Longmont Open Space Master Plan Update
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Longmont Open Space Master Plan Update City of Longmont Natural Resources A Division of Public Works & Natural Resources Report to the Longmont City Council, June 2018 – Draft ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Longmont City Council Members: Mayor Brain Bagley Polly Christensen, Mayor Pro Tem Bonnie Finley, Ward 3 Marcia Martin, Ward 2 Tim Waters, Ward 1 Joan Peck, At Large Aren Rodriguez, At Large Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Cherese Montgomery, Chair Sue Ahlberg Doug Golliher Dan Ohlsen Robert Pudim Amy Saunders Katja Stokley Tim Waters, Council Representative Project Team Leader Daniel Wolford, Land Program Administrator Staff Advisory Team David Bell, Natural Resources Manager Jim Krick, Natural Resources Specialist Kathy Kron, Natural Resources Sr. Project Manager Becky Doyle, Public Works and Natural Resources Rate Analysist Erin Fosdick, Principal Planner Kathryn Marko, Civil Engineer II Brad Schol, Special Projects Manager Lisa Shertz, GIS Coordinator Holly Milne, Public Works and Natural Resources Communication and Marketing Outside Resources Joe Padia, Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife Jim Flesher, Weld County Planning Michelle Martin, Weld County Planning Janis Whisman, Boulder County Parks and Open Space Ernst Strenge, Boulder County Parks and Open Space Open Space Master Plan Update i Consultants Contributing to the Plan GreenPlay, LLC Chris Dropinski, Principal-in-Charge Dylan Packebush, Project Consultant Becky Dunlap, Project Consultant Adam Bossi, Project Consultant Design Concepts Rob Layton, Principal Dave Peterson, Director of Special Planning RRC Associates Mike Simone, Senior Associate Sarah Esralew Hutson, Associate ii City of Longmont, Colorado TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................................................. 1 Community Input ...................................................................................................................................... 1 Accomplishments ...................................................................................................................................... 2 Vision and Goals for the Open Space and Trails Program ........................................................................ 3 Recommendations .................................................................................................................................... 4 I. PROPOSED PLAN AND IMPLEMENTATION ............................................................................................... 11 A. Overview ............................................................................................................................................. 11 B. The Study Area .................................................................................................................................... 12 C. Data Collection .................................................................................................................................... 14 D. Acquisition .......................................................................................................................................... 14 E. Trails .................................................................................................................................................... 24 F. Updating Key Management Opportunities ......................................................................................... 28 II. THE VALUE OF OPEN SPACE IN LONGMONT .......................................................................................... 57 A. Environmental Benefits of Open Space .............................................................................................. 57 B. Economic Benefits of Open Space ...................................................................................................... 60 C. Public Health and Wellness Value ....................................................................................................... 63 III. CONTEXT AND PROCESS OF THE PLAN .................................................................................................. 67 A. Foundation for the Plan ...................................................................................................................... 67 B. The Process ......................................................................................................................................... 69 C. Community Outreach Program ........................................................................................................... 70 Appendix A: Longmont Open Space Ordinance .......................................................................................... 73 Appendix B: Previous Mapping Resources ................................................................................................. 91 Appendix C: Survey Report ....................................................................................................................... 107 Appendix D: Open-ended Comments from Survey .................................................................................. 155 Appendix E: Benchmarking Matrix ............................................................................................................ 187 Appendix F: Sustainability Evaluation System Summary .......................................................................... 201 Appendix G: Public Input Summary .......................................................................................................... 207 TABLE OF TABLES Table 1: Open Space Capital Activity .......................................................................................................... 43 TABLE OF FIGURES Figure 1: 2018 Longmont Open Space, Nature Areas, and Greenways ...................................................... 13 Figure 2: Weighted Value Overlay Analysis Mapping ................................................................................. 15 Figure 3: Financial Choices/Future Priorities – Distribution of Resources ................................................. 22 Figure 4: Financial Choices/Future Priorities – Meeting the Needs of Potential Growth .......................... 22 Figure 5: Financial Choices/Future Priorities – Priority Areas for Acquisition ............................................ 23 Figure 6: Through Trail Cross Section ......................................................................................................... 25 Figure 7: Greenway Trail Cross Section ...................................................................................................... 26 Figure 8: Backcountry Trail Cross Section ................................................................................................... 27 Figure 9: Example Open Space Sign ............................................................................................................ 31 Figure 10: Example Open Space Kiosk ........................................................................................................ 32 Figure 11: Example Boundary Sign ............................................................................................................. 33 Open Space Master Plan Update iii Figure 12: Example Trail Marker ................................................................................................................. 33 Figure 13: Current Usage – Distribution of Resources – Aspects to Increase Appreciation ....................... 35 Figure 14: Values and Vision – Priorities and Functions of Open Space ..................................................... 36 Figure 15: Values and Vision – Important Priorities and Functions of Open Space ................................... 39 Figure 16: Current Usage – Distribution of Resources – Aspects to Increase Appreciation ....................... 39 Figure 17: Current Usage – Distribution of Resources – Aspects to Increase Appreciation ....................... 44 Figure 18: Financial Choices/Future Priorities – Perception of Open Space Program’s Spending ............. 44 Figure 19: Financial Choices/Future Priorities – Distribution of Resources ............................................... 45 Figure 20: Demographics – Familiarity with Nature Areas within the City of Longmont ........................... 53 Figure 21: Communication – Effectiveness of Reach by the City of Longmont .......................................... 54 Figure 22: Current Usage – Distribution of Resources – Aspects to Increase Appreciation ....................... 54 Figure 23: Communication – Best Way to Receive Information ................................................................. 55 Figure 24: Top 10 Finding from the Survey ................................................................................................. 72 iv City of Longmont, Colorado EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Longmont Open Space Master Plan has been updated by the City of Longmont’s Public Works and Natural Resources Department (PWNR) guided by community input and a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). The City’s ordinance, O-2000-41, that created the Open Space Program remains the guiding basis for this update, and the original 2002 Open Space and Trails Master Plan provides the foundation. Input from the general public, City staff, the TAC, and the consulting team confirms that the ordinance represents the needs and desires of Longmont; these desires are as strong as ever, with even more urgency noted. The open space