Civilian Conservation Corps Comes to Colorado

In October 2009, friends and former members of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) will meet in the Denver area to honor the efforts and accomplishments of the most popular New Deal program. Preliminary information is posted in this notice, which will be updated as details become available.

Tours and field trips will complement discussions and speakers at this annual event. A feature of the meeting will be the annual business meeting of the CCC Legacy organization. Attendees will visit Red Rocks Amphitheatre, the "most celebrated" of their works, according to historian Tom Noel.

Final Master Plan Posted

The Denver Mountain Parks Master Plan was approved by the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board in September 2008. The final version is now available online at the Master Plan page.

Remembering CCC Contributions

Denver Mountain Parks is just one of the many agencies that benefited from the New Deal programs of the 1930s. A feature spread in yesterday's Rocky Mountain News is bringing us renewed benefits in contacts with and stories from the families of some of the men who served. We thank reporters Katie Kerwin McCrimmon and Kevin Flynn and photographer Matt McClain for an excellent job presenting the lasting effects of this program and honoring the men of the Civilian Conservation Corps and Works Progress Administration.

Yesterday, among other emails, we received this photo of Fred Johncox, who enrolled in the CCC in Minnesota in 1934. His son graciously allowed us to share it online. We plan to have more stories and information online at our Mountain Parks History website soon. In the meantime, if you missed yesterday's stories, here are links to the online versions:

The Forgotten Generation

Fruits of the Depression

Historic CCC Camp to Become Museum

Here's another link—this one to an article by historian Tom Noel, aka "Dr. Colorado," in the Denver Post.

Additional Comments on Master Plan

Besides email comments, survey responses, and other comments from individuals (posted on this blog), we have recently received several letters addressing organization's comments on the Master Plan. These include:

• A letter from Inter-neighborhood Cooperation (INC) of Denver.
  
  
• A letter from the Board of County Commissioners of Jefferson County.
  
  
• An email from John Litz, of PLAN Jeffco (open space advocacy group), at previous post.

Recently, the Denver Parks and Recreation Department sent a letter to City Council addressing rock climbing in the Mountain Parks. Copies of the letter were sent to Access Fund.

Comments from Open Space Advocate

From John Litz, PLAN Jeffco*, October 22, 2008:

I have carefully reviewed the Denver Mountain Parks Draft Master Plan and must say that I am impressed. The PLAN Jeffco Board of Directors have not collectively reviewed the plan, but I believe that I can convey the consensus.

The plan is very ambitious, which it must be after more than 50 years of benign neglect. I would put maintenance, restoration, and updated restrooms at the top of the list. Jefferson County Open Space's (JCOS) experience is that vandals are less apt to chose well-maintained facilities. Next I would put upgrading of trails and attempting to close social trails. JCOS has good experience using volunteers and youth work programs. It seems to me that one can find grants for funding work programs for inner-city youth. That also might impact the park use by African-Americans. (It is interesting to note very high use of the parks by those of Hispanic heritage.)

Following are comments relating to specific pages in the draft.

• Page 19: The values used for the land values are low. The Open Space Advisory Committee has just approved a $100,000+ per acre purchase adjacent to Elk Meadow Park. I think that $10,000 per acre would be a better average; since much of the acreage in the larger parks is very developable.
  
  
• Page 35: In discussing revenue items comment is made on sharing Jefferson County sales tax. Note that this tax is not a use tax so it only would apply to items purchased on site. At 0.1% I doubt that the amount collected could have a significant impact on the DMP budget. Additionally the enabling resolution only allows the tax to the shared with cities based on automobile registrations. Red Rocks is neither a city nor has any resident vehicles.
  
  
• Page 36: I definitely agree on the need for dedicated funding.
  
  
• Page 64: I would not count on being able to make fixed facilities on the parks profitable. JCOS has found the maintenance of buildings exceeds the potential revenue. An example is the Boettcher Mansion on Lookout. Jefferson County has had to use Conservation Trust Funds as the financing source for necessary maintenance. The income can cover operating costs, but not major maintenance. The Cody [Buffalo Bill] Museum is unique in that it is an international draw.
  
