Open Space Advisory Board 2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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in April 2003 which showed Louisville citizens almost evenly split between preservation and access. The survey also showed 70% of all respondents viewed environmental preservation as "very important," while only 30 %viewed building more trails as very important. Additionally, the survey showed that residents considered the two most important Open Space policy issues to be environmental preservation and cleaning up dog droppings. Mr. Tengler also identified himself as a runner who had previously used the north trail, but after learning of its value, altered his route to avoid the sensitive area. Finally, Mr. Tengler agreed with Mr. Muckle re: the off trail and off leash abuse, noting several incidents of dogs in the prairie dog area with their owners nearby. In one case, the dog owner was playing a game of "fetch" and actually throwing a stick into the prairie dog area. Mr. Tengler noted that he is in favor of a perimeter trail, but favors closing off the north trail running through the preserve section, as well as many of the social trails throughout the Mesa. Gary Mansdorfer — Mr. Mansdorfer noted the high level of interest in the Mesa trail configuration discussion and encouraged the public to continue in their support by attending more LOSCAB meetings and potentially seeking a position on the LOSCAB. Mr. Mansdorfer noted that he frequently uses the trails on the Mesa and noted that, while in favor of a perimeter trail, but favors leaving the north trail running through the preserve section open. Bill Van Orman — Mr. Van Orman noted his long history of working on Open Space issues in the City and said that he comes down on the side of preservation. Mr. Van Orman recounted that he had been accosted by a variety of off leash dogs on the Mesa and found it somewhat suspicious that all of the citizens voicing support for access had never seen dogs off leash or people off trail. Mr. Van Orman also noted that few if any of the "access" proponents in the audience had ever attended previous LOSCAB meetings or been involved in any Open Space discussion and suggested their interest was based more on enlightened self - interest than in a broader concern about Open Space. Mr. Van Orman is in favor of a perimeter trail, but favors closing off the north trail running through the preserve section. Heidi Ochis — Ms. Ochis noted her agreement with many of the previous comments and said her experience shows that temporary trail closures don't work. Ms. Ochis is in favor of a perimeter trail, but favors closing off the north trail running through the preserve section. Matt Jones — Mr. Jones said he is a proponent of the strong City Charter language that limits paths (except for the existing main crusher fine trail.) Mr. Jones also cited the language from the Esco inventory which identifies the northwest segment of the Mesa as the largest grassland remnant in Louisville and one of the few remaining examples west of Lawrence, Kansas. Mr. Jones noted the "edge effects" of trails and the nesting disturbance it causes. Re: the issue of access from Paragon neighborhood, Mr. Jones said, "condoning encroachment on the ditch is a bad choice from a land management standpoint" and noted that easements may be an issue. Mr. Jones noted that, in his mind, the perimeter trail under consideration represents a "huge compromise" given the