Preservation 2017 ANNUAL REPORT Progress

Open Space PRESERVE - PROTECT - PROVIDE PRESERVING OPEN SPACE AND PARKLAND SINCE 1972

Dear Friends, In 2017, we celebrated 45 years of investing in public open space, parks and trails that enrich life throughout Jefferson County. The year saw many great accomplishments: we expanded mileage of the Peaks to Plains Trail in Clear Creek Canyon Park, a trail of statewide significance, and we exceeded our master plan goals for total volunteer hours, and new trail miles–two years early.

We also faced increased challenges, such as the estimated 6.9 million visitors that enjoyed Jeffco Open Space in 2017, putting more pressure on the park system, trails and the overall experience. We continue to address this challenge in the following ways: purchasing more land, building more trails and empowering park visitors to become land stewards. More preserved land and trails will help to disperse the visitation across Jefferson County, and when our visitors become land stewards, our messages, mission and value increase–many times over.

The year was full of actions that helped to address our challenges. This report shows our progress–our preservation progress.

Happy Trails, BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Funded by a dedicated half cent sales tax, every time you support Jefferson County businesses, you Casey Tighe Libby Szabo Tina Francone invest in public open space, parks and healthy Chairman Chair Pro Tem Commissioner outdoor experiences. 2 3 Pine Valley Ranch Park. Photo: Eric Holzman 2014–2019 Master Plan Goal Progress

GOALS SUMMARY EXCEEDED

The Jeffco Open Space 2014–2019 Master Plan document Land Preservation Goal: set goals for the organization, many of which have Increase land preserved by already been met or exceeded. 1,700 acres. Goal Exceeded: 3,353

Education Goal: Increase program participation to 102,000 people. Goal Exceeded: 113,361

Volunteerism Goal: Visitor Stewardship Goal: Increase volunteer support to Increase educational contacts to 39,350 hours. Goal Exceeded: 48,200 23,000. Goal Exceeded: 34,618

GOALS MET

Trails Goal: 252 miles. Goal Met in 2017.

Nature-Health Connection Goal: Create five additional regional maps. Goal Met in 2016.

Communications Goal: Develop Communications and Community Involvement Plan. Goal Met in 2014.

ONGOING GOALS Land Stewardship Goal: Refine stewardship standards and systems.

Clear Creek Canyon taken from Windy Saddle Park. Photo: Jeff Parker

4 5 Collaboration and trust, two values guiding Jeffco Open Space, were demonstrated with our partners and landowners, and allowed for the success and completion of several key acquisitions in 2017.

A collaboration with the Cities of Edgewater and Lakewood facilitated the City of Edgewater’s Civic Center project located at 24th Avenue and Chase Street.

The combination of Great Outdoors Colorado funds totaling $500,000, Clear Creek County funds of $291,500 and Jefferson County Open Space funds of $200,000 afforded the acquisition of over 107 acres of land jointly owned by Jefferson County and Clear Creek County, known as North Floyd Hill. This land located in Clear Creek County, represents PRESERVE the first Jeffco Open Space purchase of land located outside of Jefferson County. Land preserved in perpetuity allows for a balance Land trade in Clear Creek Canyon Park allowed for between nature and recreation, as well as expanded trailhead parking at Mayhem Gulch priceless outdoor experiences, and wildlife habitat. The success of the Peaks to Plains Trail is in large part due to the Master Plan Goal: Exceeded partnership with the Colorado Department of Transportation. This year the County completed complex land trades and a long-term lease that provided for the expansion of the Mayhem Gulch parking lot and the realignment of US Highway 6 to facilitate trail development.

The Meyer Ranch properties acquisition marked the addition of the remaining land in the estate of Ethel and Norman Meyer Sr., the original owners of the County’s Meyer Ranch Park. Jefferson County Open Space Future City of Edgewater Civic Center. Image: D2C Architects|NV5 funds in the amount of $865,000 acquired over 54 acres added to the park as well as the historic Manor House, the meadow and a trail corridor connection.

Meyer Ranch property, Conifer

6 7 Education station at VISITOR Centennial PARK RANGERS STEWARDSHIP Cone Park EDUCATION park ranger 4,911 program EDUCATE 113,361 participants Empowering park visitors to become land education stewards fosters value for public lands for program participation 734 generations to come. written warnings Master Plan Goals: Exceeded 8,103 more education contacts made in parks over 380 previous year summons issued (top three: off-leash dog, 34,618 visitor parking, park hours) stewardship contacts

Bark Rangers with their Park Rangers

PARK SERVICES

Trail courtesy education 7,561 station at North Table trailhead service visits Mountain Park total visits to 2,808 trailheads on the weekends

Education station with Lookout Mountain Nature Center staff and volunteers New kiosks updated Nature program at kiosk 25 design 8 Lookout Mountain Nature Center 9 FOREST MANAGEMENT

Collaboration with Beaver Ranch 50 Community, Inc., the Coalition for STEWARDSHIP acres of forests the Upper South Platte, and the Upper treated South Platte Partnership allowed for In support of the Jeffco Open Space mission, staff seek to implementation of the final phase of a preserve native species diversity, protect ecosystem integrity, multi-year forest management project at and provide science-based land management strategies. Beaver Ranch in Conifer. Master Plan Goal: Ongoing

HABITAT RESTORATION INVENTORY & MONITORING After closing the Elk Meadow Park Dog Off-leash Area, a series of Mountain lion with three kits on Jeffco Open Space property measures were implemented including soil stabilization, water quality monitoring, invasive species control, wildlife monitoring and an overall plan for restoring the site. Raptor monitoring INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT Opportunities for stream enhancement and riparian restoration were also explored in the southern portion of the County, and locally- appropriate seed mixes were refined for use after construction and trail projects. Baseline inventories Federally-protected Ute Ladies’ Tresses conducted on over Orchid monitored in parks Red-tailed hawk on nest Photo: Audrey Boag acres RESEARCH acres mapped Examples of 2,100 and treated for 690 invasive species Monitored Wildlife: identifying volunteers The Jeffco Open Space Small 55 Grants Program funded studies by Federally-protected Pawnee consulting scientists of rare plant Russian Olive tree, a priority invasive species montane skipper butterfly 290species of monitored communities, aquatic insects, unique grasses, plants, wetlands, and control strategies for 180 Bighorn sheep shrubs, trees invasive species. Staff also supported raptor species the successful interdisciplinary study russian olive trees Prairie dogs Analysis of this data will help inform 6 of prairie rattlesnake behavior at removed from South careful development of recreational over North Table Mountain Park led by Table Mountain Park Mountain lions amenities in the area. hours Adaptation Environmental Services. 1,508 Captured prairie rattlesnake 10 11 Staff pause to take in a concentration of ladybugs. Photo: Jeff Parker Hidden Fawn Trail at Alderfer/Three Sisters Park. Photo: Eric Holzman

Big horn sheep Participant in mountain bike event at North Table Mountain Park 12 13 Through promotion, hosting and attendance at public events, staff engaged the public in stewardship, trail building projects, volunteerism, and grand openings, such as the second segment of the Peaks to Plains Trail in Clear Creek Canyon Park.

Open Space

Grand opening of Partnership with Jeffco agencies Big Easy Trailhead and additional mileage of Peaks to Plains Trail The coalition, Be Wild, Jeffco, engaged with over 600 youth and 207 WEBSITE SOCIAL E-NEWS community influencers in the eastern MEDIA portion of the county to determine community-specific barriers to 85% 5,900 participation in outdoor activities. 13,677 Findings from the outreach process of website Panorama content was followers will influence future programming e-Newsletter options, community outreach consolidated and across subscribers INFORM rewritten for the four channels practices, regional alignment, and pathway opportunities. Jeffco Open Space is committed to engaging with the public in a launch of a new variety of ways and strives to inform, inspire and interact. county website 22% Master Plan Goal: Met increase from 949 prior year email inquiries Be Wild, Jeffco youth at Education station with community partners at Apex Park 3.8M Lair o’ the Bear Park answered impressions 14 15 VALUABLE VOLUNTEERS 3,097 = 48,200 volunteers volunteer hours VOLUNTEER 30:1 $1.25M The passionate stewards that make up the volunteer force truly volunteers to value of make a difference for our public lands. staff members volunteer time Master Plan Goal: Exceeded to organization

# of volunteers full-time equal to 26.3 employees

Volunteers patrol the Peaks to Plains Trail

Crews on the Black Bear Trail. Photo: Jeff Parker Volunteer working on the Dakota Ridge Trail at 16 Matthews/Winters Park 17 Large-scale Projects in Parks ☑ Big Easy Trailhead, Clear Creek Canyon Park, restroom and trailhead construction ☑Structural bridge inspections for 14 bridges ☑Lookout Mountain Nature Center renovation project ☑Mount Falcon Park Eagle Eye Shelter repair, PROJECTS repaint and refurbish ☑ Alderfer/Three Sisters Park Blair historic Providing healthy, nature-based experiences in the structure rebuild parks requires a vision for how the areas will be enjoyed. ☑ Flying J Ranch Park vehicle bridge railing replacement Eagle Eye Shelter at Mount Falcon Park ☑Hall Dam removal and land restoration, Renovation and new exhibits at Mount Galbraith Park Lookout Mountain Nature Center

Peaks to Plains Trail Continues to Grow

In September 2017, another three quarters of a mile were added to the Peaks to Plains Trail in Clear Creek Canyon Park, along with the first developed recreation area in the canyon, called the Big Easy Trailhead. The new trail connects to the Mayhem Gulch Trailhead to the west.

