PLAN Jeffco Stewardship Academy Registration Is Open Now!

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CRAZY ABOUT CONSERVATION?

SERIOUS ABOUT LAND STEWARDSHIP?

CONCERNED ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE?

Join us for our 7-week Stewardship Academy. During this time you’ll learn about

Jefferson County and what makes it so special.

The Jeffco Open Space Program and how it came to be.

The Open Space Parks, how they’re organized and maintained.

The Jeffco Open Space Greenprint and what it means for the Parks’ future.

Ecology, land preservation, and citizen science in Jeffco.

The Open Space Advisory Committee, what it is and what it does.

Threats to biodiversity and ecosystems, how to mitigate them.

Human activity and its impact on open spaces.

Visitor experience in Jeffco Open Space Parks.

Taking care of our precious lands.

This seven-week program, meets once a week, in a virtual classroom setting plus in-person field experience in the Jeffco Open Space Parks.

Enrollment is now open…classes start Tuesday, May 4th, 6-8 PM.

$35 Enrollment fee*, includes:

Six weeks of presentations by local experts in conservation, biodiversity, land management, and more.

Opportunity to observe the Open Space Advisory Committee in action.

A group stewardship project in one of the Jeffco Open Space Parks.

One-year full membership in PLAN Jeffco.

Download planned curriculum HERE.

REGISTER

Connect to EventBrite to make your reservation here

or download this form, fill it out and mail with your check for $35 to

PLAN Jeffco

11010 West 29th Avenue

Lakewood, CO 80215

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*limited scholarship available upon request. Contact

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 for more information.

Open Space Update – Feb-Mar 2021

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February was a short month, and with all the snow that fell in March, it seemed reasonable to pair the reports for these two months together. Despite the time limit and the weather interruptions, JCOS got a lot done!

 

Centennial Cone Park – 2020-2021 Hunting Numbers

During this past hunting season, there were a total of 225 unique hunter sign-ins, the majority of whom had a companion with them.  A total of 15 deer and two elk were harvested.  Two hunters called to report that their harvested deer tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease.  Based on hunter observations, as many as 50 elk were observed in the Park at one time during the two month period.

 

 

 

Clear Creek Canyon Park Improvements – Gateway to Huntsman Trail Segment

In preparation for design of the next trail segment in Clear Creek Canyon, a drone flew through the Canyon in early February to collect more accurate survey data to help with the design phase of the project.  The steep canyon walls, dense trees and rocky overhangs led to some inaccuracies with the plane-based LiDAR survey data which was originally gathered for the project. The weather and the light were so perfect that the drone survey was finished in two days instead of the four that was originally planned.

Clear Creek Canyon Park, Gateway Segment

The Gateway Trailhead is inching closer to completion.  The crews continue to make great progress as they get closer to opening this summer.

Restroom Update

The Building & Historic Sites Team has completed installing drywall and the drywall has passed inspection.  HVAC layout and installation has begun, with lots of piping and a boiler for in-floor heating. The roofing was completed just before the big March snow. Interior wall finishes are being completed. Way to go Buildings & Historic Sites Team!

Stairs

The Trails Team completed the timber stairs and retaining walls that connect the Peaks to Plains Trail to the east side of the wooden flume.

Permeable Paver Install

Installation of the interlocking concrete permeable pavers at the Gateway Trailhead began in early March.  These pavers are very similar to the trailhead surface at Hildebrand Ranch Park and allow surface water to seep back into the ground instead of being carried into a traditional storm water system.  This not only eliminates the need for a storm water quality pond and frees up space for more parking, the pavers are a key piece in low-impact development. Check out the latest update video to learn how interlocking concrete permeable pavers are installed.  https://youtu.be/4M0XVveM35o

Board of County Commissioners Approves Design Contract for Next Segment

The next segment of the Peaks to Plains Trail and the continued development of the Clear Creek Canyon Park cleared a major hurdle in early March.  The BCC approved the contract with the Design-Build team led by Concrete Express and Muller Engineering.  This 3-mile segment is funded by $10.25M from the Denver Regional Council of Governments’ Transportation Improvement Program, and will run from where the Gateway Segment ends at the west portal of Tunnel 1 to Huntsman Gulch.  It will include two new trailheads, multiple bridges and numerous creek access points.  Design has begun, with construction to commence in 2022.  The entire project should open to the public in 2024.

Mount Falcon Park – Entry Sign Update

The entry sign at the West Mount Falcon Trailhead has been updated to provide clear direction to Park visitors.

 

Matthews/Winters Park – Dakota Ridge Trail Fencing

Thanks to the collaboration of the Trails and Park Services Teams, 56 feet of high tensile fence was installed on a portion of the Dakota Ridge Trail for visitor safety and resource protection.

Preparation for Unauthorized Trail Restoration – Log Harvesting

The Trails Team has finished harvesting and peeling lodgepole pine for buck-n-rail fencing material used to close unauthorized trails.