  
• Page 153: Because the DMPs are integrated into other County park systems, partnerships can be a way of extending the resources of both parties. Unfortunately, without better funding DMP cannot provide much financial resources to the partnerships.

So it all gets down to dedicated funding. PLAN Jeffco has managed two campaigns to obtain voter approval for funding. Our experience is, with a campaign that gets adequate information to the voters, approval is possible. Our two favorable votes were 60% and 74%. I believe that in 2006, 70% of park and open space issues across the country passed. Your resistance will be the Denver City Council not the voters. In 1972 we had no support from city councils, just their staff.

Good luck as you move the Plan forward.

John Litz, PLAN Jeffco Vice-Chair/Treasurer

*PLAN Jeffco is a citizen’s organization who helped start Jefferson County’s Open Space program in 1972 and is still involved in an oversight capacity.

Last Day of Comment Period

Today marks the end of the official comment period for the Denver Mountain Parks Master Plan. We'll be taking comments through the end of the day and will post them on this blog. A few new comments are posted immediately below this note.

Thank you for your interest in the Master Plan and for providing input to it. In the coming weeks, we'll be revising and finalizing the draft. We'll continue to keep you posted at this site.

A Few More Comments

Steve from Denver County, October 17, 2008, says:

Please allow rock climbing in the mountain parks. It works in Boulder. Please enforce the dog leash laws in all the parks.

Adam from Boulder County, October 16, 2008, says:

I am a Boulder resident and a graduate student in Physics at the University of Colorado-Boulder. I am doing my Ph.D. research at the National Renewable energy labs in Golden. As an avid climber, I have explored many of the areas around both Boulder and Golden. Of course, climbing requires a certain amount of technical knowledge and safety is always a concern. However, the climbing community in Colorado is a very well-informed and responsible group who understand and accept the risks involved. They are also taxpayers who help support and fund the park systems across the state. Opening the 1,400+ acres in the Denver parks would not interfere with other use of the land and would end an outdated, unnecessarily restrictive policy. I support the position the Access Fund has taken on this issue.

Alec from Gunnison, October 16, 2008, is "Supportive."

Clint from Boulder County, October 16, 2008, says:

I live in Louisville, Co and spend a lot of time in the mountains here in Colorado. I would like to side with the Access fund an their letter sent to you (see attachment). Rockclimbing is an major part of Colorado history past and in modern times. It is exciting that Denver Mountain Parks is considering allowing rockclimbing in it's parks. I want to thank you for that.

Park Maps Update

Continued work on interim park maps has resulted in a new Park Maps index page on the website at Mountain Parks History (MPH). This page will be updated whenever new maps are available, and will be linked from the MPH homepage shortly. (It is now linked from the Parks Information page, where you'll also find links to new pages on picnicking and park regulations.)

Maps are posted for Dedisse Park, Echo Lake Park, and Genesee Park; more are on the way. Keep in mind that these are basic working maps to enable you to find the Parks more easily and better enjoy the system. We welcome your suggestions for improving them. A new system map has also been posted in three sizes.

Additional Survey Responses from Rock Climbers

Jason from Denver County, September 30, 2008, is "Unsupportive" and says:

As an avid rock climber, tax payer, and informed voter, I would like to ensure that the parks my money go to are being used by all recreational groups that do not destroy the resource. This largely includes the banning of rock climbing in denver mountain parks.
The banning of rock climbing in denver mountain parks needs to be addressed. The response given by the DMP is weak and outdated at best. The fact that the fine is steeper than an individual being caught with crack cocaine is also absurd. He recommends Opening rock climbing up as a general recreational activity on all areas aside from Red Rocks Amphitheater.

Robert from Jefferson County, September 29, 2008, is “Supportive” and says:

Please acknowledge the Access Funds position letter and recommendations on the proposed management plan. Except in rare circumstances, rock-climbing should be allowed throughout the park system as the impacts can be mitigated in ways other than closure.

Richard from Jefferson County, September 25, 2008, is “Supportive” and says:

I think that you've done a great job of managing these land assets. However, I strongly support a change to the current use restrictions to include the allowance of rock climbing on Denver Park land. This use is consistent with other agencies such as the NFS, BLM, JeffCo Open Space and CO State Parks.

