BATCO's Trails Objectives
for the City of Boulder
Open Space and Mountain Parks

BATCO's primary OSMP trails objectives are connections between existing trail segments, the construction of new regional trails, and the designation of bicycles on certain existing trails. All the trails we are proposing are desirable, sustainable, relatively inexpensive, and environmentally sound. All have been discussed for many years.

• In the southern part of OSMP, we'd like to see extensions of the Marshall Mesa trails in the southeast to connect with Superior and the Rock Creek/Coal Creek Trail systems, ultimately creating a large loop trail paralleling the old Mogul Bismarck road bike race alignment). The OSMP components of these trails have been previously approved by the Board of Trustees, but not constructed.
• In the eastern part of OSMP, we'd like to see the trail loop around east Boulder completed by tying the south end of the Teller Farms trails to the Baseline and South Boulder Creek trails.
• To the north, we'd like connections to Boulder County's Heil Valley Ranch and to Boulder Reservoir; and, we'd like to see OSMP support the City and County Comprehensive Plans regional trails.
• In the west we'd like to see a few existing trails opened to bikes to create a South Foothills Trail that would run from Community Ditch to at least Shanahan Ridge (and maybe to Table Mesa Drive); and, we'd really like to see a bike connection to Walker Ranch.

The following lists summarize specific items we'd like to see addressed:

Not every item in our objectives can be completed at once, but until we begin we'll never get finished. There are a number of projects and issues that could be addressed in the next year or two that would go a long way toward jump-starting the process.

We could focus short-term planning and construction on the previously approved trail alignments in the southeast. This would significantly enhance the existing trail system and relieve local congestion in the Marshall Mesa area.

• With a little bit of planning and almost no expense, the short trail connection from Marshal to Superior (Community Ditch Trail to S. 66th Ave.) could be constructed by this fall
• The longer West Coalton Trail to Greenbelt Plateau Trailhead connection (north of Highway 128) could be scheduled for next year

We could almost immediately improve bicycle access and reduce congestion and user conflicts by designating a few trails west of Highway 93 for bicycle access. Only appropriate signage is required, the existing trails (farm and access roads) are quite adequate for multiple visitor types.

• An initial configuration could include a route from the Mesa Trailhead to South Boulder Creek West Trailhead (via southern Mesa Trail and lower Big Bluestem Trails)
• We could also begin planning for subsequent routes to include:
• A connection via Lower Big Bluestem to Shanahan Ridge
• A connection from Shanahan Ridge to Table Mesa Drive (via North Fork Shanahan & Mesa Trail to Bear Canyon Trail & the NCAR east frontage road to Table Mesa Drive)

Finally, we should advance the planning for additional new OSMP trails to the north and east and for the regional trails identified in the Comprehensive Plan. Here we could focus on resolving previously identified issues and preserving the existing Comprehensive Plan designations. In particular:

• Resolving the dispute between the OSMP and Utilities Departments over the use of the Feeder Canal right-of-way as a regional trail corridor
• We should preserve the UP Railroad alignment within the Comprehensive Plans and accelerate negotiations with the Union Pacific Railroad to obtain a successful rail-to-trail conversion of this all-but-abandoned alignment.
• We should get the West Beech Trail defined soon, before the public "builds it for us" by creating social trails. 80% of this trail will utilize existing alignments including an old railroad grade, and will connect Boulder to Boulder Valley Ranch, to the Heil Valley Ranch, and ultimately to Lyons.