 

Snow Removal Operations

Great pride, appreciation and respect towards the field staff and the efforts taken toward an efficient response to Winter Storm Zylia.  Without hesitation the Park Services, Ranger, Trails, Community Connections, Buildings & Historic Sites and Natural Resources teams collaborated to both prepare for and respond to the Metro Area’s fourth largest snowstorm in recorded history.  This effort enabled JCOS to restore access to all of the main trailheads, provide at least 50% available parking at those locations, clear the paved trails and ensure the functionality of the facilities in just two days!  Huge thanks and appreciation to Jeffco Road and Bridge and local transportation departments for maintaining the roads and assisting with some of the more challenging trailhead locations.  Same for the Facilities Department who worked towards having the JCOS office open and available.  Following on the heels of Zylia, additional snowfall has pushed full recovery into subsequent weeks as JCOS staff continues to open trailheads, improve access and further clear parking lots and other trailhead amenities.

Beaver Ranch Park – Jeffco Open Space Foundation/Hanna Trust Property

Thanks to the persistence of the Real Estate Team and a little help from the Jeffco Open Space Foundation, JCOS can finally provide legal access to the south entrance of the Valley Trail at Beaver Ranch Park!  The addition of this 0.44-acre property eliminates the gap between the Park and neighborhood access from Black Hawk Drive and will enable JCOS to install visitor information at this entry point.

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North Table Mountain – Spring Snake Emergence

With the official start of spring just around the corner and two feet of snow on the ground, the Front Range is sending its usual mixed seasonal signals, including the first reported snake sightings of 2021. Garter snakes have been observed crossing trails at a few locations along the Front Range, and JCOS herp volunteer Ryan Borgmann photographed this bull snake parked at the entrance of its hibernaculum on March 7th at North Table Mountain Park.  Snakes are not likely to venture far from the shelter of their wintering den, but warm, sunny spring days may bring them out for a healthy bask.

Apex Park – Mountain Lion Encounter

March 13, 2021: From the HWI (Human-Wildlife Interaction) reporting app: “I (adult female) was hiking down Paydirt Trail and noted an adult mountain lion walking down the hill, about 50-75 yards away.  It heard me, turned and looked at me, but continued to descend towards Magic Mountain Trail.  I took a short video since it appeared uninterested in me.  I was still and just watching, and when it disappeared from view, I noticed a trail runner above me on the Hardscrabble. I yelled “mountain lion, mountain lion, cougar, puma!  Careful!  I just saw it go down this hill!” and the runner turned around.  I continued to descend slowly and saw another trail runner coming up the Apex/Magic Mountain towards where I had last seen the lion, yelled to alert them, and they also turned around.  I was afraid I’d see it as I got on Magic Mountain back to the trailhead and walked slowly backwards on the trail until it curved.  I did not see the lion again.  A few minutes later two trail runners were coming up the trail towards me.  I warned them I had just seen it disappear in this area, they said they knew about it, and (foolishly) decided to continue running onwards towards where I had last seen it.  I got to the parking lot, saw a ranger’s truck and told Adam Campbell about it.  He gave me his business card and I emailed him the video.”

Stormwater Operations and Cartegraph

Storm water operations are evolving thanks to leadership, team effort and Cartegraph. JCOS is starting to get a bird’s eye view of its assets and a good overall understanding of their condition.  The Park Services Team completed their first round of field collecting and test inspections, entering assets and essential details into the asset management system, Cartegraph.  The GIS Team has done an amazing job giving teams the tools needed to inventory the system, discover concerns and plan strategic repairs.  This improves collaboration with Planning and Zoning, supporting MS4 permit compliance.  It also improves the ability to prepare for and respond to disasters. It may not seem important to know how many culverts there are and where they’re located, until a catastrophic flood happens.

Colorado Front Range Trail

A Request for Proposal was advertised last week to find a design team to complete a Feasibility Study for the northern Jefferson County segment of the Colorado Front Range Trail.  This multi-modal segment will connect North Table Mountain Park to the border with Boulder County. The Feasibility Study will identify the most feasible trail alignment, develop a preliminary design of this alignment, and create design/construction cost estimates.  The Study is funded by the Trust for Public Land, City of Arvada, JCOS, and the Denver Regional Council of Governments’ Transportation Improvement Program. More to come in the near future as the selection process moves forward!

JCOS Fun Fact – Pavement

Thanks to recent GIS and Cartegraph efforts JCOS has been able to quantify many assets, including pavement. JCOS maintains 3.8 million square feet of paved surfaces including concrete, asphalt, recycled asphalt, road base, crusher fines, and pavers. That is equivalent to 89.7 acres or 31 miles of a two-lane roadway.

Forest Health Successful Grant Award

JCOS received notice in February that they had been awarded $47,653.70 to help purchase a second masticator (also called a forest brush cutter).  For those who are keeping track, the Natural Resources Team is 2-for-2 on grant applications this year.

