Miss Manners wants to apologize to her readers and to Jeffco Open Space for not reporting on the amazing work done in our Open Space Parks during the month of December. Too much Holiday, too many thoughts to process as 2020 winds down to an ignominious end. There’s been so much happening at Open Space, so let’s start 2021 with a recap of last December’s accomplishments and those of the first few days of January!
Apex Park – SWITCH GEARS for Winter Conditions
In the case of snow and ice conditions, a SWITCH GEARS announcement temporarily lifts the directional requirement on Enchanted Forest and Magic Mountain Trails. This will allow mountain bikers to ride up the gut in winter conditions. ALL OTHER TRAIL USE DESIGNATIONS REMAIN IN PLACE. Visitors who wish to be informed of the SWITCH GEARS condition can sign up for text alerts or check the JCOS alerts and closures web page. The SWITCH GEARS is in response to stakeholder feedback collected during the 2020 trail management process.
Clear Creek Canyon
Annual Bighorn Survey: three Natural Resources team members conducted bighorn sheep surveys in Clear Creek Canyon as part of Colorado Parks & Wildlife’s annual sheep survey. Twenty-eight individual sheep were observed on Open Space property.
Tunnel 1 kiosk construction begins this month. Stay tuned for regular updates.
In the Gateway Segment: Check out the latest video update with a special guest appearance by Hank Mifflin. https://youtu.be/O5vBFpqTmZE
Also in the Gateway Segment, the suspension bridge crossing Clear Creek in the Tunnel 1 oxbow is coming together. This 69-foot-long pedestrian bridge is 4-feet wide and will connect visitors from the from the concrete Peaks to Plains Trail to the historic wooden flume of the Welch Ditch.
Crown Hill Park
Crusher Fine Installation: JCOS’ partners at Road & Bridge started to install a crusher fine trail along the eastern side of the Park next to the cemetery. Many visitors were eager to experience the new trail surface, ignoring closure and warning signs, and walking next to heavy equipment while the new material was being applied. However, snow earlier in the month of December put a halt on the crusher fines installation project. The weather improved and work resumed toward the end of the month.
Hiwan Heritage Park
Hiwan from the Hearth: The Hiwan team made an innovative adjustment to Hiwan on the Porch for winter conditions. They have one tour guide on duty from noon – 4:00 p.m., Friday-Sunday. They can greet visitors at the front door and provide basic information about Hiwan and the Hiwan story. If weather permits, they can offer an outside tour. For COVID safety reasons, visitors are not permitted inside the building, but visitors can peer into the front/sitting room, the great room and dining room through open doorways to see the holiday decorated rooms and furnishings.
Mount Galbraith Park
Multi-modal Trailhead Arrival and Congestion Management Pilot: On Tuesday, December 15, the JCOS Management Team approved a pilot project intended to study, and test the feasibility, logistical considerations, technology applications and effectiveness of multi modal trailhead arrival and other congestion management strategies at a new trailhead for Mount Galbraith Park (GAL). JCOS is working on alleviating parking and access concerns for GAL. As a part of this process, JCOS plans to relocate the existing main trailhead to improve visitor experience and visitor safety. Possible multi-modal and congestion management strategies the team will explore for the new trailhead include, but are not limited to: a shuttle, parking reservation system, carpool campaign, time-limited parking, ride-hailing partnerships, etc.
South Valley Park South
Earlier this year, the new South Visitor Center trailhead opened to much joy and appreciation. In December the team applied a concrete stain to reduce the glare from the new, bright white surface and to better blend in with the surrounding landscape. This will be a great addition to the trailhead.
Welcome Center Operations
Beginning December 14, the front doors to the Welcome Center will remain locked throughout the day. To assist any walk-up visitors, Welcome Center staff will remain “On Duty” within the building and accessible by phone. The phone number will be posted on the door during regular business hours. This will allow the staff to meet the needs of our visitors, but free them up to accomplish tasks not easily performed while being at the Welcome Center.
Jeffco Board of Commissioners – Approvals
The Jeffco Commissioners approved Tincup Ridge Park and Internal Land Exchange. This exchange will enable Open Space to develop a new regional park at Tincup Ridge.
