New Apex Park trailhead opens Thursday, 8/27

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JCOS logoDear Apex Park friends-

We are very pleased to announce that we will be opening the new trailhead area on the east side of Apex Park tomorrow.  Although a more formal grand opening will occur next month, all trailhead amenities will be open tomorrow.  The trailhead includes many new features including a new restroom with water (water fountain, bottle filler and dog watering fountain).  The trailhead also has a new improved parking area, concrete trail connection for all users and a soft surface trail for hikers.  A new kiosk will also provide information and educational information.

Please note, the temporary upper parking area and trailhead will now be closed and all access on the east side will move to the new trailhead area.

Happy Trails everyone!!

Tim

Tim Sandsmark

Lookout Region Supervisor

D 720.497.7602 C 303.916.6553

jeffco.us/parks

Join Jeffco Open Space in Celebrating National Public Lands Day

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JCOS logo
Volunteer Work Centered on Elk Meadow Park

National Public Lands Day is Saturday, September 26, and Jeffco Open Space welcomes your volunteer contributions at Elk Meadow Park in Evergreen. Volunteers will help to improve the trail that originates at the Buchanan Park Recreation Center and travels through Noble Meadow. They’ll also restore plants native to the area.

Registration is required through www.jeffcoopenspace.eventbrite.com. The event is from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Heavy rains in 2015 have resulted in damage to the trail. As visitors have tried to avoid muddy areas, the trail has widened and braided, becoming three separate paths in some areas.

Nearly a mile of the trail, to the north of Painter’s Pause, will be improved to withstand storm damage, including a slight re-route.

National Public Lands Day is the nation’s largest, single-day volunteer effort for public lands. To learn more, visit http://www.publiclandsday.org/about.

Jeffco Open Space was founded as a land conservation organization in 1972 to preserve land, protect park and natural resources and provide healthy nature-based experiences.  Funded with a one-half of one percent sales tax, the agency has preserved over 53,000 acres and created 28 regional parks and 230 miles of trails in Jefferson County.

2014 Jeffco Open Space Annual ReportJeff Golden

Communications Assistant

303-271-5963

jeffco.us/parks

For more information or to comment on this posting, please contact Thea Rock, Communications Manager, Jeffco Open Space, tr***@****co.us or 303-271-5902.

Save The Date, 2015 Annual Dinner

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PLAN Jeffco logo

Celebrating Land Trusts

 Honorees:

Clear Creek Land Conservancy

Colorado Open Lands

Mountain Area Land Trust

2015 Annual Dinner

Meet and chat with the county commissioners

SAVE THE DATE

Monday, Sept. 21, 2015

The Vista at Applewood Golf Course, Golden

5:30 p.m. ­­‑ cocktail social hour

Registration opens in July at www.planjeffco.org

HELP US STAY IN TOUCH: If you would like to be on our email reminder list for this and future events please contact: Co*******@********co.org

Download a PDF version of our PLAN Jeffco 2015 Annual Dinner SAVE THE DATE announcement here.

Open Space Parks – Seasonal Nesting Closures

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Cathedral Spires OS park trailSeasonal closures will be implemented at Jeffco Open Space Parks on March 1 through July 31.  Parks where closures will take place are Crown Hill Park in the Wildlife Sanctuary, North Table Mountain Park along Rim Rock Trail, and Cathedral Spires Park climbing area. These annual seasonal closures allow wildlife to successfully nest, rear young, or survive a critical time in their lifecycles with minimal human disturbance.

In addition, four rock-climbing crags in Clear Creek Canyon Park are currently closed to protect nesting golden eagles. The areas known as Stumbling Block, Bumbling Block and Skinny Legs/Blonde Formation are all within one-quarter mile of an established nesting area with bolted climbing routes directly blow it. These crags are located west of Tunnel One in Clear Creek Canyon and will remain closed through mid-May.

Jeffco Open Space monitoring volunteers, natural resources staff and park rangers will monitor these sites and enforce the closures.  Help us protect the wildlife that make Jeffco Open Space Parks and Trails the extraordinary places that enrich our lives.

Clear Creek Canyon OS park rock-climbingFor questions or additional information, contact Jeff Golden, Communications Assistant, Jeffco Open Space:

303-271-5903 direct

720-556-3354 mobile

 

Climbing Closure in Clear Creek Canyon Park for Raptor Resource Protection

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EagleBeginning February 15, 2015, Jeffco Open Space will implement a climbing closure in Clear Creek Canyon Park. Four crags and 12 routes used for climbing in Clear Creek Canyon Park will be closed for the protection of nesting golden eagles. This seasonal closure through July 31, 2015 will ensure compliance with the Federal Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.

To minimize disturbance to golden eagles, the following areas will be closed: Stumbling Block, Bumbling Stock, and Skinny Legs/Blonde Formation. These crags are all within one-quarter mile and within sight of a nesting area that has a bolted climbing route directly below it. These areas are located west of tunnel one in Clear Creek Canyon.

