Sunday, June 27, 2010
9 comments:
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This comment concerns the social trail starting just South of Galena Way and connecting to the Shanahan trails.
ReplyDeleteI have lived on Galena way since 1997 and have seen this trail change dramatically for the worst over the years. What was once a true social trail only 1 foot wide and used by locals, is now over 5 feet wide in many parts and is used by hundreds of people on week-ends.
When a trail gets muddy, people walk to the side of the trail where there is grass. If a trail is not properly designed and managed, this process gradually widens a trail and degrades the areas around the trail. This is what has happened to this social trail.
Many dog owners walk their dogs on this trail, which is really close to people's houses. We have all manner of problems with dog poop, unleashed dogs chasing our cat or running into our property, noisy groups early in the morning or late at night waking us up.
The degradation of this social trail really got started when Boulder decided to set up an official entrance to the social trail right next to a Galena Way property and just off LeeHigh a few feet South of where Galena Way connects to LeeHigh. This encouraged many more people to use the trail. But no management of the trail was implemented in conjunction with this official designation, and this is where the problems started.
I'd like the entrance to this trail just South of Galena Way closed. Since many people will still try to use this entrance, it needs to be done in a way that will prevent access from this entrance. Also, the damage to this area from years of neglect needs to be repaired.
There is a great access point further up LeeHigh road. This access point needs some work, but it has always been one of the designated access points to the Shanahan trails. People should be encouraged to use it.
Bill and Sudy Reynolds
3160 Galena Way
There are several “undesignated” trails that my family and I access on a regular basis. These trails begin at Stony Hill Road and connect to the North Shanahan trail (at the bend of Stony Hill before the end of the cul-de-sac). I hike these trails with my dog every other day. They are very nice trails and provide a much needed access to the North Shanahan trail. It is critical to me that these “undesignated” trails from Stony Hill remain open, accessible, and without dog restrictions.
ReplyDeleteBrenda Howell Garby
1510 Rockmont Cir
South Neighborhood
I want to second Brenda Garby's comments here. We live close to one of the social trails that starts on Stony Hill that is being considered for closure. Unlike the trail commented on in the first post, this is, in my experience, NOT a high traffic trail, NOT a trail that has widened over time, NOT a trail that has visible erosion, even. And, the neighbors (primarily) that use this trail are even good about picking up dog poop!! As it is currently used, it really seems to be an exemplary trail, and I fervently hope we will continue to have access to this small but important system of trails. It might be just a trail to the planners, but to many of us, it is a crucial part of our lives almost every day!
ReplyDeleteThe following comments are in response to the meeting on Sept 28 Trail Changes Being Considered by CCG (the map is included in this link on the Home page).I would like to comment on the trail changes that were discussed at this CCG meeting on September 28th. It is good news that the trail indicated on the map as #2 (also referred to as the Fern Meadow trail – begins at Stony Hill Road and goes Southwest up to the top of the North Shanahan trail) will likely remain open.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I’m extremely disappointed with the proposal of closing the other trail that leads directly south from Stony Hill to the Shanahan trail (#3 on the map). This is the trail that I and many of my neighbors use every day. It is especially nice because it provides direct access to the Shanahan trails and offers many choices of trails to take from there. This trail is also very well located as it is a good distance away from the nearby homes. It would have a huge negative impact on me and on many others to have this trail closed. This trail has been in existence and routinely use for over 30 years, and to close it is very harsh and unreasonable.
The other trail that is inconceivable to me to even consider closing is the middle section of the South Fork Shanahan trail (#7 on the map). I noticed that this trail was also considered for closure at the CCG meeting on September 28th. This is one of the most popular trails in the area and has been a designated trail for at least as long as I’ve lived here (14 years). It’s outrageous to consider closing this trail which is so widely used and enjoyed by Open Space supporters and visitors.
Closing either of these trails would be doing a huge disservice to the very community supporting and utilizing the City of Boulder Open Space. I have been a long time supporter of the City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks, but am starting to question the executive leadership and management of these important assets. Why mess with a good thing? Why hurt the very people that have supported you? I urge you to reconsider these drastic and completely unnecessary closure proposals.
