Open Space Advisory Board 2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ep • • None. Matters from Public not on the agenda Agenda items 1. Davidson Mesa Component to the Draft Louisville Open Space Management Plan — Ms. Lair opened the discussion of this agenda item with a review of two maps showing potential reconfigurations of a "loop trail." Ms. Lair said that she had recently visited the Mesa with Gary Mansdorfer from the LOSCAB and Barry Shook, a Louisville resident and trails expert who works for Boulder County. They reviewed the vegetation on the Mesa and measured the grades in the northwest section slope finding that the east/west path features a 14° grade and the north/south section is 26.5 °. Ms. Lair noted that the 26.5° grade is not considered "sustainable" over time for a mixed use trail used for hiking, biking, and running. Cary Tengler noted that the northwestern -most corner of the Mesa had, in some earlier maps, been classified as Visitor. It is currently designated as Protect. Mr. Tengler explained that the LOSCAB had looked at the ESCO recommendations and determined that it was not desirable to have Visitor space contiguous to Preserve and, as a result, the corner on the Mesa had been reclassified Protect. Ms. Lair also noted that if a true perimeter trail were established, any traffic along the ridge line would create what is known as "ridge pollution." Option 1 included a loop that extended down the slope in the northwest corner of the Mesa, extended west from the existing dog run to the Davidson ditch, then turning south along the ditch and extending up the hill next to the property line of the Paragon neighborhood. This option was created with a path that meanders down the slope which somewhat reduces the grade. Ms. Lair noted that the City would not formalize access from Paragon if this option were adopted. Option 2 presented a "ridgeline" trail that extends southwest from the existing dog run and runs along the ridge until it meets the property line of the Paragon neighborhood. This option also cuts to the south of the prairie dog colony in the southwestern section of the Mesa, not following the perimeter as does Option 1. Mr. Jones then opened the discussion to comments from the public: