Eldorado Canyon State Park Visitor Use Management Plan Public Meetings September 9 and 17, 2019
Provide information, answer questions, Meeting and gather feedback into strategies for purpose visitor use management in Eldorado Canyon State Park.
• Focus on the topic at hand: current visitor use management issues at Eldorado Canyon State Park. • The meeting will not include discussion on the proposed Eldo to Walker Ranch multi-use connector trail. • Speak and write respectfully; no personal attacks. Meeting • Listen respectfully and empathetically to different points of view. Ground Rules • Limit comment length; be succinct when agreeing with prior remarks. • The meeting is discussion-based; there will not be opportunity for prepared comments nor speeches. • Promote joint, community problem solving: offer solutions. • Let the facilitators facilitate.
Eldorado Canyon is a special place
Ecology: A park where native plants and animals can thrive and environmental resources Desired are protected Future Conditions User experience: A positive experience in nature for all users
The Visitor Use Management Plan will enhance user experiences and protect park resources by identifying effective strategies for managing visitor use and access, including improving traffic flow and parking. Purpose of Plan The public meetings and online comment form will provide information and gather feedback into strategies for visitor use management.
The Visitor Use Management Plan will enhance user experiences and protect Visitation numbers have escalated in park resources by identifying effective recent years. strategies for managing visitor use and Why the access, including improving traffic flow Traffic congestion has been identified and parking. focus on as a negative issue at Eldo by: ● Public comments traffic and ● Visitor feedback through surveys parking? ● Park staff ● Private neighborhoods close to Park
History Overview of Visitor Use Context Management Plan Process Scope, objectives, process
41 Colorado State Parks, 15 in CPW’s Northeast Region Eldorado Canyon State Park designated a State Park in 1978 History and Context Most recent Eldorado Canyon State Park Management Plan July 2000 World-class rock climbing, popular for hiking, photography, picnicking
Average annual visitation from 2005 to 2016 held steady around 244,000, increased to 524,000 in 2018 Traffic congestion, illegal parking are long- History and running issues Context Highway 170 serves as sole access for multiple points in the canyon, including the Eldorado Springs community, Kneale Road residents, Eldorado Artesian Springs, Inc. and 2 city open space trailheads.
3 parcels totaling 1,442 acres, (trails connect to Doudy Draw and Walker Ranch open space properties) Infrastructure includes an entrance station, visitor center, several vault toilets, 10 picnic sites, and 17.1 miles of trails Approximately 210 parking spaces, vehicles turn Context over 3 — 4 times per day during peak seasons 4 full time staff and an annual operating budget of $160,000 Revenue from all 41 State Parks go into a general “Parks Cash Fund” and budgets are allocated at the statewide and regional level
Define desired future conditions Balance local concerns and statewide interests within CPW’s individual parks and its statewide parks system Scope and Define visitor capacity Objectives Consider adaptive management strategies in the context of visitor capacity Planning process may include pilot strategies
The Feasibility Study analyzed a potential multi-use trail connection from the park to adjacent city and county open space properties. Eldo to Walker Ranch In November 2018, the agencies recommended a northern Multi-Use route for a multi-use trail. However, the study also found that adding a multi-use trail connection in the park was Connection likely to increase visitation and could potentially create visitor conflicts or worsen capacity issues. Feasibility Study As part of the VUMP planning process, CPW intends to further analyze a potential multi- use connection that would allow mountain biking within the context of projected increases in visitation and other potential future uses of the park.
Given the volume of study and public comment already collected on the multi-use trail Eldo to connection, the VUMP process will focus first on, and seek public input on, alternatives for Walker Ranch addressing the current situation at the park. Multi-Use Connection After the plan is finalized, CPW, Boulder County Feasibility Parks & Open Space, Boulder County Transportation and City of Boulder Open Space Study and Mountain Parks will make a decision on whether or not to move forward with a north route multi-use connection.
Timeline 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Capacity Draft plan Final plan Strategies Adaptive Public meetings Draft Resource Public meeting, Task Force meetings Study and developed by mid- (including management and online Stewardship Plan; online comment, to discuss desired Traffic Study and released 2020 pilot based on comment to Task Force discuss and Task Force future conditions, summer - early 2020 strategies) lessons discuss alternatives for meetings to problems, impacts, 2019 implemented learned strategies and draft plan and provide feedback and strategies – June starting in scenarios – Eldo-Walker on plan – Winter and August 2020 mid- to late- September Ranch Connection 2020 2020 2020 – Fall/Winter 19/20 We are here
Natural Resources Stewardship Study Capacity and Traffic Studies Task Force Input Public Comment Criteria and Interagency Team Input Considerations Budget Legal Considerations Feasibility Adaptive Management
Vegetation community Breeding bird survey and significant wildlife species Resource Stewardship Geology and soils Plan Weed management Cultural resources
Counts of vehicles and park users Capacity Study Interviews to assess the type, duration, and location of use and users’ perceptions of their experience
Interagency Team Task Force VUMP Engagement Public Meetings and Comment Overview Periods Capacity Study (Visitor Interviews)
Task Force Vehicle congestion on park access road: High traffic flow from increased visitation and limited space for ingress/egress causes backed up traffic Input: from those waiting to enter the park and other negative effects. Current Visitor pressure on environmental resources Problems and and park infrastructure: Increased visitation and concentration of multiple uses on the main park road and other park infrastructure that was not Impacts designed or staffed to support such high traffic/use.
Current Projects • Entrance station redesign to improve traffic flow (projected completion date Spring 2020) • Studying extension of Streamside Trail to move more pedestrians off the roadway • Visitor satisfaction survey (2019- 2020)
Shuttles (free/paid) Permit system for vehicles (paid) Strategies under Picnic Reservations Consideration Road improvements Limits on special use agreements/ special activity agreements
Upgrade trails for erosion control Alter Streamside Trail Strategies under Upgrade facilities Consideration Enhance signage Entrance station relocation to a site outside of the park
Q/A
Test combinations of potential strategies For use initially only on peak visitation days Are not fully inclusive of the strategies Scenarios being considered These strategies received the most discussion in the VUMP Task Force Your feedback will contribute to the draft VUMP, which will also be open to comment
Scenario A: Reserved-in- Advance, Motor Vehicle Parking Small Group Permit Discussions: Scenario B: Free Shuttle + Paid- Scenarios for in-Advance Motor Vehicle Parking Permit with Time Limits Busy Summer Weekends & Holidays Comparison of Traffic and Parking Scenarios and Strategies
Polling Questions
Analyze public feedback Draft alternatives and plan with further Task Force feedback Next steps Collect and analyze Task Force, Public feedback Finalize, pilot, evaluate, adaptive management
John Carson Eldorado Canyon State Park Manager 303-494-3943 john.carson@state.co.us Windi Padia Northeast Deputy Regional Manager 303-291-7361 windi.padia@state.co.us Contact Info Kacie Miller Planning Manager 303-866-3203 kacie.miller@state.co.us Jeff Thompson Resource Stewardship Coordinator 303-291-7156 jeff.thompson@state.co.us
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