by Tim Hogan) “Those of us involved in the original establishment of Open Space are often asked about our initial priorities and what we had in mind. It has arisen again in recent discussions concerning the placement of trails north of town. Let us be absolutely clear, from the very beginning our commitment was to protect these lands and waters for their inherent value as natural areas. In those days we unabashedly thought of these areas as part of “mother nature.” Starting in 1959 with the “blue line” limiting growth in the foothills, followed by the initial Open Space tax in 1967, then an ordinance in 1973 which established an Open Space Board of Trustees and formalized the purposes for which open space lands could be used, and finally with the establishment of a separate department in the 1986 charter amendment, this commitment to protect these ecosystems for their intrinsic value has never wavered. While passive recreation was always recognized as an obvious asset of these natural areas, the essential motivation behind the years of work that secured their protection was, in part, to buffer Boulder from urban growth, but primarily to protect them for their beauty and their fundamental value as preserves of unspoiled nature. We wanted to protect these lands because they are home to the plants and animals we cherish, and we viewed them as a precious trust we had a responsibility to preserve for their own sake. We could not imagine why we would not want to protect them. It never felt like an undue burden to limit some of our uses, and it still feels like a small price to pay for the benefits. At the 40th anniversary celebration for the initial establishment of Open Space, our late friend Al Bartlett said, “We have the responsibility to manage our open space lands and their unique ecosystems so that they can be passed on, ecologically undiminished, to our children, to their children, and to their children.” Open Space has been fundamental to our community’s identity. It is a testament to Boulder’s collective restraint that in giving nature a little room to roam, we have discovered an inexhaustible generosity in her steady solace and beauty.” AGENDA ITEM 2 PAGE 9 CITY OF BOULDER OPEN SPACE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AGENDA ITEM MEETING DATE: March 9, 2016 AGENDA TITLE: Consideration of a motion to approve and recommend that City Council approves the conveyance of an easement to Public Service Company of Colorado for ingress/egress along a portion of the Mesa Trail to provide access to the company’s 9205 Eldorado-NCAR electric transmission line. This is a disposal of Open Space land under City Charter Section 177. PRESENTER/S: Tracy Winfree, Director, Open Space and Mountain Parks Bethany Collins, Property Agent EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In May and June of 2015, the Public Service Company of Colorado (PSCo) was granted an easement across Open Space land for its upgraded 13-kilovolt electrical distribution line running from State Highway (SH) 93 (S. Broadway) westerly along the south side of Thomas Lane. Approval of this easement was conditioned upon PSCo abandoning its historic vehicular access over the Lower Big Bluestem Trail to its 9205 Eldorado-NCAR electric transmission line in exchange for an alternative access route to be identified by Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) staff. While helicopter access to the powerline infrastructure is most desirable, OSMP and PSCo have agreed on a more appropriate vehicular access route over that portion of the Mesa Trail identified on Attachments A and B and OSMP staff is now requesting approval to grant a permanent access easement to PSCo. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Suggested Motion Language: Consideration of a motion to approve and recommend that the City Council approves the conveyance of an easement to Public Service Company of Colorado for ingress/egress along a portion of the Mesa Trail to provide access to the company’s 9205 Eldorado-NCAR electric transmission line, as approved by OSMP and PSCo staff and the City Attorney’s Office. COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENTS AND IMPACTS Environmental: There are no immediate environmental impacts associated with the granting of this easement and PSCo will work with OSMP staff to minimize impacts when any access needs arise. Economic: There are no known economic impacts associated with granting this easement to PSCo. AGENDA ITEM 6 PAGE 1 AGENDA ITEM 6 PAGE 2 Approximate property boundaries from Boulder County Assessor’s data. VICINITY MAP - PSCo Mesa Trail Access Easement ATTACHMENT A - City of Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks BoulderBoulder LouisvilleLouisville LongmontLongmont 0123450.5 Miles SUBJECT City of Boulder OSMP Other Public Lands Subject Easement © 2015 City of Boulder, Colorado All rights reserved. The map information contained hereon is intended for the sole use of the purchaser and may not be copied, duplicated or redistributed in any way, in whole or in part, without the expressed written consent of the City of Boulder. The information depicted is provided as a graphical representation only. While source documents were developed in compliance with National Map Accuracy Standards, the City of Boulder provides no guarantee, express or implied, as to the accuracy and/or completeness of the information contained hereon. User: philc2  Date: 3/1/2016  Document Path: E:\MapFiles\Property\PSCo Access Route\VICINITY- PSCo Mesa Trail Access Easement.mxd AGENDA ITEM 6 PAGE 3 South B o u l d e r C reek M e s a M e s aBig B lues temWes t Homeste a d Towhee South B o u l d e r C r e e k W e s t Mesa ConnectorDoudy DrawEldora d o S p ri n g s D r. User: philc2  Date: 3/1/2016  Document Path: E:\MapFiles\Property\PSCo Access Route\PSCo Mesa Trail Access Easement LocationMap.mxd AGENDA ITEM#_____PAGE_____ PSCo Mesa Trail Access Route (.9 miles) Trail Managed By OSMP OSMP Trailhead OSMP Fee Property 00.150.3Miles ATTACHMENT B - City of Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks LOCATION MAP - PSCo Mesa Trail Access Easement 6 4 CITY OF BOULDER OPEN SPACE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AGENDA ITEM MEETING DATE: March 9, 2016 AGENDA TITLE: Consideration of a motion to approve and recommend that City Council approves the conveyance of a 10-foot wide nonexclusive easement to Public Service Company of Colorado for an underground electrical line across approximately 1,000 linear feet of the Dover- Blacker Open Space property for the purpose of providing electricity to the Shanahan Ridge neighborhood. This is a disposal of Open Space land under City Charter Section 177. PRESENTER/S: Tracy Winfree, Director, Open Space and Mountain Parks Bethany Collins, Property Agent EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Shanahan Ridge neighborhood in Boulder relies entirely on electrical service for all household heating and electrical needs. The Public Service Company of Colorado (PSCo) provides only one feed to this entire neighborhood via an underground conduit from Thomas Lane across the Mardick private property and then across the Dover-Blacker Open Space property (see Attachments A and B) to a switch cabinet located in a utility easement south of Greenbriar Boulevard. There is no redundant electrical feed to this neighborhood. This buried line in its previous location across the Shanahan private property failed during the September 2013 storm event. The city granted a nonexclusive revocable license to PSCo in February 2014, after obtaining the Board’s positive recommendation in December of 2013. The license enabled PSCo to install the underground electrical service line to the Shanahan Ridge neighborhood. At the time this license was granted it was anticipated that a permanent easement agreement would eventually be conveyed, and the city collected $12,500 from PSCo as fair market value compensation for the use of the Open Space and Mountain Parks land. Now that the construction of the underground line is completed, it is desirable to have a permanent easement granted for operation, maintenance and repair of the electrical service line. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Suggested Motion Language: Consideration of a motion to approve and recommend that the City Council approves the conveyance of a 10-foot wide nonexclusive easement to Public Service Company of Colorado for an underground electrical line across approximately 1,000 linear feet of the Dover-Blacker Open Space property for the purpose of providing electricity to the Shanahan Ridge neighborhood for the consideration of $12,500. AGENDA ITEM 7 PAGE 1 AGENDA ITEM 7 PAGE 2 Approximate property boundaries from Boulder County Assessor’s data. VICINITY MAP - Public Service Co. Easement ATTACHMENT A - City of Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks BoulderBoulder LouisvilleLouisville LongmontLongmont 0123450.5 MilesPublic Service Co. Easement SUBJECT City of Boulder OSMP Document Path: E:\MapFiles\Property\DoverBlacker\DoverBlackerVICINITY.mxd AGENDA ITEM 7 PAGE 3 U p p e r B earCreekDiG r ee n b r ia r B lvdLower Big Bluestem Gree n b r i a r C o n n e c t o r SHANAHAN, NORTH - Trail Easement BOULDER GREENS VENTURE MARDICK CE SHANAHAN, SOUTH - CE THOMAS, HOGAN, PARRISH (T.H.P.) - West DOVER-BLACKER DOVER-BLACKER Public Service Co. Easement OSMP Ownership OSMP Conservation Easement Access Point Hiking Trail 00.1 0.05 Miles ATTACHMENT B - City of Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks LOCATION MAP - Public Service Co. Easement Document Path: E:\MapFiles\Property\DoverBlacker\DoverBlackerLocationMap.mxd AGENDA ITEM 7 PAGE 4 CITY OF BOULDER OPEN SPACE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AGENDA ITEM MEETING DATE: March 9 (and 10 if needed), 2016 AGENDA TITLE: Consideration of a motion recommending approval of the North Trail Study Area Plan and recommending the North Trail Study Area Plan to City Council for its acceptance. PRESENTER/S Tracy Winfree, Director, Open Space and Mountain Parks Mark Gershman, Environmental Planning Supervisor, Open Space and Mountain Parks Steve Armstead, Environmental Planner, Open Space and Mountain Parks EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The goal of the North Trail Study Area (TSA) planning process is to provide the management direction and document the implementation actions which will improve the visitor experience, protect natural, cultural and agricultural resources, and provide a physically and environmentally sustainable system for visitor access in the North TSA. The Open Space Board of Trustees (OSBT), community members and staff have been working for over one year collecting and compiling information about the TSA, identifying issues and interests, and developing scenarios. Working with the OSBT and community members, staff initially developed four management scenarios to address community issues and interests. Using community feedback, including input from the OSBT and members of the public, staff narrowed the range of scenarios to two. The two scenarios and public comments about them formed the basis of a Board study session on Jan. 13 and 14, 2016. At this study session, OSBT members shared feedback about ways to further improve the scenarios. Staff updated the two scenarios and the revised scenarios were discussed at a public hearing during the Feb. 10, 2016 OSBT meeting. At this meeting, the OSBT recommended additional refinements and selected Scenario B as the basis for the draft plan. Staff has now revised the scenarios as recommended by the OSBT, developed a draft plan based on Scenario B and is requesting the Board’s approval and recommendation to City Council of the North TSA Draft Plan (Attachment A). AGENDA ITEM 8 PAGE 1 STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff requests the Open Space Board of Trustees approve the North Trail Study Area Plan and recommend that the Boulder City Council approve the North Trail Study Area Plan. COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENTS AND IMPACTS  Environmental: Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) is a significant community-supported program that is recognized as a leader in preservation of open space lands contributing to the environmental sustainability goal of the City Council. The implementation of the North TSA Plan will include environmental impact to natural areas, wetlands, rare plant populations, plant communities and ecological systems. Implementation will also reduce the number of undesignated trails and improve the sustainability of trails and visitor infrastructure in ways that are intended to foster improved resource conservation.  Economic: OSMP contributes to the economic vitality goal of the city as it provides part of the context for the diverse and vibrant economic system that sustains services for residents. The land system and the quality of life it represents attract visitors and help businesses to recruit and retain quality employees.  Social: The North TSA Plan will increase sustainable access by community members. Since OSMP lands, facilities and programs are equally accessible to all members of the community, the North TSA Plan will increase community accessibility to opportunities to improve physical wellbeing, mental health and enjoyment of the many features of open space lands. OTHER IMPACTS  Fiscal: The funding allocation from the 2016 budget includes funding to support the completion of the North TSA Plan. Once the plan is approved, requests for implementation funding will be integrated into the City of Boulder’s six-year Capital Improvements Program and annual budgeting practices.  Staff time: The staff time needed to complete this project is part of the 2016 work plan for OSMP staff. PUBLIC COMMENT AND PROCESS This item is being heard as part of this public meeting advertised in the Daily Camera on March 6, 2016. The extensive public involvement strategy used in the development of the North TSA scenarios is described in Attachment B. OSMP staff and representatives of the OSBT have attended two public meetings since the last OSBT meeting at which the North TSA Plan was discussed (Feb. 10, 2016). City of Boulder Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) OSMP staff provided an update on the North TSA planning process to PRAB at its Feb. 22, 2016 meeting. Staff highlighted recommendations for the draft plan that will involve coordination with the Parks and Recreation Department. These include connecting the Eagle Trail to the trail on the west side of the Boulder Reservoir, other local trail connections, and recommendations in the Wonderland Lake area. PRAB members were supportive of efforts to improve trail connectivity, cooperating to provide hang gliding/paragliding opportunities in AGENDA ITEM 8 PAGE 2 the Wonderland Lake area and supported efforts to retain and conserve the natural resources and natural area around Wonderland Lake. Boulder County Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee (POSAC) Throughout the North TSA planning process OSMP staff has solicited the input of Boulder County Parks and Open Space staff relative to places where the city and county open space properties adjoin to ensure coordination of adjacent management strategies for environmental resources, agricultural operations and recreational access. Additionally, the jointly-owned Beech property is managed by OSMP under the terms of an Intergovernmental Agreement which requires the managing agency to provide an opportunity for comment and consultation by the other agency. OSMP staff updated POSAC at their Feb. 25, 2016 meeting which included an opportunity for POSAC members to provide comment. The staff memo to POSAC (starting on page 179) includes input provided by county staff to OSMP and also addresses several questions concerning the county’s position regarding the joint ownership status of the Beech property. POSAC members had questions about the natural resources of the North Foothills Habitat Conservation Area (HCA) and how off-trail permits will be managed for the North TSA. Other questions and comments pertained to clarifications around the status of the joint ownership of the Beech property and the role of POSAC in providing comment to OSMP. There was an interest expressed by some committee members to recommend that the County Commissioners consider whether a trail should be built in the HCA; but the motion to recommend the commissioners hold a public hearing on the North TSA process failed (5-2). In general, there was overall support for the process the city has gone through, regional trail connectivity, recognition of the importance of the environmental resources of the North Foothills HCA and support for actions that conserve these natural resources. BACKGROUND The North TSA includes OSMP lands north of the Diagonal Highway and Linden Avenue. The North TSA Plan will include management recommendations for 7,701 acres that OSMP owns and manages in this area. The goal of the North TSA Plan is to improve visitor experiences and increase the sustainability of trails and trailheads while conserving the area’s natural, cultural and agricultural resources. Additional background on the plan and process is available in Attachment B. The Planning Process The North TSA planning process began in February of 2015 and includes the following four phases: 1. Collecting and compiling information about current conditions and management practices in the TSA which was made available as the North TSA Inventory and Assessment Report in June 2015. 2. Identifying key issues and interests that need to be addressed in the plan, summarized in the Interests and Issues Report. The report was distributed in July 2015. AGENDA ITEM 8 PAGE 3 3. Assessing and improving scenarios—and selecting one scenario to use as the basis of the plan. Staff created four preliminary scenarios for the North TSA Plan that balanced community interests and addressed issues using a range of actions. The four preliminary scenarios were completed and made available for public review in October 2015. Using input from community members and the OSBT, staff created two refined scenarios from the four preliminary ones. These were distributed in December 2015. In a January study session, staff asked the Board for feedback on ways that the refined scenarios could be further improved that resulted in updated scenarios. During the February OSBT meeting, the Board recommended additional revisions to the scenarios and selected the scenario that should be used as the basis of the North TSA Plan. 4. Developing the draft plan and seeking the OSBT’s approval and recommendation that City Council accept the North TSA Plan. Staff has completed the Draft North TSA Plan for approval by the OSBT and recommendation to City Council. ANALYSIS Revisions to the North TSA Plan Scenarios The scenarios discussed at the February OSBT meeting share many elements. Taken together these actions form the core management improvements for the North TSA. The differences between the scenarios are primarily linked with different trail connections to the Joder property and actions to manage activities including dog, bike and horse access. The OSBT supported Scenario B as the basis for the draft plan. This scenario is characterized by a connection to the Joder property on the west side of US 36 and relies partially on the use of an undesignated trail lying atop a railroad grade. The alternate scenario (Scenario A) includes a new trail from Longhorn Road to Lefthand Trail and improvements to the alignment of the Lefthand Trail. Scenario A also requires the construction of an underpass beneath US 36 near the Joder property. Revisions to both scenarios supported by the OSBT Revisions to both scenarios approved by the OSBT in February include modifications to:  Reduce the trailhead leash extents for Joder area trailheads,  Make the entire extent of the Papini trail connection (Wrangler Trail) on-corridor Voice and Sight,  Include temporal management (no bikes on Tuesdays and alternating weekend days) and directional bike access (direction alternating every two weeks) on the Joder loop trail (Mahogany Trail),  Provide horse trailer parking at Eagle Trailhead and the new (Horseshoe) trailhead at the start of the Degge Trail, and  Open both the Johnson and the Schooley properties to public access. Changes Specific to Scenario B (Draft Plan)  Do not allow Habitat Conservation Area off-trail permits east or west of the Joder connector (North Sky) trail,  Do not allow dogs on North Sky Trail during bird nesting season (May 1- July 31), AGENDA ITEM 8 PAGE 4  Use best efforts to locate the connector trail through the adjacent conservation easement property, and  Allow Voice and Sight on-corridor on the new Wonderland Hill (Antler) loop trail. Changes Specific to Scenario A (Alternative)  Increase family oriented amenities at the Beech Pavilion. More details about the recommendations from the OSBT February Board meeting can be found in Attachment C. The OSBT will find these additional refinements included in the attached Draft Plan. The recommendations for revising Scenario A will be made to the scenario and included in future packet materials for City Council consideration. Follow up Items During the Feb.10, 2016 OSBT meeting on the updated North TSA scenarios, several actions for the draft plan were identified by the Board for further staff evaluation or community input. Information about these topics and staff’s recommendations are presented below. North TSA Monitoring During their study session and public hearing on the North TSA in January and February, OSBT members discussed monitoring of both ecological conditions and effectiveness of visitor management strategies included in the North TSA scenarios. Some Board members expressed an interest in monitoring the degree to which invasive species, like jointed goatgrass, might become established along the North Sky Trail or in adjacent grasslands. Others suggested that OSMP monitor the levels of visitor conflict and consider establishing temporal restrictions on the North Sky Trail only if levels exceeded some threshold. There was also discussion about monitoring sedimentation in the drainages along the trail and learning more about the levels and changes to visitation on particular trails in the TSA. The Visitor Master Plan (2005) has as a guiding principle of Flexible, Adaptive Management. This is a commitment to monitor the visitor experience, visitor infrastructure and resource conditions and to use that information as the basis to inform and revise management actions. The Forest (1999) and Grassland (2010) Ecosystem Management Plans have similar commitments to adaptive management. While staff agrees that site-specific knowledge about the various resources and conditions identified by the OSBT would be ideal, staff’s experience with adaptive management suggests that the most successful programs are those based upon system-wide management objectives, and monitoring. System-wide monitoring provides information about the degree to which the department is meeting its overall management objectives. Objectives, indicators, and monitoring that flows from master and resource management plans address priority resources and services that have been vetted through a community planning process. The ability to provide information about the status of these system-wide priorities is a fundamental business practice which supports decision making for resource allocation, annual budget requests and work plan development. OSMP’s capacity to implement monitoring is limited, and while many of the system-wide indicators are being monitored (Attachment D), staff is still in the process of developing protocols called for in established plans. Consequently, developing additional objectives and AGENDA ITEM 8 PAGE 5 monitoring plans for site specific questions, like those identified in North TSA discussions, would likely come at the cost of progress on existing system-wide priorities. Developing site-specific objectives and monitoring to examine ecological conditions or levels of conflict and change almost always requires considerable time and effort. For example, measuring plant or animal populations to determine if and how a newly constructed trail affects a plant or wildlife community or population structure, function, or interactions requires identifying reliable and measureable indicators, controlling for other variables (e.g. locating a comparable (control) area where no trail is planned), identifying the final trail alignment and sampling in multiple spots along that alignment and in the control area for a number of years before and after the trail is constructed. Since an adaptive management approach assumes that monitoring is intended to provide information upon which to base action, the process must also develop thresholds of acceptability at which point some action would be taken to improve the situation. In some cases, such as noxious weed infestation, these thresholds and responses can be developed by staff and vetted by the community and OSBT with little controversy. However, establishing thresholds for acceptable levels of pedestrian/cyclist conflict and appropriate responses when conditions cross those thresholds is not so straightforward. It would involve community consultation and because of the variety of perspectives on the appropriate thresholds and responses, would likely be the topic of OSBT and even City Council conversations and public hearings. This adds considerably to the level of effort and overall timeline and opportunity costs associated with the project. Because of the time and expense associated with monitoring projects, OSMP’s limited capacity and the priority of meeting our system-wide monitoring commitments; staff typically seeks alternatives to “ad hoc” monitoring projects. For example, in the case of concern over the possible establishment of an invasive plant infestation along the North Sky Trail and nearby grasslands, OSMP would recommend the following options:  If the project is contracted to a trail construction firm, require the use of OSMP’s Ecological Best Management Practices (BMPs) for trail design and construction and include a contract requirement for two years of invasive species monitoring and treatment in a pre-defined area. This requirement is part of the contracts for flood repair trail work at Chapman Drive and Mt. Sanitas.  