The BCC also approved the IGA for the Rocky Mountain Greenway Trail Crossings. This extension links the Greenway from where Phase One currently terminates in Broomfield’s Great Western Open Space, through Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge and into Boulder County. The FLAP grant provides funding for trail crossings at Indiana Street and Colorado Highway 128.
Get to Know Our JCOS Staff…
Congratulations to Sean Perkins for passing the Cartegraph Administration Certification test. Passing this test means that Sean understands all the ins-and-outs, tips and best practices for managing our Cartegraph Asset Management Software.
Welcome North Region Coordinator, Dillon McBride, to the Visitor Services Team. Dillon reported to the Visitor Services Team Manager effective December 17.
Stewardship Changes: Kyle Andrews was hired as the Trails Team Senior Specialist, and his main focus will be the Trail Stewardship Team and the Annual Trail Assessments. In January ,the Trails Team will be divided into a Trail Construction Team and a Trail Maintenance Team. This move is intended to have team members focus on trail construction projects associated with Goal 9 of the Conservation Greenprint, while having separate team members focus on trail maintenance (taking care of what we have) and restoration projects to support Goal 7 of the Conservation Greenprint.
Evergreen Famous – Ranger Billy Hall: according to the December 2020 issue of Serenity Magazine, Colorado’s Premier Lifestyle Magazine, Ranger Billy Hall is most 
frequently sighted on the trails in Jeffco Parks. Fun fact: his favorite animal is a squirrel. Even more fun fact: Billy met the photographer while on duty. He introduced himself and checked to make sure she had a current JCOS commercial activity/photography permit. She did have a current permit and she offered to take a photo of Billy. This is how our rangers and volunteers turn a Stewardship Education Contact into positive press.
… and Our Invaluable JCOS Volunteers
Volunteer Training on Stewardship Contacts: On Tuesday, December 8, the Ranger and Volunteer Services Teams hosted more than 100 volunteers and gave them training on how to turn a greeting into a stewardship education contact. This is one of many steps taken to help achieve Goal #1 of the Conservation Greenprint.
Last But Definitely Not Least
We all loathe the unattended poop bag carelessly left along the trail. Some visitors have the best intentions to pick it up and pack it out on their way back. Others assume the poop fairy will pick it up and pack it out for them. Either way, unattended poop bags are aggravating, visually awful, and against park regulations. To get a better understanding of how bad the problem is, rangers elected to track the number of unattended poop bags they collected along our trails and at our trailheads in 2020. The grand total was 2,996. Before you become completely disgusted and depressed at this number, be sure you consider it in context. We have an estimated canine visitation of at least three million dogs annually. Say each one poops and there is an associated bag. Because we are not seeing three million bags, but rather three thousand, it seems the norm is to doo the right thing and pack the bag out and dispose of it properly in a trash receptacle. Now, if we can just get that last, stubborn .1% to doo the right thing….
If you’ve made it all the way to the end of this report, give yourself an ‘atta-person’, and another one to our Jeffco Open Space for the amazing job that they’ve done in just over one month! Keep all this mind when you next visit our Open Space Parks, and let’s give a (socially distanced) high five to the next Ranger or Volunteer you meet when you’re there!
As always, ladies and gents, friends and comrades, stay safe!
MISS MOUNTAIN MANNERS INVITES YOU TO GO BIRD WATCHING
/0 Comments/in Articles That Educate, Calls to Action, Featured, JeffCo Open Space, Parks, Uncategorized /by BlogMasterAre you looking to try something new to fill these long COVID days?
MISS MOUNTAIN MANNERS INVITES YOU TO GO BIRD WATCHING
But it’s the middle of winter, why would I do that now?
Mountain Chickadee, photo courtesy of eBird
The Jeffco Open Space Bird Species Checklist lists 388 possible species present in Jefferson County. For example, in September, 2015, 195 individual birds, representing 31 species, were sighted over four and one-half hours by a small group of bird watchers at the West end of Mount Falcon Open Space Park. Go to the ebirdhotspots website for lists of birds currently being viewed in various park areas in Jefferson County.
