Open Space and Trails

Kristan Pritz
Director
One DesCombes Drive
Broomfield, CO 80020

303-438-6335
Fax 303-464-5808
kpritz@broomfield.org

MISSION STATEMENT: The mission of the Open Space and Trails Division is to acquire and manage open space and create a comprehensive trail system so that each citizen has the opportunity to experience the beauty of Broomfield’s natural environment and to walk or bike to a variety of destinations.

Open Space and Trails Advisory Committee (OSTAC)

The Open Space and Trails Advisory Committee is made up of seven citizen members at large (appointed by city council), one ex officio, non-voting council member, and one ex officio alternate. The OSTAC advises the city council on amendments to the open space element of the master plan. The committee is charged with the responsibility of making recommendations to the city council regarding:

the acquisition of open space parcels;
the location, type and timing of trail segments and crossings, and;
the long-range plan for open space use and management.

The next meeting of the OSTAC is scheduled for Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 6 p.m. It will be in the Zang Spur Room, located on the lower level of the City & County Building at One DesCombes Drive.

January 2010: Season Begins for Coyote Awareness

Please take a look at the latest Coexisting with Coyotes video to learn more about coyotes and helpful tips to keep you and your pets safe while enjoying the outdoors.

This information is particularly important as coyotes find mates (January), breed (February to March), and raise their pups(spring/summer). You may notice coyotes behaving in a more territorial manner as they are guarding their dens, mates, pups, and food sources.

As the days become longer and people and their pets spend more time outdoors, the possibility of a coyote interaction increases. Find out how you can be safe and also enjoy seeing coyotes in the community.

Find out where to call for coyote concerns and view additional information.

Broomfield Trail Adventure 2010!

The 9th annual Broomfield Trail Adventure will take place on Saturday, June 5, 2010. The event will be held at the Anthem Recreation Center located at 3624 Parkside Center Drive in Broomfield.

Walkers on Lake Link Trail Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. with the event starting at 8 a.m. There will be both walking and biking loops for all ages, and this year's event will once again be joined by the Children's Wellness Day, which will feature a variety of educational activities and displays for children and adults.

We will be looking for volunteers to help with this event. To volunteer or for any additional information, please contact Pete Dunlaevy at 303.438.6216, or e-mail him.

Check back on this page as the date gets closer for all the details, including directions to the event and route maps!

DISCUSSION OF THE PROPOSED WILLOW RUN WOOD FENCE AND NATIVE LANDSCAPE BUFFER

The Open Space and Trails Advisory Committee ("OSTAC") reviewed the proposed Willow Run Open Space Wood Fence and Native Landscape Buffer at its July 30, 2009 meeting. This open space property is located just north of Big Dry Creek, south of Big Dry Creek Drive and east of the Broomfield Wastewater Treatment Facility.

The plan reflects a balance of the comments received at the open house on April 3, 2008 and management needs for the open space property. The purpose of the project is to 1) preserve the site as open space (i.e. undeveloped land left in its natural state); 2) minimize the migration of prairie dogs from the open space into the adjacent neighborhoods while providing for the protection of the existing colony; and 3) minimize the impacts of numerous social trails and motorized vehicle use on the open space.

OSTAC reviewed the plan and recommended that it be sent to City Council for its consideration. If City Council approves the project plan and construction contract, the project could be implemented in Fall/Winter 2009.

Suggestions for Open Space and Trails

The Open Space and Trails Advisory Committee would like your comments on open space needs and strategies as well as any trail connects that are needed in the city. Please email your comments on trails and open space to openspace@broomfield.org

Volunteering for Open Space and Trails

Would you like to be a volunteer for the open space and trails program for the benefit of the community? Joining an Adopt-a-Trail or Adopt-an-Open Space Site is just one way your energy can help the community! Find out more!