Open Space Advisory Board Agenda and Packet 2017 12 13

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Purpose & Objective of This Report The purpose of this report is to provide background on the establishment of the Elk Meadow Dog Off -Leash Area (DOLA), and to chronicle the park development and management efforts to date. As the first dog park owned and operated by Jefferson County Open Space (JCOS), operation and management of the area presented a series of management challenges and public health and safety concerns. Since 2001, these issues challenged the expertise and operational capacity of a traditional land management agency. One of the goals of the report is to illustrate how JCOS applied existing best management practices for design and operation of the DOLA to improve the sustainability of the area. The report evaluates the impacts and tradeoffs associated with managing a Dog Off -Leash Area and summarizes work with the community over the years to develop solutions to ongoing management issues. With the closure of the Elk Meadow DOLA in April of 2017, JCOS staff continue to work with the community to find opportunities to develop a new dog off -leash area in the Evergreen area. To this end, this report provides an assessment of both area dog parks and dog off -leash areas to identify how other agencies have designed their facilities and addressed management challenges. Based on these assessments, and their own experience, JCOS hopes to share these lessons learned and apply these best management practices towards the development and management of a new local dog off -leash area in the Evergreen area. About Jefferson County Open Space The Open Space program was established in 1972 by a vote of County residents and is funded through a one-half cent sales tax. Currently the system includes 29 parks, over 45,000 acres and more than 230 miles of trails. In the Evergreen Area alone, Jefferson County Open Space manages Elk Meadow, Alderfer/Three Sisters, Flying J Ranch and Lair o' the Bear Parks and the Hiwan Homestead Museum. Mission The mission of Jefferson County Open Space is to acquire property rights for the preservation of open space and parklands, protect natural and park resources, and provide for healthy nature -based experiences. JCOS uses these three elements of its mission: preserve, protect and provide as cornerstone for park development, management and decision making. It is within this framework that JCOS strives to provide the highest caliber visitor experience for different visitor types while maintaining balance for the protection of natural resources. VISION €rrrd-iirg life throe. rpbc ar ±e Terson cour, ry with an abundance of open space. pada, rads ago nature - based outdoor eiperienc s. MISSION To ac ifre properly rich LT Far he preservation down space and oarkkar?dd protect. naturaand park res. jrces,andprovidefor higat yraature-bused experiences. VALUES Seven valies guide leffm Open Space on a daily basis, demonstrating a commitmentto accountabAq and transpaae organization's days -to -day efforts. +Mese &Lies are extensions of the Visiort, Values and Goals established by the Jefferson Board of i=orarty airnirnissioners and drive how kiffco Open Space candurcts busiress. RasponsibleStewardship - Manage oar ftrran a: bunion, Th9tUrnil and park natoair ensuring the bal.p'rsvbievalue totarpay In rrovati on - Ev'ote and rc-sear h new ids and ampkerrt therm when prudent. Collaborations - Work Or* i thrcthers to creatematuaf r berieficialpartnershix- Balance - Mark -2 OLT d€ isoras by eorsideriraea cartrioosr recrertrbrr and consetliation sats and mer rr s in oar eve yd py amo Trust - ?A Mairrvinpublic minWen o by behaviogeth,ioffycon teritrY and rigid* oth transpoencyandraccoraan'r iry. Excellence - Srri'ocr for the best reStt!`tsarew±rytack and anatleradeavoirs. Learn and Share !aim f orn others and share infrmaation in a w7y gut is easy) to acc &and understand. 13