Need for Trails Maps (Comment)

On June 1, we received a comment from Robert on a previous post to the effect that "there are almost no maps of the 14,000 acres under [Denver's] care! Denver has developed these parks for almost a century but has exactly one map (of Corwina, O'Fallon, Pence Park trails) available! ... Denver has failed completely to communicate this fundamentally important information to potential visitors."

In response, Susan Baird, Natural Resources Planner, provides this summary of plans for Mountain Parks maps.

The Master Plan currently being completed for the Denver Mountain Parks absolutely reinforces your concern and the need for maps, signage, and other marketing for the system. The partially good news is that we're working on at least a system-wide map and brochure. A design firm is donating their time to design the map but we still need to find funding for it. The next priority will be maps of each individual park.

The primary reason that Denver does not have current materials like this is lack of funding. Jefferson County, Douglas County, Boulder County, and the City of Boulder all have at least one dedicated funding source (ballot issues) for their open space and mountain park systems and can dedicate up to $200+/acre for maintenance, maps, and staffing. Denver Mountain Parks, like the other counties, had a dedicated mill levy just for them, but it was retired in 1956.

Today, Denver Mountain Parks is one district within the overall Denver Parks and Recreation system and budget and competes with city parks for its operating funds. And those funds have decreased over the past six years for all of the parks. Denver Mountain Parks have approximately $70/acre in operating funds. Our team is hoping to increase city, private, and partnership funds for the Denver Mountain Parks so that we can have good maps, rangers, and quality facilities.

Thank you for your concern.

Visitor Behavior in Parks (Comment)

We recently had an email letter from a Kittredge resident near our parks in Bear Creek Canyon. She allowed us to share her concerns with the public on this blog. Her letter reads:

In light of the upcoming update of the Master Plan for the Denver Mountain Parks, I am writing to voice my opinion. I live in an area near several Denver Mountain Parks. In fact, one boundary of my property is mountain parks land. My concern stems from my first hand encounters with several folks who have walked up from O'Fallon and Corwina Parks onto the Jefferson County Bear Creek trail. On two occasions I have been riding my bike on the Bear Creek Trail and been asked for directions by people who have said they were lost. The people have been smoking cigarettes while walking along, and both groups have said they were parked below at Denver Mountain Parks.

Here's my request in a nut-shell. As a landowner whose property and life would be affected by a forest fire in the Kittredge area, I am requesting that Denver Mountain Parks institute a policy that makes it illegal to smoke in the park areas that are beyond the reach of local fire-trucks. I realize that enforcement is difficult, but signage at each trail head would at a minimum deter most people from smoking on their hikes.

As a resident of Jefferson County for nearly 20 years I have been hiking and biking all of the foothills parks. Seldom have I seen anyone smoking while hiking or riding bikes or in the parking lots at trail heads. But perhaps because the Denver Mountain Parks serve largely as a day-long destination for families, that just happen to go for a hike, the perception is that there are rangers who will take care of any mishap. There are many who don't realize that these are natural areas with generally dry grass and pine needles that could burn pretty easily and that there is no ranger at the park who can run to the rescue with a fire extinguisher.

I am interested in determining if my request will be put before the planners who are working on the current Master Plan. Please let me know in what way I can make sure my concerns are discussed.

Susan Baird, Natural Resources Planner, replied to this letter as follows:

[Your letter] addresses two concerns that are important to us, too. Many natural resource issues (fire, beetle kill, etc.) pay no attention to property lines and we need to collaborate with our neighbors on this. Plus some people who are new to the mountains may need help with understanding the proper behavior to keep the parks safe and in good shape--smoking, litter, etc. We appreciate you writing us and I'll let you know when a copy of the Master Plan is on the web. Thanks.