After collecting responses for two months to a public outreach effort by Jefferson County Open Space over user interactions at Apex Park in Golden, Amy Ito, planning and development officer presented findings to the JCOS advisory committee July 2.

The desire to improve visitor experience was prompted by visitor complaints at the park, which is accessible from Lookout Mountain off Colorow Road at the west end and from the lower Heritage Square parking lot on Heritage Road in Golden on the east end.

According to Thea Rock, JCOS citizen outreach manager, at least 500 responses from citizens were submitted.

"We wanted to hear from the people who use the park and considered it an enthusiastic response," Rock said.

Public meetings were held during the month of June so people could voice their opinions and present possible solutions to problems that included cyclists' riding downhill at high speeds and users' awareness being compromised by the use of ear buds and cell phones while on the trails.

JCOS describes Apex Park as a small acreage park (8.2. miles of trails) over steep terrain.

Rock said more bikers responded than the other two groups classified as hikers and equestrians.

"We were very pleased to see people getting creative in bringing forth recommendations that took pieces of each of the potential management options," Rock said.

The options presented to users included traveling in the same single direction, as on a one-way street; restricting use during specific times of day or days of the week or offering a combination of alternating schedules combined with directional travel.

Also proposed was design and construction of features to either slow traffic, increase or decrease sight lines, create trail loops or minimize grades.

Rainbow Hills resident Jane Wilson said she hikes the upper section at Apex regularly, sometimes with dogs and her grandchildren. She said the neighbors were somewhat proprietary about the trails and didn't think making uni-directional trails was a solution, because it didn't solve the speed problem.

The idea of having an uphill only trail might solve some problems, but she wasn't sure the cyclists would like that.

She recalled a recent incident with a cyclist coming downhill at great speed.

"We are going slow. They are going a lot faster. The cyclists were very polite, but it could be dangerous."

The Colorado Mountain Bike Association submitted a statement on behalf of mountain bikers.

COMBA said in a statement that Apex Trail is unique among JCOS holdings.

"A traditional management approach that works well elsewhere may not be the best solution for Apex- where slope and gravity present fundamental challenges. COMBA does not support simple alternating use policy practices or any policy that excludes any user group."

Rock said the nonprofit expressed an interest in maintenance and more discussions.

Options submitted by users included increased trail mileage, management by time of day, which pertains to weekend or evenings when use is heavy; restricting ear bud use to allow for better communication between users and trail pullouts (wider areas in the trail that would allow for passing); a trail rating system, yielding by direction and licensing or user agreements.

Rock said support of the options placed on the table by JSOC to prompt discussion responses were evenly split for alternate-use days, directional trails and trail design. Public outreach and education and trail signage received the greatest support by three to one. The option of single-use trails was not supported.

Future meetings have been scheduled. Rock said nothing was set in stone, but it was hoped that implementation would be in 2010.

Golden resident Wendy Hesse said, "We run that trail from time to time. It's always been a good experience with running/ mountain biking encounters. I have never seen a horse on the trail."

Janiece Kray, with the Buffalo Bill Saddle Club said, "We used to ride up the Apex Trail three to four times a year for celebrations of Buffalo Bill's birthday, BB Days, etc. In the past few years, due to the conflicts with some bikers and the damage done to the trails by bike quick stops (loose gravel) we have all but abandoned the trail. We are very pleased that JCOS is trying to improve the experience for all."

Chris Conroy, former president of COMBA bikes the Apex trails every day. He said he had never seen an equestrian on the trail and thought perceived conflicts on the trails had decreased.

"I think most of the issues on Apex are courtesy issues and not specific to any user group. If everyone used common sense and courtesy, I think most conflict would dissipate on its own," Conroy said.

Kray said, "We don't have the equivalent of the speed mountain bikers. Mostly we want a safe relaxing ride and enjoy interactions with hikers and the vast majority of bikers."

Residency of respondents
Primarily from Golden 140
City and County of Denver 103
Lakewood 54
Littleton 49
Boulder 27
Arvada 25
Evergreen 16
Highlands Ranch 13
Aurora 10

Up next
An OSAC meeting is scheduled Aug. 6 at 7 p.m. for a few groups that put together more complex concepts and will make a formal presentation of their ideas to the OSAC. On Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. staff will present preliminary recommendations.

For more information about JCOS visit www.co.jefferson.co.us

For information about COMBA, visit www.comba.org

For information about hiking clubs, www.trails.com