Peaks to Plains Trail bridge over Clear Creek

Plans

☑ Mouth of Clear Creek Canyon Master Plan ☑ Beaver Ranch Master Plan ☑ The Mesas Region Management Plan

Peaks to Plains Trail, Big Easy Trailhead, Clear Creek Canyon Park Mesas region of Jeffco Open Space North Table Mountain Park, part of Mesas Region 18 19 DAKOTA RIDGE miles of new trail TRAIL EXTENSION 1.3 1,700 staff hours 2,400 volunteer hours BLACK BEAR TRAIL a future connection between Deer Creek Connect Canyon Park and Hildebrand Ranch Park More trails, making more connections across the county and beyond, allow for dispersed use across the land. staff hours Master Plan Goal: Met 5,353 The first connection of Hildebrand Ranch Park to volunteer Deer Creek Canyon Park, via the Black Bear Trail 6,025 hours miles of new trail 8.7 completed in 2017 102 jeffco youth employed on the trail stewardship team

Rock work on Dakota Ridge Trail. Photo: Brian O’Malley

TRAIL MAINTENANCE high priority trail 5 maintenance projects were resolved and parks where the 4 upgraded trail stewardship team worked on trail maintenance Work on Belcher Hill Trail at White Ranch Park Trail Stewardship Team at Centennial Cone Park 20 21 Jeffco Open Space Sales Tax Funds Support: INVESTING IN LOCAL PARKS AND TRAILS PROJECTS

• Management of 28 open space parks, totaling over 45,000 acres 2017 Jefferson County Open Space Local Parks and Recreation and Nonprofit Grant Awards and 252 miles of trails, and ongoing enhancements to the system. Funded by Jeffco Open Space sales tax funds and Colorado Lottery proceeds INVEST • Local projects by sharing tax revenues with cities and providing Responsibly using Jeffco Open Space sales grants for land and outdoor projects to cities and park districts. Entity/Project Grant Award Total Project tax funds for stewardship, land acquisitions, • Debt service payments for 19,677 acres of open space and City of Wheat Ridge, Prospect Park Renovations - Phase 1 $360,000 $1,755,193 projects and leveraged partnerships to Columbine Knolls Recreation District, Swimming Pool Building Replacement $300,000 $860,801 parkland purchased in unincorporated Jefferson County, cities, advance our mission. Evergreen Park and Recreation District, Marshdale Field Improvements $50,000 $967,000 and park districts, with $160M of bond funds approved by voters Ken-Caryl Ranch Metropolitan District, Community Center Splash Pad $15,000 $45,000 in 1998. Town of Morrison, Town Park Loop Trail $25,000 $185,066 City of Arvada, Stenger Soccer Complex-Capital Improvements $200,000 $1,490,000

TOTAL $950,000 $5,303,060 2017 Open Space Sales Tax 2017 Expenses Revenue $44.49M $34.52M Nonprofit Grant Awards Grant Award Total Project Land Acquisitions Coal Creek Canyon Park and Recreation District, Coal Creek Canyon Ballfield $50,000 $100,000 Operations $1.08M Beaver Ranch Community, Inc., Main Access Roadway Improvements $30,000 $70,137 3% County Share $13.26M Denver Urban Gardens, Jeffco Public School-Based Community Gardens $6,000 $148,203 $31.19M 39% Evergreen Audubon Nature Center, Nature Center Exhibits $6,000 $8,060 70% West Denver Trout Unlimited, Canyon Reach Project - Habitat Improvement $8,000 $30,000 Park & Trail Development $5.12M 15% TOTAL $100,000 $356,400 Bond City Share Debt Service $13.29M $12.86M 30% 37%

Local Park and Recreation Grants $2.18M 6% (see page 23)

Community Center Splash Pad Ken-Caryl Ranch Metropolitan District Peaks to Plains Trail, Clear Creek Canyon Park

Clear Creek Canyon Reach Project 22 West Denver Trout Unlimited 23 JEFFERSON COUNTY OPEN SPACE MISSION Preserve open space and parkland Protect park and natural resources Provide healthy, nature-based experiences

JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Libby Szabo, District One Casey Tighe, District Two Tina Francone, District Three

JEFFERSON COUNTY OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMITTEE Janet Shangraw, Chairperson Felicity Hannay Bob West, Vice Chairman Jeremy Hakes John Litz, Secretary Jacy Rock Ken Morfit, Secretary Pro Tem Kathleen Staks Mike Dungan Rebecca Watson Tom Gibson Chris O’Keefe

JEFFERSON COUNTY OPEN SPACE LEADERSHIP Tom Hoby, Director Andrew Scanlan, Planning and Projects Manager Gina Barton, Administration and Real Estate Team Manager Mary Ann Bonnell, Visitor Services Manager Matt Robbins, Community Connections Manager Mike Foster, Stewardship Manager

CONTACT Jefferson County Open Space Headquarters 700 Jefferson County Parkway, Suite 100 Golden, CO 80401 303.271.5925 [email protected], www.jeffco.us/open-space