So, has Miss Mountain Manners tweaked your interest? If so, here are some of the many birds you might find as Spring progresses in the following parks:
Crown Hill–in the lake: Ring-billed Gull, Common Merganser, Mallard, Coot, Goldeneye; in the reeds at the water’s edge: Red-winged Black Bird; in the trees: American Kestrel, Red-Tailed Hawk.
Stellar’s Jay, photo courtesy of Boulder Audubon
South Valley Park: Mallard (in the pond near the main entrance), Mountain and Western Bluebird, Red-tailed Hawk, Magpie, Prairie Falcon, Scrub Jay, Towhee.
White Ranch: Steller’s Jay, Mountain Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Dark-eyed Junco.
Mount Falcon: Pygmy Nuthatch, Black-capped and Mountain Chickadee, Common Raven, Townsend’s Solitaire.
Walk a mile: the paved path that circles the lake at Crown Hill is 1.2 miles long, while the Coyote Song/Swallow trails loop at South Valley is 2 miles. Miss Mountain Manners says, “Get out there and watch for our feathered friends,” you will not be disappointed! Be sure to stay on designated trails to protect the habitat and animals.
How do you identify a bird? First, get your general impression, the size and shape of the bird (“giss” in bird watcher talk). Then, look for the color of the bill, marks around the eyes, breast color, wing bars, and tail markings. Now refer to your guide book.
As it warms up: Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory’s Hawk Watch is a volunteer program to monitor the migration of raptors along the Dakota Hogback of Dinosaur Ridge in Jeffco, from mid-March through mid-May. Visitors are welcome. Parking is across the road from Mathew-Winters Park.
Pygmy Nuthatch, photo courtesy of eBird
Portions of several JCOS parks are closed to protect ground-nesting bird habitats, nesting birds of prey, and nesting and brooding waterfowl: Clear Creek Canyon Park, Deer Creek Canyon Park/Hildebrand Ranch Park, North Table Mountain Park, South Table Mountain Park, and Cathedral Spires Park (generally from February 1 – July 31, but check each park site for specific details). Miss Mountain Manners reminds you to respect the closures, they mean more birds in the future. (Parks may also be closed due to mud.)
Grab your binoculars, a bird book (David Sibley’s “Field Guide to Birds of Western North America” is recommended), and maybe a bird app for your phone (Merlin, eBird, Audubon Birds, iBird Pro, National Geographic), then enjoy the quietness of the natural world and a new sense of connection with the wild.
Open Space Update – January 2021
/0 Comments/in JeffCo Open Space, Parks, Parks & Trails, Uncategorized /by BlogMasterIt’s been a busy start to 2021, let’s take a look at what’s been happening at Open Space during January…
A collaborative effort between Park Services, Natural Resources and the Trails Teams started the process of removing two of the three old, deteriorated wildlife viewing blinds in the Kestrel Pond area of Crown Hill Park.
Elizabeth O’Brien, JCOS Planner Extraordinaire, narrates an update on the Park Plan & 2020-2023 actions at Crown Hill Park. Sincere thanks to all staff involved in the improvements to this much-loved Park. Check out the video for details! https://youtu.be/dZINHajMMM8
Clear Creek Canyon Park: Gateway Segment Update – Stairs, Restrooms & Park Video
The Trails Team is constructing timber steps leading from the Peaks to Plains Trail to the east side of the wooden flume.
The Building & Historic Sites Team is installing siding, roofing and plumbing and electrical to the restroom during the month of January.
Check out the great progress being made in Clear Creek Canyon in this month’s video update. https://youtu.be/QgPYGt0g2C0
Rockfall mitigation at the upper curve of Dinosaur Ridge began during the week of 1/18 and continued through nearly the end of January. Mitigation efforts at the project area included removal of loose rock on the rock slope and installation of rock mesh, which is now draped over the rock face and secured with a steel cable and steel bars which are anchored five feet into bedrock. This mesh is meant to direct future rockfall to the toe of the slope, improving overall visitor safety.
Pedestrian and cycling traffic on the Ridge did remain open during construction but the Arthur Lakes Lookout was temporarily closed during construction.
Reynolds Park – Fuel Break
This project began in the spring of 2019, with the JCOS forestry team operating large equipment and the youth contractor, TeamWorks, providing most of the labor. We created a 10-acre, 200-foot fuel break along Foxton Road. The 10 acres managed in this project were identified as the most hazardous section of JCOS property along Foxton by our partners at Elk Creek Fire Protection District. The fuel break is part of a larger effort to create safe ingress and egress for emergency response and evacuation for residents along the entirety of Foxton Road. Jefferson Conservation District, the Colorado State Forest Service, Denver Mountain Parks, Beaver Ranch Community, Inc., and several private residents have worked together on this landscape-scale effort.
South Table Mountain – Russian Olive Removal
Elk Meadow Park Improvements Planning – the Open Space Planning Team has been hard at work for the last year, putting together a proposed series of improvements for Elk Meadow OS Park, which are detailed in this memo, Greenprint Implementation Details. If you’re familiar with the Jeffco Open Space 2020-2025 Conservation Greenprint, this memo falls in line with implementing Goal 10, trailhead improvements to help improve the visitor experience. 2021 will be the design year, 2022 the implementation and construction year.
On December 8, 2020, the Planning Team proposed series of improvements to Management Team for Elk Meadow Park. These improvements were proposed after a series of meetings, site visits and discussions with Open Space staff throughout 2020 and can be found detailed in this memo. The recommendation included is the culmination of that work related to enhancing the visitor experience through trailhead improvements. Design is planned for this year and construction in 2022.
Clear Creek Canyon Park Gateway Restroom Update – the electrical work for the restroom has passed rough-in inspection and drywall installation has begun.
Undesignated Trail Restoration Preparation – You know that spring is on its way when the Trails Team starts harvesting and peeling logs for new buck-n-rail fencing, which will be used to help with restoration of all the undesignated trails in all the Open Space Parks.
Miss Mountain Manners wants to let everyone at JeffCo Open Space how proud we are of the terrific work that they’re doing. The next time you’re in one of our Parks and you see a JCOS Staffer or Volunteer, introduce yourself and say “thank you”.
Open Space Trail Closures 2021
/0 Comments/in Calls to Action, Featured, JeffCo Open Space, Parks, Parks & Trails /by BlogMasterAs of Monday, February 1, 2021, the following trails will be closed until further notice:
Centennial Cone Park – Elk Range Trail at Centennial Cone Park, including the interior of the park, is closed from February 1 through mid-June to protect elk during their calving season. All other trails remain open.
Clear Creek Canyon Park – portions of Clear Creek Canyon Park near Mile Marker 270 are closed to all public use uphill of US Highway 6 from February 1 through July 31 to protect raptor nesting territory. This closure includes the following rock climbing sites: Bumbling Stock, Stumbling Block, Skinny Legs, Blonde Formation, and Ghost Crag. The Fault Caves are also included in this closure.
Portions of Clear Creek Canyon Park, near Tunnel 2, are closed to all public use uphill of US Highway 6 from February 1 through July 31 to protect nesting eagles. This closure includes the following rock climbing sites: Highlander, Evil Area, and Tetanus Garden.
Deer Creek Canyon Park/Hildebrand Ranch Park – the entirety of Black Bear Trail, which connects Deer Creek Canyon Park and Hildebrand Ranch Park, is closed from February 1 through July 31 to protect nesting birds of prey.
North Table Mountain Park – Rim Rock Trail at North Table Mountain Park is closed from February 1 through July 31 to protect ground-nesting bird habitat and nesting birds of prey.
South Table Mountain Park – Lava Loop Trail at South Table Mountain Park is closed from February 1 through July 31 to protect ground-nesting bird habitat and nesting eagles.
Cathedral Spires Park – The entirety of Cathedral Spires Park is closed from March 1 through July 31 to protect nesting birds of prey.
Crown Hill Park – The Crown Hill Park Wildlife Sanctuary in the northwest quadrant of the park is closed from March 1 through June 30 to protect nesting and brooding waterfowl.
Miss Mountain Manners advises you respect these trail closures, and to report violations of these closures by calling the Jefferson County Dispatch at 303-980-7300.
For more information go to Jeffco Open Space.
