Eldorado Canyon State Park Visitor Use Management Plan Public - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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
Eldorado Canyon State Park Visitor Use Management Plan Public Meetings
September 9 and 17, 2019
Provide information, answer questions, and gather feedback into strategies for visitor use management in Eldorado Canyon State Park.
management issues at Eldorado Canyon State Park.
proposed Eldo to Walker Ranch multi-use connector trail.
points of view.
with prior remarks.
solutions.
User experience: A positive experience in nature for all users Ecology: A park where native plants and animals can thrive and environmental resources are protected
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. 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 park resources by identifying effective strategies for managing visitor use and access, including improving traffic flow and parking. Visitation numbers have escalated in recent years. Traffic congestion has been identified as a negative issue at Eldo by:
History Context Scope, objectives, process
Average annual visitation from 2005 to 2016 held steady around 244,000, increased to 524,000 in 2018 Traffic congestion, illegal parking are long- running issues 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
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 Define visitor capacity 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. In November 2018, the agencies recommended a northern route for a multi-use trail. However, the study also found that adding a multi-use trail connection in the park was likely to increase visitation and could potentially create visitor conflicts or worsen capacity issues. 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 connection, the VUMP process will focus first on, and seek public input on, alternatives for addressing the current situation at the park. After the plan is finalized, CPW, Boulder County Parks & Open Space, Boulder County Transportation and City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks will make a decision on whether or not to move forward with a north route multi-use connection.
1
Capacity Study and Traffic Study summer 2019
2
Task Force meetings to discuss desired future conditions, problems, impacts, and strategies – June and August 2020
3
Public meetings and online comment to discuss strategies and scenarios – September 2020
4
Draft Resource Stewardship Plan; Task Force discuss alternatives for draft plan and Eldo-Walker Ranch Connection – Fall/Winter 19/20
5
Draft plan developed and released
6
Public meeting,
and Task Force meetings to provide feedback
2020
7
Final plan by mid- 2020
8
Strategies (including pilot strategies) implemented starting in mid- to late- 2020
9
Adaptive management based on lessons learned
Natural Resources Stewardship Study Capacity and Traffic Studies Task Force Input Public Comment Interagency Team Input Budget Legal Considerations Feasibility Adaptive Management
Counts of vehicles and park users Interviews to assess the type, duration, and location of use and users’ perceptions of their experience
Vehicle congestion on park access road: High traffic flow from increased visitation and limited space for ingress/egress causes backed up traffic from those waiting to enter the park and other negative effects. Visitor pressure on environmental resources and park infrastructure: Increased visitation and concentration of multiple uses on the main park road and other park infrastructure that was not designed or staffed to support such high traffic/use.
Test combinations of potential strategies For use initially only on peak visitation days Are not fully inclusive of the strategies 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 Permit Scenario B: Free Shuttle + Paid- in-Advance Motor Vehicle Parking Permit with Time Limits Comparison of Traffic and Parking Scenarios and Strategies
Analyze public feedback Draft alternatives and plan with further Task Force feedback 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 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