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Plans for Spring Gulch area in the works

Contributed by: Erin Feese/YourHub.com on 9/22/2008

The Highlands Ranch Metro District is planning a number of improvements in Spring Gulch near Redstone Park, including a mountain bike skills park, fishing pond and expansion of parking at Shea Stadium.

The land is owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and leased by Colorado State Parks and managed by Chatfield State Park staff, said Tom Hoby, director of parks, recreation and open space for the metro district.

Colorado State Parks approached the district to consider becoming the leasee of the property since HRMD is in closer proximity to monitor the activity, he said.

The property includes a 105-acre parcel adjacent to Redstone Park, 3280 Redstone Park Circle, and a 20-acre site west of Sante Fe Drive,where the pond would go.

Adjacent to Redstone Park is an equestrian skills area managed by Colorado State Parks and used by local equestrian groups. Part of the plan is to reconfigure the course.

"We plan to create a better, safer interface between the park and the equestrian area," Hoby said, noting that there have been instances when soccer balls have been accidentally kicked into the horse area.

Another priority for the metro district is to connect the East-West Regional Trail with the Spring Gulch Trail, constructing 15 miles of new trail.

"The East-West Trail is a wonderful connection for people to travel in this area," Hoby said.

Other plans include a 3/4-mile loop mountain bike skills course, 152 additional parking spaces at Shea Stadium, an expansion of the metro district service yard, and a fishing pond and pier.

The total cost of the improvements is estimated at $415,000, with Douglas County Schools paying $125,000 for the stadium parking, Douglas County chipping in $120,000 for the trail construction, the Colorado Division of Wildlife paying $30,000 for the pond and the rest funded by the metro district.

At a public meeting Sept. 4, Hoby said residents raised concerns, such as the size of the mountain bike skills park and the possibility of the skills area spilling over into the equestrian area.

"We are in the process of collecting concerns from neighbors and will go from there," he said.

UP NEXT

Hoby said he anticipates another public meeting on the project to take place toward the end of October, and he said residents who attended the previous meeting or who have expressed concerns will be notified.

Once the metro district reaches a consensus with residents on the issues raised, the district will proceed with its lease application to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The target date for HRMD to become the leasee is January 2009.

To see the presentation from the Sept. 4 meeting, click here.

To read a summary of the public comments from the meeting, click here.

What do you think? Post a comment below or e-mail news@yourhub.com.



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