Bruce Bryant, In Memoriam 1930-2021
/1 Comment/in In Memoriam, Sticky, Uncategorized /by BlogMasterBruce Bryant, 90, passed away on January 12, 2021, in Boulder, Colorado. Bruce was a passionate supporter of open spaces and natural resources; he was a member of PLAN Jeffco in its early days, as well as a member of the Clear Creek Land Conservancy, which is now part of Colorado Open Lands.
Bruce’s full obituary can be found here.
Memorial gifts in Bruce’s name can be made to Colorado Open Lands, 1546 Cole Blvd. #200 Lakewood, CO 80401 https://coloradoopenlands.org/
“Bruce was truly a champion of the natural world. His work in Geology in Co and AZ is extensive and excellent. He has been missed in the neighborhood.” — Jeff Bogard, CCLC/COL-AB Board Member
Miss Manners – Winter Contemplation
/0 Comments/in Calls to Action, Featured, Park & Trail Courtesy, Uncategorized /by BlogMasterMiss Manners says, “It’s winter. The parks are hunkered down.”
The days are short and often cold – time for the earth, its flora and its fauna, to conserve energy and renew. This period of dormancy helps plants rest up for renewed activity in the warmer days ahead. Many animals are in a survival mode, on minimum rations, and should not be disturbed.
When venturing out at this time of year:
* For yourself: dress in layers, stay hydrated, take along a snack, wear water-proof boots.
* For others: keep your distance, announce your presence as appropriate, wear a mask.
* For the parks: stay on the trail. If the trail is muddy, hike in the mud, don’t start a new parallel trail. If conditions permit, try snowshoes or x-country skis.
Winter by Rick Warr, June 2017
time to stop
hunker down
withdraw
think
reflect
celebrate silence
hibernate
conserve
hug
roast
contemplate
regenerate
sleep
dream
breathe fresh air
enjoy winter
the quiet season
See you in a warmer, healthier 2021 spring. Until then, stay safe!
Miss Manners
Open Space Update, 1/7/2021
/0 Comments/in Featured, JeffCo Open Space, Parks, Parks & Trails /by BlogMasterMiss Manners wants to apologize to her readers and to Jeffco Open Space for not reporting on the amazing work done in our Open Space Parks during the month of December. Too much Holiday, too many thoughts to process as 2020 winds down to an ignominious end. There’s been so much happening at Open Space, so let’s start 2021 with a recap of last December’s accomplishments and those of the first few days of January!
Apex Park – SWITCH GEARS for Winter Conditions
Clear Creek Canyon
Annual Bighorn Survey: three Natural Resources team members conducted bighorn sheep surveys in Clear Creek Canyon as part of Colorado Parks & Wildlife’s annual sheep survey. Twenty-eight individual sheep were observed on Open Space property.
Tunnel 1 kiosk construction begins this month. Stay tuned for regular updates.
In the Gateway Segment: Check out the latest video update with a special guest appearance by Hank Mifflin. https://youtu.be/O5vBFpqTmZE
Also in the Gateway Segment, the suspension bridge crossing Clear Creek in the Tunnel 1 oxbow is coming together. This 69-foot-long pedestrian bridge is 4-feet wide and will connect visitors from the from the concrete Peaks to Plains Trail to the historic wooden flume of the Welch Ditch.
Crown Hill Park
Crusher Fine Installation: JCOS’ partners at Road & Bridge started to install a crusher fine trail along the eastern side of the Park next to the cemetery. Many visitors were eager to experience the new trail surface, ignoring closure and warning signs, and walking next to heavy equipment while the new material was being applied. However, snow earlier in the month of December put a halt on the crusher fines installation project. The weather improved and work resumed toward the end of the month.
Hiwan Heritage Park
Mount Galbraith Park
Multi-modal Trailhead Arrival and Congestion Management Pilot: On Tuesday, December 15, the JCOS Management Team approved a pilot project intended to study, and test the feasibility, logistical considerations, technology applications and effectiveness of multi modal trailhead arrival and other congestion management strategies at a new trailhead for Mount Galbraith Park (GAL). JCOS is working on alleviating parking and access concerns for GAL. As a part of this process, JCOS plans to relocate the existing main trailhead to improve visitor experience and visitor safety. Possible multi-modal and congestion management strategies the team will explore for the new trailhead include, but are not limited to: a shuttle, parking reservation system, carpool campaign, time-limited parking, ride-hailing partnerships, etc.
