LYONS-HALL-HEIL TRAIL CONNECTIONS

Background Information

The goal of this project is to develop a multi-use trail that connects the Town of Lyons to the Hall Ranch and Heil Valley Ranch open space properties. We have been working cooperatively with the Town of Lyons to develop alternative trail alignments that achieve this goal.

The Department's goal is to work cooperatively with the public to identify trail alternatives that are environmentally and economically feasible, and provide a safe, sustainable, high-quality user experience. The Department will work to incorporate and balance the concerns of adjacent landowners, recreation user groups, and environmental interest groups in order to define alternatives that are environmentally, socially and politically feasible. The Department hopes to select the preferred trail alignment(s) and develop a trail master plan for the area by the end of the year.

Three open houses were held in 2005, on March 15th, July 26th and October 25th, to gather public input and help refine the conceptual trail alignments. Public meetings have also been conducted with the Lyons Pathways Commission (Aug. 9 and Nov. 3) and the County Parks & Open Space Advisory Committee (Aug. 25 and Nov. 17). For a summary of the open house meetings, including relevant trail maps, please see the information listed below.

We realize this is an important project to the community and to the residents that live in this area, and we look forward to creating the best plan possible. All public meetings will be announced on this website.

Return to Heil Valley Ranch-Hall Ranch Trail Connection Main Page

Project Background Information (in pdf format)

• Vicinity Map

• Project Summary

• Timeline

• NFOS Management Plan, Vol. 1: Resource Evaluation (115 pages)

• NFOS Management Plan Vol. 2: Management Direction and Visitor Use Plan (51 pages)

Open House 1 - held on March 15, 2005

• Conceptual Lyons-Hall Ranch Trail Alignments

• Trail Descriptions, Pros & Cons

• Hall Ranch Meadow Report

• Cost Estimates

• Open House Public Comments

Open House 2 - held on July 26, 2005

• Conceptual Heil Valley Ranch-Lyons Trail Alignments (this file is 3 MB), please direct questions concerning this map to molson@co.boulder.co.us

• Trail Descriptions, Pros & Cons

• Comments by Trail Alignment

• Survey for Preble's Meadow Jumping Mice on South St. Vrain Creek at Hall Ranch Meadows

Open House 3 - held on October 25, 2005

• Open House 3 Comment Form

• Lyons to Hall Ranch: Summary of Alternatives Analysis & Recommendations

• Map - Hall Ranch to Lyons Alignments Considered

• Map - Hall Ranch to Lyons Recommended Routes

• Heil Valley Ranch to Lyons: Summary of Alternatives Analysis & Recommendations

• Map - Heil Valley Ranch Routes Considered

• Map - Heil Valley Ranch Recommended Routes

Archived News

August 25, 2005 - A third open house is tentatively scheduled for October 25th in Lyons. At this meeting, the Department will release its preliminary recommendation for the preferred trail alignments at both Hall Ranch and Heil Valley Ranch. The public will have an opportunity to comment on the staff proposal at this meeting.

September 13, 2005 - The Department received the results of the survey for the Federally threatened Preble's meadow jumping mouse conducted at the Hall Ranch Meadows property. The consultant found one Preble's mouse on the property. The report suggested that any new trail alignments on the property be located at least 75 meters from the creek. For more information, please see the full report.

October 26, 2005 - The third and final open house for the project was held on October 25th in Lyons. The Department released its preliminary recommendations for the preferred trail alignments at both Hall Ranch and Heil Valley Ranch. Over 100 people were in attendance. Public comments were varied; but there was significant comment and discussion about a larger loop trail within the Heil property.

November 18, 2005 - The Department presented its recommendations to the County Parks & Open Space Advisory Committee (POSAC) on November 17th in Boulder. POSAC approved the staff proposal for connector trails at both the Hall Ranch and Heil Valley Ranch properties. They also recommended that a new segment of off-road trail be added to the proposal for the Hall Ranch connection.

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