Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Lyons to Boulder crusher fine trail

Check out the latest on the Certain Death Trail aka Boulder Feeder Canal Trail aka the Lyons to Boulder Trail. Get involved and help make this happen!

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The Lyons to Boulder Regional Trail is a proposed 13-mile soft surface, multi-use trail that will connect the City of Boulder trail system with the Town of Lyons. It is included in the Boulder County Comprehensive Plan, Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan, and the Boulder County Regional Trails Priorities Plan.

Master Plan Process

In November 2008, Boulder County began the master planning process for the Lyons to Boulder Regional Trail, which we anticipate to conclude in the fall of 2009.

The development of the Lyons-Boulder regional trail master plan continues work that has taken place over the past several years. The plan will focus on areas to the west and east of the Boulder Feeder Canal, an agricultural and municipal supply canal that flows through northern Boulder County. The Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District (NCWCD) owns the canal.

During the development of the master plan, we will examine several alternative trail alignments and identify a preferred alignment through an evaluation of environmental impacts, public and private interests, and preservation of the area's aesthetic and community character. While we expect that the trail will generally follow the feeder canal, we have not yet identified a specific alignment for it.

Master Plan Milestones

Throughout the master planning process we intend to work closely with the public to identify a referred trail alignment that takes into account the needs and concerns of property owners, neighborhood residents, user groups, and other public entities. Our ultimate goal is to design a trail that provides recreational and commuting opportunities, community connections, and a safe off-road travel option while being sensitive to the surrounding environment.

The master plan will include four key phases:

  1. Project Initiation (November 2008 - January 2009): during this phase, we will conduct stakeholder outreach meetings, hold a public workshop, and gather thoughts about the trail. We will also gather information about the Lyons-Boulder corridor so that we understand the opportunities and constraints that exist in the study area.

  2. Identification and Analysis of Alternative Alignments (Winter and Spring 2009): During this phase, we will use feedback from stakeholders and the public to identify several options for the trail alignment. We will then undertake an analysis of these options and present them at an open house meeting next summer.

  3. Identification and Evaluation of Preferred Alignment (Summer 2009): During this phase, we will again use feedback on the options to identify a preferred trail alignment. We will then conduct a detailed evaluation of it. We will hold a final open house meeting to review the evaluation and design of the preferred alignment.

  4. Project Conclusion (Fall 2009): The project will conclude with a master plan, including a 30% design of the trail.

As we progress through the four phases of the master plan, we encourage the public to participate in each step along the way. Thoughts, questions, and feedback from the residents of Boulder County are critical to the decision-making process.

Public Involvement

There are several ways to be involved in the development of the Master Plan:

  • Attend the first Public Open House:

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

4:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Boulder County Parks and Open Space Department

5201 St. Vrain Road, Longmont

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