South Valley Park South
Earlier this year, the new South Visitor Center trailhead opened to much joy and appreciation. In December the team applied a concrete stain to reduce the glare from the new, bright white surface and to better blend in with the surrounding landscape. This will be a great addition to the trailhead.
Welcome Center Operations
Beginning December 14, the front doors to the Welcome Center will remain locked throughout the day. To assist any walk-up visitors, Welcome Center staff will remain “On Duty” within the building and accessible by phone. The phone number will be posted on the door during regular business hours. This will allow the staff to meet the needs of our visitors, but free them up to accomplish tasks not easily performed while being at the Welcome Center.
Jeffco Board of Commissioners – Approvals
The BCC also approved the IGA for the Rocky Mountain Greenway Trail Crossings. This extension links the Greenway from where Phase One currently terminates in Broomfield’s Great Western Open Space, through Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge and into Boulder County. The FLAP grant provides funding for trail crossings at Indiana Street and Colorado Highway 128.
Get to Know Our JCOS Staff…
Welcome North Region Coordinator, Dillon McBride, to the Visitor Services Team. Dillon reported to the Visitor Services Team Manager effective December 17.
Stewardship Changes: Kyle Andrews was hired as the Trails Team Senior Specialist, and his main focus will be the Trail Stewardship Team and the Annual Trail Assessments. In January ,the Trails Team will be divided into a Trail Construction Team and a Trail Maintenance Team. This move is intended to have team members focus on trail construction projects associated with Goal 9 of the Conservation Greenprint, while having separate team members focus on trail maintenance (taking care of what we have) and restoration projects to support Goal 7 of the Conservation Greenprint.
Evergreen Famous – Ranger Billy Hall: according to the December 2020 issue of Serenity Magazine, Colorado’s Premier Lifestyle Magazine, Ranger Billy Hall is most
frequently sighted on the trails in Jeffco Parks. Fun fact: his favorite animal is a squirrel. Even more fun fact: Billy met the photographer while on duty. He introduced himself and checked to make sure she had a current JCOS commercial activity/photography permit. She did have a current permit and she offered to take a photo of Billy. This is how our rangers and volunteers turn a Stewardship Education Contact into positive press.
… and Our Invaluable JCOS Volunteers
Volunteer Training on Stewardship Contacts: On Tuesday, December 8, the Ranger and Volunteer Services Teams hosted more than 100 volunteers and gave them training on how to turn a greeting into a stewardship education contact. This is one of many steps taken to help achieve Goal #1 of the Conservation Greenprint.
Last But Definitely Not Least
We all loathe the unattended poop bag carelessly left along the trail. Some visitors have the best intentions to pick it up and pack it out on their way back. Others assume the poop fairy will pick it up and pack it out for them. Either way, unattended poop bags are aggravating, visually awful, and against park regulations. To get a better understanding of how bad the problem is, rangers elected to track the number of unattended poop bags they collected along our trails and at our trailheads in 2020. The grand total was 2,996. Before you become completely disgusted and depressed at this number, be sure you consider it in context. We have an estimated canine visitation of at least three million dogs annually. Say each one poops and there is an associated bag. Because we are not seeing three million bags, but rather three thousand, it seems the norm is to doo the right thing and pack the bag out and dispose of it properly in a trash receptacle. Now, if we can just get that last, stubborn .1% to doo the right thing….
If you’ve made it all the way to the end of this report, give yourself an ‘atta-person’, and another one to our Jeffco Open Space for the amazing job that they’ve done in just over one month! Keep all this mind when you next visit our Open Space Parks, and let’s give a (socially distanced) high five to the next Ranger or Volunteer you meet when you’re there!
As always, ladies and gents, friends and comrades, stay safe!
Take Photos, Leave Only Footprints
/0 Comments/in Featured, Park & Trail Courtesy, Parks, Parks & Trails, Uncategorized /by BlogMasterPhoto credit: Colorado Parks & Wildlife
Miss Mountain Manners has a question for you: have you ever heard of a “cursed rock”? One person who was gifted with a “keepsake rock” from Colorado believes that the rock is cursed. Last July, Colorado Parks and Wildlife received a handwritten letter claiming that a stolen Colorado rock, brought back as a souvenir three years ago, has been responsible for “bad things happening ever since.” The rock was included with the letter.
