Management Plan for Betasso Preserve
and the Benjamin Property

Meeting posters (4.8MB pdf)

Initial Public Comments  (453KB pdf)

Planning Area Map (110KB pdf)

Relationship of Plan to CDOW Study (34KB pdf)
 

Background

Boulder County Parks and Open Space Department is in the initial phase of preparing a combined management plan for Betasso Preserve and the recently acquired Benjamin property. The combined management plan will be an update to the 1985 Betasso Preserve Management Plan and set the future management direction for both properties, which will be managed as one unit following completion of the plan. The purpose of the management plan will be to establish the vision, goals and objectives, and implementation strategies for the properties. These will be based on an in-depth analysis and evaluation of the existing natural and cultural resources, existing and potential future public use, public sentiment, the goals and policies of the Boulder County Comprehensive Plan and other relevant planning documents, and additional opportunities and constraints that come to light during the planning process.

Betasso Preserve and the Benjamin property encompass a total of 1175 acres of lower montane habitat within the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and offer a variety of open space values. These values include a mosaic of intact native plant communities, important wildlife habitat and movement corridors, diverse and rugged topography, a hub for recreational activities, a piece of Boulder County history, a grand outdoor classroom, abundant scenic vistas, and a place to seek out peace and quiet. Each of these values will play a part in determining the future management of the open space properties.

Currently, Betasso Preserve is open to the public seven days a week, sunrise to sunset. Three multi-use trails exist including the 3.2-mile Canyon Loop Trail, the 0.25-mile Bummer’s Rock Trail, and the 1.25-mile Link Trail. Trails are open for hiking, mountain biking, trail running, and horseback riding. The Canyon Loop Trail is presently closed to mountain biking on Wednesdays and Saturdays to mitigate user conflict on the trail. Existing Betasso Preserve facilities include four parking areas, five picnic tables, one restroom, two informational kiosks, four benches, and a group shelter, which can accommodate 50 people.

For more information on Betasso Preserve, click here.

To view the 1985 Betasso Preserve Management Plan, click here.

Per the Benjamin Property Interim Plan, the Benjamin property is currently closed to the public pending the adoption of the combined management plan. Presently, the property has no official Parks & Open Space designated trails. However, a number of non-designated “social” trails exist on-site, which were created prior to the acquisition of the property by the County. These social trails are in fair to poor condition with many instances of erosion, downcutting, and braiding, especially on steeper slopes. The future of these social trails and the designation of new sustainable trails will be determined through the management planning process.

For more information on the Benjamin property click here.

How can I get involved?

Two public open house meetings were conducted and initial public input was gathered during February and March 2008.  The first open house meeting took place on February 26 at the Boulder County Clerk & Recorder’s office and was attended by 25 people. The second meeting occurred on March 4 at the Sugar Loaf Fire Protection District, Station #2, and was attended by 28 people. The purpose of these meetings was to provide the public with background information on the existing natural and cultural resources and public uses at Betasso Preserve and the Benjamin property and to solicit comment on the draft vision, goals and objectives, and opportunities and constraints for the combined management plan. 

Next Steps

Following the initial public open houses, Parks and Open Space staff reviewed all comments that were received in writing. A summary of comments is posted on this website. During the spring and summer 2008, staff will be conducting natural and cultural resource surveys and assessments. In addition, staff will begin preparation of the draft management plan. It is anticipated that this draft plan will be completed in September 2008. At that time, a second public meeting, as well as a public comment period, will be scheduled to solicit comments on the draft plan. Following the public comment period, the draft plan will be presented to POSAC, and then the final plan will be presented to the Board of County Commissioners. At this point, it is expected that the final management plan will be approved by January 2009.

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