If the project is completed by OSMP staff, use of the same BMPs and include the area in annual visual surveys of the work area by staff for at least two years and conduct treatment as deemed necessary. OSMP’s funded research program may provide an avenue for addressing a study on the effect of new trail construction on ecological systems. However, OSMP may be unable to agree to the conditions necessary to support a study that would provide strong inference about the effects of the construction of a trail because the duration of data collection before the trail could be built may be longer than the community is willing to wait. It may also be necessary to identify a final trail alignment as a first step to such a study. In considering how best to respond to OSBT interest in monitoring, staff did recognize that it would be useful to provide the Board and community members with regular summaries regarding the cumulative past effects on resources from trail projects as well as information AGENDA ITEM 8 PAGE 6 about the distribution of visitor activities and opportunities at a system level. Staff continues to examine existing monitoring programs and unmet monitoring commitments in approved plans to prioritize those which would allow better assessment and reporting of resource condition and our ability to deliver on system-wide objectives for visitor services, trail condition and ecological health. Staff will update the Board as this assessment methodology develops. Public Access to Northern Properties The Northern Properties Subarea includes 19 dispersed OSMP properties, some are new acquisitions and others have been through various stages of assessment and planning to determine how management of these properties integrates into the OSMP system. The North TSA Plan provides an appropriate planning process to determine how these properties contribute to visitor access opportunities and the conservation of natural, cultural and agricultural resources. A list of the northern properties and a summary of natural, cultural and agricultural resources is provided in Attachment E. Determining the best mix of northern properties to be open for public access or closed to support resource protection and agricultural operations has been challenging. Currently in the North TSA, 10 northern properties are closed to public access. A range of different combinations of partially opened, opened, and closed options have been included in the preliminary and revised scenarios. Community feedback either has generally supported closing all the properties or supported a mix of having about half the properties open to some public access. The revised scenarios included one option with nine open properties and the other with four. With continued varied feedback from the community and OSBT members about the properties, staff simplified the evaluation of properties to recommend opening/closing based on the presence of agricultural operations, natural resource conservation opportunities and properties with lower concern for these factors. The updated scenarios presented in February recommended that the Schooley and Johnson properties remain open as two of the northern properties where natural resources were less of a concern and agricultural operations were not occurring. At the February OSBT meeting, the OSBT supported recommending in the draft plan that the Schooley and Johnson properties stay open to public access and that staff seek additional community input on other properties that should be opened or closed. Staff sent out a newsletter requesting input on the northern properties. The community feedback from this request is included in Attachment F. Themes from the comments include support for closing all the properties, keeping all properties open, keeping only Schooley and Johnson open or having the blend of open, partially opened, and closed properties recommended in the original Scenario B. One concern that has been raised through public comments is that should a northern property be closed, this would prevent consideration of future trail connections on the property. Staff has included a statement in the draft plan in the northern properties section to clarify that future trail development on both open and closed properties will be evaluated in the context of regional public planning processes. Public Access to the Boulder Valley Ranch (BVR) Equestrian Arena The draft plan does not include a recommendation about public use of the BVR arena. At the February OSBT meeting, Board members recommended that if public access is not provided to the BVR arena to find a suitable alternative with horse trailer parking. Staff has continued AGENDA ITEM 8 PAGE 7 to explore ways to maintain public access to the arena and provide nearby horse trailer parking while also looking into possible options for a suitable alternative at another trailhead. Staff assessed the possibility of locating trailer parking east of the Sage Trailhead and west of the arena. This area is irrigated and has prairie dogs and is not likely a viable location for adding trailer parking and a turn-around. Discussions with the agricultural tenant about options for providing trailer parking that is compatible with the tenant’s agricultural operations are on-going to address feasibility and space issues. Staff will continue to work with the tenant to explore how trailer parking and arena access might be provided. However, specific recommendations and details are not available to include in the draft plan. Staff recommends that the draft plan include a statement supporting efforts to continue exploring options for providing horse trailer parking and public access to the BVR arena. A statement similar to what is proposed below might adequately address this topic if added to the Boulder Valley Ranch section of the draft plan. Maintain public access to the BVR equestrian arena and develop options for nearby public horse trailer parking and/or provide a corral to ready a horse for trail riding, at a trailhead with trailer parking,. Converting the Interim Joder Trail into a Narrow Single Track A recommended action suggested by the OSBT was to explore the feasibility of converting the vehicle accessible (road) portion of the Interim Joder Trail (Joder Ranch Trail) into a single track (a more narrow tread trail) within the existing roadbed. To convert the trail into a single-track trail experience, staff would need to modify the road profile to provide more twists and create additional high and low points. A combination of native and imported stone to armor and harden and narrow the active tread would be necessary. A reasonable cost estimate for converting approximately one half mile of the trail into “single track” would be approximately $100,000. Factors affected by narrowing the width of the trail include:  The loss of vehicular access for emergency response and fire management. Such a change is a significant concern for the rangers as a half mile of emergency vehicle access for a medical call can save approximately one hour of evacuation time. For a critical incident, the reduced evacuation time can make a substantial difference in outcomes.  The loss of vehicle/equipment access for trail construction and maintenance.  Some visitors, recreational activities, and educational groups prefer trails with a wider tread as a way to reduce recreational conflicts and improve visitor experience. Staff does not recommend this action be included in the North TSA Draft Plan. American With Disabilities Act (ADA) parking for the Beech Pavilion Staff assessed the access road into the Beech Pavilion and the possibility of locating an ADA parking spot before the gate. The site evaluation determined that it would not be possible to safely and adequately create a parking spot with how quickly and steeply the roadway shoulder and landscape drops off. Additionally, the access road/trail to the pavilion is not topographically suitable to be made ADA accessible. While a parking location adjacent to the AGENDA ITEM 8 PAGE 8 AGENDA ITEM 8 PAGE 9 ATTACHMENTS: A. North Trail Study Area Draft Plan B. North TSA Plan and Process Background C. OSBT February 10, 2016 Meeting Feedback and Integration into the Draft Plan and Alternate Scenario D. OSMP System-wide Monitoring Projects in the North Foothills HCA E. Summary of Natural and Agricultural Resources of the Northern Properties F. Northern Properties Public Comments AGENDA ITEM 8 PAGE 10 Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org North Trail Study Area Plan City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks Version 1 DRAFT PLAN March 2016 ATTACHMENT A 2 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org Introduction Purpose and Goals The North Trail Study Area (TSA) Planning Process Community Participation in the North TSA Planning Process Existing Planning and Policy Guidance Existing Conditions in the North TSA North TSA Interests for Plan Outcomes Post-Acquisition Property Planning and Management Area Designations 6 7 8 9 10 13 14 Plan Recommendations: North TSA-Wide Management Area Designations TSA-Wide Recommendations 16 18 Plan Recommendations: North Foothills Subarea Management Area Designations Subarea-Wide Recommendations Joder Focus Area Hogback and North Sky Focus Area North Foothills Habitat Conservation Area (HCA) Off-Trail Permit Recommendations Trail-Based Dog Regulations Bike Regulations Trail-Based Horse Regulations Regulatory Settings 26 28 32 36 40 42 44 46 48 North Trail Study Area Plan Table of Contents Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 3 Plan Recommendations: Boulder Valley Ranch Subarea Plan Recommendations: Wonderland Lake Subarea Management Area Designations Subarea-Wide Recommendations 52 78 East Beech and Lefthand Focus Area Eagle and Boulder Reservoir Focus Area Degge Focus Area Mesa Reservoir Focus Area South Boulder Valley Ranch Focus Area Trail-Based Dog Regulations Bike Regulations Trail-Based Horse Regulations Regulatory Settings South Foothills Focus Area Wonderland Lake Backdrop Focus Area Wonderland Lake Focus Area Peninsula Focus Area Trail-Based Dog Regulations Bike Regulations Trail-Based Horse Regulations Regulatory Settings 56 58 60 62 64 68 70 72 74 82 84 86 88 90 92 94 96 Subarea-Wide Recommendations Fourmile Canyon Creek Focus Area 54 80 North Trail Study Area Plan Background photo: Wonderland Lake. Unless otherwise noted, all photos are courtesy of OSMP. 4 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org A B C D Appendices Appendix A: TSA-Wide and Subarea Maps Appendix B: Open Space Board of Trustees Meetings and Summary of Community Engagement Appendix C: Existing Infrastructure and Recommended Improvements for Trailheads Appendix D: Recommended Actions, Interests and Costs Table Plan Recommendations: Northern Properties Subarea Management Area Designations100 102 Regulatory Settings Subarea-Wide Recommendations 106 North Trail Study Area Plan Fossil of a smooth oyster shell, found in a marine sedimentary rock layer in the North TSA. © Gary Stevens Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 5 Introduction North Trail Study Area Basemap 6 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org Introduction Purpose and Goals A community-driven plan for the city’s northern open space system Purpose The overall purpose of the North Trail Study Area (TSA) Plan is to provide management direction, and describe strategies and actions that will improve visitor experiences and increase the physical and environmen- tal sustainability of trails, trailheads and visitor infra- structure in the North TSA while conserving natural, cultural and agricultural resources. The North TSA Plan will articulate the community’s long-term vision and identify on-the-ground management actions di- rected at achieving that vision. Description of the North Trail Study Area The North TSA has diverse landscapes, including pon- derosa pine topped hogback ridges, open grasslands, springs, creeks and small lakes. In many places, farm- ing and ranching activities overlay these features. The TSA also includes cultural resources that tell the stories of Boulder’s early inhabitants and settlers as well as its mining and agricultural past. The rise of the Southern Rocky Mountain’s foothills from the flatlands of the Central Great Plains is a con- tinental scale environmental transition that sets the stage for high biological diversity and allows for a vari- ety of recreational opportunities. The North TSA con- tains some popular and frequently visited areas such as Wonderland Lake, the Foothills Trail corridor, Boulder Valley Ranch and some more remote and less-frequent- ed locations such as the Lefthand and Hogback Ridge trails. The North TSA receives approximately one-fifth of the visitation to OSMP. It shares boundaries with city and county neighborhoods and is a recreation destination for many people who live nearby as well those traveling from elsewhere in the city, county and beyond. A view of OSMP public land from the Hogback Ridge Trail. North Trail Study Area Plan Goal The North Trail Study Area Plan seeks to improve visitor experiences and increase the sustainability of trails and trailheads while conserving the area’s natural, cultural and agricultural resources. The Interim Joder Trail north of Boulder. Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 7 Introduction The North Trail Study Area (TSA) Planning Process The process for developing the North TSA Plan had four phases. The first phase was focused on collecting and compiling information about the TSA. The pri- mary deliverable for the first phase was the North TSA Inventory and Assessment Report. The information in this report helped guide the development of plan sce- narios. The second phase identified the interests in the North TSA and its future management, as well as any specific issues that needed to be addressed in the plan. This phase resulted in a list of 10 interests and a set of de- sired actions that further informed the development of plan scenarios. During the third phase, based on community and Open Space Board of Trustees (OSBT) feedback, OSMP staff developed scenarios designed to achieve planning objectives and community interests. Com- munity and board assessment of and feedback on sce- narios resulted in revisions to the scenarios. The OSBT selected which scenario should be used as a basis for the draft plan. The fourth and final phase, now underway, includes the review of the draft plan by the community, the OSBT and recommendation and acceptance of the plan by the Boulder City Council. Purpose: Share knowledge about recreational, natural, cultur- al and agricultural resources. This phase led to the Inventory and Assessment Report. Key Inputs: • Community knowledge of visitor experiences, resources, what is functioning well in the North TSA and what needs improvement. • Staff-prepared information on recreational, natural, cultural and agricultural resources. Purpose: Share knowledge about desired outcomes and topics that will guide the development and assessment of alternative scenarios and recommendations for the draft plan. This phase led to a North TSA interests and issues report documenting desired actions in scenario development. Key Inputs: • Community interests about desired plan outcomes and why the outcomes are wanted. • Discussion of issues that could pose a challenge in the North TSA. • Community dialogue about what can be implemented in the North TSA and why. Purpose: Assess alternative scenarios and integrate recommen- dations into a draft plan. Key Inputs: • Draft alternative scenarios developed by staff to achieve and balance identified interests and objectives. • Community and OSBT feedback on draft scenarios to inform refined scenarios and recommendations. Purpose: Review draft plan and approve final plan. Key Inputs: • Community review. • OSBT review, approval and recommendations to City Council. • City Council review and acceptance. Phase 2 | Interests and Issues Phase 1 | Inventory and Assessment Phase 3 | Draft Plan Development Phase 4 | Plan Acceptance OSMP held nine public meetings to solicit feedback on the North Trail Study Area Plan. 8 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org Introduction Since the City of Boulder kicked off the public process for the North TSA Plan in late April of last year, Open Space and Mountain Parks and the Open Space Board of Trustees have: Community Participation in the North TSA Planning Process OSMP held two workshops to learn about community interests for the North TSA. The department also held two workshops to learn about current conditions in the area. 73 Boulder area youths participated in North TSA youth engagement efforts. 965 Comments received from community members through Inspire Boulder, email and social media posts. 9 Community workshops held to solicit public input on the plan. »Invited the public to two workshops to learn what the community knows about and considers to be important resources in the North TSA and to solicit feedback on plan sideboards. »Conducted two public meetings to learn about the community interests in the North TSA. »Hosted two informational panels where experts informed the community about visitor and natural resource management strategies that have been implemented in other areas. »Held two workshops to unveil and refine preliminary plan scenarios. »Hosted a workshop to unveil and continue to revise refined plan scenarios. »Provided community members an opportunity to offer online comment about plan sideboards, their interests for the North TSA and feedback on the preliminary and refined scenarios. »Coordinated with Growing Up Boulder to include Boulder-area youth in North TSA planning. »Solicited community feedback at local businesses, at OSMP trails and at trailheads. »Reached out to the Latino community to provide information and seek input about the plan. Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 9 Introduction Existing Planning and Policy Guidance The North TSA Plan is affected and influenced by other OSMP departmental master, area, resource and program man- agement plans. Other shared community visions that must be considered and, as appropriate, integrated into recom- mendations in the North TSA Plan include City of Boulder master plans and the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan. OSMP staff has been consulting with partner agencies and relevant plans affecting the North TSA to determine how to best integrate and coordinate management objectives. The OSMP Visitor Master Plan (VMP) developed a frame- work to deliver visitor services and manage visitor facilities in a manner consistent with the conservation of natural, cultural and agricultural resources. TSA plans provide a means for area-specific implementation of the strategies and policies contained in the VMP. TSA plans also integrate the goals and objectives relevant to visitor access and infrastructure management from OSMP re- source plans. These include the Grassland Ecosystem Management Plan, Forest Ecosystem Management Plan and the forthcoming Agricultural Resource Management Plan. City of Boulder Charter Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan Open Space Long-Range Management Policies Grassland Ecosystem Management Plan Forest Ecosystem Management Plan Acquisitions Update 2013-2019 Agricultural Resources Management Plan (forthcoming) Visitor Master Plan Annual Work Plans Trail Study Area Plans Establishing the Vision Focusing the Vision Implementing the Vision 10 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org Introduction Existing Conditions in the North TSA The North TSA is home to diverse recreational, natural, agricultural and cultural resources Recreation Resources Recreational opportunities occur throughout the North TSA and include a wide range of activities—such as hik- ing, bike riding, running, horseback riding, dog walk- ing, hang gliding/paragliding, fishing, picnicking and nature study. Most visitors to OSMP, and likely to the North TSA, report a high quality of experience and en- joy the natural setting for passive recreation. A goal for the North TSA Plan is to maintain the fac- tors that are currently contributing to a high quality vis- itor experience and take additional actions to improve the quality of visitors’ experiences. The OSMP VMP established an area-based framework for implementing management strategies, policies and priorities for visitor infrastructure improvements and service delivery. Trails and Entry Points The North TSA contains a 19-mile designated trail sys- tem that provides opportunities for visitor activities and connectivity to the Wonderland Lake, North Foothills and Boulder Valley Ranch areas. Several of the desig- nated trails have stretches where the trail location or design can be improved to increase the physical sus- tainability and reduce impacts on ecological resources. There are also approximately 35 miles of undesignated trails which may not be physically or environmentally sustainable. Some undesignated trails provide access to destinations not served by designated trails, while others parallel designated trails or provide an alternate route to a destination already served by a designated trail. A focus for the North TSA Plan will be making the existing trail system more sustainable and reducing the network of undesignated trails, thereby lessening resource impacts. The VMP identified several specific improvements in what is now the North TSA, includ- ing trail and trailhead improvements, priority new trail connections and critical road crossings. These improve- ments were evaluated in the North TSA to improve vis- itor experience, infrastructure sustainability, safety and resource protection. A trail or visitor facility is considered sustainable when principles of ecology and economics have been incorpo- rated into the design in an effort to achieve ecological and biological integrity, a quality visitor experience and persistent performance with a minimum of maintenance and upkeep. The Foothills Trail near Wonderland Lake. 19+Miles of designated trails 35+Miles of undesignated trails 8 Trailheads Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 11 Introduction Natural Resources Many of the ecosystems west of U.S. Highway 36 in the North TSA are generally healthy and function natural- ly. Areas to the east of U.S. 36 have historically been altered to a greater degree for agricultural production, but still contain important wildlife habitat and native plant populations. The North TSA provides habitat and refuge to several sensitive species such as Bell’s twinpod, bobolink, Northern Harrier, ottoe skipper, arogos skip- per and the prairie rattlesnake. Some of these rare or uncommon species can be threat- ened by visitor activities. A focus of the North TSA Plan is to maintain or increase the level of natural resource protection and restoration so OSMP can continue to achieve the community’s natural resource conservation goals. The Grassland Ecosystem Management Plan and the Forest Ecosystem Management Plan provide infor- mation on natural resource conservation priorities and objectives that have been considered in the development of the North TSA Plan. Agricultural Resources Historically, agricultural lands in the North TSA have included beef production, dairy farms, sheep ranching, along with poultry operations, horse boarding, dry land grain production, irrigated forage, irrigated grain har- vesting and vegetable production. Today, typical agricul- ture in the TSA includes cattle grazing and hay produc- tion. In response to growing community interest in local foods production, there is now a diversified organic farm in the TSA as well. OSMP leases properties to local farmers and ranchers who run agricultural operations. In the North TSA, more than 3,000 acres of land are part of OSMP agricultural leases. The Grassland Ecosystem Manage- ment Plan and an Agricultural Resources Management Plan—which is in development — provide information on agricultural resources, policies and goals. Bell’s twinpod, a rare native plant species, growing in a shale outcropping. © Bill May 3,000 Acres leased for agriculture in the North TSA Hay bales. Photo courtesy Bob Crifasi. 12 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org Introduction Cultural Resources The North TSA contains important paleontological, archaeological and historic resources. There are cultur- al features and sites that are important to indigenous people, sites and structures indicative of Euro-Ameri- can settlement, agriculture, transportation and mining. Some well-known North TSA historic sites include the Old Lime Kiln and north-south grade built for the failed Lefthand and Middle Park Railroad west of U.S. 36. The wide variety of paleontological, archaeological and historic resources creates a fascinating backdrop for people who enjoy the lands of the North TSA. Some of these cultural resources require a higher level of protec- tion, in order to ensure their long-term sustainability. The North TSA After the 2013 Flood The September 2013 flood brought unprecedented rain- fall to the region and caused severe flooding and extensive damage to the Boulder Valley including OSMP trails, trailheads, irrigation facilities and fences. The flood also caused ecological changes to areas inundated with water and debris. Landscapes and visitor infrastructure near streams and drainages were significantly impacted and in some locations irreversibly altered. After the flood, the Boulder community actively en- gaged in recovery efforts to repair and restore OSMP resources. These efforts promptly restored nearly all visi- tor access. In most areas, visitor access was restored after rapid action was taken to mitigate hazards and imple- ment temporary repairs. Longer-term and lasting repairs of OSMP trails and trailheads has proceeded at a slower, yet steady pace as funding, staffing, contracting resourc- es and environmental conditions allow. The number of sites and extensive amount of work necessary means that repair and restoration work will continue into the future. The historic stone Old Kiln along Fourmile Canyon Creek before the 2013 floods. Photo courtesy Sue Hirschfeld. Flood damage along the Foothills Trail. Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 13 Introduction Community members and stakeholders provided valuable feedback about their interests in the North TSA to OSMP staff and the OSBT through community workshops, online, in person through trailhead or local store-front outreach, email, social media submissions and through special youth engagement opportunities. Interests explain “why” some- one wants or needs something rather than “what” they want. Interests enable diverse needs to be better met through more win-win actions. Through the various engagement efforts, the following community interests were identified. North TSA Interests for Plan Outcomes Improved Visitor Experience Conservation of Resources Natural, Agricultural, Cultural Improved Access and Accessibility Honoring Community Values and Commitments Increased Education and Understanding Improved Connectivity Balance of Recreation and Resource Conservation Increased Safety Decreased Visitor Conflict Effective Planning Process and Plan Implementation The 10 identified North TSA Plan interests are consistent with the goal of the North TSA Plan, and provided guidance and direction for staff in the development of the plan. The goal of the plan is to balance all of the community interests. 14 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org Post-Acquisition Property Planning and Management Area Designations Newly acquired properties need to be integrated into the OSMP system and determinations made about how best to manage the properties’ resources and visitor access. This is accomplished by assessing the natural, cultural and agricultural resources of the property, compatibility with visitor-access opportunities and any constraints that need to be addressed. The assessment then allows determinations on how the property can best contribute to the conservation of resources and the delivery of community services as guided by the policies and strategies of the VMP, Grassland Ecosystem Management Plan and Forest Ecology Management Plan, as well as other community adopted plans. The VMP established the policy that plans would be developed for newly acquired properties. The process would include an assessment of the property and recommendations for public access, and any appropriate infrastructure and services necessary for managing access. Newly acquired property would remain closed to the public until the relevant planning had been completed and on-the-ground actions had been implemented. Planning also would recommend the VMP management area designations if that step had not been taken previously. The OSMP Acquisition Update 2013-2019 included the option of using a more system-wide framework for integrating new properties into the OSMP system by including them in a broader planning process such as TSA plans. The North TSA includes properties that fit into various stages of assessment, planning and management area designation. A view of the Joder and West Beech properties north of Boulder. Property Planning The North TSA Plan includes three general types of property-specific recommendations: »Visitor-access recommendations for recent acquisitions currently closed to public access; »Management-area designations for properties without designations. »A property complex (Joder and Cox properties) with a management area designation that will be reviewed. The North TSA Plan includes recommendations for these properties to guide and manage visitor access. Introduction Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org North TSA-Wide North TSA Plan Recommendations View south from the North Foothills Subarea. © Gary Stevens. 16 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org Actions T1 to T9 Provide management area designations for properties without designations to guide management actions. Interests Met: 4* North TSA Plan Recommendations: TSA-Wide »Retain the Joder and Cox property designation (T1) as a Habitat Conservation Area (HCA) and implement as part of the North Foothills HCA. »Designate Dagle II (T2), Stratton (T5), Lappin (T6), IBM open space easement (T7), Hart-Jones Exchange (T8) and Palo Park (T9) properties as Natural Areas. »Limit public access to on trail travel on IBM open space easement property. »Designate Dakota Ridge Village (T3) property as a Passive Recreation Area. »Designate Berman Brothers (T4) property as an Agricultural Area. Primary Goal »Implement VMP direction to provide management area designations for properties without designations to guide management actions. **Cost Equivalents $ = Less than $10,000 $$ = $10,000 to $49,999 $$$ = $50,000 to $250,000 $$$$ = More than $250,000 Driving Factors/Benefits »Joder: includes sensitive habitat and resources that are a consistent extension of habitats and species in North Foothills HCA. »Dagle II: natural area designation is consistent with adjacent Wright and Dagle I management designations. »Dakota Ridge: adjacent to North Foothills Trail and adjoining passive recreation management area. »Berman Brothers: this property has been designated as an agricultural land of statewide importance- suitable for hay production or grazing. »Stratton: protect important resources and create healthy habitats for native amphibians, native fish, and, potentially, Preble’s meadow jumping mouse. »Lappin: protect important plant and aquatic species as well as shale barrens habitat. »IBM: support creation of the IBM connector trail. »Hart-Jones Exchange: protect riparian areas and rare plant community habitat. »Palo Park: protect riparian area of Fourmile Canyon Creek. Cost Estimate: Core Service** MAP 1: North TSA-Wide - Management Area Designations *See Appendix D for a full list of which interest(s) each action meets. Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 17 North TSA Plan Recommendations: TSA-Wide T1 T3 T2 T5 T6 T7 T8 T4 T9 MAP 1: North TSA-Wide - Management Area Designations 18 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org Actions T10 to T15 Collaborate with partner agencies to create regional connections. Interests Met: 3* North TSA Plan Recommendations: TSA-Wide As opportunities arise, collaborate with partner agencies to create the following regional trail connections that minimize natural resource impacts. »(T10) North TSA to Boulder County Parks and Open Space’s Heil Valley Ranch. The North TSA Plan does not preclude future public planning processes to assess a regional connector trail connection to Heil Ranch on the Buckingham property. »(T11) North TSA to Boulder County Parks and Open Space’s Lagerman/Imel/AHI/Open Space Complex. »(T12) A Boulder-to-Lyons trail connection including the efforts of the Rocky Mountain Greenway Project. »(T13) IBM Connector Trail (construction pending). »(T14) Fourmile Canyon Creek Trail underpass to Cottonwood Trail (construction pending). »(T15) Eagle Trail to the planned Boulder Reservoir Trail. Primary Goal »Enhance regional trail connectivity. Driving Factors/Benefits »Provide greater opportunities for visitors and interconnectivity among adjacent trail systems. »Coordination and collaboration among OSMP and partner agencies to accomplish regional connections. »Specific to the Eagle Trail to Boulder Reservoir Trail connection: keep trail close to 51st and 55th streets in existing transportation corridors as much as is feasible. Cost Estimate: Core Service MAP 2: North TSA-Wide - Recommendations *See Appendix D for a full list of which interest(s) each action meets. Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 19 North TSA Plan Recommendations: TSA-Wide MAP 2: North TSA-Wide - Recommendations T10 T11 T13T15 T14 T12 Locations for this and other regional trail connections are highly conceptual and subject to change as future planning progresses. T18 T19 T20 T17 T16 T21 20 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org Actions T16 to T20 Collaborate with partner agencies to create local trail connections. Interests Met: 3* Actions T21 Designate undesignated access points that connect with new or existing designated trails. Interests Met: 4* North TSA Plan Recommendations: TSA-Wide »As opportunities arise, collaborate with partner agencies to create the following local trail connections that minimize impacts to natural resources. »(T16) Joder Trail to Buckingham Park via Olde Stage Road (in progress). »(T17) Joder Ranch and Boulder County’s Six-Mile Fold. Boulder County will conduct its own public planning process to determine access and management of visitors on Six-Mile Fold. OSMP will coordinate with the county’s planning efforts to determine if and where trails could be located in this area. »(T18) City of Boulder’s Area III park site to the North TSA. »(T19) Boulder Reservoir to Niwot Road. »(T20) Fourmile Canyon Creek Greenway path to Foothills Community Park. Primary Goal »Enhance local trail connectivity. Driving Factors/Benefits »Provide greater opportunities for visitors and interconnectivity among adjacent trail systems. »Increase coordination and consistency among OSMP and partner agencies. »Specific to Joder Ranch and Boulder County’s Six-Mile Fold connection: Provide additional interpretive opportunities. »Specific to Area III park site connection: (1) Work with partner agencies on a north- south trail connection from northern Boulder neighborhoods to North TSA; and (2) Increase accessibility for neighbors to the North TSA. »Specific to Fourmile Canyon Creek Greenway path to Foothills Community Park connection: Connection accepted by City Council in the Greenways Master Plan. Cost Estimate: Core Service Primary Goal »Provide managed public access to designated trails to encourage visitors to use designated trails. Driving Factors/Benefits »Establish clearly identified designated trail access points. »Identify infrastructure and maintenance standards for access points. »Improve connectivity between North TSA and publicly accessible areas. »Minimize impacts to natural resources as connections are improved. Cost Estimate: $$ MAP 2: North TSA-Wide - Recommendations, continued *See Appendix D for a full list of which interest(s) each action meets. Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 21 North TSA Plan Recommendations: TSA-Wide MAP 2: North TSA-Wide - Recommendations, continued T18 T21 T19 T20 T17 T16 T10 T11 T13T15 T14 T12 22 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org Action t22 Bring all trails up to standards. Interests Met: 4* A ction t23 Bring all trailheads and access points up to standards. Interests Met: 4* A ction t24 Remove unnecessary fencing and use wildlife friendly fencing. Interests Met: 3* North TSA Plan Recommendations: TSA-Wide »Conduct maintenance activities to bring trails up to OSMP sustainable trail guidelines. Primary Goal »Increase trail sustainability to protect the OSMP trail system over the long term while providing a quality visitor experience. Driving Factors/Benefits »A sustainable trail is physically, ecologically and economically sustainable over time. »Ensure trails maintain their character over time and encourage on-trail use. »Use ecological best management practices as work is planned and implemented to minimize erosion and locate trails in a manner that minimizes impacts to surrounding natural and cultural resources. »Upgrade trails so they will require minimal maintenance and financial resources over the long term. Cost Estimate: $$$ ADDITIONAL ACTIONS: North TSA-Wide - Recommendations »Update, replace and install infrastructure to bring existing trailheads and access points up to OSMP standards. Primary Goal »Install appropriate and functioning infrastructure at each trailhead and access point to provide a safe, consistent and quality visitor experience. Driving Factors/Benefits »Provide visitors with safe, well-maintained and functioning infrastructure (e.g., easy to understand signs, toilets, safe parking access, etc.) »Upgrade infrastructure so that it is less difficult and costly to maintain over time. Cost Estimate: $$$ »Remove fencing that is no longer serving a function and when modifying or installing fencing in implementation of the North TSA, ensure fencing is wildlife friendly. Primary Goal »Remove fences no longer serving a purpose and replace barbed-wire fences with less harmful barriers. Driving Factors/Benefits »Remove fences to improve visitor experience and resource conservation. »Enhance wildlife corridors while balancing livestock control measures. »Install new fences with wildlife friendly design. Cost Estimate: $$ *See Appendix D for a full list of which interest(s) each action meets. Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 23 North TSA Plan Recommendations: TSA-Wide A ction t25 Allow natural revegetation or restore all undesignated trails not integrated into designated trail connections. Interests Met: 4* A ction t26 Assess and prevent the introduction and spread of priority invasive plants. Interests Met: 2* A ction t27 Create interpretive information and messages about unique, rare and sensitive resources. Interests Met: 2* Primary Goal »Create larger areas of unfragmented habitat by closing, revegetating or restoring undesignated trails that have not been designated through the North TSA process. Driving Factors/Benefits »Eliminate undesignated trails that are redundant and unmanaged trail connections. »Improve conservation of rare plant communities and other sensitive resources. »Offset resource impacts of providing new trail connections.Cost Estimate: $$$ »Assess and prevent the introduction and spread of priority invasive plants along new trail connections and decommissioned or undesignated trail sections under restoration. Primary Goal »Conserve and restore high-quality native plant communities and rare plant communities. Driving Factors/Benefits »Share information about the resource impacts associated with the spread of invasive plants and ways visitors can help prevent or minimize this issue. »The North Foothills HCA is an area of high importance for this action. Cost Estimate: $ Primary Goal »Share information with visitors about the ecology, natural features, habitats, plants and animals in various locations throughout the North TSA, including North Foothills HCA, Boulder Valley Ranch and Wonderland Lake. Driving Factors/Benefits »Increase public awareness and understanding of interesting or unique natural resources. »Improve compliance with regulations through programs directed at resource protection. Cost Estimate: $$ *See Appendix D for a full list of which interest(s) each action meets. Illustration of a rare arogos skipper by OSMP staff Dave Sutherland, prepared for a forthcoming interpretive sign at Joder Ranch. North Trail Study Area Plan | NorthTSA.org North TSA Plan Recommendations Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org North TSA Plan Recommendations North Foothills Background photo: Joder property. 26 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org A ction nF1 Retain the Joder property as a Habitat Conservation Area (HCA). Interests Met: 4* Action n F2 Designate Dagle II property as a Natural Area. Interests Met: 2* Action nF3 Designate Dakota Ridge Village property as a Passive Recreation Area. Interests Met: 2* North TSA Plan Recommendations: North Foothills »Retain the management area designation and include as part of the North Foothills HCA. Primary Goal »Honor the OSBT’s request to thoroughly evaluate the Joder property management area designation and implement the VMP direction to establish management area designations for undesignated properties to guide management actions. Driving Factors/Benefits »Joder includes sensitive habitat and resources that are a consistent extension of habitats and species in the North Foothills HCA including rare plants and plant communities, highly suitable habitat for North TSA focal species such as globally- imperiled grassland-dependent butterflies, lazuli bunting, lark sparrow and prairie rattlesnake. »Ensures trail development and visitor access are considered in the context of important and sensitive natural resources. Cost Estimate: $** Primary Goal »Implement VMP direction to provide management area designations for undesignated properties. Primary Goal »Implement VMP direction to provide management area designation for undesignated properties. Driving Factors/Benefits »Consistent with adjacent Wright and Dagle I management area designations. Driving Factors/Benefits »Consistent with adjacent Passive Recreation Area designation around Foothills Trail. Cost Estimate: Core Service Cost Estimate: Core Service MAP 3: North Foothills - Management Area Designations *See Appendix D for a full list of which interest(s) each action meets. **Cost Equivalents $ = Less than $10,000 $$ = $10,000 to $49,999 $$$ = $50,000 to $250,000 $$$$ = More than $250,000 Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 27 North TSA Plan Recommendations: North Foothills MAP 3: North Foothills - Management Area Designations NF2NF1 NF3 28 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org A ction nF4 Collaborate to create a trail connection from North TSA to Boulder County Parks and Open Space’s Heil Valley Ranch. Interests Met: 3* Action nF5 Collaborate to create a connection from Joder Ranch Trail to Buckingham Park via Olde Stage Road (in progress). Interests Met: 3* North TSA Plan Recommendations: North Foothills »As opportunities arise, collaborate with partner agencies to create regional trail connections that minimize natural resource impacts. »The North TSA Plan does not preclude future public planning processes to assess a regional trail connection to Heil Ranch on the Buckingham property. Primary Goal »Enhance regional connectivity. Driving Factors/Benefits »Provide greater opportunities for visitors and interconnectivity among adjacent trail systems. »Increase coordination among OSMP and partner agencies. Cost Estimate: Core Service Primary Goal »Enhance local trail connectivity. Driving Factors/Benefits »Provide greater opportunities for visitors and interconnectivity among adjacent trail systems. »Increase coordination among OSMP and partner agencies. Cost Estimate: $ MAP 4: North Foothills - Subarea-Wide Recommendations »As opportunities arise, collaborate with partner agencies to create local trail connections that minimize natural resource impacts. *See Appendix D for a full list of which interest(s) each action meets. Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 29 North TSA Plan Recommendations: North Foothills MAP 4: North Foothills - Subarea-Wide Recommendations NF4 NF5 NF7 NF6 30 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org A ction nF6 Collaborate to create a connection between Joder Ranch and Boulder County’s Six-Mile Fold property. Interests Met: 3* Action nF7 Close Cottonwood Recreation Area. Interests Met: 2* North TSA Plan Recommendations: North Foothills MAP 4: North Foothills - Subarea-Wide Recommendations, continued Primary Goal »Enhance local trail connectivity to provide designated access from the Joder Ranch Trail and Trailhead to the Six-Mile Fold area. Driving Factors/Benefits »Provide greater opportunities for visitors and interconnectivity among adjacent trail systems. »Increase coordination among OSMP and partner agencies. »Enhance interpretive and education access and opportunities. »Protect geological and natural resources. Cost Estimate: Core Service »As opportunities arise, collaborate with partner agencies to create local trail connections that minimize natural resource impacts. »Boulder County will conduct its own public planning process to determine access and management of visitors onto Six-Mile Fold. OSMP will coordinate with the county’s planning efforts to determine if and where trails could be located to provide access to this area and minimize natural resource impacts. Primary Goal »Support Lefthand Creek wetland and riparian restoration efforts after 2013 flood. Driving Factors/Benefits »The site was significantly altered after the 2013 flood and recreation amenities destroyed. »Area is no longer suitable as a recreation access area. Cost Estimate: $ *See Appendix D for a full list of which interest(s) each action meets. Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 31 North TSA Plan Recommendations: North Foothills NF7 NF6 NF4 NF5 MAP 4: North Foothills - Subarea-Wide Recommendations, continued 32 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org Action nF8 Realign western section of the Interim Joder Trail near the Buckingham property. (Joder Ranch Trail) Interests Met: 4* A ction nF9 Construct one loop trail on the northwest section of the Joder property. (Mahogany Loop) Interests Met: 4* A ction nF10 Construct a new trailhead for passenger vehicle parking on the Dagle/Wright properties. (Coyote Trailhead) Interests Met: 4* North TSA Plan Recommendations: North Foothills MAP 5: North Foothills - Joder Focus Area Primary Goal »Improve trail conditions to improve physical sustainability and visitor experience. Driving Factors/Benefits »Re-route steep, unsustainable portion of trail at west end of carriage road that connects to Buckingham property to improve sustainability and reduce the trail grade. »Conserve butterfly habitats and minimize the impact of the trail re-route on butterfly highly suitable habitat. Cost Estimate: $$ Primary Goal »Increase recreation and visitor experience opportunities. Driving Factors/Benefits »Provide new visitor opportunity while limiting the extent of trail in areas of highest resource sensitivity and avoiding trails crossing through the large drainage on the property. »Manage visitor activities to minimize visitor conflict on the loop trail. »Allow restoration of historic undesignated trails to increase habitat quality in HCA. Cost Estimate: $$$ Primary Goal »Provide additional passenger vehicle parking for Joder Ranch that does not require visitors to cross U.S. 36. Driving Factors/Benefits »Provide parking for pedestrians and cyclists. »Construct parking lot that has suitable terrain, drainage and soil quality. »Access road off of U.S. 36 may provide suitable sitelines for obtaining Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) access permits. Cost Estimate: $$$ *See Appendix D for a full list of which interest(s) each action meets. Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 33 North TSA Plan Recommendations: North Foothills MAP 5: North Foothills - Joder Focus Area NF8 NF10 NF9 NF12 NF11 34 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org Action nF11 Construct a connector trail from the new trailhead (Coyote Trailhead) on the Dagle property to the Joder Ranch Trail. Interests Met: 5* Action n F12 Retain Interim Joder Trailhead. (Joder Ranch Trailhead) Interests Met: 4* North TSA Plan Recommendations: North Foothills MAP 5: North Foothills - Joder Focus Area, continued Primary Goal »Provide connection from the new parking area to the Joder Ranch Trail. Driving Factors/Benefits »Create trail connectivity with trailhead. »Minimize visitor conflict along the access road to lessees on the Dagle and Wright properties.Cost Estimate: $ Primary Goal »Provide horse trailer and large-vehicle parking for the Joder trail system. Retain a limited number of passenger vehicle parking spots. Driving Factors/Benefits »Provide access for equestrians and school groups to the Joder property and Boulder County’s Six-Mile Fold property. »Increase safety by preventing the need for equestrians/school groups to cross U.S. 36 to access Joder property.Cost Estimate: $ *See Appendix D for a full list of which interest(s) each action meets. Barn on Joder property. Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 35 North TSA Plan Recommendations: North Foothills MAP 5: North Foothills - Joder Focus Area, continued NF12 NF11 NF8 NF10 NF9 36 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org A ction nF13 Construct a north-south connector trail from Foothills Trail to the Joder Ranch Trail west of U.S. 36. (North Sky Trail) Interests Met: 4* Action n F14 Include the connector trail in the muddy closure program. Interests Met: 3* North TSA Plan Recommendations: North Foothills MAP 6: North Foothills - Hogback and North Sky Focus Area Primary Goal »Increase connectivity among North TSA properties while minimizing natural resource impacts to the extent possible. Driving Factors/Benefits »Use existing infrastructure and trails including parts of the Railroad Grade and abandoned roads and bridges. »Minimize resource disturbance as much as feasible where creation of new trail tread is necessary. »The conservation easement includes lower quality habitat than the area west of the conservation easement, and would allow for less impactful drainage crossings. »Use steep terrain adjacent to Railroad Grade to encourage visitors to stay on the trail. »Create interpretive opportunities around new trail alignment and the natural resources of the North Foothills HCA. »Locate the trail east of the Railroad Grade to cross through Schneider Draw at a location that minimizes impacts to the high quality riparian area. »Design drainage crossings to minimize wetland impacts and associated required mitigation. »In a few locations where a pedestrian/equestrian-designed trail, rather than bike-accessible trail, can reduce resource impacts, consider designing these sections so that cyclists may need to dismount their bikes. »Construct a trail from the southern section of the Railroad Grade, west of Foothills Business Park, connecting to the Joder Ranch Trail. »Use best efforts to locate connector trail through the conservation easement. Cost Estimate: $$$$ Primary Goal »Improve trail sustainability and reduce trail maintenance and repair costs. Driving Factors/Benefits »Reduce trail braiding and natural resource impacts. »Improve trail conditions and sustainability.Cost Estimate: Core Service *See Appendix D for a full list of which interest(s) each action meets. Schneider Draw Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 37 North TSA Plan Recommendations: North Foothills MAP 6: North Foothills Focus Area MAP 6: North Foothills - Hogback and North Sky Focus Area NF13 NF14 NF15 NF16 NF17 38 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org Action n F15 Post educational signs about the North Foothills HCA. Interests Met: 4* Action nF16 Re-route Hogback Trail. Interests Met: 5* Action nF17 Re-route Foothills Trail where it connects to Hogback Trail and eastward to U.S. 36. Interests Met: 5* North TSA Plan Recommendations: North Foothills MAP 6: North Foothills - Hogback and North Sky Focus Area, continued »Include information about the area’s important natural resources as well as safety concerns such as rattlesnakes. Primary Goal »Educate visitors about the important natural resources and safety concerns of the HCA. Driving Factors/Benefits »Reduce impacts of new recreation opportunities on natural resources. »Increase visitor awareness of special natural resources and HCAs. »Increase safety of visitors. »Increase compliance with regulations intended to protect the habitats of the HCA. Primary Goal »Construct a more sustainable trail. Driving Factors/Benefits »Improve trail quality and sustainability, thereby encouraging visitors to stay on trail, as well as minimize trail braiding and the creation of social trails. »During re-route, minimize impacts to highly suitable habitat for North TSA focal species including bluestem dependent butterflies, lark sparrow and prairie rattlesnakes. »Avoid rare and sensitive plant communities, rare plant habitat and wetlands in re-route planning. »Repair trail damaged by 2013 flood. Cost Estimate: $$ Cost Estimate: $$$ Primary Goal »Construct a more sustainable trail. Driving Factors/Benefits »Improve trail quality and sustainability, thereby encouraging visitors to stay on trail as well as minimize trail braiding and the creation of social trails. »During re-route, minimize impacts to highly suitable habitat for North TSA focal species including bluestem dependent butterflies, lark sparrow and prairie rattlesnakes. »Repair trail damaged by 2013 flood. »Avoid rare plant habitat in planning and constructing re-route. Cost Estimate: $$$ *See Appendix D for a full list of which interest(s) each action meets. Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 39 North TSA Plan Recommendations: North Foothills NF15 NF16 NF17 NF13 NF14 MAP 6: North Foothills - Hogback and North Sky Focus Area, continued 40 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org Action n F18 Do not allow off-trail permits for the area inside the Joder loop trail for two years following the trail’s construction. (Mahogany Loop) Interests Met: 2* Action n F19 Do not allow off-trail permits within the North Foothills HCA. Interests Met: 2* North TSA Plan Recommendations: North Foothills MAP 7: North Foothills - North Foothills Habitat Conservation Area (HCA) Off-Trail Permit Recommendations Primary Goal »Reduce impacts of new recreational opportunities on natural resources. Driving Factors/Benefits »Provide best chance of successfully restoring undesignated trails within the loop and improve habitat conditions. »Provide an opportunity for the restoration and revegetation of existing undesignated trails. »Decrease the potential for creation of new undesignated trails. »Minimize impacts on natural resources while providing new trail access. Primary Goal »Reduce impacts of new recreation opportunities on natural resources outside of trail corridor. Driving Factors/Benefits »Minimize impacts on natural resources while providing new trail access. »Decrease the potential for creation of new undesignated trails. »Decrease habitat fragmentation and increase protection of sensitive natural resources outside of the trail corridor. The new trail provides access to view and enjoy the HCA. Cost Estimate: $ Cost Estimate: $ »Off-trail permits not allowed in the North Foothills HCA except for areas west and north of Joder Ranch Trail and inside the Mahogany Loop. *See Appendix D for a full list of which interest(s) each action meets. Prairie rattlesnake, a focal species in the North Trail Study Area. © Greg Joder Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 41 North TSA Plan Recommendations: North Foothills MAP 7: North Foothills - North Foothills Habitat Conservation Area Off-Trail Permit Recommendations NF18 NF19 42 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org MAP 8: North Foothills - Trail-Based Dog Regulations North TSA Plan Recommendations: North Foothills TRAIL NAME DOG REGULATION New Trails Joder Loop Trail (Mahogany Loop)Dogs Prohibited Connector Trail from Coyote Trailhead to Interim Joder Trail (Joder Ranch Trail)On-Corridor Voice and Sight Leash Required (Coyote Trailhead leash extent) Joder connector trail (North Sky Trail)Leash Required (August 1 - April 30) Dogs Prohibited (May 1 - July 31) Existing and Re-routed Trails with New Dog Regulations Trails serving the Buckingham Park picnic area Leash Required Interim Joder Trail (Joder Ranch Trail)On-Corridor Voice and Sight Leash Required (Joder Ranch Trailhead leash extent) Existing and Re-routed Trails with No Changes to Existing Dog Regulations Hogback Trail with re-routed section Dogs Prohibited Foothills North Trail with re-routed section Voice and Sight There are no new recommended off-trail dog regulations in this subarea. © Michael Morton Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 43 North TSA Plan Recommendations: North Foothills MAP 8: North Foothills - Trail-Based Dog Regulations Seasonal closure: May 1 to July 31 44 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org MAP 9: North Foothills - Bike Regulations North TSA Plan Recommendations: North Foothills TRAIL NAME BIKE REGULATION New Trails Western Joder Loop Trail (Mahogany Loop)Bikes allowed with directional and temporal restrictions. Bikes prohibited Tuesdays and alternating weekend days. Directional travel will alternate every two weeks. Connector Trail from Coyote Trailhead to Interim Joder Trail (Joder Ranch Trail)Bikes Allowed Joder connector trail (North Sky Trail)Bikes Allowed Existing and Re-routed Trails with No Changes to Existing Bike Regulations Trails serving the Buckingham picnic area Bikes Prohibited Interim Joder Trail (Joder Ranch Trail)Bikes Allowed Hogback Trail with re-routed section Bikes Prohibited Foothills North Trail with re-routed section Bikes Allowed Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 45 North TSA Plan Recommendations: North Foothills MAP 9: North Foothills - Bike Regulations Bikes prohibited Tuesdays and alternating weekend days. 46 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org North TSA Plan Recommendations: North Foothills MAP 10: North Foothills - Trail-Based Horse Regulations TRAIL NAME HORSE REGULATION New Trails Western Joder Loop Trail (Mahogany Loop)Horses Allowed Connector Trail from Coyote Trailhead to Interim Joder Trail (Joder Ranch Trail)Horses Allowed Joder connector trail (North Sky Trail)Horses Allowed Existing and Re-routed Trails with New Horse Regulations Trails serving the Buckingham picnic area Horses Prohibited Hogback Trail with re-routed section Horses Prohibited Existing and Re-routed Trails with No Changes to Existing Horse Regulations Interim Joder Trail (Joder Ranch Trail)Horses Allowed Foothills North Trail with re-routed section Horses Allowed New Off-Trail Horse Regulations Horses prohibited off-trail in the North Foothills Habitat Conservation Area (exceptions listed below) Horses prohibited off-trail inside the Western Joder Loop Trail (Mahogany Loop) for two years following the trail’s construction. Horses allowed off-trail on the Buckingham Property west of the Joder Ranch Trail. Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 47 North TSA Plan Recommendations: North Foothills MAP 10: North Foothills - Trail-Based Horse Regulations 48 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org North TSA Plan Recommendations: North Foothills MAP 11: North Foothills - Regulatory Settings Visitor access regulations pertain to the management of activities both on- and off-trail. The regulatory settings map includes on-trail and off-trail specific regulations where public access is restricted year-round, areas with seasonal wildlife closures and on-trail and off-trail dog regulations. © Gary Stevens Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 49 North TSA Plan Recommendations: North Foothills MAP 11: North Foothills - Regulatory Settings Cliff-nesting raptor closure: February 1 to July 31 Seasonal dog closure: May 1 to July 31 North Trail Study Area Plan | NorthTSA.org North TSA Plan Recommendations Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org North TSA Plan Recommendations Boulder Valley Ranch Background photo: Lefthand Trailhead. 52 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org A ctions B1 to B4 Provide management area designations for properties without designations to guide management actions. Interests Met: 4* North TSA Plan Recommendations: Boulder Valley Ranch »Designate Lappin property (B1), IBM open space easement property (B2), Hart-Jones Exchange property (B3) and Palo Park property (B4) as Natural Areas. Limit public access to on-trail travel on IBM open space easement property. Primary Goal »Implement VMP direction to provide management area designations for properties without designations to guide management actions. Driving Factors/Benefits Lappin Property »Conserve natural resources while allowing access for low-impact passive recreation. »Maintain habitat effectiveness of Lappin Pond in supporting sensitive native fish species. »Protect important plant and aquatic species. »Increase protection of shale barrens habitat and pond. »Conserve highly suitable habitat for North TSA focal wildlife species. Cost Estimate: Core Service** MAP 12: Boulder Valley Ranch - Management Area Designations IBM open space easement property »Support efforts of creating the IBM connector trail. »Create management regulations to implement terms of the easement and respond to the property owner’s interests. Hart-Jones Exchange property »Protect riparian areas. »Protect habitat for rare plants. Palo Park property »Protect riparian areas of Fourmile Canyon Creek. »Property includes Greenway path. *See Appendix D for a full list of which interest(s) each action meets. **Cost Equivalents $ = Less than $10,000 $$ = $10,000 to $49,999 $$$ = $50,000 to $250,000 $$$$ = More than $250,000 Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 53 North TSA Plan Recommendations: Boulder Valley Ranch MAP 12: Boulder Valley Ranch - Management Area Designations B1 B4 B2 B3 54 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org A ctions B5 to B9 Collaborate with partner agencies to create regional trail connections. Interests Met: 5* Action B10 Provide public access to portions of Lappin, Lousberg, Papini and B.L.I.P. properties while protecting sensitive natural resources. Interests Met: 2* North TSA Plan Recommendations: Boulder Valley Ranch »As opportunities arise, collaborate with community and partner agencies to create the following regional trail connections that minimize natural resource impacts. »(B5) City of Boulder’s Area III park site to the North TSA. »(B6) A Boulder-to-Lyons trail connection including the efforts of the Rocky Mountain Greenway Project. »(B7) IBM Connector Trail (construction pending). »(B8) Fourmile Canyon Creek Trail underpass to Cottonwood Trail (construction pending). »(B9) Eagle Trail to the planned Boulder Reservoir Trail. Primary Goal »Enhance regional connectivity. Driving Factors/Benefits »Provide greater opportunities for visitors and interconnectivity among adjacent trail systems. »Increase coordination/consistency among OSMP and partner agencies. Cost Estimate: Core Service MAP 13 : Boulder Valley Ranch - Subarea-Wide Recommendations Specific to Area III park site: »Provide a north-south trail connection from northern Boulder neighborhoods to North TSA. »Increase accessibility for neighbors to the North TSA. Specific to Eagle Trail to Boulder Reservoir Trail connection: »Keep trail close to 51st and 55th streets and in existing transportation corridors as much as is feasible. »Protect aquatic and wetland resources around ponds on these properties by prohibiting public access to the ponds. Primary Goal »Establish areas where visitor access is not allowed for important aquatic sites. Driving Factors/Benefits »Protect aquatic habitats that are being managed for species of concern, including native fish. »Explain reasoning for restricting access to ponds by using signs with positive messaging about sensitive aquatic resources in order to promote compliance. »Conserve highly suitable habitat for North TSA focal wildlife species. Cost Estimate: $$ *See Appendix D for a full list of which interest(s) each action meets. Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 55 North TSA Plan Recommendations: Boulder Valley Ranch MAP 13: Boulder Valley Ranch - Subarea-Wide Recommendations B6 B9 B5 B10 B8 B7 Locations for this and other regional trail connections are highly conceptual and subject to change as future planning progresses. 56 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org Action B11 Designate access point for where Lefthand Trail connects to Neva Road. Interests Met: 4* A ction B12 Bring Lefthand Trailhead up to standards. Interests Met: 4* Action B13 Improve Lefthand Trail. Interests Met: 5* Action B14 Designate a connector trail from Lefthand Trail to the Lake Valley Estates neighborhood. Interests Met: 3* North TSA Plan Recommendations: Boulder Valley Ranch MAP 14: Boulder Valley Ranch - East Beech and Lefthand Focus Area Primary Goal »Designate and manage an access point that is served by a designated trail. Driving Factors/Benefits »Provide trail connectivity directly to Neva Road. »Increase safety. Cost Estimate: Core Service »Include horse trailer parking at Lefthand Trailhead. Primary Goal »Include horse trailer parking in the existing trailhead space. Driving Factors/Benefits »Ensure consistent and basic facilities at all trailheads based on visitation numbers and facility standards. »Replace infrastructure that is in need of repair. »Improve sustainability and safety. Cost Estimate: $$$ Primary Goal »Improve the physical sustainability of the trail to better accommodate visitors and protect resources. Driving Factors/Benefits »Retain a north-south connection to Neva Road that improves trail sustainability and helps conserve and reduce impacts to sensitive natural resources. »Conserve large habitat blocks. »Conserve highly suitable habitat for North TSA focal wildlife species. Cost Estimate: $$$ Primary Goal »Designate and manage an existing undesignated trail that serves to connect a neighborhood to the North TSA. Driving Factors/Benefits »Improve access to North TSA trail system. »Consolidate undesignated access points and trails. Cost Estimate: $ *See Appendix D for a full list of which interest(s) each action meets. Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 57 North TSA Plan Recommendations: Boulder Valley Ranch MAP 14: Boulder Valley Ranch - East Beech and Lefthand Focus Area B14 B12 B13 B11 58 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org North TSA Plan Recommendations: Boulder Valley Ranch A ction B15 Create a connection via the Boulder Reservoir to Niwot Road. (Talon Trail) Interests Met: 7* A ction B16 Bring Eagle Trailhead up to standards. Interests Met: 5* »Create a regional trail connection that minimizes natural resource impacts. Work with partner agencies to determine the most feasible trail alignment with a preference for an alignment along 55th Street. Primary Goal »Increase connections between North TSA and other regional destinations. Enhance local trail connectivity and the creation of safe road crossing and trail connections. Driving Factors/Benefits »Provide increased connectivity. »Allow visitors a safe alternative to current connections along roadways. »By siting a trail on road right of way; maintain habitat effectiveness for North TSA focal wildlife species like Northern Harrier and plains topminnow. »Provide greater opportunities for visitors. »Increase coordination/consistency among OSMP and partner agencies. Cost Estimate: $$$ MAP 15: Boulder Valley Ranch - Eagle and Boulder Reservoir Focus Area »Include horse trailer parking at Eagle Trailhead. Primary Goal »Provide designated horse trailer parking. Driving Factors/Benefits »Reconfigure trailhead to improve safety. »Ensure consistent and basic facilities at all trailheads based on visitation numbers and facility standards. »Replace infrastructure that is in need of repair. Cost Estimate: $$$ *See Appendix D for a full list of which interest(s) each action meets. Eagle Trailhead, to be upgraded to include horse trailer parking. Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 59 North TSA Plan Recommendations: Boulder Valley Ranch MAP 15: Boulder Valley Ranch - Eagle and Boulder Reservoir Focus Area B15 B16 60 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org Action B17 Bring Foothills Trailhead up to standards. Interests Met: 6* A ction B18 Add a new trailhead at the Degge Trail access point. (Horseshoe Trailhead) Interests Met: 2* Action B19 Create a trail connection between Foothills and Degge trails, re-route Degge Trail. Interests Met: 5* North TSA Plan Recommendations: Boulder Valley Ranch MAP 16: Boulder Valley Ranch - Degge Focus Area Primary Goal »Improve parking configuration to allow cars to safely back out of parking spaces. Driving Factors/Benefits »Ensure consistent and basic facilities at all trailheads based on visitation numbers and facility standards. »Replace infrastructure that is in need of repair. »Reconfigure trailhead to improve safety. Cost Estimate: $$ »Provide additional parking capacity and horse trailer parking. Primary Goal »Add horse trailer parking and provide additional parking facilities at the Degge Trail access point. Driving Factors/Benefits »Provide a new trailhead in a location that would minimize impacts to resources. »Improve capacity for horse trailer parking. Cost Estimate: $$$ Primary Goal »Improve visitor experience, trail connectivity and offer a safer way for visitors to connect from the Foothills Trail to the Boulder Valley Ranch/Mesa Reservoir area trails. Driving Factors/Benefits »Improve trail connectivity and safety of access. »Replace high-density, low-quality trails with fewer, high-quality, sustainable trails. Cost Estimate: $$ »Provide a trail connection from Foothills Trail to re-routed west end of Degge Trail. *See Appendix D for a full list of which interest(s) each action meets. Foothills Trailhead, to be upgraded to improve parking circulation and safety. Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 61 North TSA Plan Recommendations: Boulder Valley Ranch MAP 16: Boulder Valley Ranch - Degge Focus Area B19B18 B17 62 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org Action B20 Replace existing trails north of Mesa Reservoir with new trail connections. Interests Met: 5* Action B21 Replace undesignated trails through sensitive resources with a single trail. (Shale Trail) Interests Met: 4* Action B22 Provide nature- viewing access at Mesa Reservoir. Interests Met: 5* Action B23 Replace existing trails with a new trail connection south of Mesa Reservoir. Interests Met: 5* MAP 17: Boulder Valley Ranch - Mesa Reservoir Focus Area North TSA Plan Recommendations: Boulder Valley Ranch Primary Goal »Replace high-density, low-quality trails with fewer, high-quality, sustainable trails to improve visitor experience. Driving Factors/Benefits »Use terrain effectively to create a better visitor experience and improve biking access. »Where possible, relocate trail sections that run through prairie dog colonies to maintain or improve prairie rattlesnake highly suitable habitat and manage public safety issues related to rattlesnakes. »Follow current general trail alignments in reconstruction to retain quality and size of grassland habitats. Cost Estimate: $$$ »Replace Old Mill and Cobalt trails with a single new trail and replace western section of Eagle Trail and steep, downhill section of Eagle Trail with new re-routed connections. »Provide a sustainable connection with Sage Trailhead, by replacing undesignated trails through shale barrens and rare plant habitat with one new designated trail with educational signs for pedestrians and equestrians north of Mesa Reservoir. Primary Goal »Consolidate and replace unsustainable undesignated trails with a single designated trail to better protect shale barrens and rare plants, habitat and populations. Driving Factors/Benefits »Reduce the number and extent of undesignated trails. »Provide an opportunity for the public to learn about the unique resources of the site. Cost Estimate: $$$ Primary Goal »Create recreation opportunities specifically for visitors looking for a quiet experience. Driving Factors/Benefits »Provide access to view wetland resources. Cost Estimate: $ Primary Goal »Replace high-density, low-quality trails with fewer, high-quality, sustainable trails to improve visitor experience. Driving Factors/Benefits »Use terrain effectively to create a better visitor experience and improve biking access. »Follow current general trail alignments in reconstruction to retain quality and size of grassland habitats. »Enhance education and interpretive offerings in the area. Cost Estimate: $$$ »Replace southern sections of Mesa Reservoir Trail and the Hidden Valley Trail with a new single trail connection. *See Appendix D for a full list of which interest(s) each action meets. Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 63 North TSA Plan Recommendations: Boulder Valley Ranch MAP 17: Boulder Valley Ranch - Mesa Reservoir Focus Area B22 B23 B21 B20 64 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org Action B24 Pave Longhorn Road. Interests Met: 2* Action B25 Bring Sage (BVR) Trailhead up to standards. Interests Met: 5* Action B26 Improve Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) access on Eagle and Sage trails. Interests Met: 4* Action B27 Provide a parallel single track trail at BVR. Interests Met: 3* North TSA Plan Recommendations: Boulder Valley Ranch MAP 18: Boulder Valley Ranch - South Boulder Valley Ranch Focus Area Primary Goal »Provide better facilities to benefit visitors. Driving Factors/Benefits »Reconfigure trailhead to improve safety. »Ensure consistent and basic facilities at all trailheads based on visitation numbers and facility standards. »Replace infrastructure that is in need of repair. »Update restrooms to bring them up to standards. Cost Estimate: $$$ »Improve restroom facilities. Primary Goal »Retain and improve wheelchair access to the Eagle and Sage loop at BVR. Driving Factors/Benefits »These trails are suitable for providing improved ADA access due to the trail width and design. »The grade and out-slope are appropriate, but some areas will need to be improved. Cost Estimate: $$$ Primary Goal »Provide improved visitor experience and safety while reducing visitor conflict by providing a managed alternate trail tread adjacent to existing trail. Driving Factors/Benefits »Improve visitor experience. »Consolidate multiple undesignated trail treads into a single designated tread and improve trail sustainability, by re-routing some sections and conducting maintenance on the single track. »Decrease visitor conflict. Cost Estimate: $$ »Designate and slightly re-route in some locations one parallel single track tread adjacent to the Eagle and Sage loop at BVR. »Pave or resurface Longhorn Road with an alternative permeable surface material. Primary Goal »Provide a more sustainable and safer surface, to improve access to Sage Trailhead. Driving Factors/Benefits »Existing gravel roadway is difficult to maintain and in poor condition. »Roadway surface is eroded and can’t be effectively resurfaced with gravel. Cost Estimate: $$$$ *See Appendix D for a full list of which interest(s) each action meets. Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 65 North TSA Plan Recommendations: Boulder Valley Ranch MAP 18: Boulder Valley Ranch - South Boulder Valley Ranch Focus Area B24 B25 B26 B27 B28 B29 66 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org Action B28 Allow fishing access on eastern shore of BVR pond. Interests Met: 4* Action B29 Create a new trail connection on the south side of the Papini property. (Wrangler Trail) Interests Met: 6* North TSA Plan Recommendations: Boulder Valley Ranch Primary Goal »Formalize and designate area for water access to reduce impacts to wildlife, aquatic and other natural resources. Driving Factors/Benefits »Protect northern shore from resource degrading impacts of visitor activities. »Retain current seasonal closure over part of the pond to protect sensitive wildlife. Cost Estimate: Core Service Primary Goal »Increase trail connectivity within the North TSA and between surrounding residential areas and reduce undesignated trails. Driving Factors/Benefits »Provide trail connections to reduce the extent and number of undesignated trails. »Protect natural resources from impacts associated with undesignated trails and access points. Allow access within a fenced corridor on the Papini property to protect natural resources, including ponds which may become a native fish refuge. Cost Estimate: $$$ »Provide a trail connection along the south side of the Papini property connecting Kelso Road to the Mesa Reservoir trail system. *See Appendix D for a full list of which interest(s) each action meets. MAP 18: Boulder Valley Ranch - South Boulder Valley Ranch Focus Area, continued Mesa Reservoir. Photo courtesy Bob Crifasi. Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 67 North TSA Plan Recommendations: Boulder Valley Ranch B28 B29 B24 B25 B26 B27 MAP 18: Boulder Valley Ranch - South Boulder Valley Ranch Focus Area, continued 68 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org MAP 19: Boulder Valley Ranch - Trail-Based Dog Regulations North TSA Plan Recommendations: Boulder Valley Ranch TRAIL NAME DOG REGULATION New Trails Connector trail from Lefthand Trail to the Lake Valley Estates neighborhood On-Corridor Voice and Sight Designated single track around Eagle and Sage trails Voice and Sight Connector near 55th Street to Niwot Road (Talon Trail)Leash Required Papini connector trail (Wrangler Trail)On-Corridor Voice and Sight Interpretative trail to Mesa Reservoir (Shale Trail)Voice and Sight Connector from Foothills Trailhead to Horseshoe Trailhead Voice and Sight Existing and Re-routed Trails with New Dog Regulations Lefthand Trail On-Corridor Voice and Sight Existing and Re-routed Trails with No Changes to Existing Dog Regulations Eagle Trail Voice and Sight Sage Trail Voice and Sight North Rim Trail (OSMP section)Voice and Sight Re-routed Cobalt Trail / Old Mill Trail Voice and Sight Re-routed Hidden Valley Trail / Mesa Reservoir Voice and Sight Re-routed Degge Trail Voice and Sight New Off-Trail Dog Regulations Dogs prohibited on the properties adjacent to the Papini connector trail (Wrangler Trail). On-Corridor Voice and Sight access allowed on the Wrangler Trail. Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 69 North TSA Plan Recommendations: Boulder Valley Ranch MAP 19: Boulder Valley Ranch - Trail-Based Dog Regulations 70 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org MAP 20: Boulder Valley Ranch - Bike Regulations North TSA Plan Recommendations: Boulder Valley Ranch TRAIL NAME BIKE REGULATION New Trails Connector trail from Lefthand Trail to the Lake Valley Estates neighborhood Bikes Allowed Designated single-track around Eagle and Sage trails Bikes Allowed Connector near 55th Street to Niwot Road (Talon Trail)Bikes Allowed Papini connector trail (Wrangler Trail)Bikes Allowed, except for a neighborhood connection on the east. Interpretive trail to Mesa Reservoir (Shale Trail)Bikes Prohibited Connector from Foothills Trailhead to new Horseshoe Trailhead Bikes Allowed Existing and Re-routed Trails with New Bike Regulations Re-routed Cobalt Trail / Old Mill Trail Bikes Allowed Re-routed Hidden Valley Trail / Mesa Reservoir Bikes Allowed Re-routed Degge Trail Bikes Allowed Existing and Re-routed Trails with No Changes to Existing Bike Regulations Lefthand Trail Bikes Allowed Eagle Trail Bikes Allowed Sage Trail Bikes Allowed North Rim Trail (OSMP section)Bikes Allowed Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 71 North TSA Plan Recommendations: Boulder Valley Ranch MAP 20: Boulder Valley Ranch - Bike Regulations 72 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org MAP 21: Boulder Valley Ranch - Trail-Based Horse Regulations North TSA Plan Recommendations: Boulder Valley Ranch TRAIL NAME HORSE REGULATION New Trails Connector trail from Lefthand Trail to the Lake Valley Estates neighborhood Horses Allowed Designated single-track around Eagle and Sage trails Horses Allowed Connector near 55th Street to Niwot Road (Talon Trail)Horses Allowed Papini connector trail (Wrangler Trail)Horses Allowed Interpretive trail to Mesa Reservoir (Shale Trail)Horses Allowed Connector from Foothills Trailhead to new Horseshoe Trailhead Horses Allowed Existing and Re-routed Trails with No Changes to Existing Horse Regulations Lefthand Trail Horses Allowed Eagle Trail Horses Allowed Sage Trail Horses Allowed North Rim Trail (OSMP section)Horses Allowed Re-routed Cobalt Trail/Old Mill Trail Horses Allowed Re-routed Hidden Valley Trail/Mesa Reservoir Trail Horses Allowed Re-routed Degge Trail Horses Allowed Horses are allowed off trail in this subarea. Lefthand Trailhead Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 73 North TSA Plan Recommendations: Boulder Valley Ranch MAP 21: Boulder Valley Ranch - Trail-Based Horse Regulations 74 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org North TSA Plan Recommendations: Boulder Valley Ranch MAP 22: Boulder Valley Ranch - Regulatory Settings Visitor access regulations pertain to the management of activities both on- and off-trail. The regulatory settings map includes on-trail and off-trail specific regulations where public access is restricted year-round, areas with seasonal wildlife closures and on-trail and off-trail dog regulations. Prairie grasses in autumn backlit by golden sunset, fence and leafless trees at Boulder Valley Ranch. © Jack Sasson. Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 75 North TSA Plan Recommendations: Boulder Valley Ranch MAP 22: Boulder Valley Ranch - Regulatory Settings Seasonal Closure (Osprey and Northern Harrier Nesting): March 15 to September 10 Implement On-Corridor Voice and Sight control to protect natural resources, including ponds which may become native fish refugia.Protect aquatic and wetland resources around ponds on these properties by prohibiting public access to the ponds. North Trail Study Area Plan | NorthTSA.org North TSA Plan RecommendationsBackground photo: Wonderland Lake. Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org North TSA Plan Recommendations Wonderland Lake 78 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org A ction W1 Collaborate with Parks and Recreation to support nature play experiences on their adjacent properties. Interests Met: 1* Action W2 Assess vision for Foothills Nature Center. Interests Met: 2* Action W3 Construct a shade structure near Wonderland Lake Trailhead. Interests Met: 2* A ction W4 Improve safety at Broadway crossing. Interests Met: 3* North TSA Plan Recommendations: Wonderland Lake *See Appendix D for a full list of which interest(s) each action meets. **Cost Equivalents $ = Less than $10,000 $$$ = $50,000 to $250,000 $$ = $10,000 to $49,999 $$$$ = More than $250,000 MAP 23: Wonderland Lake - Subarea-Wide Recommendations »Collaborate with City of Boulder Parks and Recreation Department to support designed nature play experiences on their property and support appropriate passive recreation aspects of this type of experience on adjacent OSMP land. Primary Goal »Support the creation of places designed for children on Parks and Recreation properties to gain a greater appreciation for, and awareness of, the natural environment. Driving Factors/Benefits »Promote daily contact with the natural environment and outdoor space consistent and suitable for OSMP lands. Cost Estimate: $** Cost Estimate: Costs are not part of the North TSA Plan. »OSMP is assessing and preparing plans for the future vision of the Foothills Nature Center and associated trailhead. »Support and encourage improvements to crossing between Sumac Avenue, RTD bus stop and the Foothills Nature Center. Primary Goal »A separate building and site assessment process will determine potential changes to the Foothills Nature Center and Trailhead. Primary Goal »Provide a shaded area where education and other groups can gather when accessing the Wonderland Lake area. Primary Goal »Encourage and support creating a safer and more visible way to cross Broadway for visitors accessing Foothills Nature Center and Wonderland Lake by bus. Driving Factors/Benefits »Provide shade for the safety and comfort of educational groups and other visitors. Driving Factors/Benefits »Improve accessibility of North TSA to visitors who rely upon public transit. Cost Estimate: $$ Cost Estimate: Core Service Note: There are no new management area designations in this subarea. Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 79 North TSA Plan Recommendations: Wonderland Lake MAP 23: Wonderland Lake - Subarea-Wide Recommendations W1 W3 W2 W4 W8 W5 W6 W7 W10 W9 80 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org Action W5 Revegetate the flood-damaged northern loop section of Old Kiln Trail. Interests Met: 2* Action W6 Rename Four Mile Creek Trailhead as Fourmile Canyon Creek Trailhead. Interests Met: 2* Action W7 Collaborate to create a connection from Fourmile Canyon Creek Greenway path to Foothills Community Park. Interests Met: 3* North TSA Plan Recommendations: Wonderland Lake MAP 24: Wonderland Lake - Fourmile Canyon Creek Focus Area Primary Goal »Protect rare plants and unique geological features in this area. Driving Factors/Benefits »Rebuilding the trail is not feasible given the extensive damage from the 2013 flood. Cost Estimate: $ Primary Goal »Align trailhead name with Fourmile Canyon Creek. Primary Goal »Provide greater opportunities for visitors and interconnectivity among adjacent trail systems. Driving Factors/Benefits »Increase coordination/consistency among OSMP and partner agencies to advance local trail connections that also conserve natural and agricultural resources. Cost Estimate: $$ Cost Estimate: Core Service »Restore/improve riparian habitat. »Connection accepted by City Council in the Greenways Master Plan. *See Appendix D for a full list of which interest(s) each action meets. »As opportunities arise, collaborate with partner agencies to create local trail connections that minimize natural resource impacts. Staff Steve Mertz by historical limestone kiln after flood of September 2013 washed out Fourmile Canyon Creek channel. Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 81 North TSA Plan Recommendations: Wonderland Lake MAP 24: Wonderland Lake - Fourmile Canyon Creek Focus Area W5 W6 W7 W8 82 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org Action W8 Create Wonderland Lake backdrop loop trail connection by re-routing trails. (Antler Loop) Interests Met: 4* North TSA Plan Recommendations: Wonderland Lake MAP 25: Wonderland Lake - South Foothills Focus Area »Re-route existing designated and undesignated trails to provide more sustainable connections to the paragliding launch sites and visitors seeking a trail experience on the Wonderland hogback. Primary Goal »Provide new trail access to improve visitor experience, replace undesignated trails and reduce maintenance and management costs. Driving Factors/Benefits »Avoid sensitive natural resources through the addition of sustainable trails, re-routing of unsustainable trails and closure of undesignated trails. Cost Estimate: $$$ *See Appendix D for a full list of which interest(s) each action meets. Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 83 North TSA Plan Recommendations: Wonderland Lake MAP 25: Wonderland Lake - South Foothills Focus Area W8 84 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org Action W9 Re-route portion of the Wonderland Lake Trail. Interests Met: 2* A ction W10 Create a second, smaller Wonderland Lake backdrop loop trail. (Glider Access Trail) Interests Met: 3* North TSA Plan Recommendations: Wonderland Lake »Re-route the steep downhill section of trail just north of where it connects into Foothills South Trail. Primary Goal »Increase sustainability of this section of trail while minimizing impacts to rare plant communities including New Mexico feathergrass in this area. Cost Estimate: $$ MAP 26: Wonderland Lake - Wonderland Lake Backdrop Focus Area Cost Estimate: $$$ »Create a more sustainable trail connection to replace the existing glider access trail. Driving Factors/Benefits »Increase connectivity among trails. »Increase trail sustainability. Primary Goal »Increase recreation and loop trail opportunities for visitors. *See Appendix D for a full list of which interest(s) each action meets. Blooming New Mexico feathergrass. © Bill May. Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 85 North TSA Plan Recommendations: Wonderland Lake MAP 26: Wonderland Lake - Wonderland Lake Backdrop Focus Area W10 W9 86 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org Action W11 Improve Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) access on Wonderland Lake Trail. Interests Met: 5* Action W12 Prohibit boats and belly boats on Wonderland Lake. Interests Met: 2* A ction W13 Prohibit ice skating on Wonderland Lake. Interests Met: 2* Action W14 Allow sledding on Wonderland Lake dam. Interests Met: 2* A ction W15 Do not provide access to Wonderland Lake’s south, west and north shores. Interests Met: 1* North TSA Plan Recommendations: Wonderland Lake *See Appendix D for a full list of which interest(s) each action meets. Primary Goal »Provide more inclusive access to all types of visitors at Wonderland Lake Trail. Driving Factors/Benefits »This trail is suitable for improving ADA accessibility due to its grade, out-slope, trail width and lack of obstacles in the trail tread. Cost Estimate: $ Primary Goal »Provide greater protection of lake and wetland natural resources. Primary Goal »Creates consistent visitor access regulations and increases visitor safety. Primary Goal »Provide sledding access in an area that does not damage natural resources or have safety concerns. Primary Goal »Protect sensitive wetland resources on the south, west and north shores of Wonderland Lake. Driving Factors/Benefits »Consistent with restrictions to prohibit access on the lake in order to protect wetlands. Driving Factors/Benefits »Formalize an area where children/families can sled. Cost Estimate: $ Cost Estimate: $ Cost Estimate: $ MAP 27: Wonderland Lake - Wonderland Lake Focus Area Driving Factors/Benefits »Minimize disturbance to waterfowl and shorebirds. »Designate fishing access off of the dam, peninsula and a pier where visitor impacts to wetland resources can be minimized.Cost Estimate: $ Driving Factors/Benefits »Minimize disturbance to waterfowl, shorebirds and other wildlife. »Areas of the east shore are accessible for water access, fishing access and interpretive opportunities. Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 87 North TSA Plan Recommendations: Wonderland Lake MAP 27: Wonderland Lake - Lake Focus AreaMAP 27: Wonderland Lake - Wonderland Lake Focus Area W11 W12 W13 W15 W14 W3 W4 W16 W19 W17 88 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org Action W16 Provide access to the cattail marsh on north side of peninsula. Interests Met: 4* Action W17 Establish two hardened pullout areas on the peninsula for educational programming. Interests Met: 4* Action W18 Allow Wonderland Lake wading access from designated areas on the peninsula. Interests Met: 3* A ction W19 Create Wonderland Lake fishing pier. Interests Met: 6* North TSA Plan Recommendations: Wonderland Lake MAP 28: Wonderland Lake - Peninsula Focus Area Primary Goal »Increase opportunities for education and interpretive experiences, especially for families and youth. Driving Factors/Benefits »Provide out and back interpretive boardwalk access to the cattail marsh adjacent to peninsula where impacts can be minimized at this site and by protecting other wetland areas around the lake. Cost Estimate: $ »Provide increased beach access on the western edge of the peninsula. Primary Goal »Increase and define opportunities to access water to foster education and interpretive experiences. Primary Goal »Provide a special water access opportunity for improved visitor experience and nature study for youth. Primary Goal »Increase opportunities to fish, access water and provide education and interpretive experiences. Cost Estimate: $ Cost Estimate: $ Cost Estimate: $$ Driving Factors/Benefits »Mitigate conflicts among interpretive programs with children and families and other visitor activities. »Concentrate access into defined areas on to the peninsula, protecting wetland vegetation in other areas on the peninsula and around the lake. Driving Factors/Benefits »Access to water for visitors would be limited to peninsula and occur in location where impacts to natural resources can be minimized. »Increase consistency and compliance of regulations in this area. Driving Factors/Benefits »Provide fishing access alternative to enhance the safety for visitors traveling along the dam around those who are fishing. »Concentrate fishing and lake access to protect wetland vegetation in other areas around the lake. *See Appendix D for a full list of which interest(s) each action meets. Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 89 North TSA Plan Recommendations: Wonderland Lake MAP 28: Wonderland Lake - Peninsula Focus Area W19: Create fishing pier to increase opportunities for fishing, access to the water and education. W16: Create boardwalk access into the cattail marsh to increase opportunities for education and interpretation, especially for families and young people. W18: Allow visitors to wade into the water at designated access points. W17: Create defined spaces for educational programming on the peninsula. 90 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org MAP 29: Wonderland Lake - Trail-Based Dog Regulations North TSA Plan Recommendations: Wonderland Lake TRAIL NAME DOG REGULATION New Trails Wonderland Hill loop (Antler Loop)On-Corridor Voice and Sight Existing and Re-routed Trails with New Dog Regulations Old Kiln Trail On-Corridor Voice and Sight Re-routed Wonderland Hill glider access (Glider Access Trail)On-Corridor Voice and Sight Wonderland Hill south glider access off Pine Needle Road On-Corridor Voice and Sight Existing and Re-routed Trails with No Changes to Existing Dog Regulations Foothills South Trail Leash Required Wonderland Lake trails Leash Required Wonderland Lake peninsula trail Leash Required There are no new off-trail regulations in this subarea. Dogs are required to be on leash when off-trail in this subarea. Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 91 North TSA Plan Recommendations: Wonderland Lake MAP 29: Wonderland Lake - Trail-Based Dog Regulations 92 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org MAP 30: Wonderland Lake - Bike Regulations North TSA Plan Recommendations: Wonderland Lake TRAIL NAME BIKE REGULATION New Trails Wonderland Hill loop (Antler Loop)Bikes Prohibited Existing and Re-routed Trails with No Changes to Existing Bike Regulations Wonderland Lake trails Bikes Allowed Foothills South Trail Bikes Allowed Old Kiln Trail Bikes Prohibited Re-routed Wonderland Hill glider access (Glider Access Trail)Bikes Prohibited Wonderland Hill south glider access off Pine Needle Road Bikes Prohibited Wonderland Lake peninsula trail Bikes Prohibited There are no existing and re-routed trails with new bike regulations in this subarea. Cyclists demonstrating the Fruita Lean, a practice that allows other visitors to pass while minimizing resource impacts. Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 93 North TSA Plan Recommendations: Wonderland Lake MAP 30: Wonderland Lake - Bike Regulations 94 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org North TSA Plan Recommendations: Wonderland Lake TRAIL NAME HORSE REGULATION New Trails Wonderland Hill loop (Antler Loop)Horses Allowed Existing and Re-routed Trails with No Changes to Existing Horse Regulations Foothills South Trail Horses Allowed Old Kiln Trail Horses Allowed Re-routed Wonderland Hill glider access (Glider Access Trail)Horses Allowed Wonderland Hill south glider access off Pine Needle Road Horses Allowed Wonderland Lake trails Horses Allowed Wonderland Lake peninsula trail Horses Allowed Horses are allowed off-trail in this subarea. MAP 31: Wonderland Lake - Trail-Based Horse Regulations Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 95 North TSA Plan Recommendations: Wonderland Lake MAP 31: Wonderland Lake - Trail-Based Horse Regulations 96 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org North TSA Plan Recommendations: Wonderland Lake MAP 32: Wonderland Lake - Regulatory Settings Visitor access regulations pertain to the management of activities both on- and off-trail. The regulatory settings map includes on-trail and off-trail specific regulations where public access is restricted year-round, areas with seasonal wildlife closures and on-trail and off-trail dog regulations. Dog walker and cyclists at Wonderland Lake. Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 97 North TSA Plan Recommendations: Wonderland Lake MAP 32: Wonderland Lake - Regulatory Settings North Trail Study Area Plan | NorthTSA.org North TSA Plan Recommendations Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org North TSA Plan Recommendations Northern Properties Background photo: View towards Haystack Mountain across hayfields. 100 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org Action nP1 Designate Berman Brothers as an Agricultural Area. Interests Met: 3* Action nP2 Designate Stratton property as a Natural Area. Interests Met: 4* North TSA Plan Recommendations: Northern Properties Primary Goal »Implement VMP direction to provide management area designations for undesignated properties. Driving Factors/Benefits »Berman Brothers property has been designated as an agricultural land of statewide importance- suitable for hay or grazing with irrigation ditches. Cost Estimate: Core Service** Primary Goal »Implement VMP direction to provide management area designations for undesignated properties. Driving Factors/Benefits »Protect important natural resources throughout the property. »Create healthy habitats for native amphibians, native fish and potentially Preble’s meadow jumping mouse.Cost Estimate: Core Service MAP 33: Northern Properties - Management Area Designations *See Appendix D for a full list of which interest(s) each action meets. **Cost Equivalents $ = Less than $10,000 $$ = $10,000 to $49,999 $$$ = $50,000 to $250,000 $$$$ = More than $250,000 Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 101 North TSA Plan Recommendations: Northern Properties MAP 33: Northern Properties - Management Area Designations NP2 NP1 102 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org Action nP3 Collaborate to create a connection between the North TSA to Boulder County Parks and Open Space’s Lagerman/ Imel/AHI Open Space Complex. Interests Met: 3* Action nP4 Prohibit public access on Waldorf, Ryan, Andrea and Jacob properties. Interests Met: 3* A ction nP5 Prohibit public access on Bison and Oasis properties. Interests Met: 3* North TSA Plan Recommendations: Northern Properties »As opportunities arise, collaborate with partner agencies to create regional connections that minimize natural resource impacts. Primary Goal »Enhance regional connectivity and the creation of safe road crossings and trail connections. Cost Estimate: Core Service MAP 34: Northern Properties - Subarea-Wide Recommendations Driving Factors/Benefits »Provide greater opportunities for visitors and interconnectivity among adjacent trail systems. »Coordination/collaboration among OSMP and partner agencies to accomplish regional connections. Primary Goal »Conserve important habitat for sensitive species on properties with high ecological value. Cost Estimate: $ Driving Factors/Benefits »Conserve elk habitat adjacent to County preservation area. »Conserve nesting Northern Harrier habitat on Ryan, Jacob and Andrea. »Conserve geological resources on Waldorf. Primary Goal »Conserve agricultural and natural resources. Cost Estimate: $ Driving Factors/Benefits »Protect bobolinks and their habitat. »These properties are surrounded by private agricultural lands. »Bison is an agricultural land of statewide importance. *See Appendix D for a full list of which interest(s) each action meets. NOTE: The development of undesignated trails will be discouraged in the management of northern properties open to public access. Generally, future trail development on both open and closed northern properties will be evaluated in the context of regional trail connectivity, OSMP resources and be evaluated through regional planning processes to link existing trail networks and conserve important resources. Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 103 North TSA Plan Recommendations: Northern Properties MAP 34: Northern Properties - Subarea-Wide Recommendations NP3 NP4 NP5 NP6 NP7 NP8 NP9 104 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org A ction nP6 Prohibit public access on Steele and Bennett properties. Interests Met: 3* Action nP7 Allow public access on Johnson and Schooley properties. Interests Met: 3* Action nP8 Prohibit public access to Deluca, Hester and Campbell properties. Interests Met: 3* Action nP9 Prohibit public access to Stratton, Brewbaker, Berman Brothers, Bruning, Dodd and Abbott properties. Interests Met: 3* Primary Goal »Allow access to properties where impacts to natural and agricultural resources are less of a concern. Cost Estimate: $ North TSA Plan Recommendations: Northern Properties Driving Factors/Benefits »Minimal agricultural operations and sensitive natural resources on these properties. »Restoration of native grassland habitat is in progress on Johnson property. Primary Goal »Conserve agricultural and natural resources. Cost Estimate: $ Driving Factors/Benefits »Properties have active agricultural operations including cow/calf and grass hay production. »Conserve rare plant communities, shale communities, Bell’s twinpod, burrowing owls, native frog populations and wetlands on properties. Primary Goal »Conserve important habitat for sensitive species on properties with high ecological value. Cost Estimate: $ Driving Factors/Benefits »Protect bobolink and associated habitat on Deluca, Hester and Campbell. »Irrigated hay fields with active agricultural operations. Primary Goal »Conserve agricultural and natural resources. Cost Estimate: $ Driving Factors/Benefits »Create healthy habitats for native amphibians (including tiger salamanders), native fish and potentially Preble’s meadow jumping mouse; properties also include nesting and foraging habitat for raptors, rare plant communities and occupied prairie dog colonies. »Conserve land used for agricultural operations on Brewbaker, Bruning, Berman Brothers and Abbott (designated as agricultural land of statewide importance). »Dodd includes raptor habitat, occupied prairie dog colonies and high rattlesnake density, which would be a visitor safety concern. MAP 34: Northern Properties - Subarea-Wide Recommendations, continued *See Appendix D for a full list of which interest(s) each action meets. Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 105 North TSA Plan Recommendations: Northern Properties NP6 NP7 NP8 NP9 NP3 NP4 NP5 MAP 34: Northern Properties - Subarea-Wide Recommendations, continued A historic house on the Johnson property. 106 North Trail Study Area Plan (DRAFT) | NorthTSA.org North TSA Plan Recommendations: Northern Properties MAP 35: Northern Properties - Regulatory Settings Visitor access regulations pertain to the management of activities both on- and off-trail. The regulatory settings map includes on-trail and off-trail specific regulations where public access is restricted year-round, areas with seasonal wildlife closures and on-trail and off-trail dog regulations. Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org 107 North TSA Plan Recommendations: Northern Properties MAP 35: Northern Properties - Regulatory Settings North Trail Study Area Plan | NorthTSA.org North TSA Plan AppendicesBackground photo: Female Northern Harrier flying low over a field. © Dan Baldwin. Open Space and Mountain Parks | osmp.org North TSA Plan Appendices APPENDIX A: TSA-Wide and Subarea Maps APPENDIX B: Open Space Board of Trustees Meetings and Summary of Community Engagement APPENDIX C: Existing Infrastructure and Recommended Improvements for Trailheads APPENDIX D: Recommended Actions, Interests and Costs Table This page is intentionally left blank Appendix A A-1 A-2 This page is intentionally left blank DoddReservoirReservoir (Private) LefthandReservoir Swede Lakes BohnLake McCaslin Lake Allens Res. SpurgeonReservoirNo. 1 Boulde r Re se rv oir Lefthand Valley CootLake LagermanReservoir Steele Lakes Si xmil e Reservoir (P rivate) (Private) FoothillsReservoir Clover Basin Reservoir DavisReservoir TrevartonReservoir LoukonenReservoir TableMountain Foothills Boulder ValleyRanch Eagle WonderlandLake FourmileCanyon Creek Coyote Horseshoe Joder Ranch Buckingham Park Left Hand WALDORF BISON OASIS SCHOOLEY HESTER RYAN BREWBAKER DELUCA STEELE JOHNSONBRUNING CAMPBELL ABBOTT DODD JACOB BENNETT STRATTON BERMAN BROTHERS ANDREA JODER DAGLE 36 7 7 157 36 119 User: GardE1 Date: 3/3/2016 Path: E:\MapFiles\TSA\NorthTSA\DraftPlan\mxds\AppendixMaps\Management_Area_Designations.mxd 0 0.5 1 Miles North Trail Study Subareas OSMP Trailhead OSMP Access Point OSMP Recreational Feature Access Boulder County Trailhead North Trail Study Planning Area OSMP Multi-Use Trail OSMP Gliding Access Non-OSMP Managed Multi-Use Trail Non-OSMP Managed Hiking Trail Non-OSMP Planned Trail OSMP Hiking/Equestrian Trail Other Government Land Passive Recreation AreaNatural AreaHabitat Conservation AreaAgricultural Area Trail changes are depicted conceptually. Actual trail alignments will differ. OSMP Easement or Jointly Owned, County-Managed Land Management Area Designations New Management Area Designations New Trailhead Pave an Existing Road Repair an Existing TrailRe-route an Existing Trail Agricultural Area Passive Recreation AreaNatural Area Close & Restore the Current Alignment Designate an Undesignated TrailCreate a New Connection Upgrade Trailhead Close Access PointDesignate Access Point Recommended Actions A-3 TableMountain Foothills Boulder ValleyRanch Eagle WonderlandLake Joder Ranch Coyote Left Hand Buckingham Park Horseshoe FourmileCanyon Creek WALDORF BISON OASIS HESTER RYAN BREWBAKER DELUCA STEELE JOHNSONBRUNING CAMPBELL ABBOTT DODD ANDREA JACOB BENNETT STRATTON BERMAN BROTHERS SCHOOLEY JODER DAGLE 36 7 7 36 36 119 BroadwayLefthandCanyonDr.P oo r m anRd.L o oko ut Rd. Hygiene Rd.Geer Can yon Dr. Nelson Rd.N. 49th St.N. 55th St. Nimbus Rd.71stSt.N. 71st St.Diagonal Hwy.61stSt.Jay Rd. Valmont Rd.28thSt.Iris Ave.30thSt.Diagonal Hwy.Hwy 52 Folsom St.57th St.63rd St.55th St.49th St.Nebo Rd.N. 41st St.N. 39th St. Plateau Rd.N. 51st St. Rogers Rd. St. Vrain Rd.N. 59th St.N. 61st St.N. 75th St. Hygiene Rd.N. 65th St. Nelson Rd.N.63rdSt.N. 75th St. Pike Rd. Plateau Rd. Prospect Rd. Neva Rd. Yarm outh Ave. Linden Dr.N. BroadwayLi ndenDr. Valmont Dr.75th St.79thSt.Niwot Rd. Nimbus Rd.N. 73rd St.N. 77th St. Monarch Rd. James Canyo n Dr.Foothills Pkwy. Jay Rd.OurayD r.Olde Stage Rd.Violet Ave.19th St.Independence Rd.63rdSt.51st St.N.Foothills Hwy.Longhorn Rd.DoddReservoirReservoir(Private) LefthandReservoir Swede Lakes BohnLake McCaslin Lake Allens Res. SpurgeonReservoirNo. 1 Boulder Reservoi r Lefthand Valley CootLake LagermanReservoir Steele Lakes Sixmile Reservoir(Pri vate) (Private) FoothillsReservoir Clover Basin Reservoir DavisReservoir TrevartonReservoir LoukonenReservoir User: GardE1 Date: 3/3/2016 Path: E:\MapFiles\TSA\NorthTSA\DraftPlan\mxds\AppendixMaps\NTSA Wide Recommendations.mxd 0 0.5 1 Miles North Trail Study Subareas OSMP Trailhead OSMP Access Point OSMP Recreational Feature Access Boulder County Trailhead North Trail Study Planning Area OSMP Multi-Use Trail OSMP Gliding Access Non-OSMP Managed Multi-Use Trail Non-OSMP Managed Hiking Trail Non-OSMP Planned Trail OSMP Hiking/Equestrian Trail Trail changes are depicted conceptually. Actual trail alignments will differ. Build Safe Crossing Close Access Point Close Undesignated TrailUndesignated Trail Upgrade Trailhead Close to Public AccessOpen to Public Access Designate Access Point New Trailhead Pave an Existing Road Repair an Existing TrailRe-route an Existing Trail Create a new connectionDesignate an undesignated trail Close and Restore the current alignment Potential Future Connection Other Government Land OSMP Fee & Managed Property in the North TSA OSMP Easement or Jointly Owned, County-Managed Land Recommended Actions North Trail Study Area Recommendations A-4 User: GardE1 Date: 3/3/2016 Path: E:\MapFiles\TSA\NorthTSA\DraftPlan\mxds\AppendixMaps\North Foothills Recommendations.mxd 0 0.5 1 Miles North Trail Study Subareas OSMP Trailhead OSMP Access Point OSMP Recreational Feature Access Boulder County Trailhead North Trail Study Planning Area OSMP Multi-Use Trail OSMP Gliding Access Non-OSMP Managed Multi-Use Trail Non-OSMP Managed Hiking Trail Non-OSMP Planned Trail OSMP Hiking/Equestrian Trail Trail changes are depicted conceptually. Actual trail alignments will differ. Other Government Land OSMP Fee & Managed Property in the North TSA OSMP Easement or Jointly Owned, County-Managed Land North Foothills Subarea Recommendations Close Access Point Close Undesignated TrailUndesignated Trail Upgrade TrailheadDesignate Access Point New Trailhead Repair an Existing TrailRe-route an Existing Trail Create a new connectionDesignate an undesignated trail Close and Restore the current alignmentPotential Future Connection Recommended Actions Joder Ranch Buckingham Park A-5 Reservoir (Private) SpurgeonReservoirNo. 1 B ou lder Reserv oir Lefthand Valley CootLake Sixmil e Reserv oir (Pr ivate) LoukonenReservoir 36 7 Close Undesignated TrailUndesignated Trail Upgrade TrailheadDesignate Access Point Potential Future Connection User: GardE1 Date: 3/3/2016 Path: E:\MapFiles\TSA\NorthTSA\DraftPlan\mxds\AppendixMaps\BVR Subarea Recommendations.mxd 0 0.5 1 Miles North Trail Study Subareas OSMP Trailhead OSMP Access Point OSMP Recreational Feature Access Boulder County Trailhead North Trail Study Planning Area OSMP Multi-Use Trail OSMP Gliding Access Non-OSMP Managed Multi-Use Trail Non-OSMP Managed Hiking Trail Non-OSMP Planned Trail OSMP Hiking/Equestrian Trail Trail changes are depicted conceptually. Actual trail alignments will differ. Other Government Land OSMP Fee & Managed Property in the North TSA OSMP Easement or Jointly Owned, County-Managed Land Date: 3/3/2016 Recommended Actions Boulder Valley Ranch Subarea RecommendationsNorth Trail Study Area Lands Lands Not Included in the North Trail Study Area New Trailhead Pave an Existing Road Repair an Existing TrailRe-route an Existing Trail Create a New ConnectionDesignate an Undesignated Trail Close and Restore the Current Alignment A-6 GLIDERWON D E R LAND L A K EANTLERLOOPOLDK I L N GL I DER WONDERLANDLAKEFOOTHILLS SOUTHBuild Safe CrossingClose Access Point Close Undesignated Trail Upgrade Trailhead Close to Public Access Designate Access Point New Trailhead Re-route an Existing Trail Create a new connectionDesignate an undesignated trail Close and Restore the current alignmentPotential Future Connection Recommended Actions WonderlandLake FourmileCanyon Creek WonderlandLake User: GardE1 Date: 3/3/2016 Path: E:\MapFiles\TSA\NorthTSA\DraftPlan\mxds\AppendixMaps\Wonderland Subarea Recommendations.mxd 0 500 1,000 Feet North Trail Study Subareas OSMP Trailhead OSMP Access Point OSMP Recreational Feature Access Boulder County Trailhead North Trail Study Planning Area OSMP Multi-Use Trail OSMP Gliding Access Non-OSMP Managed Multi-Use Trail Non-OSMP Managed Hiking Trail Non-OSMP Planned Trail OSMP Hiking/Equestrian Trail Trail changes are depicted conceptually. Actual trail alignments will differ. Other Government Land OSMP Fee & Managed Property in the North TSA OSMP Easement or Jointly Owned, County-Managed Land Maintain ADA Standards Date: 3/3/2016 Wonderland Lake Subarea Recommendations A-7 Joder Ranch DoddReservoirReservoir(Private) LefthandReservoir Swede Lakes BohnLake McCaslin Lake Allens Res. SpurgeonReservoirNo. 1 Bo ulder R eservoir Lefthand Valley CootLake LagermanReservoir Steele Lakes Six mile Reservoir (Private) (Private) FoothillsReservoir Clover Basin Reservoir DavisReservoir TrevartonReservoir LoukonenReservoir Looko ut Rd. Hygiene Rd.Geer Ca n y on Dr. Nelson Rd.N. 49th St.N. 55th St. Nimbus Rd.71stSt.N. 71st St.Diagonal Hwy.Hwy 52 63rd St.55th St.49th St.Nebo Rd.N. 41st St.N. 39th St. Plateau Rd.N. 51st St. Rogers Rd. St. Vrain Rd.N. 59th St.N. 61st St.N. 75th St.N. 65th St. Nelson Rd.N.63rdSt.N. 75th St. Pike Rd. Plateau Rd. Prospect Rd.N. 63rd St. Neva Rd. Yarmou th Ave .N. Broadway75th St.Niwot Rd. Nimbus Rd.N. 73rd St.N. 77th St. Monarch Rd.OurayD r . Violet Ave.63rdSt.51st St.N.Foothills Hwy.Longhorn Rd. 36 7 User: GardE1 Date: 3/3/2016 Path: E:\MapFiles\TSA\NorthTSA\DraftPlan\mxds\AppendixMaps\Northern Properties Recommendations.mxd 0 0.5 1 Miles North Trail Study Subareas OSMP Trailhead OSMP Access Point OSMP Recreational Feature Access Boulder County Trailhead North Trail Study Planning Area OSMP Multi-Use Trail OSMP Gliding Access Non-OSMP Managed Multi-Use Trail Non-OSMP Managed Hiking Trail Non-OSMP Planned Trail OSMP Hiking/Equestrian Trail Trail changes are depicted conceptually. Actual trail alignments will differ. Other Government Land OSMP Fee & Managed Property in the North TSA OSMP Easement or Jointly Owned, County-Managed Land Northern Properties Subarea Recommendations Close Access Point Close Undesignated TrailUndesignated Trail Upgrade TrailheadDesignate Access Point New Trailhead Repair an Existing TrailRe-route an Existing Trail Create a new connectionDesignate an undesignated trail Close and Restore the current alignmentPotential Future Connection Recommended Actions Close to Public Access Open to Public Access A-8 TableMountain WALDORF BISON OASIS SCHOOLEY HESTER RYAN BREWBAKER DELUCA STEELE JOHNSONBRUNING CAMPBELL ABBOTT DODD ANDREA JACOB BENNETT STRATTON BERMAN BROTHERS JODER DAGLE Foothills Boulder ValleyRanch Eagle WonderlandLake FourmileCanyon Creek Horseshoe Buckingham Park Left Hand Coyote Joder Ranch 36 7 7 157 36 36 119DoddR eservoirReservoir(Private) LefthandReservoir Swede Lakes BohnLake McCaslin Lake Allens Res. SpurgeonReservoirNo. 1 Boulder Reservoir Lefthand Valley CootLake LagermanReservoir Steele Lakes S ixmile Reservoir (P rivate) (Private) FoothillsReservoir Clover Basin Reservoir DavisReservoir TrevartonReservoir LoukonenReservoir 0 0.5 1 Miles User: GardE1 Date: 3/3/2016 Path: E:\MapFiles\TSA\NorthTSA\DraftPlan\mxds\RegulationsMaps\TSA_Wide\TSA_Wide_Dogs.mxd OSMP Recreational Feature Access OSMP Access Point OSMP Trailhead North Trail Study Subareas North Trail Study Planning Area Boulder County Trailhead Non-OSMP Managed Hiking Trail Non-OSMP Managed Multi-Use Trail Non-OSMP Planned Trail North Trail Study Area Lands Lands Not Included in the North Trail Study AreaOSMP Easement or Jointly Owned, County-Managed Land OSMP Fee & Managed Property in the North TSA Other Government Land North Trail Study Area Dog Recommendations Recommended Actions Open to Public AccessClose to Public Access Undesignated TrailClose Undesignated Trail Close Access PointNew TrailheadUpgrade TrailheadDesignate Access Point Potential Future Connection Voice and Sight Trail Dog RegulationsDogs Prohibited Leash RequiredOn-Corridor Voice and Sight Leash Required:Dogs Prohibited May1 - July 31 A-9 TableMountain WALDORF BISON OASIS SCHOOLEY HESTER RYAN BREWBAKER DELUCA STEELE JOHNSONBRUNING CAMPBELL ABBOTT DODD ANDREA JACOB BENNETT STRATTON BERMAN BROTHERS JODER DAGLE Foothills Boulder ValleyRanch Eagle WonderlandLake FourmileCanyon Creek Horseshoe Buckingham Park Left Hand Coyote Joder Ranch 36 7 7 157 36 36 119DoddR eservoirReservoir(Private) LefthandReservoir Swede Lakes BohnLake McCaslin Lake Allens Res. SpurgeonReservoirNo. 1 Boulder Reservoir Lefthand Valley CootLake LagermanReservoir Steele Lakes S ixmile Reservoir (P rivate) (Private) FoothillsReservoir Clover Basin Reservoir DavisReservoir TrevartonReservoir LoukonenReservoir North Trail Study Area Bike Recommendations User: GardE1 Date: 3/3/2016 Path: E:\MapFiles\TSA\NorthTSA\DraftPlan\mxds\RegulationsMaps\TSA_Wide\TSA_Wide_Bikes.mxd 0 0.5 1 Miles North Trail Study Area Lands Lands Not Included in the North Trail Study Area OSMP Recreational Feature Access OSMP Access Point OSMP Trailhead North Trail Study Subareas North Trail Study Planning Area OSMP Easement or Jointly Owned, County-Managed Land OSMP Fee & Managed Property in the North TSA Non-OSMP Managed Hiking Trail Non-OSMP Managed Multi-Use Trail Non-OSMP Planned TrailBoulder County Trailhead Other Government Land Bikes Allowed Bike RegulationsDirectional Travel &Temporal Restrictions Bikes Prohibited Recommended Actions Open to Public AccessClose to Public Access Undesignated TrailClose Undesignated Trail Close Access PointNew TrailheadUpgrade TrailheadDesignate Access Point Potential Future Connection A-10 TableMountain WALDORF BISON OASIS SCHOOLEY HESTER RYAN BREWBAKER DELUCA STEELE JOHNSONBRUNING CAMPBELL ABBOTT DODD ANDREA JACOB BENNETT STRATTON BERMAN BROTHERS JODER DAGLE Foothills Boulder ValleyRanch Eagle WonderlandLake FourmileCanyon Creek Horseshoe Buckingham Park Left Hand Coyote Joder Ranch 36 7 7 157 36 119DoddR eservoirReservoir(Private) LefthandReservoir Swede Lakes BohnLake McCaslin Lake Allens Res. SpurgeonReservoirNo. 1 Boulde r Reservoir Lefthand Valley CootLake LagermanReservoir Steele Lakes Sixm ile Reservoir(Priva te) (Private) FoothillsReservoir Clover Basin Reservoir DavisReservoir TrevartonReservoir LoukonenReservoir Horse Regulations Horses ProhibitedHorses Allowed Recommended Actions Close Undesignated Trail Close Access PointNew TrailheadUpgrade TrailheadDesignate Access Point Potential Future Connection Undesignated Trail Close to Public AccessOpen to Public Access 0 0.5 1 Miles User: GardE1 Date: 3/3/2016 Path: E:\MapFiles\TSA\NorthTSA\DraftPlan\mxds\RegulationsMaps\TSA_Wide\TSA_Wide_Horses.mxd OSMP Recreational Feature Access OSMP Access Point OSMP Trailhead North Trail Study Subareas North Trail Study Planning Area Boulder County Trailhead Non-OSMP Managed Hiking Trail Non-OSMP Managed Multi-Use Trail Non-OSMP Planned Trail North Trail Study Area Lands Lands Not Included in the North Trail Study AreaOSMP Easement or Jointly Owned, County-Managed Land OSMP Fee & Managed Property in the North TSA Other Government Land North Trail Study Area Horse Recommendations A-11 TableMountain Foothills Boulder ValleyRanch Eagle WonderlandLake Joder Ranch Coyote Left Hand Buckingham Park Horseshoe FourmileCanyon Creek WALDORF BISON OASIS HESTER RYAN BREWBAKER DELUCA STEELE JOHNSONBRUNING CAMPBELL ABBOTT DODD ANDREA JACOB BENNETT STRATTON BERMAN BROTHERS SCHOOLEY JODER DAGLE 36 7 7 36 36 119 BroadwayLefthandCanyonDr.P oo r m anRd.L o oko ut Rd. Hygiene Rd.Geer Can yon Dr. Nelson Rd.N. 49th St.N. 55th St. Nimbus Rd.71stSt.N. 71st St.Diagonal Hwy.61stSt.Jay Rd. Valmont Rd.28thSt.Iris Ave.30thSt.Diagonal Hwy.Hwy 52 Folsom St.57th St.63rd St.55th St.49th St.Nebo Rd.N. 41st St.N. 39th St. Plateau Rd.N. 51st St. Rogers Rd. St. Vrain Rd.N. 59th St.N. 61st St.N. 75th St. Hygiene Rd.N. 65th St. Nelson Rd.N.63rdSt.N. 75th St. Pike Rd. Plateau Rd. Prospect Rd. Neva Rd. Yarm outh Ave. Linden Dr.N. BroadwayLi ndenDr. Valmont Dr.75th St.79thSt.Niwot Rd. Nimbus Rd.N. 73rd St.N. 77th St. Monarch Rd. James Canyo n Dr.Foothills Pkwy. Jay Rd.OurayD r.Olde Stage Rd.Violet Ave.19th St.Independence Rd.63rdSt.51st St.N.Foothills Hwy.Longhorn Rd.DoddReservoirReservoir(Private) LefthandReservoir Swede Lakes BohnLake McCaslin Lake Allens Res. SpurgeonReservoirNo. 