Operations

The Parks and Open Space Operations division is responsible for the design, construction and maintenance of all trails and facilities on all open space properties including the Boulder County Fairgrounds. The Operations Team consists of 37 full-time employees organized into five different work groups. In 2008, the Operations division worked on many projects. Below is a list of some projects that the team worked on.

2008 Project Photos:

Public Education Projects:

• Started foundation for the Smoke House at the Agricultural Heritage Center
• Assistance with design work for the Education Trailer

Historic Preservation Projects:

• Argo Mine Voluntary Cleanup Plan
• Cardinal Mill Phase II including construction the east retaining wall and other restoration efforts
• Historic restoration on buildings at Caribou Ranch and Harney Lastoka
• Historic restoration of the Golden Barracks, a historic migrant farm workers’ building
• Construction of the farmhouse at Walker Ranch
• New roof on the Ramey House which is Boulder County's oldest and best preserved homesteads

Trails and Facilities Projects:

• Construction of the 5.5-mile Picture Rock Trail at Heil Valley Ranch
• Construction of the temporary parking lot for the north end of Heil Valley Ranch
• Construction of the Kerr Community Gardens and parking lot at Harney-Lastoka
• Rock wall restoration work at Legion Park
• Hillside stabilization along the Boulder Canyon trail
• Trailhead improvements at Stearns Lake and Bald Mountain
• Retrofitted restrooms at Rabbit Mountain and Stearns Lake

Design and Planning Projects:

• Grassy Top roadside pull-off design work
• Harney Lastoka Community Gardens Phase II design work
• Design and planning work for northern trailhead at Heil Valley Ranch
• Trail planning for:
       - Benjamin & Betasso properties
       - Dry Creek Loop Trail completion
       - LOBO & Boulder Feeder Canal trail
       - Mayhoffer to Coalton and Superior to Marshall Mesa trails
       - Rock Creek Trail connections

Fairgrounds Projects:

• New wayfinding signs throughout the facility
• Developed drainage master plan
• Installed new grease traps at the Exhibit Building
• Replaced the floor in Exhibit Building kitchen
• Installed new sprinkler system for the Indoor Arena
• Various landscape improvements including flower plantings, flagstone walkways and bench installations
• Planted over 116 trees throughout the Fairgrounds
• Installed new security gate
• Received new arena grooming equipment
• Various facility improvements including painting, parking lot repairs and many other repairs

Youth Corps Projects:

• Various landscape improvements to the Boulder County Fairgrounds
• Trail maintenance on 19.5 miles of trail throughout the County
• Historic restoration on buildings at Harney Lastoka
• Over one mile of trail built along Picture Rock Trail at Heil Valley Ranch

Volunteer Projects:

• Created the Trail Crew Leader Program
• Sponsored 20 projects involving 526 volunteers & 3,090 hours
• Fencing projects at Walker Ranch and Betasso Preserve

More Information about Operations

In addition to major projects, the Operations division is busy maintaining the existing trails and facilities which include: more than 20 parking lots with about 625 parking spaces, 15 restrooms, 15 picnic shelters, 115 picnic tables, over 100 miles of trails with 21 bridges, miles of fence, and hundreds of historical and agricultural structures.  Operations also removes unsafe structures, cleans up new properties and restores buildings acquired with new open space properties.

If you would like to learn more about projects occurring on open space, contact the Operations Manager at: 303-678-6184 or bwheeler@bouldercounty.org.

 

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