Invasive Species 101 Webinar Series Receives More Than 430 Registrations

Jeffco Invasive Species Management and Jeffco CSU Extension have partnered with Boulder and Larimer County CSU Extension to present a webinar series focused on invasive species issues along the Front Range.  This four session speaker series aims to educate and inform landowners on invasive species terminology, identification, treatment, and latest trends.  Sessions are held virtually from 6:00–7:30 pm from late March until early May. The first session had 181 attendees and to date, a total of 432 registrations.  More information can be found on Jeffco CSU Extension’s webpage https://jeffco.extension.colostate.edu/2021/02/03/upcoming-webinar/

Whew! Despite the short month of February and the very snowy month of March, it’s readily apparent that JCOS has been busy!! Even throughout the winter and all this construction, visitor numbers in the Parks are above what they have been historically, so keeping the Parks maintained for everyone’s enjoyment has been a priority. And JCOS has risen to the challenge!

Miss Mountain Manners wants to let everyone at JeffCo Open Space know how proud we at PLAN Jeffco 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”.

Miss Mountain Manners-PLAN Jeffco

 

MISS MOUNTAIN MANNERS INVITES YOU TO GO BIRD WATCHING

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                        Are 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?

  1. With fewer leaves on the deciduous trees and bushes it makes it easier to spot the birds.
  2. Many ducks and geese are at their most colorful in the winter, in preparation for the coming mating/nesting season.
  3. Birds are everywhere, from your backyard and neighborhood, through the flatlands, and into the foothills and mountain parks. Note that bird species—in fact all species of flora and fauna—are most numerous near water. The riparian areas (along streams and lake shores) provide the lushest vegetation, satisfying birds’ needs for sustenance, and cover for their nests.
  4. Birding satisfaction merely requires a little patience and time to watch and listen for them, while being quiet and mindful of the area. You’ll be amazed at how many of the sounds of birds—and in fact the natural world in general–are revealed when you stand quietly. Eventually, you’ll be able to identify different types of birds not only by sight, but also be their calls and songs.
Mountain Chickadee, photo courtesy of eBird

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

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

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.

Miss Mountain Manners-PLAN Jeffco

Open Space Update – January 2021

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It’s been a busy start to 2021, let’s take a look at what’s been happening at Open Space during January… 

Crown Hill Park – Kestrel Pond & Park Plans

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

Dinosaur Ridge – Rockfall Mitigation

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

Natural Resource Team members will complete Russian Olive removal work along the Welch Ditch on the north side of South Table Mountain this week.  The team is timing this important invasive species removal work to be completed before the Golden Eagle nest protection closure. Russian Olive is native to Eurasia and is a Colorado List B noxious weed; containment is required in Jeffco.

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”.

Miss Mountain Manners-PLAN Jeffco

 

Bruce Bryant, In Memoriam 1930-2021

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Bruce 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

Hygge: Hot Chocolate in front of fireplace

Miss Manners – Winter Contemplation

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Miss 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.

Alternate Plan B (once in a while): give nature the chance to restore itself. Put on your warmest socks, make yourself some hot chocolate, turn on your favorite music and enjoy the quiet time at home.

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

Miss Mountain Manners-PLAN Jeffco

Take Photos, Leave Only Footprints

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Photo 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

Miss Mountain Manners-PLAN Jeffco

 

PLAN Jeffco December 2020 Newsletter is online

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The 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 final

 

Miss Mountain Manners-PLAN Jeffco

Follow us on Twitter: @MannersMountain and @PLANJeffco

Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PLANjeffco

 

Peaks to Plains Trail Gateway Takes Shape

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Can 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

Miss Mountain Manners-PLAN Jeffco

Share the Trail COVID Campaign Off To A Good Start – Shaun Howard

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Last year, Jeffco Open Space Parks received approximately 7 million visitors. This year, with the pandemic, we have seen a drastic increase in people finding much-needed stress relief while enjoying our parks. For several years, Rangers and Volunteers have collaborated to host dozens of Share the Trails pop-up events. What’s a pop-up you ask? A pop-up is a focused low-key event where volunteers and staff talk with visitors at the trailheads regarding various pertinent park issues. For example, if a park has an increase in dogs off leash, rangers and volunteers will staff a Love Em’ Leash Em’ table and talk to visitors about dog safety messages (i.e. leashing, picking up waste, providing for dog safety in hot weather, etc). Over the years, pop-ups topics have covered living with wildlife (rattlesnakes, bears, lions, coyotes, etc), share the trails, dog safety and education regarding park management changes. The goal is to educate visitors BEFORE they enter the park and BEFORE they make a mistake. Feedback from visitors has been extremely positive. They seem to really appreciate the one-on-one contact with representatives of Jeffco Open Space.

 

As 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!

Miss Mountain Manners-PLAN Jeffco