May 23, 2012 - OSMP to host an open house May 30

Contacts:
Steve Armstead, OSMP, 720-564-2059
Sarah Huntley, Media Relations, 303-441-3155
www.bouldercolorado.gov
www.OSMP.org 

OSMP to host an open house May 30
Items for discussion include the Commercial Use Permit Program, Pilot Parking Fee Program and Voice and Sight Tag Program

The Open Space and Mountain Parks Department (OSMP) has completed evaluations of the Commercial Use Permit Program, the Pilot Parking Fee Program and the Voice and Sight Tag Program.  An open house will be held to discuss these programs Wednesday, May 30, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the West Boulder Senior Center located at 909 Arapahoe Ave.  OSMP staff members are evaluating these programs and other topics identified by City Council as “overarching issues” that deal with the long–term sustainability of OSMP resources.

The Commercial Use Permit Program was adopted as part of the Visitor Master Plan and implemented in January 2007. The program manages commercial activities on OSMP lands. It was designed to help minimize impacts to natural, agricultural, cultural resources and preserve the quality of the visitor experience.

A Pilot Parking Fee Program was initiated in July 2011 at three OSMP trailheads in response to direction from City Council. Visitors to the Flatirons Vista, Doudy Draw and South Mesa trailheads are required to pay either a daily or annual parking fee for vehicles not registered in Boulder County. 

The Voice and Sight Tag Program was launched in 2006 to improve compliance with dog regulations and reduce dog-related conflicts. The program requires dog guardians to watch a video on voice and sight control and place a green tag on off-leash dogs in areas that allow voice and sight control. This open house will cover the same information on the Voice and Sight Dog Tag Program as the open house on May 24. It is being repeated to reach as large of a portion of the community as possible.

OSMP staff evaluations of these programs include a review of the level of program success, a description of needed improvements and an assessment of potential changes.  The Commercial Use Program evaluation proposes several minor modifications.  In the Pilot Parking Fee Program evaluation, staff recommends discontinuing the Parking Fee Program at the three pilot trailheads. The Voice and Sight Tag Program evaluation does not include a recommendation, however staff has suggested changes that are expected to be the most beneficial and feasible.

Please attend the open house if you would like to share your thoughts about these program evaluations or learn more.  Those who cannot attend are welcome to read the evaluations and complete a comment form on the OSMP website, www.OSMP.org.

After the open house, staff and the Open Space Board of Trustees will explore what program changes should be recommended for City Council consideration.  

An analysis on nighttime access management, prepared by consultants, is also available for review on the website. Discussion of this topic is scheduled to occur after City Council has provided direction on the other three issues.

Last Updated on Friday, 15 June 2012 07:43