Jeffco Open Space raptor monitoring volunteers, natural resources staff and park rangers will monitor this site and enforce the closure. If the pair of eagles does not show signs of nesting in the identified areas by May 15, 2015, the seasonal closure will be lifted so that climbing can take place in this area.

Violations of this closure may result in a fine of $100,000, imprisonment, or both. For more information on The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 668-668c), enacted in 1940 visit: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/midwestbird/eaglepermits/bagepa.html

Jeffco Open Space was founded as a land conservation organization in 1972 to preserve land, protect park and natural resources and provide healthy nature-based experiences. We are funded with a one-half of one percent sales tax that has preserved over 53,617 acres and created 28 regional parks and 230 miles of trails in Jefferson County.

For questions or additional information contact Thea Rock, tr***@****co.us or 303‐271‐5902

 

 

 

 

 

Jeffco Open Space Volunteer Recruitment Fair

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From observing wildlife and assisting visitors to bringing history to life, volunteers find many ways to contribute to Jeffco Open Space. Learn about all the opportunities by dropping in at a Volunteer Recruitment Fair on Thursday, February 12 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Jeffco Open Space Administration Building, 700 Jefferson County Parkway, Suite 100, Golden, CO 80401. For more info, visit http://jeffco.us/open-space/volunteer/job-descriptions/.

Many Thanks,

Will Lebzelter
Communications Associate
Jeffco Open Space
303.271.5961

PJ Board Meeting, 1/22/2015

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Save the date: PLAN Jeffco Board Meeting, January 22nd, 2015, 7PM – 9PM at Saint Anthony’s Hospital Auditorium C. All PLAN Jeffco Board meetings are open to the public; please RSVP to co*******@********co.org if you plan to attend, in case there is a last-minute change of venue.

Apex Park Closed Nov. 19-20 for Bridges Delivery; White Ranch Park Trail Closures Nov. 20 morning

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2014-Vicky-01_rider on Pick & SledgeApex Park is scheduled to be closed starting at 5 p.m. Wed., Nov. 19 and continuing all day on Thurs., Nov. 20. The closure will allow for safe and efficient staging and delivery of materials for new bridges along several sections of heavily damaged lower Apex Trail. Also on Nov. 20, from 7 a.m. to noon, portions of trails in the southwest section of White Ranch Park—Sawmill, Mustang and Upper Belcher Hill—will be closed for staging and delivery of materials to repair trail damage along Mustang and Wrangler’s Run. See map. The historic floods of September 2013 caused severe damage at both Jeffco Open Space Parks.

Jeffco Open Space plans to reopen all Apex Trail by November 26. Closed trail sections at White Ranch Park will be reopened in 2015. Since September 2013, there have been months of planning, labor by staff and volunteers, and a required review of major trail repair plans in order to receive Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood recovery funds. When Apex Trail reopens in its entirety, directional travel for mountain bikers—one-way travel on odd dates—will be reinstated.

Tim Sandsmark
Lookout Region Supervisor
Jeffco Open Space
720-497-7602 direct
303-916-6553 mobile

 

 

 

CCLC Calendar Photo Contest Reception, Thu 10/30

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CCLC Calendar 2015The Clear Creek Land Conservancy (CCLC) Calendar Photo Contest Reception is this Thursday, October 30th at 5:30pm at Mount Vernon Country Club.  David McKenna, the Art Director at 5280 Magazine and the final judge this year, will give a presentation on his work and a critique of this year winning photographs.  There will be appetizers and a cash bar, and this is the perfect time to pick up your CCLC calendars, as they will be unveiled at the reception.

Please feel free to invite friends and supporters.  A $15 donation is suggested, or purchase a calendar (which is $15).

RSVP by Monday, October 27th and please include the number and name of your guests. RSVP to:

Claire Riegelman

Executive Director

Clear Creek Land Conservancy

303.718.9546

cl****@***********************cy.org

www.clearcreeklandconservancy.org

 

JCOS Hosts ‘Trails Talk’ Forum Wed 10/29

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Jeffco Open Space to Hold Follow-Up ‘Trails Talk’ Forum

Jeffco Open Space is hosting a second Trails Talk public forum this year to continue the dialog on experiences in the parks and on the trails. Come to listen, join the conversation, or sign up to put boots on the ground.

This event will be held on Wednesday, October 29, from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., at the American Mountaineering Center, 710 10th St, Golden, CO 80401 in the first floor conference rooms.

In addition to talk of flood recovery, Jeffco Open Space will provide an update on new trails, the status of working groups, and volunteer involvement opportunities. Following a presentation, staff experts will be available for one-on-one questions on a variety of topics.

Jeffco Open Space was founded as a land conservation organization in 1972 to preserve land, protect park and natural resources and provide healthy nature-based experiences. We are funded with a one-half of one percent sales tax that has preserved over 53,000 acres and created 28 regional parks and 230 miles of trails in Jefferson County.

For more information contact Thea Rock, Jeffco Open Space
303-271-5902, tr***@****co.us