In the last few years, Jefferson County Open Space has noted an increase in park visitor conflict reports at Apex Park near Golden, CO. The park has an estimated annual visitation between 70,000-100,000 people and provides trail-based recreation for hikers and runners, mountain bikers and equestrians.

In an effort to get input from the public regarding how their experience could be improved, Open Space initiated public outreach in May through online response opportunities and public open houses. After receiving over 570 individual comments, plus group concepts from the Colorado Mountain Bike Association, Biking Representatives of the Trail Use Task Force, and the Paradise Hills and Lower Apex Neighborhoods, staff met to review input received and formulate a plan for improving the visitor experience at Apex Park understanding that one plan would not meet the needs of all users.

The Plan for Improving the Visitor Experience at Apex Park is available online and will be formally presented to the Open Space Advisory Committee at the October 1 regular public meeting. Key elements of the plan include these actions: disperse use at the trailhead by the construction of a second trail onto the park while minimizing new trail construction, retain multiple-use on all trails, designate one-way travel for bicyclists on trail segments to reduce conflicts from users traveling at differing speeds, establish sections of new trail alignment for safety and sustainability, incorporate features along Apex Trail of interest and challenge for biking, and construct pullouts, install signs and trim vegetation as necessary to improve visitor safety throughout the Park.

The Open Space Advisory Committee meets the first Thursday of each month beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Open Space Hearing Room, 700 Jefferson County Parkway, Golden, CO. The Director of Open Space approves all park management planning, with recommendations from Management Team and concurrence from the Open Space Advisory Committee. The County Commissioners do not approve Open Space management plans. No implementation is expected until 2010.

Read an overview of the objectives, actions and expected improvements to the visitor experience at Apex Park and reference the plan map here: http://jeffco.us/jeffco/openspace_uploads/apex_doc_2009.pdf