Brenda Howell Garby
1510 Rockmont Cir
South Neighborhood
I have lived in Boulder for 17 years and in Devil's Thumb for 10 years and have enjoyed using the trails in South Boulder. I hike and run with my dog on the trails almost every day. After reading and looking at the maps which describe the changes to the social trails in and around South Boulder (especially Devil’s Thumb) I have several comments to make.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all I think it would be a grave mistake to close the trail which leads from Stony Hill south connecting to the North Shanahan Trail (I think #3 on the map). This trail is not widely used, it is not getting wider in any spots, and still looks the same after I began using it in 1999. Yes, it is mostly used by South Boulder residents, but it is also helping divert traffic off the main trails (and hopefully keeping them in better shape). These small connecting trails are so important for the people who live here because they offer a quick way to get to a wide assortment of trails.
I also think that messing around with any of the Shanahan loop trails would be a mistake. The Shanahan loop is a beautiful trail. It is in good shape, not too crowded but well used. Most people pick up their dog poop and most people stay on the trail. On a muddy day this is a great trial for hiking because the mud does not stick to your boots like it does on some other trails (which I avoid in the wet season), Why mess with something that works well and looks good?
Also, I have always voted for open space initiatives but now I am rethinking my choices. Why mess with something that works? The trails work and there is no need to spend money on something that works well. The neighbors that live in the neighborhoods next to open space enjoy and use the trails. We are the ones who are impacted the most by any changes you make. Have we been complaining about them? Don’t mess with them! If you have extra open space money, buy more land.
I have voted for every Open Space initiative in every election since we moved to Boulder. I voted for Open Space for only one reason – buy more land. That is what makes Boulder special. Buy more land and make trails there. But messing with a trail system that works is not the best use of taxpayer money.
Peggy Kaufman
1575 Blue Sage Court
Boulder
I live in the Devil's Thumb neighborhood and enjoy the trails with or without my dogs on an almost daily basis. I am a runner and I am strongly opposed to the closing of trail #7 as it provides a unique opportunity to keep in the shade on many a hot day. It also provides a great loop which I see regularly enjoyed by my neighbors and others including the high School cross country runners. Moreover, to do so would make trail #6 so much more crowded, a trail that meanders and which which my family has enjoyed many quiet, wildlife experiences.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the above, that the trails work as they currently exist and that to eliminate trails is a big mistake. Not only are you significantly impacting our quality of life but you will overcrowd the designated trails which seems to me leads to more erosion, not less.
Another trail I strongly opppose to being closed is Trail #3 which as stated above is greatly appreciated and enjoyed in gaining access to the North Shanahan trail.
Jeannette Kornreich
2467 Briarwood Drive
We live in Devil’s Thumb and have reviewed the proposals that came out of the September 29th meeting. As to the proposals regarding the area west of Devil’s Thumb, we oppose the conversion of the existing social trails to formally designated trails, support closure of all access points other than the three already designated trailheads in Devil’s Thumb, and very strongly oppose the creation of a new trail west of the upper portion of Stony Hill.
ReplyDeleteFormal trail designation of the existing social trails will almost certainly substantially increase usage. Some of these trails are close to homes and the increased usage would be very intrusive. This increased usage is also likely to cause traffic and parking problems, plus unofficial short-cuts usually develop. Also, these trails were not created with any attention to drainage and environmental impact. If the alternatives are formal trail designation of social trails or closure, we support closure.
Similarly, we support closure of all access points within Devil’s Thumb, including any on Stony Hill Road, other than the three already designated trailheads (Wildwood, Bear Mtn., Cragmoor). With three existing formal trailheads, none of the neighborhood residents are far from a trailhead. We are hikers ourselves and cannot see any detriment to walking a few additional blocks to a trailhead. The private access points appear to be in locations that are ecologically inappropriate for substantial foot traffic and have created the incorrect impression that Devil’s Thumb residents have somehow blocked public access to a substantial portion of the West TSA. Their continued existence also encourages trespassing plus traffic and parking problems in close proximity to neighborhood facilities used by young children.