1 Boulder Reservoi r Lefthand Valley CootLake LagermanReservoir Steele Lakes Sixmile Reservoir(Pri vate) (Private) FoothillsReservoir Clover Basin Reservoir DavisReservoir TrevartonReservoir LoukonenReservoir 0 0.5 1 Miles North Trail Study Subareas OSMP Access Point North Trail Study Planning Area HCA Boundary New TrailheadNew Access Point Visitor Access Regulations Close Access Point North Trail Study Area Regulatory Settings Trail Dog RegulationsDogs Prohibited On-Corridor Voice and Sight Leash Required Voice and Sight Dog Regulation Areas Leash RequiredDogs Prohibited Voice and Sight Control OSMP Easement or Jointly Owned, County-Managed LandOther Government Land Seasonal Raptor ClosureLeash Required; Dogs ProhibitedMay 1 - July 31 Closed to Off-trail Public Access A-12 Appendix B B-1 B-2 This page is intentionally left blank Appendix B: Open Space Board of Trustees Meetings and Summary of Community Engagement The OSBT hosted the North TSA process and with Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) staff held nine public meetings, four study sessions and three public hearings to gather public input and comment, to provide feedback to staff on the planning process, to evolve plan scenarios, to approve plan sideboards and to determine which scenario to use as the basis for the draft plan. OSBT Meetings and Study Sessions Date Type of Meeting Discussion Topic February 10, 2016 Public Hearing North TSA Updated Refined Scenarios January 13 and 14, 2016 Study Session North TSA Refined Scenarios December 9, 2015 Update North TSA Update November 16, 2015 Study Session North TSA Preliminary Scenarios October 14, 2015 Update North TSA Update September 9, 2015 Update North TSA Update August 12, 2015 Study Session North TSA Interests July 8, 2015 Update North TSA and Youth Engagement Update June 15, 2015 Public Hearing and Update North TSA Sideboards and Update on North TSA Planning Process and Inventory and Assessment Report May 15, 2015 Update North TSA Update April 8, 2015 Matters Draft Board Editorial for the North TSA Plan March 11, 2015 Update North TSA Update February 18, 2015 Study Session North TSA Scope, Goals, Process and Public Engagement Strategy How the public engaged in the North TSA Plan •Nine community workshops •On-site, local store-front, neighborhood and Latino community engagement •Inspire Boulder, the city’s internet-based participatory platform B-3 •Email and social media submissions •Youth engagement Community Workshops Four community workshops were held during which the community shared their thoughts on important resources within the North TSA, the proposed plan sideboards and their interests in the North TSA. Two informational panels were held where experts informed the community about visitor and natural resource management strategies. Two workshops were held to unveil and refine preliminary scenarios and a final workshop was held to unveil and continue to the revise the refined scenarios. Community Workshops Date Topic December 10, 2015 Community Information Session and Workshop for Refined Scenarios for the North TSA October 19, 2015 Community Workshop to Refine Preliminary Scenarios for the North TSA October 5, 2015 Community Workshop to Learn About and Provide Feedback on Preliminary Scenarios for the North TSA September 2, 2015 Expert Panel on Natural Resources August 26, 2015 Expert Panel on Trail Sustainability and Visitor Experience June 27, 2015 Community Workshop to Discuss Interests in the North TSA June 24, 2015 Community Workshop to Discuss Interests in the North TSA May 6, 2015 Community Workshop to Kick Off Development of the North TSA Plan May 2, 2015 Community Workshop to Kick Off Development of the North TSA Plan On-site, local store-front, neighborhood and Latino community engagement OSMP staff conducted on-site engagement in the North TSA and went into the community to collect information from community members at trailheads and local coffee shops. Community members shared what they thought needed to be improved, changed or preserved within the North TSA and why. OSMP staff also engaged with the Latino community by attending an event at Holiday Park. Written and Electronic Communications B-4 OSMP received close to 1,000 separate comments during the development of the North TSA Plan from the NorthTSA.org web page, e-mails, comments submitted through Inspire Boulder, social media submissions and written letters. OSMP created several compendia of public input containing the individual comments submitted as part of the North TSA planning process. Youth Engagement Open Space and Mountain Parks partnered with Growing Up Boulder to engage children and youth in the North TSA planning process through the following events. Youth Engagement Date Event/Topic July 11, 2015 Family Day at Wonderland Lake was an opportunity for children and families to provide feedback on what they’d like to see in the North TSA and why. June - July, 2015 Five OSMP Junior Ranger crews provided feedback on what they do and don’t like about the conditions in the North TSA. June 2015 Boulder Journey School pre-schoolers shared what they value about open space during a fieldtrip to Wonderland Lake. May 1, 2015 Youth Advisory Board high school students provided input on effective ways to involve youth in the North TSA planning process. B-5 Appendix C C-1 C-2 This page is intentionally left blank Appendix C: Existing Infrastructure and Recommended Improvements for Trailheads In 2008, OSMP classified all trailheads based on visitation levels. Information from the 2004-05 Visitor Survey and staff knowledge was used to estimate the visitation levels. The following table displays types of trailheads. The estimated visitation for each category breaks down as follows: 1-10,000 visits per year were classified as very low, 10-25,000 as low, 25-50,000 as medium, 50-90,000 as high and 90-110,000 as very high. Types of Trailheads Class Description Estimated Use TH1 Simple/Minor Developed Trailhead Very Low Use TH2 Developed/Improved Trailhead Medium Use TH3 Fully Developed Trailhead High to Very High Use Each class has associated amenities that must be present to comply with the standard. OSMP inventoried all the trailheads in the North TSA and identified the improvements needed to bring sites up to standards. The following table lists what is currently present at the sites and what is needed. Trailhead Name Class Existing Infrastructure What is Needed Joder Interim T1 Kiosk Dog Station Dog Compost Station Parking Bollard (wooden) Bike Rack Trash Can Parking Spaces (5) Horse Trailer Parking Spaces (2) Reflector Sticks Near Large Rocks and Other Hazards Fencing Lefthand T1 Kiosk Fencing Bike Rack Trash Can Parking Bollard (wooden) Parking Spaces (36) Reflectors on Fence Parking ADA Parking Space (1) Vehicle Gate at Entry Dog Station Dog Compost Station Sage/Boulder Valley Ranch T1 Kiosk Dog Station Dog Compost Station Replace Outhouse Parking Bollard Reflectors on Fence Parking C-3 Trailhead Name Class Existing Infrastructure What is Needed Fencing Outhouse (ADA toilet is not up to standards) Bike Rack Trash Can Parking Spaces (18) ADA Parking Space (1) No Parking Along Longhorn Road Eagle T1 Kiosk Dog Station Dog Compost Station Fencing Bike Rack Trash Can Parking Spaces (24) ADA Parking Space Parking Bollard Vehicle Gate at Entry Reflectors on Fence Parking Foothills T1 Kiosk Dog Station Fencing Bike Rack Trash Can Parking Spaces (17) ADA parking space Parking Bollard Reflectors on Fence Parking Larger/wider vehicle entrance Widen Trailhead to the South Dog Compost Station Fourmile Creek T1 Kiosk Dog Station Fencing Bike Rack Trash Can Parking Spaces (37) ADA Parking Spaces (4) Resurface Trailhead Parking Bollard Reflector Sticks Near Large Rocks and Other Hazards Reflectors on Fence Parking Larger/wider vehicle entrance Re-align kiosk/dog station Dog Compost Station Wonderland Lake T2 Kiosk Dog Station Fencing Picnic Tables Bike Rack Trash Can Parking Spaces (20) ADA Parking Spaces (2) To be determined with Foothills Nature Center site planning. Buckingham Park T3 Kiosk Fencing Outhouse (ADA toilet) Picnic Tables (3) Bike Rack Trash Cans (2 sets of 2; 1 recycle) Replace Outhouse Parking Bollard Reflectors on Fence Parking Reflector Sticks Near Large Rocks and Other Hazards Dog Station Dog Compost Station C-4 Trailhead Name Class Existing Infrastructure What is Needed Grills (1) Parking Spaces (35) ADA Parking Space (1) C-5 Appendix D D-1 D-2 This page is intentionally left blank Appendix D: Recommended Actions, Interests and Costs Table *Staffing and fieldwork related costs to determine final trail alignments are not included in cost estimates. Cost estimates do include permitting, engineering, materials, contractor and staffing related costs to construct trails. Cost Equivalents $ Less than $10,000 $$ $10,000 to $49,999 $$$ $50,000 to $250,000 $$$$ More than $250,000 Action Title Action Action Reference # Interests Cost Cost Notes TSA-Wide Provide management area designations for properties without designations to guide management actions. •Retain the Joder and Cox property designation as a HabitatConservation Area (HCA) and implement as part of the NorthFoothills HCA. •Designate Dagle II, Stratton, Lappin, IBM open space easement, Hart-Jones Exchange and Palo Park properties as Natural Areas. •Limit public access to on trail travel on IBM open space easementproperty. •Designate Dakota Ridge Village property as a Passive RecreationArea. •Designate Berman Brothers as an Agricultural Area. T1 = Joder T2 = Dagle T3 =Dakota Ridge T4 =Berman Brothers T5=Stratton T6 =Lappin T7 =IBM T8 =Hart-Jones T9 = Palo Park Core Service Collaborate with partner agencies to create regional connections. As opportunities arise, collaborate with partner agencies to create the following regional trail connections that minimize natural resource impacts. •North TSA to Boulder County Parks and Open Space’s Heil Valley Ranch. The North TSA Plan does not preclude future public planning processes to assess a regional connector trail connection to Heil Ranch on the Buckingham property. •North TSA to Boulder County Parks and Open Space’s Lagerman/Imel/AHI Open Space Complex. •A Boulder-to-Lyons trail connection including the efforts of the Rocky Mountain Greenway Project. •IBM Connector Trail (construction pending). •Fourmile Canyon Creek Trail underpass to Cottonwood Trail (construction pending). •Eagle Trail to the planned Boulder Reservoir Trail. T10 = NTSA to Heil Valley T11=NTSA to Lagerman T12= Boulder to Lyons T13 = IBM Connector T14 = Fourmile Canyon Creek T15 = Eagle Trail to Boulder Reservoir Trail Core Service Collaborate with partner agencies to create local trail connections. As opportunities arise, collaborate with partner agencies to create the following local trail connections that minimize natural resource impacts. •Joder Trail to Buckingham Park via Olde Stage Road (in progress). •Joder Ranch and Boulder County’s Six-Mile Fold. Boulder County will conduct its own public planning process to determine accessand management of visitors on Six Mile Fold. OSMP willcoordinate with the county’s planning efforts to determine if andwhere trails could be located in this area. •City of Boulder’s Area III park site to the North TSA. T16 = Joder to Buckingham via Olde Stage Rd T17 = Joder Ranch and Six-Mile Fold T18 = Boulder’s Area III T19 = Boulder Reservoir to Niwot Rd T20 = Fourmile Canyon Creek Greenway Core Service D-3 Action Title Action Action Reference # Interests Cost Cost Notes • Boulder Reservoir to Niwot Road. • Fourmile Canyon Creek Greenway path to Foothills Community Park. Designate undesignated access points that connect with new or existing designated trails. T21 $$ This will be time intensive for the sign group. New infrastructure and maps, regulatory information, and way finding signs will need to be installed. Bring all trails up to standards. Conduct maintenance activities to bring trails up to OSMP sustainable trail guidelines. T22 $$$ One time contracted cost to surface Foothills South (part not included in reroute). All other major trails are covered by a reroute. Bring all trailheads and access points up to standards. Update, replace and install infrastructure to bring existing trailheads and access points up to OSMP standards. T23 $$$ Fourmile Canyon Creek Trailhead: Includes costs for asphalt replacement, fixing drainage and infrastructure. Buckingham: Costs for infrastructure upgrades and for outhouse replacement. Remove unnecessary fencing and use wildlife friendly fencing. Remove fencing that is no longer serving a function and when modifying or installing fencing in implementation of the North TSA, ensure fencing is wildlife friendly. T24 $$ Allow natural revegetation or restore all undesignated trails not integrated into designated trail connections. T25 $$$ Some restoration of undesignated trails could be accomplished by the Trails staff as part of adjacent trail re-routes or construction. Assess and prevent the introduction and spread of priority invasive plants. Assess and prevent the introduction and spread of priority invasive plants along new trail connections and decommissioned or undesignated trail sections under restoration. T26 $ Costs for invasive plant species management associated with trail work can’t fully be assessed until the vegetation responds to trail related disturbances and until exact alignments for new trails/connectors are established. Create interpretive information and messages about unique, rare and sensitive resources. T27 $$ Design, fabrication and installation of three interpretive panels. North Foothills Subarea Retain the Joder property as a Habitat Conservation Area (HCA). Retain the management area designation and include as part of the North Foothills HCA. NF1 $ One time costs include new signs and administrative costs. Enforcement costs are not included and are on- going. D-4 Action Title Action Action Reference # Interests Cost Cost Notes Designate Dagle II property as a Natural Area. NF2 Core Service Designate Dakota Ridge Village property as a Passive Recreation Area. NF3 Core Service Collaborate to create a trail connection from North TSA to Boulder County Parks and Open Space’s Heil Valley Ranch. As opportunities arise, collaborate with partner agencies to create regional trail connections that minimize natural resource impacts. The North TSA Plan does not preclude future public planning processes to assess a regional trail connection to Heil Ranch on the Buckingham property. NF4 Core Service Collaborate to create a connection from Joder Ranch Trail to Buckingham Park via Olde Stage Road (in progress). As opportunities arise, collaborate with partner agencies to create local trail connections that minimize natural resource impacts. NF5 $ Cost estimate mainly covers traffic control. Collaborate to create a connection between Joder Ranch and Boulder County’s Six-Mile Fold property. As opportunities arise, collaborate with partner agencies to create local trail connections that minimize natural resource impacts. Boulder County will conduct its own public planning process to determine access and management of visitors onto Six-Mile Fold. OSMP will coordinate with the county’s planning efforts to determine if and where trails could be located to provide access to this area and minimize natural resource impacts. NF6 Core Service Close Cottonwood Recreation Area. NF7 $ Cost estimate includes removal of flood damaged infrastructure. Realign western section of the Interim Joder Trail near the Buckingham property. (Joder Ranch Trail) NF8 $$ Cost estimate includes labor only. Cost of materials is not included. Construct one loop trail on the northwest section of the Joder property. (Mahogany Loop) NF9 $$$ Construct a new trailhead for passenger vehicle parking on the Dagle/Wright properties. (Coyote Trailhead) NF10 $$$ Cost estimate does not include an outhouse. D-5 Action Title Action Action Reference # Interests Cost Cost Notes Construct a connector trail from the new trailhead (Coyote Trailhead) on the Dagle property to the Joder Ranch Trail. NF11 $ The existing road is sufficient for a trail. Some trail infrastructure, signs, fencing may be needed to delineate trail corridor. Retain Interim Joder Trailhead. (Joder Ranch Trailhead) NF12 $ Make minor adjustments and update signs. Construct a north-south connector trail from Foothills Trail to the Joder Ranch Trail west of U.S. 36. (North Sky Trail) Construct a trail from the southern section of the Railroad Grade, west of Foothills Business Park, connecting to the Joder Ranch Trail. Use best efforts to locate connector trail through the conservation easement. NF13 $$$$ Includes construction, permits, mitigation. Include the connector trail in the muddy closure program. NF14 Core Service Post educational signs about the North Foothills HCA. Include information about the area’s important natural resources as well as safety concerns such as rattlesnakes. NF15 $$ Design, fabricate and install two interpretive signs. Re-route Hogback Trail. NF16 $$$ Re-route Foothills Trail where it connects to Hogback Trail and eastward to U.S. 36. NF17 $$$ Cost includes surfacing all of Foothills North. D-6 Action Title Action Action Reference # Interests Cost Cost Notes Do not allow off-trail permits for the area inside the Joder loop trail for two years following the trail’s construction. (Mahogany Loop) NF18 $ Cost estimate includes cost of signs and administrating changes to the off-trail permit program. Do not allow off-trail permits within the North Foothills HCA. Off-trail permits not allowed in the North Foothills HCA except for areas west and north of Joder Ranch Trail and inside the Mahogany Loop. NF19 $ Cost estimate includes cost of signs and administrating changes to the off-trail permit program. Leash required with seasonal closure from May 1 – July 31 on Joder connector trail. (North Sky Trail) N/A $ One time costs include new signs and administrative costs. Does not include enforcement costs which are on-going. Dogs prohibited on the Joder loop trail. (Mahogany Loop) N/A $ One time costs include new signs and administrative costs. Does not include enforcement costs which are on-going. Boulder Valley Ranch Subarea Provide management area designations for properties without designations to guide management actions. Designate Lappin property, IBM open space easement property, Hart-Jones Exchange property and Palo Park property as Natural Areas. Limit public access to on-trail travel on IBM open space easement property. B1 = Lappin B2 = IBM open space easement B3 = Hart Jones Exchange B4 = Palo Park Core Service Collaborate with partner agencies to create regional trail connections. As opportunities arise, collaborate with partner agencies to create the following regional trail connections that minimize natural resource impacts. • City of Boulder’s Area III park site to the North TSA. • A Boulder-to-Lyons trail connection including the efforts of the Rocky Mountain Greenway Project. • IBM Connector Trail (construction pending). • Fourmile Canyon Creek Trail underpass to Cottonwood Trail (construction pending. • Eagle Trail to the planned Boulder Reservoir Trail. B5 = Area III properties B6 = Boulder-to-Lyons trail B7= IBM connector trail B8 =Fourmile Canyon Creek trail underpass B9 = Eagle to Boulder Reservoir trail Core Service Provide public access to portions of Lappin, Lousberg, Papini and B.L.I.P. properties while protecting sensitive natural resources. Protect aquatic and wetland resources around ponds on these properties by not allowing public access to the ponds. B10 $$ Cost estimate includes the cost of signs and fencing. Designate access point for where Lefthand Trail connects to Neva Road. B11 Core Service D-7 Action Title Action Action Reference # Interests Cost Cost Notes Bring Lefthand Trailhead up to standards. Include horse trailer parking at Lefthand Trailhead. B12 $$$ Includes design work to add two horse trailer parking spots, fencing and infrastructure. This trailhead upgrade will not include the addition of an outhouse. The Beech Pavilion includes an outhouse. Improve Lefthand Trail. B13 $$$ This project cost estimate is evaluated similarly to new trail construction due to the amount of time that will be required to improve trail condition. "Pavers" will be required. Designate a connector trail from Lefthand Trail to the Lake Valley Estates neighborhood. B14 $ Cost estimate includes trail improvements and new sign infrastructure. Create a connection via the Boulder Reservoir to Niwot Road. (Talon Trail) Create a regional trail connection that minimizes natural resource impacts. Work with partner agencies to determine the most feasible trail alignment with a preference for an alignment along 55th Street. B15 $$$ Cost estimate includes working with county transportation on feasibility of trail alignment along roadway easement, driveway and ditch crossings and fencing. Bring Eagle Trailhead up to standards. Include horse trailer parking at Eagle Trailhead. B16 $$$ Includes design work to add two horse trailer parking spots, fencing and infrastructure. This trailhead upgrade will not include addition of an outhouse. Bring Foothills Trailhead up to standards. B17 $$ Includes updating infrastructure. This trailhead upgrade will not include addition of an outhouse. Add a new trailhead at the Degge Trail access point. (Horseshoe Trailhead) Provide additional parking capacity and horse trailer parking. B18 $$$ Includes design work to add passenger vehicle parking, horse trailer parking, fencing, infrastructure and an outhouse. Permitting costs are also included. D-8 Action Title Action Action Reference # Interests Cost Cost Notes Create a trail connection between Foothills and Degge trails, re-route Degge Trail. Provide a trail connection from Foothills Trail to re-routed west end of Degge Trail. B19 $$ Trail will be surfaced. Replace existing trails north of Mesa Reservoir with new trail connections. Replace Old Mill and Cobalt trails with a single new trail and replace western section of Eagle Trail and steep, downhill section of Eagle Trail with new re-routed connections. B20 $$$ Replace undesignated trails through sensitive resources with a single trail. (Shale Trail) Provide a sustainable connection with Sage Trailhead, by replacing undesignated trails through shale barrens and rare plant habitat with one new designated trail with educational signs for pedestrians and equestrians north of Mesa Reservoir. B21 $$$ Includes the cost of one interpretive sign. Provide nature-viewing access at Mesa Reservoir. B22 $ Includes the cost of a simple spur trail. Replace existing trails with a new trail connection south of Mesa Reservoir. Replace southern sections of Mesa Reservoir Trail and the Hidden Valley Trail with a new single trail connection. B23 $$$ Pave Longhorn Road. Pave or resurface Longhorn Road with an alternative permeable surface material. B24 $$$$ Bring Sage (BVR) Trailhead up to standards. Improve restroom facilities. B25 $$$ Includes replacement of outhouse and infrastructure. Improve Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) access on Eagle and Sage trails. B26 $$$ Trail would be surfaced. D-9 Action Title Action Action Reference # Interests Cost Cost Notes Provide a parallel single track trail at BVR. Designate and slightly re-route in some locations one parallel single track tread adjacent to the Eagle and Sage loop at BVR. B27 $$ Allow fishing access on eastern shore of BVR pond. B28 Core Service Create new trail connection on the south side of the Papini property. (Wrangler Trail) Provide a trail connection along the south side of the Papini property connecting Kelso Road to the Mesa Reservoir trail system. B29 $$$ Does not include fencing costs in order to conserve resources. Dogs allowed with On-Corridor Voice and Sight access on Lefthand Trail. N/A $ One time costs include new signs and administrative costs. Enforcement costs are not included and are on- going. Wonderland Lake Subarea Collaborate with Parks and Recreation to support nature play experiences on their adjacent properties. Collaborate with Parks and Recreation to support designed nature play experiences on their property and support appropriate passive recreation aspects of this type of experience on adjacent OSMP land. W1 $ Includes OSMP staff time to coordinate with Parks and Recreation staff. Assess vision for Foothills Nature Center. OSMP is assessing and preparing plans for the future vision of the Foothills Nature Center and associated trailhead. W2 Costs are not part of the North TSA Construct shade structure near Wonderland Lake Trailhead. W3 $$ Improve safety at Broadway crossing. Support and encourage improvements to crossing between Sumac Avenue, RTD bus stop and the Foothills Nature Center. W4 Core Service Revegetate the flood damaged northern loop section of Old Kiln Trail. W5 $ Estimate includes fencing to protect riparian shrub plantings and scarifying non-riparian sections of the northern loop and blocking off at designated trail intersections until old trail revegetates adequately. D-10 Action Title Action Action Reference # Interests Cost Cost Notes Rename Four Mile Trailhead as Fourmile Canyon Creek Trailhead. W6 $$ Replace the entrance sign and replace all maps showing the trailhead with updated maps with new name. Collaborate to create a connection from Fourmile Canyon Creek Greenway path to Foothills Community Park. As opportunities arise, collaborate with partner agencies to create local trail connections that minimize natural resource impacts. W7 Core Service Create Wonderland Lake backdrop loop trail connection by re-routing trails. (Antler Loop) Re-route existing designated and undesignated trails to provide more sustainable connections to the paragliding launch sites and visitors seeking a trail experience on the Wonderland hogback. W8 $$$ Trail construction costs. Re-route portion of Wonderland Lake Trail. Re-route the steep downhill section of trail just north of where it connects into Foothills South Trail. W9 $$ Create a second, smaller Wonderland Lake backdrop loop trail. (Glider Access Trail) Create a more sustainable trail connection to replace the existing glider access trail. W10 $$$ Improve Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) access on Wonderland Lake Trail. W11 $ Trail will be surfaced. Prohibit boats and belly boats on Wonderland Lake. W12 $ One time costs include new signs and administrative costs. Enforcement costs are not included and are on-going. Prohibit ice skating on Wonderland Lake. W13 $ One time costs include new signs and administrative costs. Enforcement costs are not included and are on-going. Allow sledding on Wonderland Lake dam. W14 $ Includes new signs and administrative costs. Do not provide access to Wonderland Lake’s south, west and north shores. W15 $ One time costs include new signs and administrative costs. Enforcement costs are not included and are on- going. Provide access to the cattail marsh on north side of peninsula. W16 $ Includes cost of boardwalk and permitting. D-11 Action Title Action Action Reference # Interests Cost Cost Notes Establish two hardened pullout areas on the peninsula for educational programming. Provide increased beach access on the western edge of the peninsula. W17 $ Allow Wonderland Lake wading access from designated areas on the peninsula. W18 $ Includes new signs. Create Wonderland Lake fishing pier. W19 $$ Includes cost of pier and permitting. Dogs allowed On-Corridor Voice and Sight access on Wonderland Hill loop. (Antler Loop) N/A $ One time costs include new signs and administrative costs. Enforcement costs are not included and are on-going. Northern Properties Subarea Designate Berman Brothers property as an Agricultural Area. NP1 Core Service Designate Stratton property as a Natural Area. NP2 Core Service Collaborate to create a connection between the North TSA to Boulder County Parks and Open Space’s Lagerman/Imel/AHI Open Space Complex. As opportunities arise, collaborate with partner agencies to create regional trail connections that minimize natural resource impacts. NP3 Core Service Prohibit public access on Waldorf, Ryan, Andrea and Jacob properties. NP4 $ One time costs include new signs and administrative costs. Enforcement costs are not included and are on-going. Prohibit public access on Bison and Oasis properties. NP5 $ One time costs include new signs and administrative costs. Enforcement costs are not included and are on-going. Prohibit public access on Steele and Bennett properties. NP6 $ One time costs include new signs and administrative costs. Enforcement costs are not included and are on-going. D-12 Action Title Action Action Reference # Interests Cost Cost Notes Allow public access on Johnson and Schooley properties. NP7 $ Includes new signs and administrative costs. Prohibit public access on Deluca, Hester and Campbell properties. NP8 $ One time costs include new signs and administrative costs. Enforcement costs are not included and are on- going. Prohibit public access on Stratton, Brewbaker, Berman Brothers, Bruning, Dodd and Abbott properties. NP9 $ One time costs include new signs and administrative costs. Enforcement costs are not included and are on-going. D-13 AGENDA ITEM 8 ATTACHMENT B PAGE 1 ATTACHMENT B: North TSA Plan and Process Background Trail Study Area Plans In 2005, the Boulder City Council approved the Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) Visitor Master Plan (VMP). An integral feature of the VMP was the creation of Trail Study Areas (TSAs). TSA plans were to establish visitor access and recreation resource management priorities and projects for specific areas of OSMP lands. The North TSA The North TSA includes lands north of the Diagonal Highway on the east, and lands north of Linden Avenue on the west. The North TSA Plan will include management recommendations for 7,701 acres that OSMP owns and manages. The North TSA planning area includes land with some level of city open space ownership, but where OSMP does not provide or manage public access (conservation easements, lands jointly owned with and managed by Boulder Count y). Lands not managed by OSMP are outside the scope of the North TSA but do provide important context for plan recommendations. The goal of the North TSA Plan is to improve visitor experiences and increase the sustainability of trails and trailheads while conserving the area’s natural, cultural and agricultural resources. The Planning Process The planning process has four phases. The first phase focused on collecting and compiling information about current conditions and management practices in the TSA. The primary deliverable for the first phase was the inventory and assessment report which was available on June 15, 2015. The second phase identified key interests and issues that need to be addressed in the plan. The interests and issues along with the inventory and assessment information informed and guided the development of alternative scenarios which are ways to meet interests or address issues. This phase resulted in a list of interests and potential actions to help direct the development of scenarios. During the third phase, staff, the community and the Open Space Board of Trustees (OSBT) will assess scenarios, resulting in the selection of preferred recommended actions to include in a draft plan. This part of the planning process will conclude with the completion of a draft plan. The final (current) phase includes the review of the draft plan by the community, the OSBT and recommendation and acceptance of the plan by City Council. Community Engagement The intent of the planning process and community engagement is to have broad community participation, inclusive dialogue and connect with the community in varied and meaningful ways. Community members have been involved through a range of different approaches including: Nine community workshops Inspire Boulder, the city’s internet-based participatory platform On-site and local store-front engagement AGENDA ITEM 8 ATTACHMENT B PAGE 2  Email and social media submissions  Youth engagement Community participation in the assessment, interest and preliminary scenario development phases of the process has represented a diversity of perspectives in the community including people visiting trails in the North TSA, neighbors, stakeholder organizations, youth and families. Currently, 642 people have signed up to receive email updates about the plan. A complete compendium of comments received is available on the North TSA Website. Figure 1. Community Engagement Participation Levels Engagement Approach Assessment Phase Interest Phase Expert Panels Preliminary Scenarios Refined Scenarios Workshop Participation 60 36 65 155 70 In-field, store front, neighborhood and Latino community engagement 167 413 NA Outreach Only Outreach Only Youth engagement 16 57 NA NA NA Totals 243 507 65 155 70 Comments on Inspire Boulder/online/email/ social media comments 105 115 NA 196 276 OSBT Hosting of the Process The OSBT has been involved with the development of the North TSA Plan from the beginning as “host” of the North TSA Plan. The intent of this role is to make it clear that OSBT is the recommending body to the City Council and to raise the Board’s visibility in different types of community forums. The role as host also supports community engagement throughout the process, providing an alternative to the three-minute public testimony approach of more traditional public hearings. As host, the Board’s participation can clearly be seen by the community and the City Council as the Board primarily welcomes, listens to and observes the community engagement process. North TSA Plan Interests The North Trail Study Area Interests and Issues report is a compilation of the perspectives and feedback provided to date during the interests and issues phase of the North TSA planning process. Community members were asked to share their interests in the planning area rather than positions. Positions describe what someone wants or needs, while an interest explains why they want or need it. If the community was asked to share ideas about positions, the final result would be distributive, rather than integrative, and a lot of people would not get what they want. Assessing the “why” of what community members want enables staff and the OSBT to better meet the needs of a diverse community and recognizes that individuals carry multiple interests about managing properties, allowing for more win/win opportunities. Through the various engagement efforts to understand the community and stakeholder interests in the North TSA, ten interests emerged. These interests are consistent with the goal and AGENDA ITEM 8 ATTACHMENT B PAGE 3 objectives of the North TSA Plan and provided guidance for staff in the development of the scenarios. The desired plan outcomes or actions that were suggested in the effort to understand interests also informed how potential actions were combined into different scenarios. North TSA Interests Improved Visitor Experience Improved Connectivity Conservation of Resources (Natural/Agricultural/Cultural) Balance of Recreation and Resource Conservation Improved Access and Accessibility Increased Safety Honoring Community Values and Commitments Decreased Visitor Conflict Increased Education and Understanding Effective Planning Process and Plan Implementation North TSA Plan Preliminary Scenarios Finding ways that the North TSA can be enhanced for the identified plan interests accomplishes the goal of the North TSA Plan. The interests also provided a means to focus the range and types of actions considered in the development of preliminary scenarios. Scenarios are conceptual visions of alternative trail changes, proposals for new trail connections and trailhead improvements for the North TSA that also advance efforts to conserve the area’s diverse natural, agricultural and cultural resources. Scenario maps depict concepts of a proposed set of actions that make up the scenario. Staff had three primary factors to guide the development of the scenarios: 1. Consistency with the North TSA Plan Sideboards. 