Wilder from Boulder County, September 25, 2008:

I strongly support climbing and bouldering access in Denver Mountain Parks.

This respondent referenced the Access Fund's comment letter, sent to Susan Baird this week.

Carlos from Denver County, September 26, 2008, is “Supportive” and says:

I would love to see climbing opened up in the Denver Parks. I really enjoy living in the urban environment of Denver while being so close to outdoor trails, but right now there aren't too many options for climbing close-in other than Golden. I think climbing in the Denver Parks would make living in Denver even more attractive, and that a good management plan allowing that can be incorporated.

Erik from Boulder County, September 25, 2008, is “Neutral” and says:

The ban on rock climbing does need to be addressed. I understand that the primary reason for the park purchase was primarily for viewshed preservation and therefore does not warrant additional purchase to provide access. However, this would then logically rule out any other public use of the park as well. The main contention is the singular ban on rock climbing, and activity that has very little conflict with other user groups. As can be seen in most Denver metro park systems, rock climbing can very easily coexist with other activities in a manner that preserves both the viewshed and the environment.

He also suggests that Denver should “consider working with locals climbing access groups to develop a climbing management plan” and supports “opening [DMP] to managed rock climbing” as very important in the long term.

Two additional respondents, from Boulder and Weld Counties, supported rock climbing but did not want their comments posted.

Trail Work at Echo Lake: Photo Essay

Last week (Sept 17-19), crews from Mountain Parks and their counterparts from other Parks & Rec divisions (Forestry, Rivers & Trails, Natural Areas) spent a few days resurfacing trails at Echo Lake Park. How's this for a great place to work? Clear crisp days, at 10,600 feet, and scenic views meant easy recruiting for this special project. (Click on photos to enlarge.)

At this elevation, the sedges around the lake and the willows near the picnic area are already showing signs of fall color. While the crews worked, an artist finished up a pastel painting of Mt. Evans and surrounding scenery. Her cooperative subjects now grace the header of our blog and provided a beautiful background for the trail work.

With 10-20 people on hand each day, a great deal of work was accomplished quickly. Willows were trimmed away from the trail, and fresh crusher fines were spread. The Echo Lake Trail provides fishing access, as well as a comfortable almost-level surface for a pleasant mountain walk. It connects to backcountry hiking trails on adjacent Forest Service lands and into the Mt. Evans Wilderness, including the Chicago Lakes Trail and Bear Track Lakes Trail.

The crew from Forestry brought along special equipment to help remove dead pines and spruces, including a few killed by blue-stain fungus, aka "beetle." Some wood was salvaged for use, but the trees infested by beetles were disposed of. Scouts have volunteered to build rustic barricades of smaller branches to help protect off-trail sensitive areas, especially the fen wetlands at the east end of the lake.

Lunch breaks in the picnic area offered time to get acquainted with people from the other divisions. A.J. Tripp-Addison (right), Mountain Parks superintendent, stopped by to thank several of the workers for their assistance.

Echo Lake Park was acquired by the City of Denver back in 1921. Five years later, the beautiful rustic Echo Lake Lodge was built of local logs and stones at the east end of this natural lake.

In the mid 1920s, this stone picnic shelter was built in the picnic area at the west end of the lake. It still used today; a small concession stand nearby, also built of local stone is no longer in use.

In the afternoon, as clouds gathered over Mt. Evans and the day grew blustery, a local duck came by to check out the new crusher fines on the trail. A somber view of Mt. Evans, with duck, could be seen from inside the Echo Lake Shelter.

Echo Lake Park is 14 miles from Idaho Springs on Highway 103, part of the Mt. Evans Scenic & Historic Byway, and was designated to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. For more on Echo Lake, visit our history pages for more photos, information, and maps of the area.

Survey Response, General

From Erika, Denver County, September 19, 2008:

Overall, how supportive are you of the Plan's recommendations?
Extremely supportive.

