Following more than two years of public and visitor engagement, intense in-park education efforts, and field observations, Jeffco Open Space (JCOS) has developed a draft plan to improve trail safety and reduce visitor conflict at Apex Park. This plan calls for the portion of the trail system with the highest levels of safety and conflict concerns to operate under an alternating, designated use schedule:
- Apex, Enchanted Forest, Hardscrabble, Sluicebox, and lower Pick-n-Sledge Trails, a total of 3.8 miles, will alternate designated use by DAY OF THE WEEK:
- BIKE ONLY: Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday (no hiker/equestrian)
- HIKER/RUNNER/EQUESTRIAN ONLY: Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday (no bikes)
- Argos, upper Pick-n-Sledge, Bonanza, and Grubstake Trails, a total of 5.3 miles, will remain multi-use, every day.
Trail conflict and safety concerns can be attributed to speed differentials, high visitation, and challenging technical terrain, including blind corners, tight corridors, and steep pitches. Visitor surveys indicate the current trail management strategy is confusing; stakeholder listening session indicated a desire to improve trail management. This solution is a compromise that combines popular trail management options that can be implemented on existing trails, provide designated use in the areas that are most impacted by safety and conflict concerns, and offer at least part of the trail system to any visitor group, any day of the week.
JCOS will hold an Apex Park public meeting to seek input on this draft plan on Wednesday, February 26, from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m., at the Origin Red Rocks Hotel, 18485 W. Colfax Ave, Golden CO 80401.
In addition to the public meeting, JCOS will be providing a month-long public comment period from Wednesday, February 26 through Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at [email protected]