2. How the group of proposed actions achieve the interests. 3. How well the scenario balances the interests. Staff deliberately avoided the approach of developing scenarios that prioritized specific interests such as scenarios that were best for improving visitor experience or best at protecting natural resources. In determining changes and actions to include in the scenarios, staff considered suggestions made by the community as part of the public engagement effort to understand interests, information from the inventory and assessment report and ideas shared during the expert panels. The fundamental intent of each preliminary scenario is to balance all of the community interests through different combinations of proposed actions. Balancing Interests in the Preliminary Scenarios Each of the four preliminary scenarios sought to balance the North TSA interests in different ways. OSMP staff reviewed the inventory and assessment report and the full scope of community input from the assessment phase through the expert panels to propose ideas. The North TSA project team worked hard to listen to each other’s ideas and consider different and creative proposals for addressing the interests. Staff also understood that there are a lot of ways proposed actions could be combined to balance the interests. None of the preliminary scenarios had the “right” mix and balance of ideas; however, the four preliminary scenarios provided a AGENDA ITEM 8 ATTACHMENT B PAGE 4 good base for integrating community feedback into the scenarios and building the refined scenarios. To develop the scenarios, staff began with the four subareas and discussed a range of possible actions for each of the subareas. Staff then combined actions in alternative ways so the interests could be balanced across the subareas. The subareas were then combined in different ways to make up the four preliminary scenarios and further adjustments were made to balance interests. Proposed actions that were important to balancing interests across the four scenarios include: Regional connections; New trail connections; Trail re-development; Measures to avoid habitat fragmentation and conserve sensitive resources; Innovative ideas to manage a range of passive recreational activities and decrease visitor conflict; Trailhead and access improvements; and Education and stewardship opportunities. A table summarizing some of the significant actions and the ways they varied between the scenarios, to balance interests across the scenario, is available in Attachment D of the November 16, 2015 OSBT Study Session Memo. A summary table comparing the preliminary scenarios is available online along with the preliminary scenario maps and tables describing the actions relevant to all scenarios and to each of the individual scenarios. The tables describing the scenario actions identify the intended interests that the recommended actions achieve. The regulation maps for the scenarios reflect the trail changes proposed in the scenarios. Community Feedback on Preliminary Scenarios Staff initially presented the preliminary scenarios to the community at a workshop on Oct. 5, 2015 and provided an opportunity for participants to provide initial thoughts about the scenarios and how they did or did not balance the interests. Feedback from break-out groups and from a participant poll is available on the project website. After the workshop, staff posted an online survey to gather additional input. Both the poll and the survey aimed to gather information on community perspectives about how well the preliminary scenarios balanced interests and on which interests the scenarios fell short. They were not designed to determine what changes to make to the scenarios or to select which scenarios should be refined further. A second workshop on Oct. 19, 2015 sought feedback from participants about which of the scenarios they thought could be improved on how well they balanced the interests and to suggest changes to the scenarios that would improve the balance. Community members were able to provide feedback online for a week after the workshop. Feedback from the second workshop and online comments were combined together and are available in a detailed table. Included are all comments submitted in response to the questions staff asked for feedback on: Which scenario was selected? Why was it selected? What changes are proposed and how do the changes improve the balance among the interests? There was substantial community engagement and feedback during both workshops and the AGENDA ITEM 8 ATTACHMENT B PAGE 5 associated online community review and comment opportunity for the preliminary scenarios. Staff received many comments including support for the various scenarios, concerns about specific actions and suggestions on how interests could better be accomplished and balanced for particular scenarios. Staff compiled feedback on the suggested changes to the scenarios in a separate summary table that includes proposed changes, associated rationale and if/how the proposed change(s) were incorporated into the two refined scenarios. This information is available on the North TSA Website. OSBT Feedback on Preliminary Scenarios Staff presented the preliminary scenarios as well as the community feedback received on the preliminary scenarios to the OSBT at a Study Session on Nov.16, 2015. Staff asked the Board: Does the OSBT have comments on the community input about which of the preliminary scenarios best balances the North TSA interests? Which of the preliminary scenarios do OSBT members suggest staff revise and advance as preferred scenarios? Are there specific actions or changes to the scenarios OSBT members think important for staff to consider in the development of preferred scenarios that balance the interests better? Staff compiled the feedback received from the Board in a table that details the feedback as well as if/how it was integrated into the two refined scenarios. This information is available on the North TSA Website. North TSA Plan Refined Scenarios Based on community input and board feedback, staff modified the four preliminary scenarios into two refined scenarios as detailed in the Jan.13, 2016 OSBT Study Session Memo. Feedback by the OSBT at the January study session focused upon the following topics: Locating, designing and managing of the Joder connector trail Locating, designing and managing loop trails on Joder Maintaining the HCA designation for the North Foothills/Joder area Developing and modifying access for cyclists Developing and modifying access for dogs Managing public access to the relativel y isolated northern properties There were also comments unrelated to these primary topics. Topics that generated multiple comments by the Board, but with less overall frequency from community members were mostly about: Locating, designing and managing specific trails Increasing clarity about how the plan addresses regional trail connections Addressing equestrian access and trailer parking at Boulder Valley Ranch North TSA Plan Updated Scenarios Staff revised the scenarios discussed at the January study session and requested the Board’s approval of the revisions at the Feb. 10, 2016 OSBT meeting. The meeting included a public hearing on this topic. Staff recommended that only one scenario be used as the basis for the draft plan and requested the Board’s direction in order to provide that draft plan at the March AGENDA ITEM 8 ATTACHMENT B PAGE 6 2016 OSBT meeting. The majority of the Board voted to use Scenario B as the basis for the draft North TSA Plan. AGENDA ITEM 8 ATTACHMENT C PAGE 1 ATTACHMENT C: OSBT February 10, 2016 Meeting Feedback and Integration into the Draft Plan and Alternate Scenario JODER TRAIL CONNECTION Plan/Scenario Topic OSBT Feedback How Addressed in Draft Plan/Alternate Plan Draft Plan Scenario (B)/west of US 36 Joder connector (North Sky Trail) Use best efforts to locate connector trail through conservation easement. Staff is continuing to explore this possibility. Include this trail in the muddy closure program. Included in Draft Plan. Explore putting environmental monitoring program in place. Staff is continuing to explore this possibility and will provide an update to the Board at their March meeting. Draft Plan Scenario (B) /west of US 36 Joder connector (North Sky Trail) regulations Do not allow off-trail permits on either side of connector trail. Off-trail permits on either side of connector trail (North Sky Trail) are not allowed in Draft Plan. Do not allow dogs on North Sky Trail during seasonal nesting (May 1 – July 31) Dogs are prohibited on North Sky Trail during seasonal nesting in Draft Plan. Do not include temporal restrictions on North Sky Trail or the Interim Joder Trail (Joder Ranch Trail) to provide for continuous connectivity. Temporal restrictions on the North Sky Trail and the Joder Ranch Trail are not included in Draft Plan. Alternate Scenario (A)/east of 36 Joder connector Pursue external funds for the underpass. Included in Alternate Plan. Alternate Scenario (A)/Beech Pavilion amenities Improve family resources by increasing amenities at Beech Pavilion (increase amount of seating, increase ability to have a picnic, tables, grills). Explore the possibility of adding an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) parking space. Staff assessed the facilities and recommend that the existing picnic tables, benches, shelter, grill and other amenities are adequately provided at this facility. An ADA parking space is available at the shelter parking area. Staff does not recommend providing additional ADA parking spaces by the entrance gate. The access road is not compatible with being an ADA accessible trail and the topography near the gate is not suitable for adding parking. JODER TRAILS Plan/Topic Feedback How Addressed in Draft Plan/Alternate Plan Draft Plan Scenario (B) and Alternate Scenario (A)/Regional Connections Add the word public before planning processes in the proviso clarifying that the North TSA Plan does not preclude future public planning processes to assess and recommend a regional connector trail connection to Heil Ranch on the Buckingham property. Included in Draft and Alternate Scenario (A). AGENDA ITEM 8 ATTACHMENT C PAGE 2 Draft Plan Scenario (B)/Joder Loop Trail (Mahogany Loop) regulations Alternate directional regulations every two weeks. Included in Draft Plan. Draft Plan/Interim Joder Trail (Joder Ranch Trail) Explore the feasibility of turning road portion of Joder Ranch Trail into a single track. Staff is explore this suggestion and will provide an update to the Board at their March meeting. Draft Plan Scenario (B) /Trailhead Leash Extent Regulations Reduced trailhead leash extent area proposed out of the Dagle/Wright (Coyote) Trailhead and the Joder Ranch Trailhead. Included in Draft Plan. Alternate Scenario (A)/Trailhead Leash Extent Regulations Reduced trailhead leash extent area proposed out of the Schooley trailhead and the Joder Ranch Trailhead. Included in Alternate Scenario (A). BOULDER VALLEY RANCH Plan/Topic Feedback How Addressed in Draft Plan/Alternate Plan Draft Plan Scenario (B) and Alternate Scenario (A)/Dog Regulations Allow On-Corridor Voice and Sight on entire Papini connector (Wrangler) Trail. Included in Draft Plan and Alternate Scenario (A). Draft Plan Scenario (B) and Alternate Scenario (A)/Horse Trailer Parking Provide horse trailer parking at Eagle and Degge trailheads. Included in Draft and Alternate Scenario (A). Draft Plan Scenario (B) and Alternate Scenario (A)/Horse Trailer Parking/BVR arena Condition closure of the Boulder Valley Ranch (BVR) arena on finding a suitable alternative with horse trailer parking. Staff is continuing to explore this possibility and will provide an update to the Board at their March meeting. WONDERLAND LAKE Plan/Topic Feedback How Addressed in Draft Plan/Alternate Plan Draft Plan Scenario (B) /Wonderland Hill Loop Dog Regulations Allow On-Corridor Voice and Sight on Wonderland Hill loops (Antler loop and Glider Access Trail) Included in Draft Plan. NORTHERN PROPERTIES Plan/Topic Feedback How Addressed in Draft Plan/Alternate Plan Draft Plan Scenario (B) and Alternate Scenario (A) Open both Johnson and Schooley properties to public access and gather additional public input on desired access to the Northern Properties. Both Johnson and Schooley properties are open to public access in the Draft and Alternate Scenario (A). Staff has requested and gathered additional public input on desired access to the Northern Properties which is included as an attachment to the Board’s 3/9/2016 memo. AGENDA ITEM 8 ATTACHMENT D PAGE 1 ATTACMENT D: OSMP Systemwide Monitoring Projects in the North Foothills HCA Ecological Vegetation- 1.Systemwide grassland transects are located in close proximity to the conceptual trail corridor and will be monitored as part of the ongoing monitoring framework for this project. Transects are monitored according to a statistical sampling design where every 5-6 years all transects are monitored and in intervening years, a subset (about ¼) are monitored. These transects were designed to monitor systemwide grassland condition, so are not designed for site-specific questions. However, information collected may be useful at monitoring health of the grassland communities in this area. Thirty-three transects are located on the properties surrounding the proposed new North Sky Trail. 2.Rare plant surveys will be completed prior to finalizing trail alignment to aid in avoiding rare plant locations with the final alignment design and construction. 3.This area will be covered in the next round of the systemwide vegetation mapping which happens on an approximately 10-year cycle. Wildlife- 1.Systemwide grassland bird transects are located in close proximity to the conceptual trail corridor and will continue to be monitored annually. Fifteen transects are located on the properties through which the new North Sky Trail would be constructed. 2.Annual prairie dog mapping will continue to map the occupied area of all prairie dog colonies across the system. The prairie dog colonies in this area will be included in this effort. 3.Future resampling of butterfly surveys and rattlesnake surveys are likely to occur - timing is known. Invasive Plants- 1.Surveys for priority invasive plant species will occur ahead of trail alignment planning and construction to inform invasive species management needs in association with trail design and construction. 2.Periodic monitoring of the area will occur as part of systemwide monitoring. 3.Mediterranean sage monitoring is ongoing on an annual basis in this area, including walking and visual surveys of the property as part of the systemwide eradication effort. Visitor Use 1.A systemwide monitoring program to assess visitation levels and visitor characteristics will commence in June 2016. Location selection will be randomly generated to AGENDA ITEM 8 ATTACHMENT D PAGE 2 represent the system as a whole. If selected as part of random generation of sites, visitation monitoring would occur in this area. 2.Periodic monitoring (every ~5 years) for undesignated trails will cover the entire system, including this area. Next round is scheduled to begin in 2017. 3.Dog compliance monitoring (both Voice and Sight Tag Program and on-leash compliance) is planned to begin in May 2016. Location selection will be randomly generated to represent the system as a whole. Trail condition 1.Trail condition monitoring will occur on the new trail as part of systemwide monitoring AGENDA ITEM 8 ATTACHMENT E PAGE 1 ATTACHMENT E: Summary of Natural and Agricultural Resources of the Northern Properties Property Current Access Status Draft Plan Recommendation Scenario B Recommendation Natural and Agricultural Resources Waldorf Closed Close Close Protect elk use of property adjacent to county preservation area and as part of a large elk migration corridor across US 36. Waldorf also has geological resources that are important to conserve. Ryan Closed Close Close Protect elk use of property adjacent to county preservation area and as part of a large elk migration corridor across US 36. Nesting northern harriers on Ryan/Andrea/Jacob complex. The property has the potential to be irrigated. Andrea Closed Close Close Protect elk use of property adjacent to county preservation area and as part of a large elk migration corridor across US 36. Nesting northern harriers on Ryan/Andrea/Jacob complex. Jacob Closed Close Close Protect elk use of property adjacent to county preservation area and as part of a large elk migration corridor across US 36. Nesting northern harriers on Ryan/Andrea/Jacob complex. Deluca Open Close Close Protect nesting bobolink and associated habitat on Deluca, Hester and Campbell. Irrigate hay pasture. Hester Open Close Close Protect bobolink and associated habitat on Deluca, Hester and Campbell. Irrigate hay pasture. Campbell Open Close Close Protect bobolink and associated habitat on Deluca, Hester and Campbell. Irrigate hay pasture. Stratton Closed Close Close Active agricultural property with irrigation on part of the property. High ecological value with its ponds/wetland resources. Closing the property supports the goal to create healthy habitats for native amphibians, native fish, and potentially Preble’s meadow jumping mouse through pond restoration efforts. Brewbaker Open Close Close This property has active agricultural AGENDA ITEM 8 ATTACHMENT E PAGE 2 Property Current Access Status Draft Plan Recommendation Scenario B Recommendation Natural and Agricultural Resources operations on it. Johnson Open Open Open Property does not have agriculture operations and is being managed for invasive plants (esp. Mediterranean sage). Bruning Open Close Open Parts of this property are irrigated and have agricultural operations for hay production. Steele Closed Close Partially Open; no dogs Property has active agricultural operations (used for cow/calf production and grass hay production) and is partially irrigated. Cattle graze during the fall and winter months. Includes shale barrens, areas with high biodiversity, rare plant communities, prairie dogs, shale communities, Bell’s twinpod, burrowing owls and wetlands. Bennett Closed Close Partially Open; no dogs Property has active agricultural operations (used for cow/calf production and grass hay production) and is partially irrigated. Cattle graze during the fall and winter months. Includes shale barrens, areas with high biodiversity, rare plant communities, prairie dogs, shale communities, Bell’s twinpod, burrowing owls and wetlands. Bison Closed Close Close Property is an agricultural land of state- wide importance due to productive soil and available water. The property is used for irrigated hay production and cattle grazing. Protect nesting bobolinks and their habitat. Oasis Closed Close Close Oasis is dominated by non-native species, making restoration, agricultural and resource management challenging. Protect nesting bobolinks and their habitat. Berman Brothers Closed Close Open This property is an agricultural land of statewide significance - suitable for hay or grazing with irrigation. Property has wetlands, ground-nesting bird habitat, and raptor foraging habitat. Schooley Open Open Open There are several ditches and ponds on this property. AGENDA ITEM 8 ATTACHMENT E PAGE 3 Property Current Access Status Draft Plan Recommendation Scenario B Recommendation Natural and Agricultural Resources Abbott Open Close Open Agricultural land of statewide importance with active agricultural operations. Nesting and foraging habitat for raptors, tiger salamander habitat, rare plant communities and active prairie dog habitat. Dodd Open Close Open Dodd is recovering agricultural land. Active prairie dog habitat and potential Bell’s twinpod habitat. Important to protect habitat for raptors (cliffs used as hunting perches) and other wildlife. Adjacent to Haystack Mountain. Visitor safety concerns because this area has a high rattlesnake density. Properties recommended as being closed does not preclude future consideration for trail development as additional properties are acquired and through collaboration with Boulder County or other property owners. Trail development on both open and closed northern properties will be evaluated in the context of regional trail connectivity, OSMP resources and be evaluated through regional planning processes to link existing trail networks and conserve important resources. AGENDA ITEM 8 ATTACHMENT F PAGE 1 ATTACHMENT F: Northern Properties Public Comments EMAIL FEEDBACK RECEIVED ON THE NORTHERN PROPERTIES 2/19/2016-3/4/2016 Email Date 3/4/2016 Email Detail Dear Open Space Board of Trustees: I have recently learned that the "Northern Tier properties" have been moved to Closed Space management under the NTSA project. It is my understanding that this was a very recent change and that the reason for it is undisclosed. I live in the North TSA and for several years I and my family have enjoyed walking on and occasionally riding our horses on these parcels. We have always avoided the properties when they are being utilized for cattle grazing and we have never had a single conflict with any of the local ranchers, or anyone else on them. We simply enjoy the peace and solitude that they offer and would be extremely disappointed to see access suddenly denied. The opportunity to enjoy these open spaces is one of the primary reasons my family and our neighbors live outside of town. Please overturn the new staff recommendation that the Norther Tier properties be closed to all recreation. Email Author Rob Hacker No Staff Reponse Email sent to OSBT Email Date 3/4/2016 Email Detail Hello, Open Space Board of Trustees and Staff: I live in the City of Boulder but my horse lives in unincorporated Boulder County. For many years I have enjoyed trail riding on the Open Space and Mountain Parks system, both on designated trails and off-trail, including well-known equestrian destinations such as Boulder Valley Ranch and Joder Ranch. I also appreciate the agricultural heritage of Boulder County by being able to ride on some of the unimproved OSMP parcels in my horse's neighborhood in the North TSA. Equestrian use is an extremely low-impact activity on natural or agricultural resources, and we respect crops, gates, fences, and livestock. Therefore, I had been enthusiastic that the North TSA process would designate many of the agricultural properties in the North TSA as "open" for equestrian and pedestrian use. I was also looking forward to seeing an exciting regional trail system develop in the Northern Tier as additional properties were acquired to make those connections a reality. AGENDA ITEM 8 ATTACHMENT F PAGE 2 However, I have recently learned that staff has reversed itself and may now be recommending that all of those properties be closed, thereby adding approximately thousands of acres to the already- extensive Closed Space & Mountain Parks system. Please don't do that! Agriculture, natural resources and passive recreation can coexist. I urge you to designate all of the properties in the North TSA as open to pedestrian and equestrian visitors at this time. Thank you for your consideration. Email Author Michelle Goerlitz No Staff Response Email sent to OSBT Email Date 3/4/2016 Email Detail I recommend that all of the Northern Tier properties should be left open for pedestrian and equestrian use. Closing these spaces precludes future use for regional trail connections. I feel that these connections are very important to the future of our trail system. Connecting folks to the out of doors nourishes the appreciation for open space and excessive restrictions run counter to that goal. Staff's original recommendations for Scenario B were well-balanced. What happened here? Email Author Gail Matheson No Staff Response Email sent to OSBT Email Date 3/4/2016 AGENDA ITEM 8 ATTACHMENT F PAGE 3 Email Detail Dear Board of Trustees, I would like to lend my voice to those that are alarmed at the recent development of the Open Space staff’s removing the possibility of several of the properties to a more closed space – thereby denying the possibility of some of this space being used for passive recreation – ie, pedestrian and equestrian, and the ability of the area to have useful trail connections possibly in the future. I would like to urge the board of Trustees to overturn the staff recommendations for the closures of the Northern Tier properties and to consider that much of this land has traditional been enjoyed for these kinds of activities. To close the land would deny the Boulder community of a historic use. Additionally, pedestrians and equestrians have minimal environmental impact, and do not need trailhead amenities. Further, these low impact activities would not negatively impact the limited agriculture in the area, or the natural environment. Our local history in this area has been rich with equestrian use, and decisions made for the future of that area should include the desires and rights of the local equestrian community. Email Author Sara Martinelli No Staff Response Email sent to OSBT Email Date 3/4/2016 Email Detail When I moved here from another state, I selected Boulder County as a place I wanted to live because of the commitment to open Space. I wanted to be assured that I would always have a place to ride my horse. It concerns me that Boulder County Parks and Open Space my not acted on leaving all the Northern Tier Properties open for both Hikers and horses which has always been part of the historic mix of uses for agriculture in the Northern Tier. I also recommend that OSMP and BCPOS acquire additional properties in the Northern Tier to fill in the gaps as soon as possible so that these regional trails may become reality. Over the years it seems to me that there is less willingness to create open space that can be enjoyed by the horse community. I close with stating once again I moved here because of the commitment to buying and creating open space for all to enjoy, not just hikers and bikers. Email Author Lynda Dehn No