2013 Trail Projects: are ambitious, with several new sections of trail including the lower B-Line Trail and Barney Ford Trail extension. In addition to the new trail sections, a couple of significant trail realignments will be constructed in 2013. These realignments include the Sidedoor Trail realignment and the recently completed Slalom Trail realignment. The realignment of Slalom Trail provides a much improved connection between the Flume Trails and Gold Run Road by eliminating the previous channelized fall-line route and replacing it with a fun, flowing trail built to International Mountain Biking Association standards.
Remember: July 27-28, 2013 is the date for our largest scale volunteer project of the year on the Sidedoor Trail. Come join the Friends of Breckenridge Trails, Summit County and the Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado to help construct this trail in just one weekend. If you are interested in open space and trails volunteer opportunities but cannot make the Sidedoor Trail project, the Friends of Breckenridge Trails has many volunteer opportunities ranging from tree plantings and weed pulls to technical trail construction. These volunteer days allow citizens to participate in open space protection through volunteer stewardship. See the complete list of summer trail projects here.
State of the Open Space Report: The State of the Open Space Report summarizes the Town of Breckenridge Open Space program’s accomplishments since its 1996 inception.
2013 Golden Horseshoe Trails NEPA Process: Staff has been working with U.S. Forest Service and Summit County Government representatives to plan near-future trail projects in the Golden Horseshoe. Eight different trail projects have been identified; each require site-specific NEPA analysis because they are new trails or significant realignments of existing routes. Environmental, cultural and other evaluations are underway.
Golden Horseshoe Signage: In cooperation with Summit County Open Space and the United States Forest Service, the Town will install comprehensive signage in the Golden Horseshoe this summer. The project, when completed, will assist users in navigating the expansive Golden Horseshoe trail network and better identify allowed trail uses.
Dog-Friendly Map: Staff recently completed a map and informational brochure to assist in educating dog owners how to responsibly enjoy Breckenridge with their dog. In developing the dog-friendly map, Staff researched strategies other communities have implemented to encourage more responsibility among dog owners.
Forest Health: In 2013, three forest health projects are planned on Town and joint Town/Summit County open space parcels. 2013 projects include: Golden Horseshoe: Town and County staff submitted a $105,000 grant application to the State of Colorado to remove dead and dying lodgepole pines from approximately 75 acres in the Golden Horseshoe. Under this proposal, the $105,000 match would be split equally between the Town and County Open Space programs and an additional Summit County Wildfire Council grant. The project sites are primarily located next to other existing or scheduled cuts on Gibson Hill, in the Highlands and in Summit Estates. MBJ/Wedge: A treatment on the recently acquired MBJ and Wedge parcels will also be pursued. The objectives for this project include: 1) Improving the forest health of a 5.5 acre lodgepole pine stand that has largely succumbed to mountain pine beetle infestation; 2) Cleaning up and reclaiming the previous owners’ unfinished tree removal effort; and 3) Mitigating future hazard tree concerns with the existing “Hang 10” Nordic ski trail. Because it is located within the Cucumber Gulch Preserve Preventative Management Area (PMA), a PMA variance will be pursued through the Planning Commission and Town Council prior to implementation. Moonstone: Defensible space efforts that began on the Moonstone property in the fall of 2012 will be continued to the west. The goals are to reduce fuel loads, remove overstory dead, and improve forest health on the Moonstone property. Following these forest health efforts, Town staff will construct a new flow trail alignment to complement the existing Moonstone and B-Line trails.
Great Outdoors Colorado Approves Funds for Construction and Restoration of Golden Horseshoe Trails The Colorado Youth Corps Association (CYCA) has announced that young people ages 16 to 25 will get jobs this summer thanks to funding approved by the Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) board yesterday. The GOCO board voted to disperse $13,440 in lottery funds to Summit County Open Space and the Town of Breckenridge to improve the Golden Horseshoe area. Summit County and the Town of Breckenridge will hire the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps for two weeks during the summer of 2013. Youth corps crews will construct trails in the Golden Horseshoe area, primarily at the site of the Galena Ditch Extension. They will also work to restore or decommission non-system trails, which will involve breaking up old tread, controlling erosion on closed trails, transplanting vegetation, disguising the corridor, redirecting trail users, and blocking the corridors.
Contact Us: If you have any questions or comments regarding current projects Breckenridge Open Space and Trails staff can be reached at: websiteopenspace@townofbreckenridge.com (970) 453-3160 or PO Box 168 Breckenridge, CO 80424
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