Whether or not you believe the legend that if you remove rocks from their natural outdoor location you’ll bring bad luck to yourself, it’s a good idea to leave no trace when you’re in the Great Outdoors, and that includes leaving rocks where you found them. You’ll find breath-takingly beautiful rock formations in our Clear Creek Open Space Park, and thankfully, most of the rocks are far too large (and heavy) to end up in anyone’s collection. But even when you find small rocks, look at them, study them, take pleasure in their beauty, and then leave them behind for others to enjoy.
As Colorado Parks & Wildlife tweets, ““The best practice when visiting any park or wilderness is to take only photographs and leave only footprints”. Miss Mountain Manners agrees!
https://www.outtherecolorado.com/news/souvenir-taken-from-colorado-said-to-be-cursed/article_b98b8d3a-cb90-11ea-ad17-e3ab88678693.html
PLAN Jeffco December 2020 Newsletter is online
/1 Comment/in Features & Opinions Archive, News & Views, Uncategorized /by BlogMasterThe December 2020 PLAN Jeffco newsletter is available online. Jump over to our Library and see what’s new, or download from the embedded reader below.
1 Dec 2020 1-12 finalFollow us on Twitter: @MannersMountain and @PLANJeffco
Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PLANjeffco
Peaks to Plains Trail Gateway Takes Shape
/0 Comments/in JeffCo Open Space, News & Views, Parks, Parks & Trails, Uncategorized /by BlogMasterCan you recognize where you are? Look through the framing, do you recognize Castle Rock on South Table Open Space Park?
Construction on the Peaks to Plains Trail continues. This location is called the “Gateway Segment”, it’s just west of Golden. Eventually, you will be able to walk from the Library, the History Museum, or even the Golden Visitors Center, head west along the Clear Creek Trail, cross highway 93, and you’ll be on this portion of the Peaks to Plains Trail, inside the Clear Creek Canyon Open Space Park. The portions that are already open are stunning; we anticipate that this segment will be no less so.
Take 5 minutes and enjoy Scott Grossman as he describes the construction that’s happening at the Gateway Segment.
Miss Mountain Manners reminds you to stay safe during this time of COVID, and even when you’re in the Open Space Parks remember to wear your mask and stay 6 feet away from those who are not in your personal “bubble”. Follow Miss Mountain Manners at @MannersMountain
Share the Trail COVID Campaign Off To A Good Start – Shaun Howard
/0 Comments/in JeffCo Open Space, Park & Trail Courtesy, Parks, Parks & Trails, Uncategorized /by BlogMasterAs I write this article in mid-November, rangers have already responded to more than 1000 calls for service. Some of these calls have been responding to visitor courtesy complaints on North Table Mountain. While rangers routinely patrol the park, a few of our volunteer equestrian Park Patrollers recognized our stretched staff resources and approached me to request they would like to help out by hosting several Share the Trails events at North Table Mountain. These pop-ups generated 550 conversations with our park visitors. Volunteer Frank Blaha, said “often all of us were fully engaged” in conversations with several visitors. He goes on to say, “many people seemed appreciative of us being out, and a few commented it is good to know Rangers and Volunteer Patrollers were working to keep Jeffco Open Space in good shape.” Special thanks go out to Volunteer Patrollers who were instrumental in moving this series of pop-ups along: Dan B., Frank B., Jack M., Jan K., Lydia M. and Sylvan R. Thanks also go out to the many volunteers who dropped by and who spent over 725 hours in 2020 routinely patrolling North Table Mountain Park. I am privileged to work with such an amazing group of volunteers. Jeffco Open Space truly appreciates all they do to support the Jeffco Open Space mission in caring for our parks!
Shaun Howard, Ranger Lead
Jeffco Open Space
303-271-5909
Miss Mountain Manners extends great thanks to Shaun Howard, JCOS Ranger, for sharing the story about these pop-up events. Communication, cooperation…if everyone tried a little harder, imagine what a great world this could be!