Neighbor Relations

Updates:
New 2007 Study: Managing Your Natural Resources: Living Near Boulder County Parks and Open Space Forest Ecosystems (2MB pdf)

Do you have questions about Little Gaynor Lake?

Weekly Updates on Herbicide Application Locations:  Check every Monday for updated reports

Neighbors:  How Are We Doing?

Thousands of residents live adjacent to Boulder County’s open space, and there is no doubt that the department’s planning and management decisions impact these neighbors and their property. Decisions about access, natural resource management, recreation and other issues can affect their daily lives.

The department hears from many adjacent landowners in public forums during the planning process but less frequently after management plans have been implemented.

We are currently working to improve our communication with the community by developing new ways to get information out to residents and by providing more opportunities for feedback.

Questions?

If you have general questions or concerns about Parks and Open Space, please call (303) 678-6200 or email vjannatpour@co.boulder.co.us. Or, you can write to us at:

Boulder County Parks and Open Space
5201 St. Vrain Rd.
Longmont, CO  80503

If you have specific questions or concerns about…

Do you have other issues? Call our main telephone number at (303) 678-6200, and we'll do our best to assist you.

Adjacent Landowner Survey

In 2005, the Parks and Open Space Department (POS) sponsored a study through Resource Management Division’s Small Grant Program to assess the attitudes of adjacent landowners and the exchange of information between them and the department. Basically, we wanted to know if POS was fulfilling its policy of being a “good neighbor.”

Stacey Schulte with Planning Alternatives, a local research firm, took a sample of residential properties adjacent to POS properties. The sample was divided between agricultural-leased lands and public open space. A list of adjacent landowners was obtained from the department’s GIS staff, and approximately one-third were next to agricultural lands and two-thirds adjacent to other POS lands open to the public.

Of the 400 questionnaires sent, 71% were returned.
Overall wildlife, rural landscape and land protection are the most significant benefits to neighbors. Most frequently cited was the enjoyment of wildlife, either viewing wildlife or knowing that it has protected habitat. The second most frequently cited positive aspect of living next to open space relates to qualities of living in a rural landscape -- like views, privacy and quiet.
Neighbors also value knowing that the rural landscape they enjoy is permanently protected from development.
Negative aspects neighbors mentioned were associated with park visitors including complaints about trash, trespassing, noise, parking, and dogs. Respondents also cited weeds as a major problem living next to county open space.

In general, neighbors feel somewhat informed about activities on adjacent land, but the overwhelming majority (85%) would like more information about POS management. Currently, information is most frequently gathered from newspapers, neighbors and tenants. A small percentage get information directly from POS, including staff, meetings or the website. Most neighbors would prefer to receive information via the mail or email.
 

2005 Landowner Study Results (484KB PDF)

Five Key Findings from the Study

1. The average adjacent resident feels satisfied with how living next to open space affects them and their property, and they take advantage of living adjacent by visiting the property frequently.
2. While adjacent residents are frequent visitors of open space, what they value most is that open space provides land protection, elements of rural living and connection to wildlife. With the exception of recreation, neighbors of agricultural-leased properties rate most benefits more highly than neighbors of public open space.
3. Weeds and problems related to visitors are the most frequently cited problems neighbors experience. Complaints about trash, trespassing, parking and noise were cited as problems that have in many cases gotten worse over time.
4. Although agricultural-leased properties are closed to the public, many neighbors visit these properties. Many neighbors do not know that these properties are closed to the public.
5. Adjacent residents do not feel very informed about the management of adjacent properties and they would like to be more informed. They would most like to get information via mail or email. A significant number of residents have been in contact with POS in the past and have generally gotten a timely response.

 

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