Day 1 Summary and Questions

Class 1 Summary

Differences between “Open Space” and parks.
Some of the values embodied by local open space.
The pattern of land ownership in Boulder County. Federal, state, county, city, private.
Differences in history between Open Space and other public lands, like the USFS.
Acquisition is now extremely expensive and often controversial.
There can be tension between different values and desired uses of open space.

I. Overview of City of Boulder OSMP
City began acquiring mountain backdrop land in 1898. (Boulder Mountain Park)
“Open Space” program began in 1960s and expanded into plains.
Purpose of Open Space is to limit the growth of the city of Boulder, prevent encroachment by surrounding cities, ecological preservation, etc.
Funding: mainly sales taxes
OSMP resulted from a merger of Boulder Mountain Parks and Open Space/Real Estate Divisions
Wildlife:
Mule Deer
Rabbits
Birds of Prey
Foxes
Coyotes
Black Bears

II. Boulder County Parks and Open Space
A) Mission: conserve nature & agriculture, preserve sound public use
B) 65% of Boulder County land protected
C) Land acquisition began with donations
D) Methods of acquisition
1. Purchases
2. Conservation Easements
E) Benefits
1. Aesthetics
2. Ecological preservation
3. Establish access to public lands and waterways
4. Conserve land and resources
5. Protection of environmentally sensitive areas
F) Directed by Advisory Committee appointed by Boulder County Commissioners Office
G) Funded through sales/property taxes
H) A vast array of employees to manage recreation and ecosystems

III. City vs County
A) Dogs
B) Political structure of city and county
C) Mission statements have different emphases

IV. Recreational Opportunities
A) Uses:
1. Hiking
2. Biking
3. Horseback riding
4. Dogs
5. Grazing
6. Camping only on county (fairground) not city lands
7. Hang Gliding
B) Outdoor activities may not be damaging
C) Restrictions:
1. Fire
2. Camping
3. Motorized vehicles
4. Off-trail hiking without permit
5. Alcohol above 3.2%
D) Differences between city and county lands
1. Hours of operation
2. Swimming/wading
3. Dog regulations

V. Chautauqua and Boulder Mountain Park
A) Chautauqua—intended as a cultural and educational center
B) Boulder Mountain Park abuts Chautauqua and shares infrastructure
C) significantly older than the rest of the system
D) originally maintained by volunteers from various local organizations

VI. Marshall Mesa
Originally first coal mining district in Colorado
Low quality coal used for local demand
Coal fires burn underground to this day
City of Boulder began purchasing land in 1971
Trail system lies just south of Boulder
Lies at the convergence of ponderosa pine forests and prairie grasslands
hiking, horseback riding, biking, grazing, mining history

VII. Heil Valley Ranch
Located in the mountains northwest of Boulder
Covers almost 5000 acres
Contains a variety of ecosystems, grasslands, shrub lands, woodlands, forests and canyons
The land has remained almost entirely undeveloped throughout its history
The first place elk were reintroduced to Boulder County
Open to hikers, bikers, and equestrians
No dogs allowed due to sensitive wildlife

VIII. Walker Ranch
early local homestead
Fire in 2000
Connection to Eldorado Canyon State Park
Agricultural heritage
Now 2700 acres owned by County and 1200 acre leased from BLM

IX. Betasso
another early local homestead
One of first County OS acquisitions
typical recreation infrastructure
770 acres
heavy visitation, user conflicts, mt bike restrictions
newly acquired Benjamin Property abuts Betasso, management plan in progress

QUESTIONS:

Some of these will be on tomorrow's test. There may be some that are not on this list, so use it as a starting point.

1. Name two ways in which Boulder County acquires land.

2. List three benefits of conserving open space.

3. In what location were elk first reintroduced to Boulder County after they were eliminated?

4. Explain the difference between “Chautauqua” and “Boulder Mountain Park”.

5. Approximately what percentage of land in Boulder County is protected?
A. 35%
B. 50%
C. 65%
D. 75%

6. Which site in Boulder’s open space was once a major coal mining area, with coal fires still burning today?

7. Why are dogs not allowed at Heil Valley Ranch?

8. From where do Boulder County Parks and Open Space and City of Boulder OSMP acquire their funding?

9. Which one of the following places is NOT part of the Open Space Program?
a) Heil Ranch
b) Chautauqua Park
c) Yosemite National Park
d) Mount Sanitas

10. How do the two open space programs fit with the Leopold essays? What would Leopold like about Open Space in Boulder?