Staff Response Email sent to OSBT Email Date 3/3/2016 AGENDA ITEM 8 ATTACHMENT F PAGE 4 Email Detail Dear OSBT, I live on Nebo Road and have for 12 years. There are several properties off Nebo Rd., 35th St. and Nimbus Road that are open space properties. Some are used for grazing a few months of the year and hay production from lease holders. A couple of the residents on Nebo and Nimbus road enjoy an occasional walk with our dogs when the cattle aren’t on the land and when the grass is low, sitting by one of the ponds and just enjoying nature off the roads and without the constant traffic. Before the grass gets growing and when the cows are gone I have occasional enjoyed the vast openness to ride my horses on one of the parcels that aren’t locked although most of them are locked and can’t be used by horses. Please, please, please leave these parcels of open space OPEN! In all the years I have lived on Nebo Road I have actually never seen another person on the properties except the people that count bats! Although a couple of neighbors have said they walk their dogs on the open space I have never seen anyone, so I don’t understand why you would close them for all public access. People are respectful of the farmer’s hay production and cattle. Further, I would request you to consider opening the Stratton property for public access. This property has been closed since you bought it but an occasional neighbor walking or riding their horses and taking their dogs on the part where cattle is not grazed would not hurt anything. I used to walk there when the Stratton’s owned it and since then, the thistles and prairie dogs have dug in. The only people now allowed are open space staff that fish on the ponds. It hardly seems fair for our tax dollars. Since I have lived in Boulder County, 42 years now, I have watched every public arena become more restrictive, more expensive and less amenable to the public, and now staff has recommended to close the limited access open space? We don’t need parking on these properties, we don’t need formal trails, not many people go there but the few that do should be able to continue!!! Thank you for your consideration Email Author Catherine Corona No Staff Response Email sent to OSBT Email Date 3/2/2016 AGENDA ITEM 8 ATTACHMENT F PAGE 5 Email Detail Dear Members of the Board, I am writing to you to request that the agricultural properties known as the Northern Tier be considered for passive recreation as part of the NTSA. Keeping these areas open will provide accessible open space recreation to surrounding neighborhoods which currently have no designated trails. They would also serve a vital role in the creation of a regional trail system for northern Boulder County. Many of these areas are currently in use today by pedestrians and equestrians with minimal environmental impact and no formal trail system. Why not keep them open for continued recreational use and realize the potential for a world class regional trail system? I ask that you please consider both the short and long term implications of any decision to close these properties. The future of accessible open space in northern Boulder County depends on it. Thank you, Email Author Wendy Fortin No Staff Response Email sent to OSBT Email Date 3/2/2016 Email Detail Dear Open Space Board of Directors, I’m a City of Boulder resident and an outdoor enthusiast who loves to run, bike, climb, ride horses and just be outside! I’m writing to let you know how disappointed I am to find out that the Northern Tier Properties might remain closed to recreation. I just can’t understand why we need to keep agriculture and recreation divided when there is so much to gain as a community when we can use our resources for shared interest. Sharing our open space builds good will in a community, increases value to residents and shows Boulders commitment to being an amazing place to live for our ever growing population. I think a lot of Boulder residents share my enthusiasm for a regional trail system and would feel especially disappointed when no reasoning is provided for the closure of such a key and beautiful area. Please allow the Northern Tier Properties to be enjoyed by the many outdoor enthusiasts like me. Email Author Renee Nowicki No Staff Response Email sent to OSBT Email Date 3/2/2016 AGENDA ITEM 8 ATTACHMENT F PAGE 6 Email Detail Good evening, Please consider these comments supporting preserving agricultural use of City and County owned open space. We concur that the Schooley and Johnson properties are good options to open to the public but that the remaining Northern Properties should be closed to the public. Steve Armstead was trying to make the point to the Trustees that OSMP staff went through the Northern Properties inventory and identified properties that were least likely to have implications for either agricultural or sensitive resources and decided that the Schooley and Johnson properties met those criteria. The Boulder OSMP Charter & Mission States - Sec 176, Item D: Open Space Purposes: "Preservation of agricultural uses and land suitable for agricultural production”. The Northern Properties are made up of mostly leased, irrigated agricultural properties. Long-time farmers and ranchers are lessees, growing crops or raising livestock for their livelihood. Public access to or through these properties invites conflicts. Northern Properties are historically agricultural and should stay that way, without public use. As policies and development matters are considered, it is important to maintain the support of agricultural use of open space. The plans for trails should prioritize preservation of agricultural use, and look to develop trails & trailheads on open space that is not productive agricultural ground. Thank you for your anticipated attention. Email Author Kristy Anderson Staff Response Thank you for your interest and participation in the North TSA planning process. Your comments were received and will be considered during development of the plan. Kind regards, The North TSA team Email Date 3/2/2016 Email Detail To the Board of Trustees: I am a concerned citizen writing in support of recreation access on the North TSA Northern Tier properties. I recently learned that despite a reasonable, balanced original plan of use for these properties, there has now been a decision to propose closing them to all recreational use. Keeping all of these properties open to the uses proposed in Scenario B makes sense for several reasons: - Historical agricultural use included pedestrian and equestrian access - Passive recreation is very unlikely to cause any harm to the properties, and would significantly increase the value of having them as Open Space holdings - Allowing passive recreation would not require building any infrastructure such as parking lots or trailheads - These properties are key links in regional trail networks that would not otherwise be possible I strongly support the original Scenario B proposal, and would like to request passive access to the Northern Tier properties for pedestrian and equestrian users. Email Author Claire Johnson AGENDA ITEM 8 ATTACHMENT F PAGE 7 No Staff Response Email sent to OSBT Email Date 3/1/2016 Email Detail I would like to recommend that as a part of the North TSA process you make the "northern tier" agricultural properties open for public access. Although these properties are leased for agricultural purposes, there is no reason that the public cannot also have access. The public can certainly open and close gates to protect livestock, and can avoid disturbing crops. Some of these properties could provide key trail links, while others would serve to allow access to a wider range of properties, reducing the density of use overall. Email Author Ray Bovet Staff Response Thank you for your interest and participation in the North TSA planning process. Your comments were received and will be considered during development of the plan. Kind regards, The North TSA team Email Date 3/1/2016 Email Detail Hello- I live and farm in the area of the Northern Properties of your TSA study area. I am an avid equestrian and I love to hike with my dog. I think it is inappropriate to open the historic agricultural properties for public use. Historic agriculturally leased properties should NOT be open to the public. It is not compatible to have recreation in our agricultural area. I don't believe leased agricultural properties should be open to the public. Recreation and agriculture do not mix. I do agree with the latest scenario that only the Johnson and Schooley properties are open for public use. Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter. Email Author Sabrina Gerringer Staff Response Thank you for your interest and participation in the North TSA planning process. Your comments were received and will be considered during development of the plan. Kind regards, The North TSA team Email Date 2/25/2016 AGENDA ITEM 8 ATTACHMENT F PAGE 8 Email Detail Why has OSMP staff suddenly and without public disclosure and/or comment, changed its recommendation to keep northern tier properties in NTSA open, and now recommends they be permanently closed?? How can we ever hope to have regional connector trails if the door is slammed shut now, in secret? Regional connectors were touted as highly desired at the start of NTSA and they continue to be a high priority for the recreation community! Why cannot all northern tier properties remain open but undeveloped, allowing low levels of passive recreation on them and leaving time for future acquisitions and planning with multiple land managers for possible regional trail routes? Please stop making last-minute recommendations that change what you've been saying for almost a year, with no explanation or even rationalization. Email Author M.J. Post Staff Response Dear M.J., Thank you for emailing the Boulder City Council regarding the North Trail Study Area (TSA) Plan and recommendations related to the city’s northern open space properties. While you may hear directly from one or more council members, the following information provided by city staff may also be helpful. It is a staff response and may or may not represent the opinions of individual council members. The various proposals regarding public access to North TSA northern properties has changed through the ongoing revision of scenarios being considered for the North TSA Draft Plan. Public comment and Open Space Board of Trustees’ feedback about the scenarios have significantly contributed to the revision of recommendations. There has been diverse public feedback around which northern properties should be opened or closed to public access. Regardless of whether a northern property is recommended to be opened or closed, these more isolated properties will be evaluated in the context of regional trail planning processes. Recommendations to close northern properties are typically linked with a property having sensitive natural resources or agricultural operations. Additionally, some of the properties recommended as closed are shaped by being adjacent to property managed by Boulder County Parks and Open Space where the focus to protect natural resources is best achieved through coordinated property management. The Open Space Board of Trustees (OSBT) approved having two properties opened at its February AGENDA ITEM 8 ATTACHMENT F PAGE 9 meeting. Those recommendations will be included in a draft plan presented to the OSBT on Wednesday night. The OSBT asked staff to seek additional public feedback on the northern properties to help inform the discussion of the draft plan. Comments submitted, along with your input, will be considered by the OSBT as they prepare to make their recommendation of a North TSA Plan to City Council. If you have any additional questions, please contact me at 720-564-2059. Steve Armstead Steve Steve Armstead North TSA Plan Project Lead City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks armsteads@bouldercolorado.gov Email Date 2/24/2016 Email Detail OSMP Staff & OSBT, I support the most recent scenario recommendations for the North TSA northern properties that only the Schooley and Johnson properties are open to the public. I believe all other northern properties should be closed to the public. At the Feb. 10 meeting, Steve Armstead emphasized that most of the Northern Properties have either agriculture or sensitive resource value, making them less compatible or appropriate to be open to the public. I agree with this point, leased historically agricultural properties and properties with sensitive resources are not appropriate for public use. OSMP staff has researched and reviewed all the available properties and determined that Johnson & Schooley were the two properties least likely to have implications for agriculture or sensitive resources. I am familiar with many of these properties and in my opinion, it is a good recommendation - only Johnson and Schooley should be open to the public. I have lived in Boulder County for over 35 years. We farm 100+ acres of private property across the street from some of your Northern Properties. Farming is not easy work. It takes a lot of time and a lot of effort to raise a good product. I know several of your agricultural lessees. They are hard working, long time, lifetime farmers whose livelihood is farming or ranching. You collect money from them to use the City Open Space, you do not subsidize their operations. These are not huge parcels. Most, except perhaps Bennett & Stratton, are under 75 acres. There are no trails on these properties and I believe it should stay that way. It is not appropriate or compatible for the public to ‘wander' through these fields on foot, on horses or with dogs - especially when a pasture is being flood irrigated or hay is growing - it can cause crop damage. I also do not think it is appropriate or safe to let the public do any of these activities among cows with calves or bulls. I am a neighbor to several of these properties and I would never think it is acceptable to walk, ride my horse or take my dog on someone AGENDA ITEM 8 ATTACHMENT F PAGE 10 else’s leased agricultural property. As a neighbor, I would never view it as restrictive that these properties are closed - I view it as respectful of the farmer, of the lease and of the product being produced that they are closed to public use. Lack of any appropriate parking, as well as liability and many safety issues are other good reasons to leave these properties closed to the public. The North TSA Plan Inventory & Assessment Report says it well - “Agriculture has been the cornerstone of the North Boulder Valley for the last 150 years. The preservation of agricultural lands and uses - and ensuring on-going agricultural production in Boulder Valley - is a well established function and charter purpose for OSMP." “Visitor activities have the potential for adverse impacts to agricultural operations.” (pages 194 & 195) These historically agricultural properties, as well as the properties with sensitive natural resources should not be open to the public. Much like these other farmers, I find great reward from producing a quality product from the land, whether it be hay or natural grass fed Boulder beef. I chose to live in Colorado because of the lifestyle - I love to be outdoors - hiking, cycling, riding my horses, or walking my dog. The trail system and Open Space options that currently exist in Boulder County are extensive and with the addition of the North TSA trail, whether it be on the east or west side of US 36, as well as Joder Ranch, there are plenty of wonderful recreational options. Email Author Paula Shuler Staff Response Thank you for your interest and participation in the North TSA planning process. Your comments were received and will be considered during development of the plan. Kind regards, The North TSA team Email Date 2/22/2016 Email Detail Greetings, I have lived in Boulder County for more than 40 years. I am an equestrian, a dog owner and a user of Boulder County open space. I am writing to give input on the North TSA proposals, specifically public access to agricultural properties. I fully support the updated revised scenario in which only the Schooley and Johnson properties allow public access. I do not support public access on any other agricultural parcels,especially those that are leased to farmers and ranchers. These lands represent the livelihoods of families either through agricultural production or livestock. Public access to these properties, for which the farmers and ranchers pay a lease fee, would create potential serious harm to the activities there, e.g. interference with irrigation, maintenance of crops and cattle; damage to sensitive crops and native plants (dog feces in bales of hay!); spooking or releasing cattle, to name a few. Public access is a misnomer – there is no true access to these properties other than what was intended for their agricultural use. No parking, no bathroom facilities, no trails. The prime, increasingly rare, agricultural parcels that have are being carefully managed by Boulder County’s long time farmers and ranchers are not suitable places for hiking, dog walking, or horseback riding. Allowing access to these properties is clearly inconsistent with OSMP’s charter to “conserve agricultural resources”. There is a serious conflict of interest there. AGENDA ITEM 8 ATTACHMENT F PAGE 11 Please focus your planning efforts on the Schooley and Johnson properties and allow Boulder County’s dwindling farmers and ranchers to do their work with your support and without conflict. I do not need additional places to ride my horse or walk my dog. Nor do my friends. The existing OSMP trail system offers many fine, suitable options. Email Author Carole Fitzpatrick Staff Response Thank you for your interest and participation in the North TSA planning process. Your comments were received and will be considered during development of the plan. Kind regards, The North TSA team Email Date 2/22/2016 Email Detail I agree with the OSMP staff recommendation to have only the Johnson and Schooley properties in the North TSA open to the public. All other Northern Properties in the North TSA plan should remain closed to the public. I live in the Northern Properties and we grow grass hay on our property. The majority of Northern Properties parcels are active leased agricultural properties. The public should not be able to access a farmer’s irrigated hay field while he is trying to grow his crop or walk, ride their horse or train their dog among his cows, calfs and bulls. Potentially it is a safety and liability issue waiting to happen, not to mention the conflict it may cause. I am an equestrian, like to hike, and have a dog but I do not think that it is appropriate to do any of those activities on a leased agricultural property where a farmer/rancher grows hay or other crops, or raises cows for their income. There are plenty of existing trails around Boulder County for the public to use for their recreational activities, agricultural properties should be closed to the public. Email Author Jennifer Knapp Staff Response Thank you for your interest and participation in the North TSA planning process. Your comments were received and will be considered during development of the plan. Kind regards, The North TSA team Email Date 2/22/2016 Email Detail To Whom It May Concern, Please keep the historically agricultural Northern Properties closed to the public. Properties with agricultural operations and sensitive resources are not appropriate or compatible parcels for people to hike, walk their dog, or ride their horse. We have a dog in our family and I love to hike but I use the trail system and I think the Northern Properties should remain closed to the public. Email Author Julie Daniels Staff Response Thank you for your interest and participation in the North TSA planning process. Your comments were received and will be considered during development of the plan. Kind regards, The North TSA team AGENDA ITEM 8 ATTACHMENT F PAGE 12 Email Date 2/22/2016 Email Detail Please keep the historically agricultural Northern Properties closed to the public. I believe that properties with agricultural operations and sensitive resources are not appropriate or compatible parcels for people to hike, walk their dog, or ride their horse. We have a dog in our family and I love to hike but I use the trail system and I think the Northern Properties should remain closed to the public. Email Author Ingrid H. DiPaula Staff Response Thank you for your interest and participation in the North TSA planning process. Your comments were received and will be considered during development of the plan. Kind regards, The North TSA team Email Date 2/22/2016 Email Detail Hello, I have emailed feedback regarding the Northern Properties throughout the North TSA process but from the Trustees comments at the Feb. 10 meeting it sounds like the trustees may have not received any of it. As we are getting into the home stretch, I wanted to make sure my feedback is received. I feel very strongly that leased agricultural properties should not be open to the public at any time. As a farmer I feel that is is ridiculous that you would consider allowing someone to ride a horse, hike or walk a dog through a crop field or a cow/calf operation. There are no trails on these properties, nor should there be. I do not think it is fair to the lessee that you collect rent and then would have the property open to the public. I am fine with the Johnson and Schooley properties being open but all other Northern Properties should remain closed to the public. I think a trail system on the west side of US 36 will be outstanding. Email Author Joel Schaap Staff Response Thank you for your interest and participation in the North TSA planning process. Your comments were received and will be considered during development of the plan. Kind regards, The North TSA team Email Date 2/22/2016 Email Detail Regarding public access to the northern properties in the North TSA, I support keeping the properties closed. Most are agricultural, and I know from experience that visitors do not always respect gates, fences, machinery, and irrigation dams on ag operations. The properties are also wildlife corridors, and access limited to farm leases is appropriate for these areas. Email Author Mary Vavrina AGENDA ITEM 8 ATTACHMENT F PAGE 13 Staff Response Thank you for your interest and participation in the North TSA planning process. Your comments were received and will be considered during development of the plan. Kind regards, The North TSA team Email Date 2/22/2016 Email Detail Steve, Just spent many hours watching the Channel 8 video of the OSBT meeting on Feb 10. I want to know if the previous public feedback that was sent to northtsa@bouldercolorado.gov was shared with the OSBT. I have provided feedback several times, my husband and neighbors have written also. We have all used the link or website address that we were asked to use to provide feedback. Is the feedback shared with the trustees or not? Please let me know. I did not come to the meeting on Feb. 10 - I thought that the two scenarios being presented at the meeting were pretty much in their final stages and that the OSBT would select A or B with perhaps minor revisions. I am very satisfied with the latest versions regarding the Northern Properties, only Schooley and Johnson properties open to the public. As you said, those two properties have the least implications for agriculture or sensitive resources. I do not think any additional Northern Properties should be open to the public - as I have said several times before - leased irrigated agricultural property, without a dedicated trail, should not be open to the public. I’m not advocating for trails, I’m advocating that agricultural property remain solely for agricultural use, as it has been historically, and stay closed to the public, without conflict, safety and liability concerns. I did not come to the meeting to defend it because I thought staff made the correct recommendation. Little did I know, I should have attended. The chairperson made the statement during the meeting that they have not heard a lot of public comment or information pushing them one way or the other. Another trustee remarked at the beginning of the Northern Properties discussion that they have not heard any comments about having their favorite trail closed (which isn’t surprising , since there aren’t any trails in the Northern Properties - how come they do not even know that?)! I’m wondering how much information they are given with regard to public feedback? My feedback has always concentrated on the Northern Properties. Was I supposed to email them directly? I am extremely disappointed that our previous feedback did not get to the Trustees. I have feedback and will send it, since the can of worms has been opened - again - and I now will use all available addresses to get my point across. Additionally, in my opinion, it was frustrating to watch the discussion regarding the Northern Properties and extremely obvious that the OSBT is extremely unfamiliar with Northern Boulder County. At one point one of the trustees referred to the Northern Properties as “out there”. This is where I live, "out there”. Is that like the outback? This is where I grow hay and raise cattle on 125 acres (lucky for me it is private property) and respect and treasure what agricultural remains in Boulder County. "Out there" is where there are undisturbed plots of irrigated agricultural land with no trails - people grow hay, raise cattle, or manage organic farms. “Out there” you have long time, lifetime farmers that hold the leases to your properties. Farming is their livelihood. The Northern Properties provide a AGENDA ITEM 8 ATTACHMENT F PAGE 14 great green buffer and only add to the beautiful landscape of Northern Boulder County - which has always been agricultural. The Left Hand Ditch Company formed was in 1866, other ditch companies were soon to follow. There has been irrigated farming going on in this area since before that time. My point is that this is a historically agricultural area. Opening any of these properties to the public will negatively affect the dynamics of the area much more than leaving them closed. Your agricultural lessees do not need or deserve the public having the option to wander through their irrigated crops or cows. I do not think the OSBT understands that, I do not think they are familiar enough with the Northern properties and have not taken or had the time to educate themselves - yet they have the power to vote on whether these properties are open or closed to the public. I was completely taken back when they started reading the names of the properties, thinking that they had to go back to a previous scenario. They don’t even know what Bruning, Abbott or Oasis properties are or what resources they contain - how can they vote on that? I’m also curious whose responsibility is it to educate the OSBT? I would be happy to show them around Northern Boulder County. I realize your trail issues are the most important issues and take the most time and effort. But, you have included the Northern Properties in the North TSA vote and you are potentially going to change the dynamic of agricultural North Boulder County. It deserves some time and education from the OSBT before they can make a judgement. I am a farmer but also an equestrian, cyclist and a dog owner and I think you should leave the agricultural properties and properties with sensitive resources closed to the public. Email Author Paula Shuler Staff Response Thank you for your interest and participation in the North TSA planning process. Your comments were received and will be considered during development of the plan. Kind regards, The North TSA team Email Date 2/19/2016 Email Detail The North Trail Study Area decisions should give maximum importance to species and eco-system preservation. Recreation uses should be a secondary consideration. Our grasslands and foothills ecosystems are under threat from of development, and should be passed on to next generations with minimum damage from human intrusion and pressure. Email Author Erik Johnson Staff Response Thank you for your interest and participation in the North TSA planning process. Your comments were received and will be considered during development of the plan. Kind regards, The North TSA team Email Date 2/19/2016 AGENDA ITEM 8 ATTACHMENT F PAGE 15 Email Detail What kind of access is under discussion? And can you post a map giving the exact location of these properties? Thank you! Email Author Lillian Valenzuela Staff Response Hi Lillian, Thanks for your interest in the Northern Properties. Here is a map that shows the entire North TSA including the properties which are part of the Northern Properties subarea. Open Space and Mountain Parks’ proposed North Trail Study Area Plan recommendations to close many northern properties in the North TSA do not preclude public access if future regional connections become possible. We’re continuing to seek community input regarding public access to city-managed northern properties in the North TSA. In the most recent scenario recommendations, both the Schooley and Johnson properties are proposed as open to public access. If there are additional northern properties where public access is desired, please share your suggestions about which properties and why. Share your comments. Kind regards, Juliet Bonnell North TSA Associate Planner City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks Email Date 2/19/2016 Email Detail All "Open Space" properties should be accessible to the public who pays for them! Otherwise it's "Closed Space"!!!! Email Author Andy Malkiel Staff Response Thank you for your interest and participation in the North TSA planning process. Your comments were received and will be considered during development of the plan. Kind regards, The North TSA team