Photo by Linda Jagiello
Hildebrand Ranch Park:
TrailMark Neighborhood Access
Background
The Park Rangers at Jefferson County Open Space (JCOS) have initiated an evaluation of access points into Hildebrand Ranch Park. The ability to close parks in emergency situations such as fire, extreme weather, or to protect natural resources in the case of muddy trails is more difficult when there are informal access points into the park.
Currently the TrailMark neighborhood at Hildebrand Ranch Park (HRP) has:
TrailMark Community Engagement
In partnership with South Suburban Parks and Recreation, JCOS conducted a detailed evaluation of the informal access points. Two periods of engagement with the TrailMark community were included in this evaluation to determine whether the two informal access points in the neighborhood should be formalized or closed.
The first engagement was conducted in the form of a meeting with the TrailMark Homeowner’s Association (HOA). During this meeting, JCOS staff presented the concerns with informal access points and had an open conversation with members of the HOA. The response during this initial meeting was overwhelmingly opposed to the formalization of these access points. However during the two-week comment period after the HOA meeting, JCOS staff received numerous emails from neighborhood residents in favor of keeping the access points open. To understand the comprehensive sentiment of the neighborhood and present a more nuanced solution (see Map 1), JCOS staff conducted a second engagement period in November 2022. At this time, a proposed solution was presented to the community and comments were collected on this proposal during a two-week comment period.
Neighbors were asked to provide input on the following items:
In total, JCOS received 85 responses via email during the comment period. Not all email responses included reference to all components of the proposed plan, so comments were cataloged accordingly. Below is a breakdown of the responses received:
Recommendations
Based on the information received from the community during the open comment period, JCOS will formalize Access Option #1 (North), Access Option #2 (South) and the two-track from the parking lot to Black Bear trail be formalized by JCOS. The existing informal access point on the northern end of the neighborhood will be closed. Formalization of the two access points will include the installation of a gate that could be locked in the event of park closures and the installation of a sign to show relevant JCOS information. The primary map for the park will also be updated to include the trail and access points, in the same way the existing access points are shown below in Map 2.
Next Steps
The proposed improvements will be completed in the late summer of 2023. Immediate actions will include the closure of the northernmost informal access point. Until new access points are developed, residents may continue to use the existing informal access. Any map updates will occur after improvements are completed.
TrailMark Neighborhood Access
Background
The Park Rangers at Jefferson County Open Space (JCOS) have initiated an evaluation of access points into Hildebrand Ranch Park. The ability to close parks in emergency situations such as fire, extreme weather, or to protect natural resources in the case of muddy trails is more difficult when there are informal access points into the park.
Currently the TrailMark neighborhood at Hildebrand Ranch Park (HRP) has:
- Two informal access points Located on the west side of the neighborhood.
- Two formal access points into Hildebrand Ranch Park on the perimeter of the neighborhood identified on the map below with a double arrow symbol.
TrailMark Community Engagement
In partnership with South Suburban Parks and Recreation, JCOS conducted a detailed evaluation of the informal access points. Two periods of engagement with the TrailMark community were included in this evaluation to determine whether the two informal access points in the neighborhood should be formalized or closed.
The first engagement was conducted in the form of a meeting with the TrailMark Homeowner’s Association (HOA). During this meeting, JCOS staff presented the concerns with informal access points and had an open conversation with members of the HOA. The response during this initial meeting was overwhelmingly opposed to the formalization of these access points. However during the two-week comment period after the HOA meeting, JCOS staff received numerous emails from neighborhood residents in favor of keeping the access points open. To understand the comprehensive sentiment of the neighborhood and present a more nuanced solution (see Map 1), JCOS staff conducted a second engagement period in November 2022. At this time, a proposed solution was presented to the community and comments were collected on this proposal during a two-week comment period.
Neighbors were asked to provide input on the following items:
- Preferred number of access points (if any)
- Preferred location of access points (from the options provided)
- New formalized trail along existing ranch road to HRP parking lot and Black Bear Trail
In total, JCOS received 85 responses via email during the comment period. Not all email responses included reference to all components of the proposed plan, so comments were cataloged accordingly. Below is a breakdown of the responses received:
- 66% of respondents were in support of formalizing Access Point #1 (North)
- 80% of respondents were in support of formalizing Access Point #2 (South)
- 84% of respondents were in support of formalizing the two-track on the western neighborhood property line
- 73% of respondents were in support of formalizing two access points, as opposed to one or zero
Recommendations
Based on the information received from the community during the open comment period, JCOS will formalize Access Option #1 (North), Access Option #2 (South) and the two-track from the parking lot to Black Bear trail be formalized by JCOS. The existing informal access point on the northern end of the neighborhood will be closed. Formalization of the two access points will include the installation of a gate that could be locked in the event of park closures and the installation of a sign to show relevant JCOS information. The primary map for the park will also be updated to include the trail and access points, in the same way the existing access points are shown below in Map 2.
Next Steps
The proposed improvements will be completed in the late summer of 2023. Immediate actions will include the closure of the northernmost informal access point. Until new access points are developed, residents may continue to use the existing informal access. Any map updates will occur after improvements are completed.
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Map 1 – Proposed access points as included in Public Engagement 
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Map 2 – Example of how access points will be shown in JCOS online maps 
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Please direct questions and concerns to -
Posted March 7, 2023 |
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