In the strongest possible terms, we oppose the creation of a new trail west of upper Stony Hill. There is already enough wonderful hiking to enjoy in Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks without destroying one of the few remaining close-in natural areas. The proposed new trail would be an eyesore visible for a substantial distance, very close to and therefore intrusive to neighboring homes, ecologically destructive, and not reasonably sustainable given the hillside and soil erosion characteristics. It is also clearly unnecessary – even though this meadow could be accessed by hikers from numerous points, all participants acknowledge there is no social trail or other established use (other than by animals).
On a related topic, based upon comments from a few CCG members and some of the CCG proposals, it appears that some CCG members are attempting to use their position to engage in a vendetta against Devil’s Thumb residents. This is not good land-use planning or policy nor is it any way to develop the community support so vital to this process. As to those CCG members who have not engaged in this conduct, we sincerely thank them for their efforts in a very difficult situation.
John & Harriet Olson
1930 Stony Hill Road
South Neighborhood
We have lived in South Boulder for forty years and in Devil's Thumb for thirty years. We are alarmed with the proposals generated at the CCG September 29th meeting for the following reasons.
ReplyDeleteWe attended the OSMP meeting June 9th and expressed concern that the CCG was developing proposals that subrogate the legal agreement reached between Devil's Thumb Home Owner Association and the City of Boulder dedicating access to Open Space. The OSMP stated June 9th that the legal contract would not be subrogated. The proposals of the CCG September 29th meeting clearly intend to subrogate the contract between Devil's Thumb Homeowner Association and the City of Boulder.
The dedication of current access points within Devil's Thumb was the culmination of neighborhood, community and Open Space representation. It was agreed that it was proportionately unfair to ask one sub division to host seven to nine access points virtually turning the neighborhood into a parking lot. No other neighborhood within the City of Boulder has such a burden. It was agreed that the Bear Mountain and Cragmoor access points provide access immediately upon entering Devil's Thumb and send recreationists into Open Space without driving through the neighborhood seeking parking. The targeted CCG Stony Hill Road access points draw traffic deep into the neighborhood. Stony Hill Road is a dead end cul-de-sac with limited parking. The neighborhood recreation center is located at the intersection of Stony Hill Road and Bear Mountain. The most heavily used intersection within the neighborhood is Stony Hill Road and Bear Mountain due to the neighborhood recreation site. The City of Boulder Fire Department has given testimony that they have grave concerns about rescue equipment accessing a dead end cul-de-sac with obstructive parking and limited access. Tne legal dedication of access within Devil's Thumb concluded that Stony Hill Road was an inappropriate access to Open Space.
In closing we would like the record to reflect that we feel that our South Boulder Representative on the CCG has a personal mission to undermine the legal contract entered into between Devil's Thumb Homeowners and the City of Boulder. He has a long history of vindictive posture toward home ownership adjacent to Open Space. We do not feel that we have had objective representation on the CCG.
Carol and Larry Dill
2030 Stony Hill Road
Boulder, CO 80305
As a South Boulder resident for 25 years (nine of them as a DTHA resident), I'm glad to see that the OSMP is willing to keep various social trails (#2, 4, 5, and 6) open. However, I am concerned that making them "official" may create more traffic and parking problems in that section of the neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteI'm dismayed to see proposals for shutting down access to other social trails, especially #3, 7, 8, and 9. In previous comments Jeanette, Peggy and Brenda have eloquently stated compelling reasons for keeping these paths in place, including siphoning traffic off of main trails, providing more hiking loop variety and greater access to a variety of trails by foot (as opposed to by car).
Boulder citizens pay a premium for open space because outdoor recreation is a high priority - we'd like to keep the trails we love.
(For the record, I also feel that rerouting the trail behind Galena (#10) to respect residents' property and providing an access route (#11) to the trails in Eldorado Springs would be positive changes.)
L. M. Gillespie
2513 Briarwood Dr.
Boulder, 80305