JOINTLY OWNED BOULDER COUNTY-LAFAYETTE OPEN SPACE MANAGEMENT PLAN Covering the Following Properties
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JOINTLY OWNED BOULDER COUNTY-LAFAYETTE OPEN SPACE MANAGEMENT PLAN covering the following properties: “TWO CREEKS” OPEN SPACE (Armstrong, Flagg Park, Haselwood, Lafayette Buffer Parcel, Madrigal, McClain, Serrano, Stephenson-Nelson, and Mountain View Egg Farm) and WAREMBOURG-LAFAYETTE FARM Further Amended: Boulder County, County Commissioners – July 26, 2010 City of Lafayette, City Council – July 20, 2010 As Amended by: Boulder County, County Commissioners - February 27, 2007 City of Lafayette, City Council - February 20, 2007 Originally Adopted by: Boulder County, County Commissioners - December 7, 2004 City of Lafayette, City Council - November 16, 2004 Boulder County Parks and Open Space Mission Statement To conserve natural, cultural and agricultural resources and provide public uses that reflect sound resource management and community values. Vision Statement Mountain vistas, golden plains, scenic trails, diverse habitats, rich heritage…a landscape that ensures an exceptional quality of life for all. City of Lafayette Vision Statement Lafayette's panoramic view of the Rocky Mountains inspires our view into the future. We value our heritage, our unique neighborhoods, a vibrant economy and active life-styles. We envision a future that mixes small town livability with balanced growth and superior technologies. City of Lafayette Parks, Open Space and Golf Vision Statement The City of Lafayette’s open space and trails system provides a balanced network of open lands, natural areas, wildlife corridors and habitat areas, view corridors, and greenways that preserves the City’s natural, aesthetic, and community character and provides connections between neighborhoods, the natural environment, and community amenities in a manner that complements the policy and land use guidance of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................. 7 1.1. AREA DESCRIPTION................................................................................................... 9 1.1.1. Location and Background....................................................................................... 9 1.1.2. Landscape Setting and Physical Characteristics..................................................... 9 1.1.3. Historic Ecology................................................................................................... 12 1.1.4. Conservation Values and Management Needs ..................................................... 15 1.1.5. Community Values and Priorities......................................................................... 15 1.1.6. Vision, Goals and Management Protocols............................................................ 16 1.1.7. Management Protocol and Cost Share.................................................................. 17 1.2. PLANNING PROCESS AND GUIDANCE ................................................................ 18 2. EXISTING CONDITION .................................................................................................. 20 2.1. PROPERTY INVENTORY AND DESCRIPTIONS................................................... 20 2.1.1. Armstrong Property.............................................................................................. 20 2.1.2. Flagg Park Property.............................................................................................. 20 2.1.3. Haselwood Property.............................................................................................. 21 2.1.4. Lafayette Buffer Parcel......................................................................................... 22 2.1.5. Madrigal Property................................................................................................. 22 2.1.6. McClain Property.................................................................................................. 23 2.1.7. Serrano Property................................................................................................... 23 2.1.8. Stephenson-Nelson Property................................................................................. 24 2.1.9. Mountain View Egg Farm Property...................................................................... 25 2.1.10. Warembourg-Lafayette Farm Property................................................................. 27 2.2. NATURAL RESOURCES........................................................................................... 28 2.2.1. Soils....................................................................................................................... 28 2.2.2. Significant Agricultural Land and Special Designations...................................... 35 2.2.3. Vegetation............................................................................................................. 35 2.2.4. Wildlife ................................................................................................................. 45 2.2.5. Water Resources................................................................................................... 49 2.3. CULTURAL RESOURCES......................................................................................... 49 2.4. AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES............................................................................... 50 2.5. RECREATION FACILITIES....................................................................................... 51 3. MANAGEMENT DIRECTION ........................................................................................ 53 3.1. NATURAL RESOURCES........................................................................................... 53 3.1.1. Vegetation............................................................................................................. 53 3.1.2. Wildlife ................................................................................................................. 55 3.2. MANAGEMENT AREAS........................................................................................... 58 3.2.1. Recreation/Visitor Use Area................................................................................. 58 3.2.2. Agricultural Area.................................................................................................. 59 3.2.3. Natural Area.......................................................................................................... 59 3.2.4. Wildlife Preserve.................................................................................................. 59 3.2.5. Habitat Conservation Area.................................................................................... 60 3.3. CULTURAL RESOURCES......................................................................................... 62 3.4. AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES............................................................................... 62 3.5. RECREATION AND VISITOR SERVICES............................................................... 64 3 3.5.1. Trails – Two Creeks Open Space.......................................................................... 64 3.5.2. Trails – Warembourg-Lafayette Farm .................................................................. 68 3.5.3. Allowable Uses..................................................................................................... 71 3.5.4. Visitor Safety........................................................................................................ 71 3.5.5. Accessibility.......................................................................................................... 72 3.5.6. Interpretation and Outreach .................................................................................. 72 3.5.7. Volunteer Opportunities........................................................................................ 73 3.5.8. Emergency Services.............................................................................................. 73 3.5.9. Management Protocol........................................................................................... 74 3.6. RESOURCE MONITORING....................................................................................... 76 3.7. SUMMARY OF MAJOR RECOMMENDATIONS.................................................... 77 LITERATURE CITED ............................................................................................................. 79 FIGURES Figure 1: Vicinity Map.................................................................................................................... 8 Figure 2: Project Area Map........................................................................................................... 10 Figure 3: Two Creeks Open Space – Infrastructure Map ............................................................. 13 Figure 4: Warembourg-Lafayette Farm – Infrastructure Map...................................................... 14 Figure 5: Two Creeks Open Space – Soils Map........................................................................... 29 Figure 6: Warembourg-Lafayette Farm – Soils Map.................................................................... 30 Figure 7: Agricultural Lands Map ................................................................................................ 36 Figure 8: Two Creeks Open Space – Vegetation Map ................................................................. 37 Figure 9: Warembourg-Lafayette Farm – Vegetation Map .........................................................