1. Are there any outstanding issues that you don’t think the plan addressed? No.

2. Are there any recommendations that you would like to add?
I am wondering about the long-term use of automobiles in the parks. (I think about Rocky Mountain National Park where, in several areas of the park, automobiles are now restricted. These areas are accessible now only through shuttle busses.) The existing strategic plan balances the need for access to the parks with the goal of preserving them. At some point, if the demands on the parks become too great, perhaps some of the access might have to be limited. In the future, visitors might access the parks though light rail or other public transit options. Somehow the issue of over use of the parks must be addressed and monitored.

3. Are there any statements or recommendations with which you strongly disagree? No.

4. Which recommendations do you consider most important in the short term?
The two issues which I think are most important both in the short and long term are first, securing adequate funding and, second, developing a comprehensive education/marketing strategy to educate the park users. Through the use of signs and exhibits at the parks, and through local media and the internet, park users must be taught about the park's history and significance. Hopefully this will foster an ethic of stewardship and respect for the parks. Ultimately the parks' survival will depend on knowledgeable citizens who will love and care for them.

5. Which recommendations do you consider most important in the long term? See #4.

Other comments:
My great-grandfather, John Brisben Walker, proposed the Denver Mountain Parks system which gives me a special interest in them. Many thanks to Susan Baird and others who have done such a fine job on developing this much-needed plan. Two points that I would like to underscore are: first, the recommendations to preserve the historic buildings as these add a unique flavor to the mountain parks system. Second, protecting and expanding the park's open space is also very critical. As the population increases, demand will also increase to develop these open spaces. The Denver Mountain Parks play a vital role in protecting open space now and for generations to come.

Comment Period Extended to October 17

We'll be taking comments on the draft Master Plan for three more weeks, until October 17^th. We look forward to hearing from you.

We have received many comments, especially on Rock Climbing, by email and survey form as well as comments on individual posts. Click on the "rock climbing" label in the sidebar to see all posts on that subject. Additional comments will be found at the original post on rock climbing.

Thank you for helping us use this blog to communicate with people interested in the Mountain Parks and for providing feedback on the Plan.

Entry Fees (Comment)

From Todd, September 15, 2008:

Start charging a entry fee to access these parks. The selling pitch that this will only cost the taxpayer $5 or whatever more per month may seem trivial but it all adds up. Our property taxes have increased over $400/year since moving into our home in 2002. If individuals want to utilize these parks, they should pay the nominal entry fee or a yearly pass just like what is needed to gain entry to a state park or a national park. I live in Denver. We did visit Lookout Mountain on a regular basis but with the increase in fuel prices, we have cut back on these type of excursions and visit the local city parks.

Survey Response: Rock Climbing

From Joseph, Jefferson County, September 18, 2008:

Overall, how supportive are you of the Plan's recommendations?
Supportive.

1. Are there any outstanding issues that you don’t think the plan addressed?
Rock Climbing - this is mentioned on pgs 54 and 56 (new uses), but the overall tone seems negative. However, rock climbing, when properly managed, can be a valuable addition to a recreational menu. I note that on pg 53 the plan cites heaviest use near water and in shade. Rock climbing would disperse use somewhat. Obviously wildlife (raptor nesting) is a very important concern, but other local areas, such as Boulder Mountain Parks, have effectively dealt with this through seasonal closure. The culture and organization of rock climbing in Colorado has become very advanced in recent years, through educational efforts of organizations like the CMC and the Access Fund. Climbers take their priviledges and responsibilities seriously, and they would be a positive addition to the user base for the Denver Mountain Parks.

2. Are there any recommendations that you would like to add?
Consider opening rock climbing (with seasonal closures to protect raptors) in certain areas. This will expand the use of the parks and the breadth of experience.

3. Are there any statements or recommendations with which you strongly disagree? No response.

4. Which recommendations do you consider most important in the short term? No response.

5. Which recommendations do you consider most important in the long term? No response.

Other comments:
Thanks for all your had work on the plan. I am very happy to have the Denver Mountain Parks as a local resource.

Climbing at Ocelot (Comment)

From Matthew, September 18, 2008:

I just wanted to comment on the ocelot park project. I would love to see climbing aloud in the park again. We used to climb there years ago and I was shocked to see signs prohibiting it.

Climbers are notorious environmentalists and are famous for leaving an area cleaner than when they found it. Please let us come back into the park to enjoy our sport. Thank you for your consideration.